Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Vargas is nothing like I thought he would be. Instead of being nervous, I feel as though I can be myself. If I’m being completely honest, I can’t remember a time that I was this comfortable around someone. So much so that I haven’t stopped talking the whole time.
We’ve been sitting outside my place for a few minutes now. I know I’m rambling, but I don’t want the day to end. And by the way he’s looking at me, I think Vargas is on the same page. Or he’s just being courteous.
Either way, I don't want to come off as being clingy. You have to play it cool, I remind myself. I suppose I could ask what this is, but I know I’ll get the truth no matter his response. I’m not sure I want to hear that right now. I want to live in this moment for a bit longer whether it’s reality or not. Today has been so perfect I don’t want to ruin it. This is why I fought to move out of my dad’s house.
“I suppose this is where we part ways.”
“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want.” He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. My eyes drop to his mouth, but I quickly look away, not wanting to give away what I really want. Again, he could only be being nice. He is, after all, trying to work a deal with my father.
“I should check on Sassy,” I say, not wanting to make this goodbye awkward even though I want to stay.
“I’m also walking you to your door.” Vargas gets out of the car, offering me his hand.
“Right.” I let him take my hand, but only until we make it to the lobby, where I spot Garfield at the front desk. I quickly jerk my hand from Vargas’s.
There is no way Garfield is going to keep that little detail from my father. Damn it. Vargas glances from me to the security guard.
Well, hell. Vargas is good at reading people too. It doesn’t stop him from putting his hand on my back and guiding me toward the elevator. He gives Garfield a glare unlike any I’ve ever seen.
“Wait right here,” Vargas tells me, heading straight for him. This can’t be good. I can’t see Vargas’s expression. His back is to me, but whatever he says to Garfield makes his eyes widen before he quickly nods his head up and down. I get the sense that Garfield won’t be saying anything to my father after that conversation.
When Vargas turns back to face me, the glare fades away, a half-smile taking its place. His eyes go soft around the edges. All my insides come to life as I fantasize about him looking at me differently than he does the rest of the world.
“Ready?”
“I suppose.” He puts his hand on my back to guide me again. “What did you say to him?”
“That if he knows what’s best for him, he won’t let anyone know I was ever here. That he’ll keep his mouth shut.”
I let out a puff of air in relief. “And he understood.”
Thank God. I don’t need my dad showing up tonight. He’s already been questioning my decision to move out. This thing with Vargas, whatever it is, would only make him more uneasy.
“He got the message. He’s not going to tell.” He reassures me as we step onto the elevator.
I can feel Vargas’s eyes on me, but I pretend not to notice. The door dings on my floor. I never noticed how short the elevator ride is. I don’t want this to be over.
“Do you want to come in for coffee or something?” I rush to say when Vargas gives my back a small push so that I walk beside him.
“I do want to tell Sassy goodbye.”
I stop in the middle of the hallway. Lie.
“You don’t have to come in,” I tell him, feeling silly. “It’s been a long day. So I get it.”
“I want to come in.” He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. That time it wasn’t a lie.
“You don’t like Sassy?”
“I thought we established how I feel about her.”
“That’s not an answer.” I stand up straighter. “You don’t want to tell her goodbye.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Why are you answering a question with a question?”
“I like Sassy.”
True.
“Oh,” Great, now I really am silly. “You don’t want to say good night to her.”
“Because I’m not looking forward to leaving.” Vargas searches my face. His expression is curious.
“Right! No one wants to say goodbye to her.” I start walking again so he can stop trying to read me. “Just need my keys here.” I dig through my bag. “I hope you like root beer. That's all I’ve got.” I start to ramble, trying to steer the conversation away from the weirdness I made.