Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
And yet he found himself saying, “A picnic, huh?”
“Yep.” Whitney stood with her hip propped against the counter and a spatula in her hand.
He could arrange a picnic. What did he need, a blanket, some snacks, and a good spot?
Easy. He already knew the perfect place and had a feeling Liam would love it.
Excitement bubbled in his veins, but he tempered his expression. The last thing he wanted was more questions. “Thanks, Whit,” he said as he hopped up and walked into the kitchen, kissing his sister-in-law on the cheek.
“Hey,” Randy called out. “What about me? I helped. Where’s the love, man?”
Tate flipped him off.
“Oh yeah, what’d you suggest, Rand?” Whitney asked, rolling her eyes. “You tell him to buy a lotto ticket?”
Tate snorted a laugh as Randy’s face screwed up, and he muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
“Hey,” Whitney called out as Tate reached the door. “You’re a good man, Tate. She’s a lucky lady.”
He nodded, then jogged back to his place as her sweet words ate a hole in his heart. A good man wouldn’t lie about the very foundation of who he was. A good man wouldn’t hide Liam in the shadows and pretend he was someone he wasn’t. No, he wasn’t a good man, but maybe he could make up for some of his shortcomings by doing something nice for Liam.
Liam, now, there was a good man.
About an hour before sunset, he drove out of Swan Trailer Park and started the short trip to Liam’s place. With each passing second, the brick in his stomach grew heavier.
What the hell was he doing? Liam would probably laugh in his face. He’d never so much as taken someone to a movie, and now he was planning picnics?
Fuck, this was a terrible idea.
He turned right onto Main Street, where Liam leased his studio and apartment.
How had he gotten here so fast? When had he ever driven through town without hitting a red light?
Tonight, of course.
The building grew closer and closer as his heart beat faster and faster.
“I can’t do this,” he muttered, flicking on his blinker. He could swing a U-turn and be back on his way home in seconds.
He glanced in his rear-view mirror and prepared to shift lanes as movement fifty feet up on his right caught his eye.
Liam.
He’d know that smooth, cat-like walk anywhere.
Instead of turning around, his car seemed to move of its own volition, slowing next to his obsession as he strolled down the road. Liam jumped, and then his eyes widened when he saw who sat behind the wheel of the car, lowering the passenger window.
“Tate,” he said, his voice ripe with surprise. He glanced around as though worried someone might catch them. It drove a spear of guilt straight through Tate’s stomach. “What are you doing here?”
As usual, Liam looked effortlessly stylish in pale yellow shorts and a short-sleeved white polo. He was fresh, happy, and mouthwatering. On the other hand, Tate wore his usual ratty jeans and plain shirt. “I was coming to see you, actually.”
“Oh.” Liam leaned his forearms on the open window. “Are you sure this is wise? You stopping me like this?” Concern marred his voice.
“Probably not. Maybe you should get in the car before someone spots us. I’ll drive us somewhere else.”
Surprise lit his face. “Really? You and me?”
Tate nodded. Beautiful as the man was, he was never more stunning than when he smiled.
“Where are we going?”
Nerves fluttered in his stomach as he realized he was about to ask a man on a date for the first time. Christ, his insides shook like a teenage boy asking his crush to prom. “I was thinking a picnic. There’s someplace I wanna show you.”
Liam probably wouldn’t have looked so shocked if Tate had run him over with his car instead of stopping to talk to him. But the surprise didn’t last long. The most radiant smile lit up his entire face. “Really?” he squealed. “A picnic?”
The excitement must have been contagious because Tate found himself grinning back. “Yep.”
“Oh my God, yay. Yes, I love picnics.” He glanced down at himself. I was just on my way to grab some dinner. Am I okay like this, or should I change?”
“You’re perfect.” So fucking perfect.
“Sweet talker.” Liam opened the door and climbed into Tate’s car. If the old fast-food wrappers crunching under his feet bothered him, he didn’t mention it. Instead, he clapped his hands. “I am so excited. I haven’t been on a picnic in years.”
Thank you, Whit. He’d be sure to send some flowers to his sister-in-law. Better than a damn lottery ticket.
“So where exactly are we going? Wait, no, don’t tell me. I want to be surprised.”
“It’s nowhere fancy,” Tate said with a grunt. Shit, now he’d be second-guessing his location choice the whole ride. Why the hell did people do this dating shit? It was way too stressful.