Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“It’s late. You could stay.”
Oh, how I wish I could stay. “Thank you, but I don’t have far to go. Besides, you need your beauty sleep for your big day tomorrow.”
A deep rumble of laughter fills the air around us. “Just hanging out with the guys and their families.”
“Either way, we should both get some rest. Thank you for dinner and the movies. It was a nice night.” I step into him and wrap my arms around him in a hug. Foster doesn’t disappoint as he hugs me back, his strong arms locking around me.
“Next time,” I say, pulling out of our embrace, “dinner is on me.”
“We’ll see.” He chuckles.
I point at him. “I mean it.” I give him a stern look before picking up my shoes and walking toward the door. I make quick work of shoving them into my bag and sliding into the others.
“Yes, ma’am,” he rasps right behind me. His hand finds its way to the small of my back. “Text me and let me know you got home okay.”
“It’s not that late,” I tease.
“Eden.”
“Fine, Mr. Vaughn, I’ll check in when I get home,” I say over my shoulder, reaching for the handle of the door.
He leans forward, placing his lips next to my ear, and murmurs, “Good girl.”
Shit.
My entire body shivers. I don’t know if it’s from his hot breath or his words. Either way, it’s way past time for me to go. With a turn of the handle, I step out onto the front porch. I want to look back, but I keep moving toward my car, not giving in to temptation.
“Text me!” he calls, and I turn at the last second on instinct, and see him standing on the front porch, barefoot, arms crossed over his chest, and his eyes laser-focused on me.
“Night, Mr. Vaughn.”
“Good night, Eden,” he rasps.
I don’t remember the drive home. However, as soon as I’m in my apartment, I reach for my phone and text him.
* * *
Me: Made it home safe and sound.
* * *
Foster: Good. Goodnight, Eden.
* * *
Me: Night, Foster.
* * *
Tonight was unexpected, but also incredible. I need to be stronger next time and say no. Many more nights like tonight and my crush will be… more, and I can’t afford for it to be more. We might share backgrounds to a degree, but his life and mine are like two different worlds.
Chapter Nine
Foster
* * *
“You’re doing it again,” Baker says, pointing his beer bottle at me.
“Doing what?” I ask.
“You’re smiling.” He smirks.
“It’s a good day. This one”—I point toward Reid—“managed to convince an amazing woman to marry him, and he kept her for an entire year. Not only that, but somehow, he and that same woman created an angel, and today is her first birthday. That’s something to smile about.”
“I’m calling bullshit,” Landry chimes in. “It’s more than that.” He leans forward from where he’s sitting across the table from me. “Yep, I was right,” he gloats.
“Right about what?” I can’t help but ask, knowing I’m going to regret the answer.
“There’s a twinkle.”
A laugh rumbles out of my chest. “Fuck off. My eyes do not twinkle.” If I’m being honest, I don’t know if they twinkle. They might, but I won’t tell him that. I also know that I’m smiling, but I can’t seem to help myself. I feel… lighter these days.
“I think Landry’s right. There’s a little bit of a twinkle,” Reid says, holding his thumb and forefinger up to show me a small amount of space.
“Leave him alone,” Knox says, coming to my rescue.
“Thank you.” I nod my appreciation.
“Let him twinkle in peace,” he adds, and I groan while my friends all laugh.
Bellamy steps into the dining room and goes straight for Reid. He pushes back from the table and pats his lap for her to sit, but she laughs and shakes her head. “It’s time for cake for the birthday girl,” she tells him.
“On it, Dream Girl,” he says, standing, taking her hand, and leading her into the kitchen.
“I’d better go wrangle Cam so we can sing to the birthday girl,” Baker says, standing and heading toward the living room where Camden is playing with Coral.
“I’m sure Corie needs a break,” Knox says, pushing back from the table.
“You just want your turn,” Landry calls after him. Knox laughs but doesn’t deny it as he goes off in search of his wife and son.
“I know we’ve been giving you shit, Foster, but whatever’s causing this…” Landy points at my face. “The smiles, the twinkle”—he winks—“keep it. Being happy looks good on you.”
“It’s nothing,” I assure him, even though we all know I’m full of shit.
He nods, but I know Landry well enough to know he’s not going to leave it there. He’s the fun time, the jokester, but he also has a deep, sensitive side that he hides from most of the world. “It might seem like nothing. However, from the outside looking in, that’s not the case. Whatever it is, or whoever it is, I’m happy for you, brother.” With that, he stands and walks out of the room.