Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 116231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
“So now that we’ve got that out of the way,” she states, putting down her wine glass, “what are we going to talk about?”
“The last time I went out on a date was over fourteen years ago,” I admit to her. “From what I remember, you get to know the other person.”
“Well, I know you are divorced, a single dad, and you play hockey.”
“I know you work for a foundation and you are one of my best friend’s sister.” I fold my arms over my chest, leaning back in the chair. “And I’m pretty sure if he finds out we’re here he’s going to want to kick my ass.”
She snorts. “We should play twenty questions.”
“Sure. Do you want to go first?” I ask her and she shrugs.
“What is your favorite season of the year?” she asks me.
“Can I have two?” I ask her and she laughs.
“Sure, we’re throwing all the rules out tonight.”
“Okay, well, I obviously love winter because I get to play hockey.” She nods as if she understands. “But then again, I love summer because I get to spend time with my kids.” She smiles a small smile as if she really means it. “What about you?”
“Summer,” she says. “The sun shining, the warm ocean water. The smell of sunscreen. The sand hot enough to burn the soles of your feet.” She laughs. “Everyone is more relaxed in the summer. It doesn’t feel like everyone is hustling and bustling through the day. People, I find, savor their time in the summer.”
“I never thought of it like that.”
“Well, I’m obviously smart.” She picks up the glass of wine, finishing her sip. “Your turn.”
“What is your dream vacation?” I ask, and she actually takes a second to think about it.
“I would say Bora Bora. I mean, I’ve seen it in movies. With the little huts over the crystal-blue water.” Her smile goes big. “It’s like the most perfect social media pictures you will ever get,” she puts her glass down, “but I have heard that it’s B-O-R-I-N-G.”
“You would be right,” I tell her and I can see her eyes go big. “I went on my honeymoon.” Something flashes in her eyes.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to stir up old memories.”
“No, it’s fine,” I admit to her. “It is what it is.” I smile at her.
“So what is yours?” she asks me and I look at her.
“I’m not sure, I guess it’s going to be lame.” I chuckle at my own response. “But as long as I’m with my kids and with whoever I share my life with, I guess that would be my dream destination. It would definitely have to be a beach though. My kids love the beach, I love the beach.”
“What’s not to love about the beach,” she jokes with me.
“Have you ever had sex on the beach?”
“One, it’s not your turn,” she reminds me, reaching for the bottle of wine but I stop her and reach out at the same time as she does, our fingers touching. We stay like that for longer than we should, before she moves her hand away. “But to answer your question. Yes.” I don’t know why, but my heart sinks. “I have had the drink and I don’t recommend it.” She snorts, laughing, and for the first time in a while, so do I.
twenty-two
Kylie
“One, it’s not your turn,” I tell him, reaching for the bottle of wine, but he stops me when he reaches out at the same time as I do. Our fingers touch and it feels like an electric current shooting up my arm. I move my hand away, watching his eyes watch me, waiting for my answer to his question—which I know is sexual—but I’m not going there with him, or at least that’s the plan.
But you know how these things go, sometimes plans just go out the window. “But to answer your question. Yes”—I see the ire in his eye, and I have to stop myself from busting out laughing—“I have had the drink and I don’t recommend it.” I can’t help it, I snort-laugh and so does he. His blue eyes turn crystal blue when he’s laughing, and they are the most magnificent eyes I’ve ever seen in my life. “What about you?” He fills my glass with wine.
“I don’t recommend the drink either.” He smirks, his eyes never leaving my wine glass and then he puts the bottle away. “But it’s not my turn.”
I pick up my glass, bringing it to my lips. “Who is your celebrity crush?”
He laughs as he shocks me by taking off his jacket, and my eyes see his bare arms. I have to swallow before I moan out loud. I drink a sip of wine to stop myself from saying anything I shouldn’t say. “Celebrity crush.” He tosses his jacket to the side of his chair. “Hmm,” he hums, thinking, “I don’t even think I have one.”