Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“Change your mind?” he says, but I can tell he knows better.
“Nope, and not going to. I want you to broaden your search. I want to know everything about Benny Baluchi. Something about that name rings a distant bell. Check it out for me.”
“You got it. Did you see she has a son? He’s five.”
“I did, but then I already knew she had a son, Grunt.”
“True, but that’s a ready-made family. You cool signing up for that?”
“He’ll make a good playmate for Tam-Tam,” I answer, grinning. “Besides, I like being a dad.”
“Are you really deciding all this after one conversation with this woman?”
“How many conversations did you have with Jasmine before deciding you wanted her, asshole?”
“Point made,” he laughs. “I sprung a kid on her, too. At least you’re forewarned. I didn’t give Jasmine that.”
I laugh. “You wanted to get her addicted to your dick first. I have a feeling I’m going to have to work hard to get there with Grace. It’ll be good for me. Nothing worthwhile comes without some effort.”
“You got it bad. I’ll get the info, boss.”
“Good,” I answer, hanging up with a smile on my face. Grace Sutton doesn’t know it yet, but she’s mine.
4
GRACE
When the door to the diner opens, it doesn’t surprise me when Carter Ford walks through the door. Maybe it should, but the truth is, I’ve been expecting him since our first encounter three days ago. I was kind of disappointed because he hadn’t shown up before now. As the days passed, I realized I wanted to see him again. It’s stupid and reckless. I shouldn’t even think about letting another man into my life.
He walks in alone, going straight to the counter, pulling up a barstool. I look at him the entire time, and his gaze stays locked with mine. My entire body flushes with heat. I force my legs to work and walk behind the counter. “Hello, Mr. Ford. Do you need a menu, or do you know what you want?”
“Honey, it’s not Mr. anything. Call me Carter or Ford. Your choice.
“Carter?”
“My first name. I told you before,” he answers, and I can tell he’s unhappy thinking I’d forgotten. I hadn’t, I just repeated it because when I look at him, it doesn’t really fit. Maybe that’s why everyone calls him Ford.
“I remember. You just don’t look like a Carter.”
He laughs. “I’m almost afraid to ask what you think I look like.”
“Ford. It suits you.”
He gives me a smile that somehow warms up his eyes. It makes him all too appealing. There’s something inside me that keeps telling me to run. If I was smart, that’s exactly what I’d do. Sadly, when it comes to men, I’ve never been smart. First, I got all into a guy who thought it was cool to make me think we were getting serious and then ghost me completely. If I’m honest, that truly hurt. It bothers me more than Benny, my ex-husband. I married that idiot knowing he was an asshole—I just didn’t know the extent of his assholiness. That’s not a word, but—in Benny’s case—it really should be. Still, Andrew and Benny together show my complete lack of brains when it comes to men. I don’t know Ford’s damage yet, but I’m sure there’s something.
“Penny for your thoughts, Grace.”
“They’re not worth a penny,” I mumble, placing a menu in front of him. “I’ll be back to take your order.”
I walk over to a couple that just sat down. I take their drink orders and tell them the special. Before I can give them a menu, they both order—which just makes my job easier. I get their drinks, letting them know their food will be up shortly, all before returning to Ford. “Are you ready?”
“You stay busy.”
“They call it work for a reason. Are you going to order, or did you just come here to irritate me?”
He blinks, just staring at me. It’s understandable. I’m being an asshole after being somewhat nice to him—maybe even low-key flirting. I can’t seem to help it. Carter Ford brings out a wide range of emotions from me. If he thinks he’s confused, he should try being me. He doesn’t say anything, but I let out a sigh and shake my head. “Listen, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be a bitch. The truth is, you’re cute, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find you appealing—”
“Now, that’s good to hear,” he practically purrs.
“But—” I add before he says something to weaken my resolve, “I’m not in the market for a man in my life.”
“Grace—”
“I told you, Ford. I have a man in my life—the only one I want.”
“Detective Garcia is not the man for you, darlin’.”
For a second, my heart stops. A sick feeling invades the pit of my stomach. “What did you say?” I snap, my voice strained. I can barely hear over the ringing in my ears. I hold on to the counter. If I didn’t, I think I'd fall to my knees.