Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 153268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 766(@200wpm)___ 613(@250wpm)___ 511(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 153268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 766(@200wpm)___ 613(@250wpm)___ 511(@300wpm)
“What things?” I turned to look at Row, awestruck. “What did you do to make Lyle and Randy, two of the sweetest people on planet Earth, mad?”
He turned to glower at me. “Why don’t you ask them?”
Wasn’t it obvious? “Because I’m incapable of starting a conversation without turning it into a lovefest for everything nineties related, and I will probably give both of them a ten-minute lecture about the origin of ‘Kiss from a Rose’ by Seal, which, by the way, is one of the greatest songs of all time. Ask anyone with ears.”
“You can’t help yourself, can you?” He gave me an exasperated look, shaking his head. “Well, I think I’m gonna let you brew in the unknown a little longer.”
“What an ass.”
“You know, I had the same thought when I walked into this place and you had your back to me.”
“Are you flirting with me or ridiculing me?” I stomped. Actually stomped. The man was insufferable.
“Neither.” He picked up his plate and resumed his feast. “Just fact-stating is all.”
Tapping my finger over my mouth, I asked, “How come you didn’t kick Tuck’s butt for getting together with Dylan?”
“Who says I didn’t? Relocated his nose the first time they got together. Then closed the trunk door on his fingers, breaking four out of five, after their post–pregnancy test breakup.” Pause. “Accidentally, of course.”
“No, you didn’t.”
A somber nod. “He’ll never be able to jerk off again. His fingers look like deep-fried Cheetos.”
“Also—no, he didn’t.” I cupped my mouth, realizing Tucker had tried to weasel his way out of taking responsibility for that pregnancy.
“Tried to.”
“Whoa.” My eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. “Ballsy.”
“That was the next item on my list of bodily organs to destroy if he didn’t man up.”
“Are they together now?” I was thirsty for tidbits about Dylan’s life.
“Why don’t you ask Dylan…oh, that’s right.” He snapped his fingers, nodding. “Because she hates your guts.”
That was it. I’d had enough of his behavior.
“That she hates my guts, I understand completely, considering the circumstances.” I tossed my plate into the trash can under the tableclothed table in fury. It wasn’t like I had an appetite anyway. “But why do you loathe me? What did I ever do to you? I gave you the greatest gift of all.”
“Pretty sure you moved away because of college, not as a gesture of good faith.” He popped an olive into his mouth.
“I’m talking about my virginity, you swine.”
“That was a gift?” He squinted at a piece of Muenster cheese dangling on a toothpick with the utmost concentration. “What’s the return policy on that?”
Absentmindedly tidying up the table to do something with my hands, I continued, “I was wrong to do that to Dylan, but I didn’t hurt you in any way. Yet you’re the one who can’t stand me. Why?”
“I can stand you fine.”
“Is that why you’re being sarcastic with me?”
“I’m being sarcastic with everyone, Dot. Ain’t nothing special ’bout you.”
“You weren’t sarcastic with me back when I was a kid.”
“Spared you then.” He turned to tap my nose, his grin unbearably patronizing. “New rules now. You’re a commoner like everyone else.”
“What? Why?” Did he just Meghan Markle me?
“You really wanna know?”
“Yes!”
His jaw locked, and he appeared to be grinding his molars to dust. Still, through the tension, I detected some pensiveness too. Like he was contemplating giving me a real, non-sarcastic answer.
I held my breath. I was in dire need of some truth bombs. I was back in a small, close-knit town, unfamiliar and unfriendly, and didn’t want to make any more mistakes.
Row opened his mouth to say something. As soon as he did, my mother announced loud enough to wake the dead, “All right, I’m tired and my favorite K-drama is about to start. Everyone can leave now.” Pregnant silence. “Other than Calla, I suppose.”
It completely ruined my moment of truth with Row. He clamped his mouth shut, turning around and striding in her direction.
I chased him, refusing to admit defeat. “Hey, wait. What were you going to say?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Does to me!”
The human ocean of grievers parted for Row, but the looks the townsfolk gave him no longer oozed awe and admiration. Everyone seemed put off and wary by his presence. This made no sense. Did they not see what I saw? A disgustingly accomplished businessman? An artist? A sex icon? The celebrity who put Staindrop on the map?
“Marina.” Row planted a hand on Mom’s shoulder, kissing her cheek earnestly. “I’ll be around. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”
“There’s something you can do for me.” I tapped his back persistently. “Answer my damn question.”
Mom melted under Row’s touch, patting his hand on her shoulder. “Oh, Ambrose, you sweet boy. Tell your mother I send her my regards.”
“Sorry she couldn’t make it. Still down with the flu.”
“That’s all right. I know Zeta always means well.”