Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Cheap date,” Ripley mumbles.
I roll my eyes at him before continuing. “Donovan started talking about me moving in with him, and I fought against it. It was too soon, and I don’t know, I didn’t really feel like we were at that point. That made him mad. Shortly after, he stopped buying cookies.”
Sutton nods, an approving smile on her lips.
“It wasn’t the cookies that made me break up with him,” I say, swirling my drink around in my glass. “It was that he … I don’t know, wanted to punish me?”
Donovan was so quick to take away something small that showed me he cared about me. It wasn’t a big thing, really, but it showed me something fundamental about his character. There couldn’t have been a bigger, redder flag.
“Anyway, I wasn’t going to stay with someone who acted so childish simply because he didn’t get his way,” I say with a shrug.
Ripley’s brows pinch together. The way he studies me makes me uneasy, so I look away.
My phone buzzes on the table, and my mother’s name flashes on the screen. I know she wants to talk about her Charity Club drama, which can wait. But it’s an excellent excuse to leave—especially because Sutton will be looking for a reason to go soon, too.
I down the rest of my drink and then fish a few bills from my wallet.
“Sutton, I know you said you needed to be out of here by seven thirty,” I say. “It’s about that time, and I need to get going, too.”
She checks her watch. “You’re right. Jeremiah will be home from work soon and promised to take me for Thai tonight.”
I plop some cash on the table.
“I’ll pay for your drinks,” Ripley says.
“Oh, I know you will,” I say. “It’s really the least you can do for barging into our girl time and drinking my martini. I’m just chipping in for the tip.”
Tate chuckles. “Okay, I’m glad you two didn’t make peace. Watching you bicker is free entertainment.”
“Happy you enjoyed the show,” I say.
I stand, tugging the ends of my shorts down. It doesn’t help much—there’s not much length to work with—but it’s better than nothing.
Ripley stares straight ahead, intentionally not looking at me. Good.
“I’d say it was good seeing you again, Ripley, but that would be a lie,” I say.
“Likewise.”
He turns his head, catching my eyes with his once again. Something twinkles in his baby blues … probably bullshit.
Sutton says her goodbyes, and we walk out of The Swill. I sway my hips a little more than necessary in case Ripley is watching.
Not that I really care if he is or isn’t. But I know my ass looks great in these shorts, and I won’t miss the slightest opportunity to make him crazy.
Chapter Three
Ripley
That woman drives me crazy.
Georgia’s perfume lingers in the air long after she’s gone. The sweetness of honey and the warmth of vanilla are irritating and intoxicating—just like her.
I try my best to ignore her because she gets too deep under my skin. She has since the first day of our senior year. She walked down the hallway to her locker, books clutched to her chest and ponytail swinging behind her. For the briefest moment, her soft, golden-colored eyes met mine, and I wobbled on my feet. I was both drawn to and terrified by the beautiful brunette in a way my teenage brain hadn’t encountered before.
That might’ve been the last time she looked at me without threatening to off me with her bare hands.
“I think she’s gone,” Tate says.
“Who?”
“Georgia.”
I turn to face him and ignore the conspiratorial grin on his face.
“You were just sitting there and staring at the exit,” he says. “I was starting to think you thought she was coming back.”
I sigh, bringing my beer to my lips.
“I was surprised to walk in and see the two of you talking civilly,” he says casually. “It almost looked like you were getting along for a moment.”
“Yeah, well, you caught the ten seconds she wasn’t being a total monster.”
“So what, you noticed she was without her monster vibes and decided to say hello?”
I snort. “Hardly. I tried to avoid her, but Sutton saw me before I could hide.”
He laughs. “I love that you hide from Georgia Hayes.”
“You say that like you think I’m scared of her.”
“Aren’t you?”
I flip him a dirty look that makes his laugh grow louder.
“What’s going on with you?” I ask, picking at the label on my beer. “Are you back for a while, or will Gannon have you leaving again next week?”
“I think my nonstop travel days are slowing down. The pressure is easing now that Dad has taken the plea deal and has been sentenced. People are starting to move on. Gannon is doing a great job leading the company, and that’s helping to gain back investor confidence. We have some work to do, mostly public facing, but we’re getting there. I’m not having to fight quite as hard.”