Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
I look around, realizing everyone in the studio is staring at us. “Did I say all that out loud?”
She nods. “You practically screamed it.”
“Great. Now everybody knows I’m sex deprived.”
“Maybe you should do something he can’t resist.”
“Like what, roofie him? That’s the only way I’m getting him under me—or in me,” I whine, pulling off my gloves. “Maybe I should call Vince. Take him up on his date and fuck his brains out.”
“Yeah, there’s that.”
“I should at least go out with him once. He’s a nice guy. I don’t know why I feel like I’m doing something wrong. Tate and I are nothing.”
“Then go on a date.”
“Maybe I will.”
“Maybe you should.”
“Maybe I’m going to.”
“Maybe you will—”
“Okay, knock it off. I’m gonna call Vince and ask him out again. Get my lady parts worked so I can get Tate off my mind.”
“Sooo…you’re going to think of Tate while having sex with Vince?”
“Yes. No. Probably! Can we stop talking about Tate, please?”
“Yep. Let’s talk to him instead. Hi, Tate!”
I whip around, finding him leaning against a rack of weights a few feet away. I’m going to assume he heard everything and murder my best friend. I slowly face her. “You’re dead to me.” I don’t care how cute her giggle is. She’s on my shit list.
She leans in and whispers, “For what it’s worth, he looks just as wound up. God, can you imagine when you guys finally give in?” She puts her hands together and moves them apart, imitating an explosion.
“Dead to me!” Turning on my heel, I leave my ex-bestie and walk past Tate. “Let’s go.” My uptight guard dog trails behind me.
***
“Dare I ask what’s wrong?” Tate says as he climbs into his car. I’m pouting, my arms crossed over my chest.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
He chuckles, annoying me further. His chuckle is like an aphrodisiac. “What? There’s not. Just… I need you to take me to a store before we head back to the hotel.” I punch in the address on his GPS. The store name and location pop up, but he doesn’t comment. Not even an itsy-bitsy jaw twitch. “Don’t worry, it’s not for you.”
“Wasn’t worried.”
Ugh! He’s frustrating. “Good. I’m actually going on a date with Vince tonight.” I wait for something. Anything. I get nothing. “You’re gonna have to finish season ten without me.”
“Where you go, I go, babe. Looks like we’ll both be missing the finale.”
Dammit. “You certainly aren’t going to go home with us. I mean—if we go back to his place.”
“Part of the job.”
I’m going to slap him. Fay pinned this guy all wrong. He doesn’t like me; he wants to torture me. I’m done with this game of playing hard to get.
“Whatever. If it gets uncomfortable, you can always wait in the car. I’ll come out by breakfast.” I turn my head and dial Vince’s number. He answers on the second ring.
“Hey, Mindy. I didn’t expect you to call.”
“Surprise! I’ve been thinking about you all day. I’d like to take you up on that date if you’re available.”
God, I’ll die of humiliation if he turns me down. “Tonight? Uh, yeah. Sure. That would… wow. Yeah.”
I smile and glance at Tate, who rolls his eyes.
“Great. What do you say to dinner? Maybe some drinks after at your place? Mine is still kind of a mess.”
“Sure. Do you like steak? There’s a great steakhouse downtown.”
“Steak sounds perfect. What time should I be ready?”
“How does seven sound? I can pick—”
“I’m driving you,” Tate interjects.
It’s my turn to roll my eyes. “I have to have my dad drive me. But I can meet you there at seven. How does that sound?”
“Great. Sounds great.”
“Cool! Send me the details, and I’ll see you tonight. Can’t wait. Bye.” I sport a smile as I stare out the window.
“You’re wasting your time if you’re going out with him to make me jealous.”
I twist in my seat. “And why would I care about making you jealous?”
“You don’t like that guy. What other reason do you have?”
I scoff. “I totally like him. And I couldn’t care less what you think. Our situation is clear. But a woman has needs, and tonight, he’s going to fulfill those. If that bothers you, maybe you should stay home.”
His mouth perks into a half smile. “I’ll be ready at seven.” What the hell is so funny about this? I scrunch my nose and turn my head.
The lingerie shop is a total bust. Nothing I try on fazes Tate. He barely looks my way or at the clothes I choose. And by clothes, I mean lace, strings, and leather.
When we get back to the hotel, I hole myself in my room to attempt a good rub down and fail miserably. All I picture is Tate’s face, and that’s something I want to scratch from my memory. Even more frustrated than before, I get ready, inspect myself in the mirror, and head downstairs.