Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“Oh my God, you’re going to sleep with him!” Ben nearly yells, making people in other booths look our way. My cheeks warm, and my heart skips a beat from the curious stares.
“I don't even know him,” I answer defensively.
“Then why are you blushing?” Jenna quips.
“I'm not blushing, I'm just hot,” I reply timidly, embarrassed and looking at my hands. “I mean, he’s hot and I wouldn’t mind getting to know him if he’s not an asshole, but I wouldn’t straight-out say I would have sex with him.”
“Yay, for him.” Ben smirks and Jenna starts to giggle. They’re like a bunch of teenagers, I swear, but I love them. They make me smile and loyal friends are invaluable.
“Actually, he intimidates me,” I admit. “He’s tall, angry, and does not like me.”
“Why”? Ben asks, frowning.
“I don't know,” I lie. There’s a lot about the strange biker man that I have yet to unfold, and my feelings toward him are unjust at the moment.
“You are so crushing on this guy. I'm jealous,” Ben teases with a huge smile, looking down at his plate of food. His adverted eye contact makes me wonder if he’s jealous.
“You will always be my first crush, Ben,” I say, rubbing Ben's arm. “Besides, I don't think he wants me there.”
“Why?” they both ask at the same time.
“Because he was mad the other tenants moved out and I was moving in.”
“Maybe he was just mad the other tenants moved out. Maybe they owed him money or something.” Ben tries to offer a simple explanation with a shrug.
“Had to have been a lot of money to bother him. I'm pretty sure he is loaded, judging by all the renovations he has had done on his units.”
“What renovations and how many units does he have?” Ben’s face is puzzled.
“Of the three units in the building, he owns two. He owns the units on the first and third floor. And from what I saw today, he has added a balcony to the front of his third-floor unit, and a swimming pool to the first floor,” I explain, mentally wondering what it is he does for a living.
“Rich and handsome, shit, can we go see him, uh... I mean your place now?” Jenna jokes, nudging Ben. Then looking at her watch she yells, “Crap, I'm gonna be late. I have to go. Unlike you two, I can't just make up my own hours.” Sliding out of the booth she mutters, “Oh, I almost forgot!” Reaching into her large handbag, she hands me a file folder. “Young one, only twenty, leukemia, starts chemo next week. Here's her information, message me later if she checks out,” Jenna informs.
“Shit, that is young,” I say taking the folder from her. “I will call you later, but no problem, I’ll take her on if everything checks out.”
“Oh, and one more thing, C, Saturday is spa day, don't forget. We have an appointment at 10:00 a.m.,” Jenna reminds me sternly.
“Ugghh,” I respond grudgingly, rolling my eyes. I hate spa days. People touching you, looking at your nails way too long, silently judging your cuticles. I like my space and having spa day is anything but.
“You promised to go with me at least once a month.” She raises a brow at me. The tightness in her voice conveying she’s serious.
“I know, I just—"
“Besides, when your hot neighbor decides to rip your panties off, you don't want to be sporting a pussy that belongs in a seventies issue of Playboy,” she interrupts my response.
Ben starts to choke as soon as the sentence is out of her mouth, soda coming out of his nose. “Damn, Jenna,” he coughs, reaching for the napkin holder on the table.
“Okay, celebration over!” I say, scared the other patrons may have heard Jenna and we will be kicked out. Not everyone appreciates her crudeness like Ben and me.
4
C
After walking Jenna to her car, Ben and I cross the street, heading back to the floral shop. It’s a typical shop. Small brick building with front windows. A simple “Flower Shop” across one. Ben keeps telling me we need to draw flowers or leaves on the glass, but I think less is better.
“Have you been to the attorney's office to sign the papers yet?” I ask Ben. “No, not yet. Are you sure you want to give me fifty percent of the shop, C? I'm scared you don't know what you’re doing. It's a big deal, you know?” “Of course I know what I am doing. My mom and I talked about it a long time ago. She had already started the paperwork to change her will, giving us each fifty percent but she died before it was completed. I'm fulfilling her wishes, and mine too. It's just different paperwork but will have the same outcome.”
“I do love this place,” he says, looking up at the flower shop, “and I love you, C.” His voice is soft as he looks back at me. “But I want to talk to Parker first, now that he and I are living together, I think I should include him in such a big decision.”