Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Yes. The answer came quickly and surely. I wouldn’t lie to myself about what this was, but I would enjoy every moment I got to spend with the handsome and charming man. I wouldn’t let myself believe it was more than a fling, because when he inevitably left, I wanted to look back on our time together fondly. I wanted to smile at the memories, not cry. I didn’t want to tuck the memories away because they were too painful to relive.
This could be a wonderful vacation for both of us.
No, not could be. It would be.
I’d make sure of it.
Gavin
“Mr. Ross, glad to have you back with us.” Dr. Parnell’s face was the first thing I saw when I woke up from surgery, but I wasn’t sure if his expression suggested good news or bad. “Surgery went perfectly, in and out in thirty-seven minutes. As routine as we expected.”
I opened my mouth and felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to the right, to the hand. The feminine hand with nails coated in a shimmery light pink color. I followed the arm up until I found myself staring into the green eyes of Suzie.
“Don’t talk, Gavin. You need to let your cords relax.”
I smiled and nodded, happy as hell that she’d shown up for my surgery. I wasn’t sure if she would, since she was so adamant about keeping our relationship quiet, but here she was. I pressed a kiss to her hand, smiling wider when she gasped.
“They must have you on some good drugs,” she said on a laugh, trying to cover up the blush that crept up from the collar of her shirt to stain her face a delightful shade of pink.
“Nah, that’s not it. My boy knows a beautiful woman when he sees one, and he’s staking his claim,” an older, grizzled, familiar voice boomed in the room.
My eyes landed on the man who meant more to me than anyone in the world. Granddaddy. I sent him a nod and a smile, a question in my eyes.
“You thought I’d come after the surgery? Silly boy.” He shook his head. “Good thing you have some concerned people in your life who knew you’d want me here earlier.” His light blue gaze slid quickly to Suzie and back to me. “You feeling all right, Gavin?”
I nodded and lifted my arm for a thumbs up. There was some pain, but it wasn’t even as painful as a tattoo. Mostly I was still groggy from the anesthesia.
“Good. Great. Glad to hear it.” Granddaddy clapped his hands together and turned a smile toward Dr. Parnell. “How long until I can spring my grandson from this place?”
Dr. Parnell glanced at the clock above the door. “An hour or two and he’ll be good to go home.”
“All right. I saw a grocery store on my way to the hospital.” Granddaddy turned to Suzie with a glint of humor in his eyes. “Don’t suppose this place has a cab service or Uber?” The old man wasn’t as clever as he thought, at least not if Suzie’s knowing grin was anything to go by.
“There is, sure, but I can give you a lift myself.” At Granddaddy’s confused look, Suzie sighed. “Gavin’s car is being repaired and he can’t speak which means he can’t tell you who’s been driving him all over town since he arrived.”
Granddaddy frowned. “Not the Bel Air you just won?”
I nodded, a sheepish expression on my face.
“Damn foolish kids. That car is a classic, you gotta treat her the same way you’d treat a woman you know is too good for you.”
Dr. Parnell let out a laugh, which he promptly covered with a cough. “I’ll have to tell my wife that the next time she complains about how much time I spend tinkering with my ’66 Malibu.”
“No kidding?” Granddaddy’s eyebrows lifted in shock. “I’d love to lay eyes on her, if that’s not oversteppin’.”
“Not at all. It’ll be nice to have someone other than Ryan who appreciates her.” The doctor turned to me, an amused expression on his face. “Gavin and I will discuss post-surgical care while you two run errands.”
“Sounds good, Doc.” Granddaddy clapped him on the shoulder and laid a heavy hand on my leg. “See you real soon, Gavin. Can’t wait to see your new place.” He held his arm out to Suzie, ever the gentleman, and laughed when she took it with a surprised gasp.
“I see where your grandson gets his charm.”
GD laughed and shook his head as he walked out of my room with my girl on his arm. “Only thing he didn’t get from me was that golden voice of his. That was all my wife, rest her soul.”
“She was a singer?” Suzie asked and leaned in, eager to know more. She might think it was only because she was fan, but I knew better.