Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“You look lovely, Tinsley,” my father tells me when I make it back downstairs. Anne is standing behind him and rolls her eyes.
“Thank you.” I smile at him while hating what I’m about to do.
I always wanted to go on a date, but no one asked me. It didn’t help that there wasn’t anyone I was attracted to at my old school. Now I’m dreading it, and I can't help but think that this isn’t how it’s supposed to be.
Carl makes me uncomfortable, and I detested every moment I spent with him last night. Thankfully, there were other people around, but tonight I’m not going to be so lucky. He’s picking me up for a date, and it will be only the two of us. He forced me into agreeing by asking me out in front of everyone. My father nodded his approval, so there was no choice but to say yes.
“Now, Tinsley.” My father steps toward me. “The Rays are a prominent family here. It’s important that you leave a favorable impression.”
What the heck does that mean? That I have to go along with anything he wants? A ball of anxiety forms in my stomach.
“I told you we should have set Willow up with him,” Anne says.
Yeah, that makes two of us.
“She’s not a Moore,” my father snaps back at Anne. She seals her lips but glares a hole into me. "He's a perfect match for Tinsley. Isn't that right?"
I know the question is for me, so I merely nod my head, unable to say the words. Not when all I can think about is Callum. It’s so wrong because he’s my boss and nothing more.
A knock on the door has the ball of anxiety in my stomach growing. It's only a dinner. It’s only dinner. Maybe it won’t be so bad. I can suck it up for one meal, and then I can talk to my father about this arrangement. I’ll tell him that I don’t think this is going to work and that I don't want to date Carl.
"Go on." My father nudges me to go and answer the door.
When I pull it open, Carl is standing there in a suit. A slow smile creeps onto his face as his eyes roam up and down my body. How badly had I wanted Callum to do that when I was in front of him? He never did, though, not even when I removed pieces of my clothes. Carl is openly doing it, and it makes my skin itch. It makes me want to grab a blanket and cover myself.
"Tinsley, you are breathtaking." He holds his hand out to me, so I have no choice but to give him mine. When Carl brings it to his mouth and kisses it, I have to fight not to cringe.
"Thanks," I mutter, feeling awkward.
He says hello to my father and Anne before he's leading me toward his car. I wipe the back of my hand where he kissed it on my dress before I get into the passenger seat.
“I got a reservation at The Gilded Lily.” He says it with a touch of smugness. I’m still new in town, so I have no clue what restaurants there are here or the scale of them.
“I’ve never been before.”
“You’ll love it,” he tells me, and I simply nod.
When we arrive at the restaurant, I can tell immediately that it’s very upscale. The host leads us right in, and we go directly to our table. Maybe if I eat fast, we can be out of here in an hour. Callum will be expecting me to set up my laptop soon.
If I don’t, I’ll likely be in trouble, which I normally wouldn’t mind. At least not the kind of trouble I could get into with Callum. What I’m worried about is if he asks me why I was late. It’s silly because he hasn’t before, but I feel guilty being on a date with Carl.
I sit there as Carl orders a bottle of wine even though he knows I’m only eighteen. The server doesn’t bat an eye before pouring me a glass. I don’t want it, but I can’t be rude, so I pick it up and pretend to take a sip. I merely let it touch my lips as Carl swirls his wine glass before taking a sip himself.
"Perfection, don't you think?" He’s waiting for a response, so I nod. "You're quiet. I was told you're more bubbly and outgoing. Is that not the case?"
I’m about to answer him when a familiar figure catches my eye. My head snaps in that direction, and I think my heart stops. Callum’s eyes lock with mine as he passes by before taking a seat at the next table over. Is he on a date?
"Tinsley?" Carl says my name, and I blink, trying to remember what he was saying.