Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
A commotion at the door grabs my attention. I catch a glimpse of Slater before she’s swallowed by a mob of people that rush her with their phones out. Everyone is in selfie mode. Some are even asking for autographs. At the counter, Carrie’s head swivels from Slater to me and then back to Slater. Somehow she makes the connection and starts laughing, folding in half.
Since Slater’s being mobbed, I get up and retrieve her. As I’m pushing people out of the way, I hear a few people say my name. Graham once was the internet main character of the day and said it sucked, but since I’m never on social media, I didn’t think it would bother me. Slater, on the other hand, makes a living off of being an internet celebrity. I hesitate when I reach her, wondering if being connected to me will hurt her reputation, but her eyes widen in relief at the sight of me. Her hand is around her stomach, protecting herself. Irritation rises in me. I throw my arm around her and sweep her out of the café.
Several people follow us. I start to turn around, to tell them off, but Slater tugs me back. “Don’t make it worse,” she says quietly. She puts on a smile and gives the gawkers a little wave. A kid with a camera steps toward us. I growl.
Slater slides a hand over my mouth. “Do you have a car?”
I nod and press the remote starter. The Mercedes purrs to life. As I’m pulling away from the curb, I ask, “That happen to you a lot?”
“More now, but it’s okay. I’m able to do what I do because of followers. If it weren’t for them, I’d be in a call center trying to get cable customers not to cancel their service.”
“Is that what you did before?”
“Yeah. It was terrible. We had these quotas and got rewards for how many people we convinced not to cancel their service, but it was hard, and people got mad at you, which they were perfectly right to do. I always remind myself of that whenever someone comes up to me in public and asks for a photo.”
“Not so different from the restaurant business. We are nothing without our diners.” We’re perfect for each other. I wonder if she sees that. “Where to?”
“Somewhere private but not completely private.”
Meaning not my house or hers. “How about The Plate? It’s not open yet, but there is staff around.”
“That’s fine.”
My restaurant is not far away, and I pull into the back parking lot only a few minutes later. Her hand falls to the door latch.
“Don’t touch it,” I bark. Confusion falls over her face. “It’s just a rule I have,” I say with what I hope is a softer tone. “Opening doors is my job.”
“It’s the 21st century,” she says as I help her out of the car.
“Dad would say good manners should exist in every generation, not just the first ones.” I notice her hand is around her stomach again. “You not feeling well?” I slap my palm over her forehead. She does feel hot.
“No, I’m fine.”
I turn us around toward the car, but she resists. I cock my head. “What’s the problem?”
“I don’t want to—I think we should manage our business in a mutual place.”
Impatient, I shake my head. “But why? You’re moving in. You might as well see my place now.”
“I’m not moving in,” she replies with an incredulous laugh.
“Of course you are.”
“No. I’m not.”
I heave a sigh. “Look, I thought it might be inappropriate to bring this up, but you were a virgin, so you were obviously waiting for someone, and that was me. You gave yourself to me, so you’re mine now.”
“That’s not how it works.”
“No, that’s exactly how it works.”
Chapter Five
SLATER
The man has lost his freaking mind. “You think because you popped my cherry that I’m yours?”
“Yes.” He says it without hesitation and as if this is one hundred percent logical. I've heard that Brooks struggles with social skills, leading some to perceive him as cold and unapproachable. I’m wondering if there is more to that.
“That’s insane; with that logic, why aren’t you living with whoever took your virginity?” Brooks starts to speak, but I hold my hand out to stop him. “Let me guess: It’s different for men.” I roll my eyes. I guess I can add sexist to the list of cons for Brooks, which I'm happy about. The list is pretty short, and I need to start growing it to keep my resolve.
“That is what I am trying to do.”
“Huh?” I’m confused, and I am starting to feel overheated.
"You took my virginity." Brooks' expression remains the same.
"Right." I laugh, but he doesn't join me. "Brooks, seriously." His face still doesn’t budge.
"I am very serious." Oh my God. The realization that he’s telling the truth that I was his first makes me a bit dizzy. I press my hands to my cheeks.