Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Without hesitation, Fallon stepped forward and pulled Raven into a hug. Raven wasn’t used to others touching her, especially the women in her life she tried to keep at a distance, but Fallon’s hug felt good.
“I’m so sorry about what’s going on with your brother,” Fallon said.
Remy cleared his throat as if reminding his sister she’d crossed a line mentioning Lance.
She winced and went on. “Anyway, I brought you two of my skirts and tops, a pair of ballet slippers, I hope you fit into an eight, and I stopped by a department store and picked up some personal items and makeup.” She shrugged. “I did my best.”
“You’re the best, Fallon. Really. I appreciate it so much. Let me know what I owe you,” Raven said.
The other woman waved a hand, dismissing the notion. “Don’t worry. Remy already paid me back.”
Of course he had, which meant he wouldn’t take her money, not that Raven wouldn’t try to reimburse him.
“I’ve got to get going,” Fallon said. “Raven, if you need anything, just give me a call. Remy has my number.” She smiled at her, then walked over and kissed her brother on the cheek. “Bye. Be good.”
Her laugh followed her out of the room but she turned back at the archway exit. “Raven, when things calm down, let’s have a girls’ night.” With a wave, Fallon was gone, bracelets jingling and her skirt floating behind her.
“She’s great,” Raven said.
Remy chuckled. “She’s something, all right. So, how did you sleep?”
As if he didn’t know. “Better than I have in years,” she admitted. Not wanting to get into how safe she felt with him, she glanced around the kitchen. It didn’t look like he’d eaten yet. “Do you have food in the fridge? I’d be happy to make us breakfast.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Do you think I’d let you cook?”
His cell rang and he lifted it off the counter. “Just in time.” He held up a finger, asking her to wait as he took the call. “Hello?” After listening, he replied. “Send them up, thanks.”
“Who’s here?” she asked.
He grinned at her, his smile a mix of roguish man and boyish grin. She couldn’t resist either.
A few minutes later, they were sitting at the kitchen table, with more choices for breakfast than she’d had in years.
“My God, Remy. What are we going to do with the leftovers?” she asked, as she loaded her plate with scrambled eggs and bacon, one big pancake, and a piece of Belgian waffle.
She picked up the small pitcher holding the syrup. She was mid-pour over the delicious-looking carbs when a realization hit her and she placed the syrup back on the table.
“What’s wrong?” Remy asked.
“Why did you order all this food?”
He studied her, eyes crinkled, obviously confused. “Because you had a rough night and I wanted to do something nice for you. What’s going through that suspicious mind of yours?” he asked.
She sighed, feeling guilty. “I thought maybe you had news about whether or not Lance had been released early. Not that I have doubts but I thought you were cushioning the blow.”
Silence followed her words and she wanted to cringe.
“There’s something you need to know about me. If I have something to tell you, I will because I trust you to handle it. Then I’ll order you pancakes and waffles.”
He winked and the knots that had formed in her stomach suddenly eased. His belief in her ability to cope gave her a boost of adrenaline along with the certainty that now was the time to break the news about her weekly plans.
“Remy?” she asked, as she cut up the pancake. “I have plans tonight I can’t cancel.”
His gaze lifted from his plate and those gorgeous golden eyes met hers. “What plans?”
She swallowed hard. The enjoyment she got from the weekly poetry and short story readings at a nearby coffee shop weren’t something she expected him to understand.
“Do you remember when I told you about how I enjoyed Edgar Allan Poe?”
He nodded, the furrow between his brows telling her he had no idea where this explanation was going.
“Well, when I was in college I started writing my own poems and short stories. At first I emulated Poe because my life was so dark at the time. Then, once I moved into my apartment here and things with Lance calmed down, I was able to just write more from the heart. A friend took me with her to a coffee shop that hosted readings every Sunday night and it became a ritual. One I enjoyed.”
He’d listened intently, not once interrupting. “So you want to go to a coffee shop tonight?”
She nodded. “It gets crowded but it’s important to me.”
He lifted a napkin and wiped off his lips. “Raven? Come here.”
She rose and walked over to him, shocked when he patted his lap. “Now sit.”