Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“You started the cleaning business all by yourself?” David asked. Was he implying that was impossible?
“Sabrina helped me make connections to get my first clients. Once I had several satisfied customers, I realized I could expand, so I took some small-business classes and officially established my company.”
“And you’ve been in business over a year?” David asked.
“That’s right. I’ve hired Sabrina and two others to help me.”
David nodded. “Impressive.” He seemed to mean it.
“Thanks.” I wasn’t going to be pissy if David was trying to be sincere.
Jeremy served dinner a few minutes later. We ate at the table in what was supposed to be the formal dining room. Jeremy had managed to give the room a more casual feel and he used everyday plates. I was glad because I didn’t want to feel like the beast at the ball trying to eat off fancy china.
Conversation stayed light throughout dinner, although I couldn’t manage to relax as I waited for criticism from David and watched him flirt shamelessly with Sabrina.
When Jeremy started clearing plates I hesitated, torn between helping him clean up and serve dessert, and staying in the dining room to keep an eye on David. Of course, Sabrina seemed to actually enjoy David’s over-the-top, attention-getting tactics.
I caught Sabrina’s eye and raised a brow, trying to silently ask if she was as happy as she looked. Instead of simply nodding, she went with a less subtle response. “Connor, I bet Jeremy could use help with the dessert.” Great. She was not only happy, but she also wanted to get rid of me.
“I was just thinking that.” I pushed my chair back and stood. “Do remember we’re coming back,” I added, glaring at David.
David grinned. “I’ll see if I can behave.”
“Do that.” I took my plate and David’s and headed into the kitchen.
“I was going to get those,” Jeremy said. He was placing the pastries on a platter next to a stack of dessert plates.
“No problem. I thought I’d help.”
Jeremy grinned. “You wanted to escape.”
“Sabrina wanted me to.”
“Ah. I told you those two would like each other.”
"Yes, you guessed right.” The words came out with a bitter edge I hadn’t been able to contain.
Jeremy sighed. “I was really hoping you’d warm up to David.”
“He’s been… polite during dinner.”
“I know you two didn’t get the best start.”
I focused on arranging the pastries in a perfectly symmetrical pattern. “He doesn’t trust me.”
Jeremy didn’t try to deny it. “He’s skeptical about things working out for us.”
“Really?” I winced at the sarcasm in my tone. I needed to try harder for Jeremy’s sake, but David irritated the fuck out of me.
Jeremy didn’t seem put off by my remark. “He can be abrasive.”
“And flirtatious.” I glanced at Jeremy as I rearranged a miniature strawberry shortcake and a petit four.
“That too, but Sabrina doesn’t seem to mind.”
I shook my head. “No, she doesn’t.”
“But you do.”
“I… Look, I know you want us to get along.”
“I do, but I also know David can be an acquired taste. Of course, he would say the same thing about me.”
“Seriously? I wanted you from the moment I saw you.”
Jeremy grinned. “Are you trying to tempt me to cut the evening short?”
I leaned in and kissed Jeremy’s neck. “Is it working? I can try a lot harder. I’m not sure they really need dessert.”
Jeremy laughed and picked up the platter of treats. “Come on. We’ll have plenty of time for you to use your seductive skills on me after Sabrina and David leave.”
I grabbed the dessert plates and followed Jeremy into the dining room. Sabrina and David had their heads together, and David sounded like he was trying to suppress his obnoxious laugh. I wasn’t going to let myself wonder if they were talking about me.
Sabrina looked up. “Oooh. Did you bring mini cannoli?”
“Of course.” To David and Jeremy, I said, “Sabrina introduced me to Mountain Sweets right after I moved here. She’s a bit of an addict.”
She smirked at me. “And now you are too.”
I was. At least I had to drive across town to get their pastries and eating them was an incentive to keep up my workouts.
David grabbed a bite-sized cupcake as soon as I set the plate down. “Damn this is incredible,” he said.
Sabrina beamed at him. “Another addict in the making.”
"Yes, I could easily get addicted to this.” The way David was looking at Sabrina as he spoke, I wasn’t sure he was talking about dessert.
Sabrina finally tore her gaze from David and looked across the table at Jeremy and me. “David was just telling me he has extra tickets to South Pacific at the Civic Center next week. It’s my favorite musical. I think we should all go.”
I shook my head. “I don’t do musicals.”
“You didn’t think you did Shakespeare until you went with Jeremy.” Sabrina gave Jeremy a pointed look.