Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Tonight wasn’t the night to be thinking about him.
I finally had a night out, and I was going to make the best of it—even if it killed me. When the shots finally arrived, we each grabbed one, and Skylar lifted hers up in a toast. “To best friends.”
We all lifted our glasses and repeated, “To best friends.”
The liquid burned all the way down my throat, but I didn't care. I was alive, and I was with the people who made me feel that way.
As the night wore on, the drinks kept flowing. They were watered-down and overpriced, but they helped me relax—which was both good and bad. I kept downing them as I listened to the various conversations in the group. I was starting to get a buzz as they each caught me up on what they were doing now and who they were dating or married to.
While they were talking, I couldn’t help but notice that Danny kept looking over in my direction. At first, it was just a few quick glances, but gradually, those glances turned into longing stares that made butterflies flutter in my stomach. I could feel the blush on my face growing redder by the minute and was relieved when I heard Kinley tell the others, “The twins have been driving us up the wall.”
“You have twins?”
“Um-hmm. Caleb and Gabe. They just turned two.”
She had always said she wanted a career and had no plans to have kids, but I could tell by the way she spoke that she didn’t feel like she was missing anything. “That’s awesome. I’m so happy for you guys.”
“Thanks, but these terrible twos are no joke, especially when there are two of them. I’m going to need you guys to pray for us. I don’t know if we’re going to make it.”
She went on to tell us all how crazy things had been, but she said it all with a loving smile. She was happy. Really happy. It was more of the same with Josie and Tarah. Like Kinley, they’d wanted to get out of our small town and make it somewhere big. But neither of them seemed all that bothered that it never happened.
In fact, all of them seemed quite content and happy, and I envied them for that. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt truly happy.
Until tonight.
I was about to take a sip of my drink when Skylar took me by the hand and ordered, “Let’s go dance.”
Before I had a chance to argue, she’d pulled me out on the dance floor, and we were engulfed by the crowd. It had been ages since I'd danced, but the second I saw the smile on my friend's face, I knew there was no backing out. I started swaying my hips, and it wasn't long before the rest of the crew came over to join us.
My heart skipped a beat when Danny came up behind me and placed his hands on my hips. I leaned back into him, feeling the heat of his body against mine as we moved in sync with the music. His breath was hot and heavy against my ear, and I could feel his chest rising and falling with each deep breath.
I don't know if it was the alcohol or just my head playing tricks on me, but it seemed like he was more than a little interested.
He was very popular in high school, especially with the girls, and I couldn’t help but feel a little flattered that he’d taken an interest in me. It felt good. Really good, and I didn’t want it to end.
When the song ended, Danny leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Let's go get some fresh air."
I nodded, and he took my hand into his, leading me through the throngs of people and outside onto the dark parking lot. I was feeling a little lightheaded, so I leaned against the brick building, hoping it would help me keep my balance. Danny stepped in front of me with a concerned look on his face. “You okay?”
“Hmm-Hmm.” I nodded. “I think I got a little too hot.”
“Well, you’re definitely hot,” he replied with a sexy smirk. “You always have been.”
“You’re sweet.”
“I’m just being honest.” He rested the palm of his hand on the wall behind me, and his eyes skirted over me as he said, “And if I’m being completely honest, I would’ve asked you out in high school, but you were always taken.”
I was both flattered and intrigued. I couldn’t remember the last time a guy had made a move on me, so I told him, “Maybe it’s time we rectified that.”
“Maybe so.” He remained there, hovering over me as he asked, “When are you available?”
The words had barely left his mouth when his phone vibrated with a message. He pulled it from his back pocket as he said, “Hold on a second.”