Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
“It’s fine,” I reply as he sits down in front of me. “Thank you.”
I grab my wrap, placing it in front of me before looking up at him. “Caleb,” I say as he takes a bite of his wrap, “before we go any further…”
“This is the worst breakup of a non-relationship in life,” he jokes. “Listen, Lilah, I know you aren’t really interested in me.”
“I mean, I don’t think you are that interested in me either,” I counter, and he smirks, looking down.
“But I like spending time with you,” he finally says.
“I like spending time with you also,” I admit, “just not like that.” I take a bite of my wrap.
“This is like the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’”—he points at me—“but then it’s really not me”—he points at himself—“it’s you.” It makes me laugh.
“It’s just that I have so much going on right now.” I sort of lie to him. It’s more of a half-truth. “I have to focus on my thesis for my master’s,” I tell him. “I’ve been doing online courses in psychology for the past five years, and this is the last step for that.”
“What are you doing it on?” he asks, taking a sip of his own lemonade.
“The development of equine-assisted therapy,” I reply with a shy smile. “I sort of know a lot about it.” I’m pretty sure he thinks I know a lot because of my job. I haven’t shared my past with him. To be honest, I can count on one hand how many people know about my past. I don’t even think Emmett knows the full extent of my accident. I mean, he knows I had an accident, but that is all he knows.
“Well, not that I can be of any help,” he says, “but if you need it, just say the word. I could maybe be a test subject.”
“Have you suffered from trauma?” I ask with the wrap halfway to my mouth.
“I moved to a town where I know no one,” he starts. “My only friend just told me she doesn’t want to date me. And I just got called to fix a house the owners say is haunted.”
“I hate to say it, but that’s boring,” I joke. The rest of lunch is smooth, and now that we got the whole talk out of the way, I feel better.
I get back to work with a minute to spare, and I go in search of Lucy, who is sitting at her father’s desk doing something on paper while he sits down next to her doing his own paperwork.
“I’m back,” I announce, and two sets of identical eyes look up at me just as Sammy comes into the barn looking for Emmett.
“Hey, we have a horse that seems to be running away,” he declares, trying not to look like he’s panicking, knowing Emmett is going to lose his shit. He slams the papers down on the desk. “Charlie was training him, and he took off.”
He looks at Sammy and then at Lucy. “I’ve got her,” I assure him. “She can do homework at my desk.”
Lucy smiles and pushes away from the desk. I hold out my hand for her, and she grabs her papers and her pencil and comes over to me. “I promise she’ll be in good hands,” I reassure him once her hand is in mine, “and I won’t share any of my donut with her.” I wink at her, making her giggle, and my eyes fly right to Emmett.
“No donut.” He points at Lucy. “You had two already, and you didn’t eat your bagel.”
“Uh-oh,” I say. “Okay, fine, no donuts.” I turn and walk away, looking over my shoulder at him. “Pinky promise.” I try not to laugh at his scowl. There is the look I fell in love with, I think as I walk to my desk. “Okay, Lucy,” I say, grabbing a chair and putting it next to mine, “what are you working on?” I sit down in my chair and watch her get into her own chair beside me.
“Math,” she states, putting the papers down. “It’s easy.” I just nod when the phone rings. The whole rest of the afternoon is busy with people coming in, the phone ringing nonstop, and then making sure all the appointments for the next day are confirmed.
The door opens, and I see Courtney come in. “She’s here.” She laughs as she spots me. “She didn’t try to run away with a horse.”
“She thinks she’s a comedian.” I motion with my chin toward her. “Lucy,” I say, “this is my best friend since I was your age.” Her eyes go big, making me scowl at her. “I’m not that old.” She laughs at me and then puts her hand over her mouth like she forgot she isn’t allowed to laugh. “You have a beautiful laugh,” I say softly. “You should do it more.”