Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 101254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
More than just a date.
The thought doesn’t frighten me.
Mere days ago, it would’ve had me running, but now?
Now I want it.
I want another kiss.
And I want more before this day is over.
I smile, thinking about how I’m ready, when Ben’s phone buzzes. He glances at it next to his plate, and his lips twist into…not a scowl, exactly, but not anything good.
“I’m so sorry,” he says, rising. “I have to take this.”
“It’s okay.” I attempt a smile.
Once he’s gone, I start to shiver. Tremble. Am I going too fast?
Because I’ve gone too fast before, and I ended up paying for it.
…
Several Months Earlier…
I knock on Garrett’s door to surprise him with margaritas and homemade guacamole.
When the door opens, my smile drops from my face. Before me stands a blond woman…wrapped in a towel.
The pitcher of margaritas drops from my hands, and the glass breaks on the concrete stoop. The guacamole follows, making a big green mess.
“Who the hell are you?” I demand.
She smiles. “Not sure that’s any of your business.”
I brush past her. “Garrett! Where are you?”
Garrett scrambles out of the kitchen wearing nothing but a pair of boxers.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I say.
Garrett freezes. “Tessa, this isn’t what it looks like.”
“Really?” I let out a humorless laugh. “So you weren’t just fucking that woman?”
“Well, yeah, but… It was nothing. Just a hookup from an app. Lolita—”
I drop my jaw. “Lolita? You’re kidding, right?”
“It’s her name.”
“Unbelievable.”
Anger courses through me, hitting me right at the back of my neck. But heartbreak will follow. I really liked this guy. We had a lot in common—or so I thought.
I raise my eyebrows but then lower them. I don’t need him thinking he just broke my heart. I thought we had something going. I told him no when he asked for anal, but I let him do everything else he wanted.
“It’s just a hookup. I didn’t think you and I had anything serious. This doesn’t change anything between us.”
I sigh. “I guess I just thought—”
“Try not to think too hard.” He comes in for a kiss.
I keep my lips sewn shut.
He pulls away and frowns. “So that’s it? You’re going to punish me for being honest with you?”
“Punish you?” I shake my head. “It’s her or me, Garrett. You have to choose.”
“But we’re supposed to meet for a late dinner, remember?”
Yeah. The late dinner. I was going to surprise him with homemade guac for an appetizer before we went. The homemade guac that’s now all over his stoop.
I cross my arms. “Fine. Choose. Or I’m out of here.”
He narrows his gaze. “I don’t like ultimatums, Tessa.”
“I don’t like giving them, but you need to make your choice, Garrett. Lolita or me.”
“But I just met her. It’s nothing—”
“Are you not hearing me? I said choose.”
He glares at me. “Fine. I choose the one who isn’t making me choose. I choose her.”
I turn and walk out of his house. His concrete stoop is full of broken glass and ruined guacamole. It’s my favorite pitcher, but I’ll live. I leave the mess, choking back sobs.
When I get home, Rita clamors for attention at my feet. I grab her and hold her to my heart. “You love me, don’t you, Rita?”
She scrambles out of my arms. I grab my phone and call Betsy.
“Bets?” I say, when she answers. “Get dressed. We’re going clubbing.”
…
I need to work on Betsy’s wardrobe. She’s a pretty girl, but she insists on wearing baggy dresses when she’s got a killer body. Still, she looks great tonight with her hair pulled away from her face in a headband and a flowing burgundy mini dress. For once she’s wearing clunky sandals instead of military boots.
Once we’re at the club, we head to the bar and squeeze into a standing space. I order two margaritas and down mine before Betsy takes her first sip.
“Ease up, Tessa,” Betsy says to me.
“I’m good.” I nod to the bartender.
He’s new here, and he’s a treat for the eyes—blond hair, green eyes, and muscles that go on for days. Plus a huge tattoo all over his forearm. It’s a bird of some sort.
He waves at me. “Be with you in a sec.”
I simply hold up my margarita glass. Universal language for give me another, and quick.
A moment later, he’s got my margarita, and he slides it to me with a smile. “You want to try something stronger?” he asks.
“Stronger than tequila? You mean a shot, right?”
He gestures to the end of the bar. “Meet me over there.”
Betsy’s still nursing her drink and watching the dance floor, so I wander to the end of the bar. The bartender grabs my hand and takes me behind the bar to a small room where boxes of liquor are stored.
He holds out his hand. In it is a small light-blue pill.
“If you’re having a bad night,” he says, “this will get you out of your funk.”