Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“I could if I expected repayment, but I don’t.”
“I can’t accept that.”
His hard stare was just as firm as my glare. “I know you were talking about going to the free county clinic.”
For an outsider, he shouldn’t know that the county clinic I’d mentioned was the free one. But it didn’t matter. “So? There’s nothing wrong with it.”
“Exactly. I took you to Mason Creek. I knew doing so meant I was covering the cost. I wouldn’t make that decision and expect you to pay for it.”
I gritted my teeth, but his logic was logical. “I could have stopped you.”
“Why would you? You were focused on your daughter like you should have been.”
Stubbornly, I said, “Thank you.”
Matching my tone, he said, “You’re welcome.”
We were locked in a battle of wills. “Don’t think I’m going to sleep with you.”
“Trust me, I didn’t expect it.” He turned to get in his car and stopped. “I hope she feels better,” he said before he pressed the key fob, unlocking the car door.
I just stood there as he drove off. When his car was out of sight, I went back into the trailer. On the coffee table sat another one of his business cards. The other was possibly still in my work apron pocket. On the back, Agan had written, Call me and let me know how Zoe’s doing.
To be honest, that was probably the beginning of the end for me when it came to the man.
FIVE
It wasn’t until Zoe felt better that I saw Agan again. He was at the diner in his usual spot when I walked in for my shift. Honey was already working the floor, so I went behind the counter.
When the morning rush was over, I looked over at table eleven and Agan was gone. The crushing disappointment I felt was a surprise to even me.
“Miss me?”
His voice was a balm to my soul. I turned to face him. “I thought you left.”
“Maybe I should have. A guy can only take so much rejection,” he joked in a sorrowful voice, as if I was crushing his spirit.
“How about yes?”
His brows shot up. “Yes to what?”
He was going to make me spell it out. “Yes, I’ll have dinner with you if you still want to.”
It wasn’t a decision I’d made lightly. At the same time, I hadn’t been asked out a lot by guys I was interested in. This guy had been nothing but nice to me.
He pinched his chin as if in thought before his mouth split into a grin. “I might be up for dinner.”
The bell jingled and a newcomer walked in. “I have to get this,” I said before greeting the guest. Agan sat at the table he’d claimed as his.
When I was done with the newcomer, I took the coffeepot over to Agan. “Can I get you more coffee, sir?”
I felt his smirk to my toes. “Yes, please.”
On the bottom of the bill I slipped to him, I’d written my number. Then I walked away before Smiley called me out for flirting with the customers.
Before I made it to the door that led to the kitchen, my phone buzzed.
Agan: Your move.
He was right. Before I could make plans, I had to arrange a sitter. After work, I knocked on Mom’s door to get Zoe. I sent Zoe on to our place so I could talk to Mom alone.
“Haley, what do you need?”
Mom and I had an okay relationship if I never assumed the best of her. She was always looking out for number one. I navigated around her selfishness. “Can you watch Zoe one night this week?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Do you and Avery have plans?”
I leaned on the open door, since she hadn’t moved to let me in. I didn’t make an issue because Zoe was in our trailer next door. “Actually, I have a date.”
“Oh,” she said, as if curious about what I might say next. “Do I know the guy?”
I shook my head. “He’s working in Mason Creek.”
“He’s from there?”
“No. He’s there on business.”
That brightened her mood. “Ohhh. Is he rich?”
Of course she would ask that. I shrugged. “I don’t know. Does it matter?”
“Yes, it matters. Do you want to live in that trailer forever?”
“There are worse things.”
We eyed each other for a moment as I navigated what to say next. “Mom. Just say yes or no.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ll watch my grandbaby, but you owe me.”
“I figured. What night?”
She looked at her phone. “Not tonight. But tomorrow night is fine and not all night.”
“Thanks,” I said and headed back to my place to make dinner for Zoe. Before I did, I shot off a text to Agan.
Me: Tomorrow night?
I put my phone down and focused on Zoe. It wasn’t until I put Zoe to bed that I checked my phone again.
There was a text from him waiting for me.