Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 98134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
He shrugs. “I posted on the town board that I’d be up for hosting a cooking club for the next few weeks. Mia was the only one who signed up. I told her she might as well swing by today for some tips since this recipe is perfect for someone just getting started.”
“Yep,” Mia says. She’s slipping her jacket on and shouldering her bag. “He was just… giving me the tips.” She winks and I shake my head.
I shake my head. “You don’t have to wrap up for my sake. I’m about to head to Caroline’s, anyway.”
“Nah,” Mia says. “I should go if I’m going to get a shower before work. Besides, always wrap it up. That’s what I say, at least.”
I don’t miss the way Nolan is watching her. There’s a glimmer of something very much like admiration or affection in that look.
“You know,” I say. “I think you were actually more mature in middle school.”
“Caroline asked me to tell her how you were acting when I said I was going to be at the cabin. I’ll just put cranky, grouchy, and mean in my report, then?”
I sigh. “I’m fine. You don’t need to tell her any of that.”
Mia takes a step toward me, looking up at me from beneath long eyelashes. She purses her lips and taps them once, twice, three times. “I don’t know, Princey. You look kind of stopped up. Frustrated? Sexually, or are you just having a little bout of constipation?”
“Would you please just go?” I ask.
She walks toward the door writing a fake note on the pad of her hand with an invisible pen. “Cranky, grouchy, mean, and constipated.” She mimes closing the notepad, then blows a kiss to Nolan over her shoulder. “Thanks for the lessons, Nolan.”
“Sure,” he says.
I turn to face him once she’s gone, palms facing up. “What was that?”
“It’s what I said it was. You alright, man? You look off. More off than usual, I mean.”
“I’m fine.” I plop down where Mia was sitting, folding my arms and resting them on the countertop. I drum my fingers, then unfold my arms and cross them over my chest. “Everything is fine.”
Nolan grins, pulling his scar up with the expression. “Alright.”
“What?” I demand.
“I didn’t say anything, man. You’re the one who looks like you want me to beg you to tell me what’s wrong. Is that what you’re waiting for?”
I stare out the window. “Imagine I told you I never wanted you to date my sister,” I say slowly.
“Okay. Pretty easy since I think you’ve said those exact words to me a few times. Now what?”
“Now imagine you just recently had an epiphany about the fruitlessness of love and dating.”
“Alright. I’m imagining it.”
“What would you do if you had a really good time hanging out with my sister?”
“Easy,” he says. “I’d invite her over for a really nice dinner. Tablecloth, candles, suit and tie, maybe. I’d tell her to wear that black dress she wore to the fundraiser. The one with the cleavage, and–”
“Nolan,” I say, raising my hand. “What would you really do?”
He chews his lip, thinking for a few seconds. “I’d ask if you were cool with it?”
I sigh. “Okay, now what if we were talking about Jake’s sister, instead?”
He grins. “I would strike the idea from my mind and never let Jake get a sniff of what I was thinking.”
I laugh, tapping the table a few times as I nod. “Yeah. That’s probably what I’d do, too.”
Caroline’s bed and breakfast is picking up in activity by the day. She has three families checked in and two more set to arrive today. When I show up, it’s a couple hours before noon, the snow hasn’t quite melted yet, but it probably will, and Andi is out front in a red sweater and jeans.
She spots me pulling up in my truck and waves with a big smile. It’s an arm-over-the-head, jumping wave and a huge smile, actually. I dip my chin beneath the sun visor, wave, and shut off the truck. Then I catch myself smiling and wipe that shit from my face.
I need to be cool. Be under control.
Yeah, Andi is infectious and fun to be around. Yeah, I’m pretty sure there’s more than a little mutual attraction. But yeah, she’s also Jake’s sister. That’s supposed to matter. Bro code, and shit like that.
“New sweater?” I ask as I climb up the porch. I was planning on not talking to her unless I had to, and I’m already failing at that directive.
“You like it?” she spreads her arms and dips one knee, posing for me.
“Yeah, sure,” I say, staring at the board that has needed replacing on the steps for a few months now. Maybe I’ll finally take care of that today.
“Jake took me out early this morning. Got some more variety. She lifts a hand to the side of her mouth and lowers her voice. “I’m gonna pay you back before him.” She winks and smiles.