Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37778 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37778 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Great.
Now I know I’m in trouble.
Anxiety ratchets through me as I quietly close the door. “I’m really busy out there.”
“I know, hon.” She sets down her plate, swallows her food, and then approaches slowly. “Are you okay? Do you want us to call someone?”
I gape at her, eyes wide with confusion. “What? Why?”
She purses her lips and then lets out a sharp breath of air. “The man who touched you out there. Aiden saw it and wanted me to talk to you.”
My face burns hot. “That was my foster dad. He was just hugging me. Gave me a big tip too. Nothing to worry about.”
She tucks a strand of her red hair behind her ear and studies me intently. “Are you sure it wasn’t anything bad? Aiden is protective of his staff.”
“I swear,” I lie. “They’re my family.” Another lie.
This seems to relieve her because the tension floods out of her and her shoulders relax. “Okay, good. And yay for a big tip. I know I can speak for Aiden, too, but you’re doing a phenomenal job. We’re still hiring. Soon, it won’t always be so crazy. Hang in there, hon.”
Once she’s deemed I’m not in any danger, she dismisses me, and we both head back to our respective areas. Aiden gives me a small smile and nods. Though it was awkward that they confronted me about what Owen did, I’m also touched.
There are people, other than Travis and Cole, who care about my wellbeing in this world.
Things are going to be okay.
Cole
I thrum the steering wheel with my thumbs as I anxiously await Savvy to get out of work. I’m unsure how our talk will go, but it’s necessary. Last night, I stood outside the vehicle, which set me up for failure because when she hugged me, I lost all resolve to behave. Not making that mistake again.
Savvy exits the building, beaming from ear to ear. I haven’t seen her smile like that since she was a kid. She bounces down the stairs and hurries to the passenger side.
“I made over four-hundred-dollars in tips tonight, Cole!”
Her excitement is infectious. “Seriously? That’s incredible. Good job, sweetheart.”
She’s cute as she preens at my praise. I notice she smells smoky, like a juicy, overpriced steak, and my mouth waters.
I listen with pleasure as she babbles about all her tables on the way home. I’m loving this new side of her. She seems so happy.
“I got to see Addison, too,” she says quickly and then points to where Travis’s motorcycle is typically parked as we arrive at home. “Where’s Travis?”
“Addison came for dinner? Was she alone?”
She dodges the question which has alarm bells ringing in my head. “It’s late. Where could he be?”
I want to know more about how things went with Addison. Was the whole family with her? Was Owen there? But, before I can ask anything else, Savvy has already hopped out of the vehicle and races to the front door.
She uses the key we gave her to let herself inside. I’m no idiot. The girl is avoiding me. And it’s not because of our makeout session, either.
By the time I make my way inside, she’s already gone upstairs. I follow after her, eager to discuss this further, but she’s locked away in the bathroom. Once I hear the shower start, I admit defeat.
While she showers, I make a grocery list and clean up Travis’s mess that’s overtaking our living room. Eventually, the shower stops, and I hear the door open. I give her more time to do whatever it is girls do after their shower and impatiently pace the kitchen as I wait for my opportunity to speak to her.
She finally comes downstairs, with wet hair, and her sinful pajamas, making me forget every damn thing I wanted to say to her. Stupidly, I gawk at the beautiful girl whose white shirt is damn near transparent from the water dripping from her hair and soaking the material.
“Where’s Travis?” she asks again, chewing on her bottom lip. “Is he okay? It’s late.”
“Probably on a date or something,” I mutter. “Was Owen at dinner too?”
She flinches at both my statement and then again at my question. I learn two things without her even needing to say anything. I’ve upset her by saying Travis is on a date, and Owen was most definitely there, which was distressing to her.
Anger swells up inside me and I’m not sure who I’m more pissed at.
“Tell me about Owen,” I say, approaching her slowly. “Tell me everything.”
She shakes her head, bottom lip trembling. “Nothing to tell. He left me a big tip.”
I’ll bet he did.
I’m convinced the man wants to get into her pants and uses his “condition” as sly way to get away with it. Now that she’s an adult, he probably considers her free game.
“I didn’t know he was dating anyone,” she says, voice shaky. “Is it serious?”