Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“You heard what I said. He texted yesterday and mentioned he had found the biggest container of the soft peppermints that I love so much. And he brought it over this morning.” I make a non-committal noise, attempting to play it off as if it’s not a big deal.
“And did you pay him back with currency or something else?” I ignore her question, mostly because Luke clears his throat in the background.
“Whatever she gave him, hopefully, it’ll put him in a good mood. He’s doing rounds during the day this week before he has to rotate to nights.” I hear Luke hum, which means he’s probably kissing my sister or she’s kissing him.
“That sucks.” I suck on the mint, closing my eyes and replaying the last two moments I’ve had with Tony where we’re alone. You know, when he can flirt, touch, and kiss me, and I can do the exact same to him. The holding back is becoming impossible, plus, there are only so many places to run where he can’t find me.
“Apparently, so do you,” Shae says. My eyes bulge. I nearly choke on my candy, and Luke laughs, loud and deep. “Oh shit, I mean, well, yeah. Whatever you did, I don’t want to know about,” she adds quickly.
“And I’m getting off the phone. Clearly, you’re okay, unless you need me to help you with some last-minute issues?” I hate like hell to bring the topic back up, except that’s the whole reason she called.
“She’s good. I talked her through it. The zipper was stuck, and she wouldn’t let me help her,” Luke says.
“Good luck on our wedding night. That zipper is a bitch, but it could be worse.” Shae is now calm.
“It could be buttons,” we say in unison, both of us remembering a dress she tried on that was neck to tailbone covered in the tiniest and daintiest fabric-covered buttons. It was a fiasco, and while I’d do anything for my sister on her big day, dealing with those would be pushing it.
“I know my way around a scalpel. I’m not worried.” Ever the doctor.
“Okay, well, since all is good, I’m going to get off the phone, clean up around here, and I’ll see you at LITHE later today. I’m glad Luke talked you off the ledge. I’m also unsure why you would try on your dress that should be at Mom and Dad's, by the way, or here at your home. I mean, hello, the big reveal day is this weekend. You couldn’t call and be like, “Hey, sister, I think we should do a trial run?’” This would be the sensible thing to do, at least I’d like to think so. I’m also not pregnant, running through the gamut of emotions and worrying about things out of her control, and that includes the studio as well as the ever-present renovations going on.
“Well, I didn’t think I’d have any issues. I should have known better. I’ll see you later. Thanks for listening to me blather on, and don’t think we’re not talking more about you and Gallo. We most definitely will. I’ll pick up the coffee and croissants along the way.”
“Chocolate for me, please.” If she’s going to Oak & Brew, there’s no way I’m passing up a sweet treat.
“Yes, I well know. The usual coffee?”
“Cinnamon Swirl Iced Latte, extra cream and no sugar,” I repeat the same thing I get every single time, which is similar to Shae’s. We may be the complete opposite in looks, but when it comes to food and drinks, we’re the exact same.
“As if I don’t know. Alright, go do your thing. I’ll do mine, and we’ll see each other later.”
“Yes, later. Probably later than usual, Coralynn,” Luke says in the background. After that, I don’t bother sticking around or saying goodbye, especially when a notification comes through, jarring my ear. I’m learning my lesson all too quickly, keeping the volume on is about to take me out, or my hearing.
I look at the screen, not surprised in the least to see a message from Tony. The man knows how to make a girl ache in the best possible way.
Dr. Tall, Dark & Chasing Me: Thinking your kiss is only going to hold me over for so long. What’s a man got to do to see you again today?
Me: You’ll have to catch me to find out
One thing is for certain: I have a date with my showerhead before I even think about leaving the house to start my day. Especially after the kiss he laid on me and Tony obviously having no problem telling me he needs another. And, well, I want a whole lot more.
FOUR
Tony
“Gotcha.” I wrap my arms around Coralynn’s middle, feeling her body tense at first until she realizes it's me.
“I could have maimed you, Tony. What are you doing sneaking up on me like that?” She spins around, face flushed, lips pursed, and while she’s trying to portray anger, I can see the thought of me catching her unaware is way more of a turn-on than she’s willing to admit. While I may have started my day off late doing rounds at the hospital, come the afternoon, I’d shifted into overdrive, getting in and out of patients’ rooms with a quickness while still maintaining my professionalism and listening to what they needed to talk about.