Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
So, I held Aleesa’s hand, collected my purse, and exited the building.
“The nerve of your dad,” I muttered when we reached the car. I clicked Aleesa’s seat belt into place. She kicked her feet as I adjusted and tightened the straps, completely oblivious to what was going on between the adults. I envied her naivety.
Afterward, I sat in the passenger seat with my arms crossed tightly over my chest. When I spotted Javier coming toward the car, I pointed my knees to the passenger door and glared out of the window.
He climbed in, taking up way too much space for my liking. He smelled clean, like he’d recently showered and applied a light spritz of cedarwood-scented cologne afterward.
After placing the to-go bag on the floor of the back seat, he started the engine and rolled out of the parking lot. He turned on a Kidz Bop soundtrack for Aleesa. She belted out “Calm Down” by Rema and Selena Gomez, and her cute singing voice was making it insanely hard to stay mad.
I cut a glance at Javier. He didn’t say a word. And he looked angry, as if he had the right to be.
“Baby, com dan, com dan,” Aleesa sang.
He had no right to be mad. He ruined my night. Now, I was going to have to use Rosie again.
I fished my phone out of my purse and fired up a text to send to Davina.
Me: you will not believe what Javier just did
She responded almost instantly. Which most likely meant she wasn’t working.
Vina: What did he do?
Me: He just ruined a date I had!
Vina: A date? How are you even able to have one of those right now?
Me: That’s not the point
Vina: Okay . . . how did he ruin it?
Me: It’s one of my nights off and I was at a restaurant with a guy I met. Javier ended up at the same restaurant for a to-go order and saw us. Came to the table and interrupted the whole thing.
Vina: Stop lying. Javier wouldn’t do that.
Me: I kid you not. He ruined the whole thing. On purpose. I’m pretty sure my date thought we were in some kind of complicated relationship. He didn’t seem mad at Javier though, just me. Started obsessing over Valdez and everything. Fucker.
Vina: This is hilarious.
You wouldn’t think so, with how blandly she texted. She never used emojis or symbols or anything. I sent her the middle finger emoji.
Vina: Sorry but that is so interesting. I can’t even picture Javier doing something like that.
Me: Are you laughing about this? I can’t tell. You’re so dry when you text.
Vina: Yes, I’m laughing. And shut it.
Then she followed up her previous text with: Can I tell Deke?
Me: Please do. Maybe he’ll talk some damn sense into his friend.
Vina: On it.
After texting her, I went to Naomi’s name in my messages and sent her a text too:
Me: I hate men.
My other best friend was a slower texter. She worked the night shift as a labor-and-delivery nurse, so I didn’t expect a reply from her for a few hours. But at least she had the notification.
When we pulled up to Javier’s place, I climbed out first. I didn’t have the heart to storm away. Because storming away would’ve meant not saying good night to Aleesa.
I helped her out of her car seat and carried her to the house while Javier collected the to-go bag. Once inside, I kicked out of my heels before making my way to the living room.
“Tava. Can you eat wif me?” she asked as Javier placed their food on the counter.
“Oh, honey, I don’t think so. I already ate, so I’m a little full already.”
“Please,” she begged, clasping her hands and giving me puppy dog eyes. Guilt gnawed at me. This girl was too much. She knew exactly how to play her cards to win me over.
“How about I just sit with you?” I offered.
“Yay!” She ran to the table and climbed into her booster seat, ready for her meal. I sat in my designated chair, which was right next to hers, while Javier placed a plate on the table in front of her. I felt him looking at me. I didn’t bother looking back.
This had to be a violation of my rights, right?
A breach of contract of some sort?
But then again, there was no clause stating that my boss couldn’t interrupt my dates. There was, however, a clause stating that he could not terminate me due to anything pertaining to my personal life.
Aleesa dug into her food, and Javier did the same. He’d gotten the glazed chicken too. The few bites I’d had were delicious . . . but I wasn’t about to agree on anything with him right now.
Aleesa made all kinds of noises while she ate, bobbing her head and kicking her feet. She tried offering me a broccoli floret, but I politely declined.