Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 97053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
I order the four cheeses, because too much cheese isn’t a thing.
“I think I’m going to have the pepperoni,” Jack says. “That’s what I’d have in New York, so it seems only fair that I’ll compare like with like.”
I laugh as Akira, the waitress, approaches our table.
Her eyes go wide when she sees Jack. Panic in her expression, she turns to me. “I don’t do this very often. Just when I’m saving up for something,” she blurts.
Jack looks as confused as I feel.
“And it’s not like I’ve ever turned down a shift at the Club because of a shift here,” she splutters.
“Okay,” Jack says. “You don’t need to worry.”
“You won’t say anything?” Akira asks.
I shake my head, unsure of what I’m not supposed to be saying to whom.
“Of course not,” Jack says. “If it makes you feel any better, Byron doesn’t even know I’m here.”
Akira’s shoulders drop, and she sighs. “I love that job. I would hate to lose it. I just need a little extra money, and they are very strict about the shifts they offer us.”
Suddenly everything slots into place. “I didn’t realize you weren’t allowed to work other jobs if you were at the Club.” I remember Akira starting at Pizza Meet Ya. She said she worked at the Club and would only be working the odd few days here. It never struck me as strange or in the slightest bit inappropriate.
“Oh, that’s not a rule. But the Club is so exclusive and… I don’t know of anyone else having a second job. I just don’t want to get into trouble.”
Jack mimes pulling a zipper across his mouth. “Your secret is safe with us.”
“But I know you’re friends with Mr. Miller,” she says to Jack. “I don’t want you to have to keep a secret from your friend. Or from Rosey. I started at the same time as Rosey. She’s lovely, and it’s bad enough that I have to keep secrets from her.”
“She doesn’t seem like the type to be concerned,” I say, not that I know Rosey. I’ve spoken to her a couple of times. Star Falls is a small town. If you live here, then everyone is going to bump into everyone.
“It’s fine,” Jack says. His tone is reassuring. Akira is overreacting, but Jack isn’t dismissive of her or taking what she’s saying as a joke. He’s being really empathetic. It’s kinda lovely. And kinda hot. “I have a terrible memory anyway. I’ll probably forget all about tonight by tomorrow morning.”
Akira sighs, but her expression is still slightly pained. “Okay, I’m so sorry to have hijacked your date. I’m Akira, and I’ll be your server tonight. What can I get for you? The barbeque chicken special is my favorite.”
We order beers and pizza, and as Akira heads back to the kitchen, I turn back to Jack. “How often do you eat pizza and drink beer?”
“I’m not an alien,” he says. “I’m a New Yorker. I eat pizza almost weekly. Or at least monthly. And if I eat pizza, I’m drinking beer.”
“Weekly?” I ask.
“Probably less, now that Byron has met Rosey and Worth has met Sophia and Leo has Jules and Fisher has Juniper and Bennett has Efa.”
“All five of your friends have girlfriends?”
“Fiancées or wives,” he says.
“You’re the only one left?”
“Oh, I’m not so sure about that,” he says.
He sounds like he’s saying that he’s no longer the one without a fiancée or a wife. But he can’t be saying that, right? I mean, we’ve known each other two minutes, and yes it feels like I’ve known him my entire life. It feels like he knows what I’m thinking. Yes, he can do things to my body that no man ever has. He’s kind and patient and…
“So tell me about the wife your mom wants for you?” I ask, trying to bring us back to reality.
He flashes me a cheeky, sexy grin that has me squeezing my legs together. “Wow, you really know how to destroy the vibe, don’t you?”
I laugh. “My specialty. But seriously, it’s weird for me that she’d be so involved in your love life.”
“She’s not. But not because she doesn’t want to be.”
“I’ve heard about arranged marriages back in the olden days or in other cultures. But in America, it seems so strange to me. Is it normal for… people like you? Families like yours?”
Jack glances down at the table, a gloomy expression on his face. “I don’t think anyone sees it as arranged marriage. There are expectations that people are consciously and subconsciously aware of. And then most people hang out with people who are similar to them, so bonds naturally form with acceptable people.”
“Acceptable,” I repeat. I definitely wouldn’t qualify as far as Jack’s mother’s concerned.
“It’s stupid,” Jack says. “And my mother knows that’s not how I think. That’s probably why she’s more invested than she should be.”