Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77611 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77611 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Thankfully, he doesn’t pursue the topic. Instead, he asks, “Val?”
“The big man of our fearsome foursome. You might have seen him before you left that night. He was the one carrying Bex out to the ambulance. I should call them after we eat.”
My phone has to be charged by now, and I don’t want any of them worried about me.
He agrees, then continues peppering me with questions about my friends while I attack his food like I’ve just ended a hunger strike. At his genuine interest and total lack of judgment, I find myself oversharing. I tell him about Valentine Caravalho, the nurturer and award-winning architect. Rebecca “it’s complicated, but she might be a ninja” Gordon. And Connor “Chuckles” Lafferty. My people.
“We’ve known each other since we were six years old, and Connor was a bit of a bully at first,” I tell him with a grin, “but after he and I nearly came to blows on the school playground—he had his fists, and I had my glitter glue—we met Bex, who decided it was her job to mediate. I’m not sure if it was her loud voice or the large, silently intimidating boy behind her that finally got through to me, but by the end of the day the four of us were inseparable.”
As I talk about our childhood, I avoid all the parental drama and stick with our adventures. None of us had the best family situation, with the exception of Val, who was adopted as a baby and has parents that adore him. They’re great.
So is Bex’s uncle who, though his past is full of fascinating criminality, got a job with Tanaka when he discovered he had a teenage niece in need of a guardian. If the Caravalhos were our safe haven of normalcy, Mr. Gordon was the one to give four rebellious kids an alibi whenever it was required.
“I can’t believe you’ve all known each other for that long.” Michael’s tone is wistful. “We lived on a ranch with my two uncles, and I had a tutor there instead of going to the nearest school, so I didn’t do much socializing. I don’t think I ever had a friend I was that close to growing up.”
And now I’m sad for him. I mean, sure, ranches and tutors sound nice and I’ve definitely added it to the handful of things I’ve now learned about him, but no friends? I’m not sure the trade-off is worth it. “Tell me more about these uncles of yours.”
His eyes narrow doubtfully. “There’s not much to say about them. They’re good men. Not that big on talking or comfortable in crowds, but protective of us. Steady. Mom said Uncle Rand was engaged to his high school sweetheart, but after she died in a car accident, he never dated again. Uncle Larry never showed any interest in women or men. They’ve got a few horses and a small herd of cattle to keep them occupied. A couple of ranch hands in the busy season and fences that always need to be fixed. I spent a large chunk of my childhood fixing those fences and avoiding town. I’m still expected to do my chores whenever I visit now. Nothing more interesting than that.”
“It’s interesting to me,” I assure him as he takes our plates and reaches for the already-prepared coffee. “I’m pure city mouse, Michael. Suburbs terrify me and small towns fascinate me. Keep going. Why did you avoid town? Spill that tea.”
He frowns down at the cup in his hand. “You wanted tea?”
“Gossip.” I look skyward. “Have you lived in space for the last decade or two? Is that why you don’t know what tea means or that getting Liam Neeson-ed is being tracked down with a special set of skills because you kidnapped his daughter and now you have to pay?”
Connor made me watch that movie once. He has a list of “guy films” he brings out as punishment a few times a year since I make him watch musicals.
“Is that what he meant?” Michael is laughing now. “I wondered how nervous that threat was supposed to make me.”
“Very,” I assure him, high on food and the man’s gorgeous smile. “I told you he’s a football coach. There’s also basketball. Then we have baseball and bowling. Bocce ball at the summer camp we run together. The point is, he takes his balls very seriously, and he knows how to use them.”
He chuckles again and sips his steaming coffee. “Well, then I’m appropriately intimidated. Let me get you dessert and you can tell me about that summer camp.”
I want to point out he’s dodging my last question, but when I see the large tray full of goodies, I’m temporarily hypnotized. They look like little multicolored sandwiches. I pick up the chocolate one, and when I get my first taste? I moan, loud and lusty, wiggling my butt on the stool. “Ohmgd,” I garble. “S’spicychoclte?”