Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
As I’m about to invite myself on their bar date, Chuck’s phone starts beeping. He doesn’t subscribe to the same ‘no phone rule while in the presence of others’ that William does. He scoops it out of his pocket and glances at the screen.
“I’m falling behind on my deliveries.” He laughs. “I set a daily reminder so that I can clock out within the hour. I’ve got to up my pace if I’m going to pull that off today.”
“It sounds like it’s time for you to get lost,” William says with a note of amusement in his tone, although from the glance he just gave me, he’s not joking with Chuck.
I can tell he wants to pick up where we left off before we were interrupted.
“It is,” Chuck agrees with a nod before his gaze darts to the left. “Hey, you!”
I suspect he’s spotted one of the owners of the neighboring businesses, but that’s not the case. Posey steps into view just as Chuck takes a step back.
“Hi, Chuck,” she greets him with a grin. “I haven’t seen you in weeks.”
“That’s your fault, not mine,” he teases. “You haven’t ordered anything for a while.”
“I have.” She sighs. “Clothes, makeup, paint, of course. The firm is working on a big case, so I’ve been at the office most of the time. I figured why not have my packages delivered there instead?”
“I get it.” Chuck nods. “Deliveries are a bright spot during long days.”
She pats his shoulder. “You know it.”
Posey’s gaze finally lands on me before it jumps to William’s face. “Who do we have here?”
I hold in a laugh. “Posey Franzini, this is William Knight.”
William offers his hand. “It’s good to meet you.”
She takes it for a quick shake, her gaze volleying between William and me as she does. I don’t know Posey all that well, but I do know a ‘what’s going on here’ look when I see one from another woman.
“You were at the soft launch, weren’t you?” she questions him. “I swear I saw you there.”
“You did,” I tell her before William can say a word.
“I thought so.” She grins. “I’m great at remembering faces.”
Desperate for a change of subject, I take that on myself and point out the mural to William. “Posey painted that,” I say, even though I can’t recall if I already mentioned it during the soft launch.
He glances briefly at it before he turns his attention to her. “You’re incredibly talented.”
“I second that,” Chuck chimes in. “On that note, I need to head out.”
William looks at me. “Why don’t I walk Chuck out? You can spend a few minutes alone with Posey.”
I read between the lines and come up with what I think he’s trying to tell me. He wants me to send her on her way sooner rather than later.
“I’m actually here to pick up Opal.” Posey’s smile beams brightly. “We’re headed to the grand opening of that new baby boutique on Fifth Avenue. We’re meeting Opal’s cousin there. Then we’ll go for a drink to celebrate.”
I’m tempted to slam my palm into my forehead because I completely forgot that another of Posey’s murals is going to be unveiled to the masses today. I don’t know how I let that slip my mind. Actually, I do know. Work and William are the reasons I’ve been so preoccupied.
“I’ll see you two soon,” Chuck says as he exits the bar with William on his heel.
As soon as the door shuts behind him, Posey shoots me a look and a direct question, “Opal, are you hooking up with that hot guy?”
That may never happen unless I get the contractor to nail the bar’s door shut with William and me inside to avoid any future interruptions. I briefly consider asking him to do just that when he stops by tomorrow to change out one of the light fixtures in the ladies’ washroom. I chase the idea away with a shake of my head. “No.”
“Why not?”
Shrugging a shoulder, I smile. “I’ve been busy, and the opportunity hasn’t presented itself.”
“Create that opportunity,” she encourages with a wink. “You can skip the baby store opening if there’s a chance you could get nailed in the next few hours.”
My hand leaps to my mouth to stifle a laugh. “Posey!”
“All I’m saying is that if the guy I’m crushing on ordered me into his bed tonight, I’d choose him over everything.”
“You’re crushing on someone?” I lean closer to get the scoop. “Who?”
“My boss’s brother.” She rolls her eyes. “Talk about awkward.”
I don’t press for more details because William opens the door and strolls back into the bar.
We exchange a look and a smile, but he’s the one who speaks first, “I think it’s time for me to head out, too.”
Frustration washes over me, but I expected this. William is too much of a gentleman to steal me away from plans I’ve already made.