Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
“Did you? I also checked out a couple of other apartment buildings, but this one was perfect. And it didn’t need a ton of renovations, which is always a plus.”
“I did have to renovate, but now my apartment suits me.”
She smiles. “I’m glad.”
The elevator comes to a stop and we step out. There are only two doors on the floor, one on either end of the hallway, and she turns right to her apartment.
Reaching into her purse she finds her keys. “So, I guess you can go now,” she says as she puts her key in the lock.
“I could.”
She turns back toward me, her head already tipped up so she can see my face. So petite and so fucking cute.
“Thanks again. For the ride,” she says.
My gaze strays to her mouth. “My pleasure.”
“Umm… mine too.” Her eyes open wide. “I mean—”
I’m unable to hold back a laugh. “I know what you meant.” Placing my hands on her shoulders, I turn her back toward her door before I do something stupid. Like dip my head and kiss those soft, pouty lips.
She turns the key, pushes open her door, and twists back around. “I’ll call you to set up that appointment.”
“Sounds good.” And damn if I’m not looking forward to it.
She smiles, showing me her dimples. “And thank you again for the ride.” Without warning, she lifts herself onto her tiptoes and kisses my cheek, giving me a brief hint of spicy cinnamon before she lowers herself to her feet.
Her cheeks are flushed red as she meets my gaze. “Night, Lucas.”
I can’t help but wink. “Night, Rainey.”
CHAPTER THREE
Rainey
I walk into the building where the front offices of the Thunder are located. Before I go to my father’s, I stop by to see Hudson and Miles, but both are in meetings, so I head directly to my dad’s office. The door is open and voices sound from inside.
“Dammit, Ian. Free up the funds we need for the CTE protocol I want to put in place,” Uncle Alex says.
“If you’d let me finish a sentence, I’d tell you I already had.” I hear the irritated tone in my dad’s voice. Typical.
I hold back a snort of laughter. My father and uncle are close now, but I’ve heard stories about the early days when Dad met my mother and she was Uncle Alex’s best friend. Mom going out with Dad pissed off my uncle because my father and Uncle Alex’s family were estranged. My grandfather, Robert Dare, who nobody talks to or hears from, had a secret family—Alex’s family—and the resentment on both sides was huge. My mother brought the families together, but my uncle and my dad still enjoy their bickering.
I knock on the open door. “Hello? Am I interrupting anything?” I look from man to man, Uncle Alex in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and my father in his usual suit and tie.
My dad’s face softens when he sees me. “Come on in, princess.”
“Rainey! It’s good to see you.” Uncle Alex steps forward and hugs me tight then releases me. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
I grin. “They are and I’m excited about it, too.” I turn to my father. “Actually, that’s why I’m here. I was hoping we could talk about some things related to the anniversary.” I glance back and forth between the two men. “Unless you two want to argue some more?”
Both let out a laugh.
“We’re finished,” says Uncle Alex. He presses a kiss to my head. “Take care.”
“Give my love to Aunt Madison,” I tell him.
“Will do. Talk to you later, Ian.”
My father rolls his eyes as his half-brother leaves the room.
“Well, that was fun. Or, should I say, sadly normal?” I ask. “Do I need to tell Mom you’ve been giving Uncle Alex a hard time?” I know I’m stirring the pot, but I can’t help it. It’s too much fun.
He shakes his head. “You’re trouble, do you know that?”
I merely grin.
“Your mother will always take my side,” he says with the confidence of a man who is as in love with his wife now as he was the day he met her. To hear them tell the story, it was love at first sight. The minute Dad laid eyes on Mom, he knew she was it for him.
I sigh, wondering if I’ll ever have a relationship like theirs. It’s one to aspire to for sure.
“So, what brings you by?” he asks, and I’m grateful for the chance to get out of my own head. “And where’s my hug?”
Grinning, I step around his side of the desk and hug my dad. Then I take a seat across from the desk and he settles in the chair next to me. “I wanted to go over the anniversary celebration. I thought we could kick off the season with a huge party at Midnight.”