Total pages in book: 181
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
He had used the time waiting for the information to come from Sal to complete the work that needed to be done today, so when he left his office, he stopped by his assistant’s desk.
“I’m leaving for the day.”
Mrs. Boward stared at him above her bifocals. “What should I say if anyone asks for you?”
Kent didn’t think his assistant would approve of the profanity-laced response he wanted to give. “Tell them I’ve left for the day.”
TWENTY-TWO
“How do I look?”
Nervously, Sage stood still under her sister’s quizzical regard.
“You look very pretty.”
Crossing their bedroom floor, she sat down on the side of the bed. “Are you sure you don’t mind me going out?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m happy you’re going out instead of being stuck with me on a Friday night. The girls are with Victoria for the weekend, and I plan to spend the night catching up on my reading. Go and enjoy yourself.”
“Tayla will be coming over to check on you throughout the night. Text or call me if you need me to come back.”
“Sage …” Glory waved her hand toward the door. “Go. I’ll be fine.”
When she heard the doorbell, she brushed a kiss on her sister’s cheek before clicking the bedroom door closed behind her, then went to open the door for Kent.
She pulled the door open and forced herself to breathe normally. She was used to feeling as if she was chilled to the bone, yet anytime he was close, warmth would spread throughout her veins, dissipating the piercing cold.
“Am I too early?”
She couldn’t resist smiling at Kent’s eager expression. “Not at all. I’m ready to go.”
“Good. I have a car waiting.”
“Smart move.”
“I don’t plan for you to have all the fun by yourself.”
Leaving her responsibilities temporarily behind made her feel as if she was walking on air. The thought brought a wave of guilt before she could get inside the car.
“Something wrong?”
Realizing Kent was holding the back door of the car open, she climbed inside. “No, I’m fine.”
He sat next to her and sent her a searching look. She was unable to lie to him, so she gave him a partial truth.
“I don’t get a lot of free time. I can’t remember the last time I had a free night.”
“Then I’m glad I was able to talk you into coming out with me tonight.”
“Me, too.” Grinning at him, she decided she was going to step around the barrier she usually placed herself behind to enjoy the night with Kent. How long had it been since she had acted like a normal single woman in the company of an attractive man? Her freshman year, she had gone to one baseball game and had hotdogs afterward.
When they arrived at the beer festival, she was amazed at the number of tents set up. Her heart started fluttering when he took her hand the moment they stepped out of the car.
“Where should we start?” She looked up at him wonderingly.
“Have you never been to a beer fest before?”
“No. My dad died before I was at legal drinking age.”
“None of your boyfriends took you to one, or you didn’t go with friends?”
“No, I didn’t have the opportunity.”
His hand tightened around hers. “Then we need to make up for it tonight.” Kent pointed at a tent about six feet from where they were standing. “First lesson, you want to check out the ones that have a line.”
“That makes sense.”
Holding hands, they got in line. As they waited, Kent told her about the various beer fests he had attended. When it was their turn, he let her choose the beer she wanted to sample before choosing his. While sipping their drinks, they started walking along the rows of stalls, each of them taking turns picking out which one to go to next.
After the first one, they ordered sample sizes, and Sage felt her nervousness ease as the night progressed.
They were throwing their latest cup away, when Kent pulled her back before she could get in another line. “I think we should grab something to eat before we drink anymore.”
Lighthearted, she pouted at him then wanted to smack herself. She glanced away from him and bit her lip to bring herself back to reality. Kent might be holding her hand and being solicitous, but she couldn’t tell if his behavior was meant to be romantic or friendly.
The embarrassment she felt for even considering they were on a real date made some of the night lose its luster. Being out with Kent was no different than if she had come out with Brian.
When she caught him looking at her, she forced herself to act carefree, as she had been doing.
“Stop it.”
Surprised at the low anger radiating from his voice, she turned toward him, forgetting to watch where she was going. She stumbled and would have fallen if Kent hadn’t caught her.