Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“A little,” I admitted. “I kind of… lost Elian. And now I don’t know who to talk to.”
“Been there,” she said, patting the spot on the couch next to her.
I made my way over, looking at the petite, pretty woman who had to be Renzo’s wife, Lore.
“Thanks,” I said, giving her a grateful smile as she slid a bookmark in between the pages of her book, then closed it. “Did you come in here for a break too?” I asked.
“This time? No,” she admitted. “Honestly, I’m trying to figure out why the supposed hero in this story poisoned the heroine in the last book,” she said, running her fingers lovingly over the cover of her book. “I made sure I said my hellos before sneaking away. But no one will notice if I’m not around to say goodbyes. You’re Elizabeth, right?”
“Yes. And you’re Lore. I’ve met Renzo a few times,” I told her, watching the way she lit up at the mention of her husband. I couldn’t help but wonder if I looked like that when someone mentioned Elian.
“I don’t know if I should say That’s nice or I’m sorry, because it really depends on the situation with him,” she admitted.
“He’s definitely a little brusque, but he’s been nice. And understanding of my situation.”
“He can be really sweet, believe it or not. He just doesn’t like to wear that on his sleeve. Not like Elian. I have a soft spot for him, you know,” she said. “When I first came here, he was my only friend. And he stood up to Renzo for me when he was being an idiot.”
“Who was being an idiot?” Saff asked, coming into the room, reaching up to let her long blue hair down, rubbing her scalp with a little groan. “That was too tight,” she declared.
“Renzo was being an idiot,” Lore told her.
“Oh, well, yeah, that makes sense. For all these guys’ good qualities, they’re morons sometimes too.”
“What happened to your cheek?” Lore asked.
“Oh this? A little misunderstanding with a shop owner.”
“He hit you?” I asked, brows shooting up.
“Is he still… with us?” Lore asked, getting a snort out of Saff.
“I don’t kill every man I come across, you know,” Saff said, rolling her eyes.
“No,” Lore agreed. “Sometimes you only castrate them.”
“Oh, my God. That was one time. Why does everyone keep bringing it up?”
“Elizabeth, how many men have you castrated?”
“Literally or metaphorically?” I asked, getting a giggle out of Lore and a smile out of Saff.
“So, what are you reading? Are they banging in it?” she asked, nodding toward Lore’s book.
“They… have banged,” Lore admitted. “But we’re at the betrayal part of the story now.”
“Well, then there is some great hate-sex and a grovel to look forward to,” Saff said. “We should start a book club. Do you read?” she asked, looking at me.
“I used to,” I admitted. “Then the campaign kind of took over my life. But I haven’t read any, ah, romance books. Is that what you guys read?”
“Lore here loves a good romantasy. I like lots of smut and violence. But I’m sure there’s a good common ground we could find.”
“I’m game if you guys are,” I said, a little desperate for some friendships. And for something to do with my time now that I was unemployed.
“We should take a trip to the bookstore this week,” Lore said, eyes bright at the prospect. “Pick something out we are all interested in.”
We were just finalizing our plans when the door opened, and Elian came in.
“There you are.”
“We stole her,” Lore said, giving him a sweet smile. “We are starting a bookclub.”
“The smutty kind,” Saff said, moving to stand. “So either make yourself available to Elizabeth after she reads the spicy scenes, or invest in lots of batteries.”
“Batteries won’t be necessary,” he said as I got up to walk over to him. “You want to head out?” he asked.
“I’m not rushing you,” I insisted.
“Nah, things are starting to wind down. Cinna and Dav headed out already. And Renzo keeps glancing up to his room like he wants to go to bed.
“I guess that’s my cue,” Lore said, getting up, folding her blanket, setting her book on the table, then thinking better of it, and holding it against her chest as she made her way to the door. “It was nice finally meeting you. Saff and I will text you about the bookstore.”
With that, she was gone, and Elian and I made our way out.
“I like that you’re making friends with Lore,” he said as we rode the elevator down.
“Not Saff?” I asked, getting a chuckle out of him.
“Depends. Are you feeling the urge to castrate anyone?”
“That was one time,” I said, defending my new friend, but making Elian break out into a laugh.
“I love you making friends with any of my people. I want you to start seeing them as yours too.”