Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“Don’t look now, but I think you’re a bit of a workaholic, Polly.”
She smirks and nods. “Yeah. Guilty. But I love it, so why not? Besides, you’re a workaholic, too.”
“Totally.” I don’t even try to deny it. “For the same reasons. I enjoy what I do, and I’m good at it. I’ve slowed down just a bit since Jake came into the picture and since I’ve moved back home permanently. But I still work long hours.”
“So, what does slowing down look like for you?”
“Well, instead of working twenty-hour days, I’d say I put in twelve or so. Much to Arthur’s dismay.”
“Who’s Arthur?”
“My assistant. He’s a taskmaster.”
Her lips tip up into a grin, and then she sets the last of her food aside and sits back, patting her stomach. “I’m so full. That was delicious, thank you.”
Her eyes are droopy as she smiles softly over at me.
“I’m going to kick myself out of here,” I tell her and begin gathering what remains of our meal. “I’m glad your fridge works so you can keep the leftovers.”
“You should take them home to Jake.”
“He’s having dinner with Rem, Erin, and the kids. Rem had an issue with a horse that he wanted Jake to look at, so Jake is hanging out there for the evening.”
“He must be really good with the animals.”
“He’s excellent,” I confirm, pride filling my chest. “He’s looking into vet school after he graduates in a couple of years. He wants to be a large animal doctor.”
“That’s amazing,” she says. “He’s a far cry from the angry kid that was hanging out with those brats who stole from me last year.”
“He’s finding his way,” I agree, and we walk inside, where Polly stows the food away and then walks with me to the door.
When I’m on the front stoop, she leans on the doorway and smiles softly. “Thanks again.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow night, for our first official date.”
“This wasn’t it?”
I shake my head and walk down the steps, impressed that my feet are listening to my brain because I want to stay here and kiss the hell out of her.
“No, ma’am. Because if it was, I’d be kissing you right now.”
I wink at her and climb into the truck, loving the way she looks right now, in that skimpy outfit with her hair up, wishing I could stay.
“Taking it slow, Wild,” I mutter to myself as I back out of the driveway. “This is one time you need to have patience.”
Jake is pulling into the driveway just as I am, and we climb out of our trucks and grin at each other.
“How’s the family?” I offer my fist for a bump, which he taps with his own, as we walk into the house through the garage.
“They’re good. The kids are cute. They wanted me to give them piggyback rides around the backyard. I’m going to be sore tomorrow.” He grins at me, and I can see that he had a great time. “Erin made lemon chicken for dinner.”
“You know, I don’t think I know what your favorite dinner is.” I pull a bottle of water out of the fridge and toss it to him before retrieving my own.
“Food.” He shrugs. “I don’t really have a favorite. I’ll eat anything.”
“Pizza? Burgers? Steak?”
“Yes, yes, and yes.” He laughs and turns to retreat to his bedroom. “I have some zombies to kill, and Russ is already waiting for me.”
“Have fun,” I call back.
Jake plays video games online with a couple of friends in the evenings, and I don’t mind at all. I’d rather he was here, shooting zombies and talking shit while eating junk food than out and about doing God knows what.
I haven’t talked to Jake yet about my seeing Polly. I want to see if it’s going to go anywhere before I loop the kid in. If it fizzles, there’s no need.
I don’t think he’ll have an issue with it. He likes Polly.
I make my way through the house and make sure it’s locked up tight before I go up to my office to settle in and work for a few hours.
As I pass by Jake’s room, I can hear the noise from the game, and Jake yells out, “Haha, you’re an idiot, SheenaWasAMan69. Did you see that? Yeah, man, let’s go over there and see if we can get the loot.”
I grin. I’m relieved that bringing Jake into my home has been so seamless. Almost effortless. Given what he’s gone through in the past two years, he deserves to feel safe and happy in his home.
There hasn’t been even one day of nasty attitude from him. Even the first time he came out here to work for me, he was sullen and quiet, but he never showed the attitude that Chase warned me about when he asked me to take Jake on.