Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“Shit,” I say, realizing this impromptu afternoon pampering means not getting home before six.
“What’s up?”
“I need to let Major know I’ll be late.”
She rummages in my purse and pulls out my phone. Just when I think she’s going to message him, the Bluetooth system in my car rings.
“What are you doing?” I hiss. “He’s at the doctor.”
Before she can reply, his deep, smooth voice fills the car. “Hey, gorgeous.”
“Umm, hey… I mean...” Shit, I sound like a blubbering idiot. “Hi, sorry to bother you, but my afternoon took a shift and I won’t be home by six.”
“I heard already. I’ll be there when you get home.”
“No! Why don’t I call you on my way?” The thought of him hanging out in his truck, or worse—waiting on my porch, terrifies me. Ronnie will zero in on him in less than a second.
“Have an enjoyable afternoon, Jewls.” He pauses, then proceeds to rock my world. “Been looking forward to tonight for a long time. See you soon, baby.”
The line goes dead and I fight the urge to scream—in frustration and elation.
Harley twists so fast in her seat, the seatbelt locks “Talk!”
“Nothing to say.”
“Nothing to say! That was not nothing! Never have I heard Major sound like that. Sexy… smooth… oh my God, HOT!”
“He isn’t supposed to be sexy. He agreed to tame his flirting until after we talk. There are things unsettled between us.”
“He agreed to tame his sexy?”
“Well, I demanded, and he laughed at me. So far, he’s failed.”
She seems to think this over, and when I pull into the parking spot, she exhales loudly. “Thank God we’re here. I’m dying.”
She hops out, slams her door, and glares at me impatiently.
The door of Rendezvous swings open, and Shayla stands with a glass of wine in her hand. Ginger is behind her, and Rowan comes barreling at me. “I’ve been waiting all day for this.”
She yanks me forward, shoving through the other girls, and takes me straight to the area set up for nails. Before I can utter a word, she has me in the pedicure chair, my shoes thrown to the side, and my feet in the water.
A glass of wine is thrust in my hand while Harley leisurely sits in the seat next to me. Tonda follows in, saying her greetings to all the women she’s met previously at one of Tom’s ladies’ nights.
“How much did we miss?” Shayla slouches in one of the oversized chairs, tossing her legs over the side.
“Only Major telling Jewls he’s been looking forward to tonight for a looonnnggg time and calling her baby in the sexiest voice I’ve ever heard.” Harley fans herself. “Well, except for Achilles’ voice.”
I gag dramatically. “Stop that, you lovesick sap.”
It’s instinct to pretend to be sick, but my heart is racing. It was easily the sexiest voice ever heard.
“I loathe waiting.” Shayla eyes me with exasperation.
“Aren’t you here for a service, or are you just mooching on Rowan’s booze?”
“I’ve been here since noon. Full service.” She flicks her perfectly manicured fingers to her equally perfect toes.
“Fine, we have plans tonight to talk. I’m willing to hear him out on why he’s ignored my interest in him before, and then his aloofness after his accident.”
Five sets of eyes bore into me. Even Harley and Tonda’s nail technicians seem curious.
I swallow half the glass and start talking.
It’s like a dam bursting as every detail in the last week pours out of my mouth. Everything from Major’s treatment of me at the station, his showing up the next day to apologize, the confrontation Monday morning, and all that’s happened this week. I only stop to take a breath or sip of wine. All the while, they listen intently, hanging on every word.
A glass of wine and a full pedicure later, I finish.
“He texts you every morning and night before you go to bed?” Rowan asks in wonder.
I nod.
“He sits at Tom’s for your entire shift, only chatting with you when you have a break? And orders you dinner to eat between rushes?” Ginger has a sentimental hue to her tone.
I nod.
“He follows you home every night, making sure you are safe?” Tonda mentions softly.
I nod again.
“He almost lost his mind with jealousy when he saw you on TV. I had to stop him from flying to the arena and plowing poor Mal.” Harley reaches across and squeezes my hand. “He’s crazy about you.”
“I don’t know what to think. Tonight, I’ll hear him out and decide if he’s sincere or just a jealous brute because of that date.”
“That’s a good plan,” Shayla speaks up. “But all indicators are pointing to him realizing he’s losing out if he doesn’t boss up.”
Rowan’s receptionist comes in with a bottle of wine, refreshing all our glasses. It’s then I notice Rowan has a glass.
“You’re drinking?”
“Of course, this is a big occasion. After we finish here, Ginger, Shayla, and I are going out.”