Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Brock shut off the lights on his truck as he drove up the long driveway and parked around back, next to my ladder. Our goodnight kiss was gentle and sweet. After, he leaned his forehead to mine.
“So tell me,” he said. “Am I going to need a tux, or will a suit be okay?”
I felt my brows pull together. “A tux? For what?”
“For the wedding next month. I’ll go with you, if you want to go.”
CHAPTER 10
* * *
Brock
A few days later, the bells on the door chimed as I entered the one tuxedo shop in all of Meadowbrook.
A man immediately greeted me. “How can I help you, Mr. Hawkins?”
I didn’t recognize him, but he apparently knew me.
“I need to be measured for a tux, please.”
“I’ll get someone right out.”
“Thank you.” I nodded.
Looking around at the mannequins dressed to the nines, I felt very out of place. I’d made fun of Plaid Suit, and here I was getting fitted for one myself. I’d make sure the pants were longer than his had been, though.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Brock Hawkins,” a voice said from behind me.
I whipped around. Squinting at the short blonde, I realized her face looked familiar. Shit. Just what I need. Sasha Brinkley. I dated her in high school.
I ran a hand through my hair. “Sasha. How have you been?”
“I’m well. What brings you in here? You’re not finally getting married, are you?”
“No.” I shook my head.
“Was gonna say. Pigs must be flying, if that’s the case.” She laughed.
“I’m attending a wedding out of state and want to make sure I have a tux in time.”
“That figures. Would’ve been the talk of the town if you were off the market.”
“Not really sure how my relationship status is anyone’s business, but okay…”
“I heard about what you did to your ex. What was her name? Tina?”
“Nina.” I gritted my teeth. “And excuse me? What the hell are you talking about? What I did?”
She smirked. “Drove her out of town…”
This was pissing me off. I shouldn’t encourage any more discussion of this, but I felt the need to defend myself. “Where exactly are you getting your information?”
“People talk around here, Brock. You know that.”
“I didn’t drive anyone out of town. That isn’t what happened at all. Nina’s a grown-ass woman with a mind of her own.”
She shrugged. “Well, maybe she left of her own accord. But I’m pretty sure women don’t leave town entirely unless their hearts are broken.”
“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, Sasha. And I suggest you spend less time entertaining the Meadowbrook gossip mill and more time doing your damn job.” I glared at her. “Can you kindly just measure me?” I shook my head. “Actually, no.” The last thing I needed was Sasha’s hands down by my balls or some shit. “Can you get someone else to do it, please?”
She rolled her eyes and left in a huff.
A man came by a few minutes later, taking a tape measure to me. He didn’t say a damn word, which was exactly the way I liked it.
I had both of my arms sticking straight out when I glanced at the window and noticed Trevor walking by. He did a double take before a look of amusement spread across his face.
Great. Just great.
He entered the shop wearing a shit-eating grin. “What’s this all about?”
“What does it look like?”
“Don’t tell me you’re eloping with Fancy Pants? If that’s the case, might I be the first to say, ‘I told you so’?”
“I’m accompanying her to a wedding next month. It’s black tie.”
“Interesting. And where might this wedding be?”
“New York.”
Trevor’s eyes went wide.
After the guy finished taking my measurements, I went to the register to put down some money while my nosy brother waited for me. Sasha flashed me a dirty look from across the store.
As we walked out of the shop together, Trevor started grilling me.
“I’m surprised you’re going out of town for some wedding,” he said. “The last time we spoke, it seemed like you had written off anything happening between you and February. Now you’re getting fitted for a tux and traveling to New York?”
“Yeah, well, I’m just taking it day by day.”
“Cool. I just, you know, wanna make sure you’re staying true to yourself.”
I wasn’t following. “In what way?”
“You in a tux shop? It’s like the apocalypse, man.”
“I’m not changing for anyone, Trev. It’s just a damn wedding. One day. Calm your nutsack.”
“Just keep in mind that you’re sending her a clear message that you’re interested by going to this wedding. Nothing wrong with that. And I’m all for it. But if you don’t plan to try to make things work once she leaves, you may not want to lead her on.”
“I thought just the other day you were supporting me pursuing her,” I noted. “Why are you trying to mess with my head right now?”