Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 48632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“Reading, though usually, it’s contracts. On the rare occasion I’ll get to read for leisure, it’s not often, though. You?” I play dumb.
“Same, books or audiobooks, or a magazine. It depends on what I can get my hands on, either through the brick-and-mortar library or the apps on my phone.” This time, I’m not surprised. I pretty much knew the answer to begin with. Still, it’s nice to hear her talk in the soft tone of her voice, and when she becomes passionate about the subject, well, it shines through with each syllable. Her hands also become animated, and now I don’t want to let her leave the table. “Shit, I’m sorry I have to cut this short, but someone was just seated in my area.” Letty goes to stand up, but my hand moves to hers instead, holding it for a moment while watching how she reacts to our skin touching.
“Thanks for sitting with me. What’s your number? Maybe we can keep this up when we both have time.” I pull my phone out with my unoccupied hand and slide it over to her. It’s already unlocked from facial recognition, and a few clicks brings up the call log.
“Oh, uh, sure. I guess that’s okay,” she stammers for a moment, then enters her phone number, hits the call button, and lets it ring a few times before ending the call.
“I’ll talk to you later.” It’s a promise, one I’ll keep. I watch as Letty takes the bill folder and moves to leave.
“I’ll be right back with this. Let me get my guests settled?” I nod in response, and then she’s off. My eyes linger on her, watching as she moves with a gracefulness most women could only hope to have. I place my wallet on the table and go through the cash I have, keeping in mind that tips in the green variety are better than putting it on a receipt. It means less of a cut that Twisted Oak can take. This way, Letty can put more in her pocket. She interacts with her four top, the party looks like it consists of two parents and two children. Letty talks more with the kids than the parents, gathering their drink orders before slipping away. I lose sight of her for a few minutes before she’s back again.
“Here you go. Thanks again, Matthew. It was really nice talking with you.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” She licks her red pouty lips at my response. Soon, I’ll have my mouth on hers and get a real taste of Letty Barnes.
7
LETTY
I’ve never been more excited to see my apartment building than I am tonight. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy my time with Matthew. I did. I’m also still trying to decipher the fat tip he left. Between the referrals I received and now the tip, even with taxes coming out, which maybe Ophelia forgot, since she set me up as a contractor instead of an employee, I have some room to breathe. I know I’ll have to deal with that situation, but it’s problem for another time when I do my taxes, and believe me, I’ll do them or have to face way too many penalties. I just need a few more months.
Now, as I’m walking up the stairs with the door in sight, my Spidey sense is on high alert. Those men were at the bar, too, when I walked out, but thankfully, we all left together and waited until we were safely locked in our vehicles before dispersing, or I’d probably have driven directly to Matthew’s penthouse and begged for help. I banished the thought before I gave it any more energy, driving home in silence while worry settled low in my stomach.
I’ve yet to shake it off and won’t until I’m locked safely behind the door with my roommates. Speaking of, I’m not even sure they’re home. Our building doesn’t have dedicated parking spots, a major pitfall and one I’ll eventually be able to fix when I’m able to afford a place of my own. My requests will definitely be a laundry area in my apartment and parking in front of my door. Oh, and maybe the second floor versus the third floor. An elevator would be nice, too.
The deadbolt unlocks with a turn of the key before I do the same with the bottom handle, and I’m stepping inside. It’s eerily quiet, reminding me that it’s nearly one o’clock in the morning. Mischa and Liv have normal nine-to-five jobs, I’m the oddity in the equation. As soon as I’m inside, the door closes behind me, and the locks are engaged, I open my purse to reach for my phone. There’s only a small lamp illuminating the living room. Every other room is dark. Either the girls are asleep, or they aren’t home.