Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 65884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
I bit my bottom lip. “Nothing. Did you want something to drink, or do you have to go?”
He straightened, unzipping his jacket. “What are you drinking?”
“Water.”
Ty chuckled and whatever angst he’d brought with his Chinese takeout seemed to slip from his shoulders. “I can handle that. Thanks.”
He scooped Mabel up and followed me into the kitchen. I was sure the cat would make her displeasure known quickly. Mabel didn’t like being carted about. She cuddled on her terms only. Usually.
I poured two glasses of water and grabbed a fork, joining Ty at the table. “How did you turn my regal feline into a simpering kitty?”
He massaged the soft fur between Mabel’s ears, head bent. “I’m an animal magnet, what can I say?”
I snorted as I opened one of the containers. “How was your dinner?”
“Good.” More petting.
“Your parents are nice.”
“They are.”
I frowned, unsure of his mood. But then I bit into a forkful of chicken fried rice and moaned aloud. I hadn’t eaten since my lunch of grapes, yogurt, and a granola bar, and I was hungrier than I’d thought.
“Mmm.”
Ty looked up. I expected a smile or even a hasty good-bye, but he surprised me again.
“You’re going to New York City next year?”
I swallowed and sipped my water. “That’s a potential plan.”
“What would you do there?”
“I was thinking I’d do a big-city version of What’s New, Smithton?”
“Oh.”
“I know it sounds like everything that’s been done has started in the Big Apple, but magazines are a dying breed, and people like different formats and…” I shrugged, dipping my fork into the container. “It’s just an idea.”
“Huh. I don’t know why I thought you’d stay here.”
I lifted my brows. “I’ll be graduating with a master’s degree next year. I have to figure out how to use it, and New York City is always a good idea. So they say.”
“Yeah. It’s great.” His voice had a faraway note that contrasted with the tense set of his shoulders.
I nudged Ty’s shin with my toe. “Are you all right?”
I’d changed into blue-striped pajama bottoms, a Hello Kitty sweatshirt, and thick wool socks in deference to the cool autumn night. I looked the opposite of sexy in every way possible. I doubted Ty would have noticed if I’d opened the door in a lacy thong in his preoccupied state, though.
My question snapped him out of his reverie.
“Yeah, I’m good. Eat up. Oh, and check the bag for almond cookies. I love those things.”
I pulled out two plastic-wrapped cookies and handed one over. “By the way, you look like both of your parents. But maybe a smidge more like your dad.”
Ty opened the wrapper and plucked the almond off the top. “Everyone says that. I’ll take it as a compliment. My dad is pretty damn cool. So’s my mom. She’s scary perceptive too. I swear she was trying to read my mind tonight. I think she knows I have a crush on you.”
I widened my eyes, my mouth full of rice. I chewed thoroughly, stirring the contents to give my hands something to do. “Do you?”
“Super mild. I can shake it, so don’t worry…I won’t get weird or clingy.”
I snickered. “And people say I’m an odd duck.”
“No, people think you’re cool.” Ty chomped half his cookie, his eyes alight with mischief.
“Then I’ve fooled them all.” I cackled like a demented witch, complete with a “mwahaha.”
“Okay, I take that back. You’re a geek.”
“True. I work, I study, I read, I watch Parks and Rec and Gilmore Girls reruns and occasionally binge old rom-coms that make me teary-eyed. And I really don’t go out much.”
“That’s not true. I saw you at the Tavern the night you…” He made a face.
“Witnessed a blowjob in progress?” I offered.
“Yeah, that.”
I shot a glance across the table, not bothering to hide my amusement. “That was an assignment. I get a ton of invitations to cover college rock bands. It’s not my strength by any means, but if I can tie in a little personal background info, even the worst music becomes somewhat palatable. People love getting clandestine glimpses into other people’s lives. It’s why reality television is so popular.”
“Okay, but are you saying you wouldn’t go on your own to hang out with friends, have a few beers, and flirt with cute guys at the bar?”
My nose twitched with distaste. “I don’t like beer, I don’t flirt, and I don’t have a lot of friends. The ones I have would rather not frequent establishments like the Tavern. I took the band photos on my cell that night because Robin refused to join me.”
Ty chuckled. “So where do you like to go when you’re not chasing down a story?”
“Nowhere. I like being home.”
“I get that, but do you have a favorite restaurant or store that you go to because you personally love the food or the merch?”