Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
I walked toward him.
Tate stood when he saw me approaching.
His mouth curved into a smile. “Hey...”
“Hi.” I blew out a nervous breath.
“Tate.” He held out his large hand. “Good to officially meet you.”
“Doris.” I nodded. “Same.”
He had a firm grip, and my skin prickled as I imagined feeling that hand elsewhere.
“I brought you something to drink.” He gestured to the table.
“Looks like you brought more than one thing.”
“Well, I didn’t know what you liked. So we have a daiquiri, an iced coffee, a hot coffee, and a lemonade.” He shrugged.
That was kind of adorable. “So thoughtful of you. I’ll take the iced coffee. It’s that time of afternoon where I get a headache if I don’t have more caffeine.”
“Same. I think I’ll take the hot.”
I nodded, but this guy didn’t need any more hot. He was pretty much as hot as they came.
He handed me the iced coffee.
“Thanks.” I took a sip.
After a moment of silence, he tilted his head. “What’s your real name, Doris?”
Heat rose to my face. “Excuse me?”
“You just introduced yourself as Doris. But your profile name is Delores.”
Shit. I’d been so mesmerized I’d forgotten the damn name I’d chosen. Fuck my life.
I surrendered. “It’s not my real name. But I prefer to keep my real name to myself, if that’s okay.”
His expression turned serious. “I have no problem with that. But it would’ve been nice to know you were using a fake name from the get-go.”
I nodded, actually quite annoyed with myself. “Well, now you know.” I cleared my throat.
He cocked his head. “Out of all the names, why did you pick Delores?”
I feigned confusion. “What’s wrong with it?”
“It sounds like someone’s grandmother.”
I chuckled. “Look, I just didn’t want to give my real name to a stranger. I didn’t spend all that much time thinking about it. For some reason, it was the first name that came to mind.”
“Why is that so scary? It’s just a first name. Not like I could look you up without your last name.”
He took off his shades, and for a moment I got lost in the blue of his eyes that were glowing in the sun. Holy shit, this guy was hot—and a little intimidating.
“I’ve never done this before,” I confessed.
“Done what before?”
“Met someone on a hookup app. I only downloaded it today.”
His eyes narrowed. “What made you start here at the resort?”
“This was supposed to be an exciting vacation. But so far, it’s just been...peaceful at best. I wanted to have at least one good story when I got home. I’ve already wasted a few days. So I figured it was time to start making memories.”
He smirked. “Making memories sounds a bit too wholesome, considering what that app is normally used for.”
“Well, I know.” I rolled my eyes. “Are you a regular on there or…”
“Not at all.” He shook his head. “I’ve only used it one other time. I, like you, found myself getting a little antsy here and was looking for some fun.” He raised his chin. “Why are you on vacation by yourself?”
“I might ask the same of you. I assumed you were someone’s dad.”
“Ouch.” He nearly spit out his coffee. “Did you just call me old?”
“You’re not old, but you do give hot-dad vibes.” I felt myself blush.
“Hopefully you mean a dad with very young kids.”
“Yes.” I smiled. “Of course.”
“You know…” He scratched his chin. “Come to think of it, up close, you look a lot younger than twenty-nine. If your name is fake, who’s to say you’re not lying to me about your age, too?”
A rush of adrenaline hit. “I just have good genes.”
Tate bit his bottom lip. “You’re dangerous, Doris-Delores. I probably shouldn’t be here at this…kiddie pool with you.” He gestured toward the children splashing in the water. “I’m starting to worry you should be swimming with them instead of fucking around with me.” He sipped his coffee. “I’m thinking I should let you go. Thanks anyway.” He nodded and turned to walk away.
What the hell?
That’s it?
He wasn’t even going to say goodbye? Who does that?
“Wait,” I called.
He turned. “Yes?”
“I’m nineteen,” I blurted.
His eyes widened. “Jesus. I knew you were younger. But that young?”
“So what?” I crossed my arms. “I’m legal.”
“Barely.”
“And you?” I raised a brow. “Are you really thirty-six?”
“Yes.” He drew in his brows. “Why would I lie about that?”
“I don’t know. How do I know you’re not forty-six?”
“Do I look forty-six?”
“No, but...” I looked down at my feet.
“You’re just trying to distract from the fact that you’re a liar. The way you really know I’m thirty-six is simple: I’m not a liar.”
“Okay, look.” I blew a breath up into my hair. “It wasn’t right of me to lie about my age. But I was trying to have a little fun, protect my identity, and…I didn’t want to be typecast.”
“How can I possibly typecast someone who picks a name fit for an eighty-year-old and matches it to an eighteen-year-old’s face?”