Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Snatching my purse off the kitchen counter, I stomped outside and shoved my oversized sunglasses on. Was it going to be like this for two weeks, him constantly antagonizing me? And then me trying to even the score?
Speaking of which.
I spotted my minivan parked there in the sunshine and got an idea.
A crazy, delightfully wicked idea that would drive Xander nuts.
Without stopping to think twice, I raced for my getaway car, started the engine, and peeled out, my tires spitting gravel. I wound my way at a faster speed than was advisable down the driveway to the main road and turned right, even though I had no fucking clue where I was going.
Didn’t matter—I’d ditched him! I’d won a battle!
I put all the windows down and cranked up the volume on the radio, taking it as a good sign that Shania Twain was on. With two hands on the wheel and my foot heavy on the gas, I sang along as loud as I could, bouncing up and down in the seat. When I reached the main highway, intuition told me to turn right again, and about half a mile up, I spotted a shopping plaza. On the off chance there might be a coffee shop among the stores, I pulled into the parking lot.
My spidey sense paid off when I spied the Starbucks mermaid. Gleeful with the joy of impending caffeine and having successfully evaded Xander, I parked my minivan and hopped out, strutting toward the coffee shop like a badass.
At the counter, I ordered a venti medium roast and paid for it with cash. “Thanks,” I said as the teenage barista handed it over.
“You’re welcome,” she said. “Has anyone ever told you that you look like Pixie Hart?”
“A few times,” I said with a wink.
Her eyes widened. “Oh my God.”
I put my fingers to my lips and dropped a five-dollar bill in the tip jar. “Have a good one.”
“Thanks,” she said breathlessly.
With a smile on my face, I turned around to leave and ran smack into a cement wall—Xander. I looked up at the scowl peeking through the dark beard. “Hey! You’re lucky I didn’t spill my coffee!”
“You’re lucky I don’t dump it over your head right now,” he said through his teeth. He resembled a very large, very angry black bear—maybe my mom’s premonition was right. He did sort of look like he wanted to tear me apart and eat the pieces. “You can’t do that.”
“I didn’t do anything except go get a cup of coffee. And look!” Triumphant, I glanced around the busy shop. “Nothing happened!”
“Excuse me, Pixie?” The barista appeared at my side holding a napkin and a marker. “Could you sign this for me? My name’s Lila. I’m a total Hart Throb.”
“Sure.” I handed Xander my coffee cup. “Can you hold this please?”
He grimaced, but he wrapped his big paw around my fingers and took the cup from me. I ignored the zing that shot up my arm at his touch.
After I scribbled my name, dotting the i’s with hearts, I handed the napkin and marker back to her. “There you go, Lila.”
“And could we get a selfie?”
“No pictures,” Xander ordered.
Lila looked crushed.
“It’s fine,” I told him.
He inhaled through his nostrils, looking like an angry bull. “Your call, but I’d advise against it.”
Ignoring him, I posed for the photo and smiled at the girl. “Nice meeting you. Take care.” Turning to Xander, I reached for my coffee, but he held it up high, well out of my reach. I jumped a few times, attempting to get a hand around the cup. “Hey! Give that back!”
“No,” he said. “You’re going to wait for me.”
“You’re holding my coffee hostage?”
“Yes.” He ordered a venti dark roast and breakfast sandwich, and only when it was all in his hands did he return my caffeine.
“Rude,” I huffed, hugging my coffee close as we moved for the exit.
“You sneak off on me, putting yourself in jeopardy and my promise to your brother at risk of being broken, and I’m the bad guy?” Xander shook his head as he held the door open for me.
“I was just having some fun,” I said, stepping out onto the sidewalk. “What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal is that I can’t protect you if I’m not there.” Xander looked both ways and then gestured for me to cross the lot toward my van. “I thought I could trust you for two minutes. Guess I was wrong.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I was just playing with you.”
“This isn’t a game, Kelly. We have to be able to trust each other. Or else the next two weeks are just going to be miserable for both of us. I can’t be worried you’re going to run off every time my back is turned.”
“And I don’t want to be told no every time I want to do something fun.”