Total pages in book: 184
Estimated words: 188108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 941(@200wpm)___ 752(@250wpm)___ 627(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 188108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 941(@200wpm)___ 752(@250wpm)___ 627(@300wpm)
“Oh, thank you.” She stared down at the hand that his mum held out. Was it all right to take it? What if she hurt her?
“You can take it,” Salem whispered to her.
All right.
His mum wrapped her hand around Tamsyn’s. Her hand was warm and dry. It was strange. The only hands she could ever recall holding were these three guys.
Salem’s mum led her through a well-worn but homey house. All of the walls of the hallway were covered in photos. The carpet was worn and looked like it had once been a deep red but was now faded.
It was so welcoming that she could spend hours just in this room. But then they came out into a living room. There were two men who looked a bit like Salem. Both of them were sitting on the couch. Two women were sitting on armchairs across from them, talking to each other. And an older man was seated in a recliner. It was the older man who looked up first.
He stared at her from eyes that were so like Salem’s that they held her frozen for a moment. He ran his gaze over her.
Did he . . . was there something wrong? Had she spilled something on her? Or not worn something appropriate?
Salem had dressed her, though, so it was his fault if she was.
“If I’m dressed wrong, it’s his fault.” She pointed at Salem. “He chose everything I’m wearing.”
There was silence.
That didn’t seem to be a good sign. What had she said wrong?
“He chose everything?” one of the women asked.
That was the problem? Was he not allowed to choose what she wore?
“Uh, yes. Salem bought them all for me. Is something wrong with them?”
She had a limited wardrobe of her own. None of which she’d actually chosen herself. When on a job she simply wore what blended in and what was comfortable. She glanced down at her comfortable fitted black pants and cropped white sweater with the gold buttons.
“Look, I know it’s a bit boring and staid, but he did his best and I don’t think we should be mean to him just because he got it a bit wrong. Yeah?”
Now they were all staring at her with wide eyes, their mouths slightly open.
Alexei started to cough again and she whirled on him. “You are sick! I’m not sure you should be here.” She turned back to Salem’s mum. “I’m so sorry, I would never have let him come if I knew he was ill.”
“I, well, um . . .” The older woman turned to look at Alexei. “Are you ill, Alexei?”
“No. I just, uh, frog in my throat.” He was actually starting to turn red.
“He keeps saying that, but I’m not sure I believe him.” She frowned at Alexei.
“I think he really does just have a frog in his throat,” Salem said gently as he stepped forward and took hold of her arm. “Why don’t we sit down and I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
“I guess so. I really do think this outfit is nice and I’m sure you’ll do even better next time. Maybe a bit of color would be good.”
“Thank you,” Salem told her, obviously grateful for her feedback.
She sat on the free sofa and Salem and Roman flanked her while Alexei stood behind them. She turned to look up at him and he winked at her.
“Are you sure you feel all right? That you don’t need to go home?”
“Never better, Bunny. And I wouldn’t leave now if you paid me.”
Well, she wouldn’t be doing that since she had no money. When she turned back around, both of the younger women were staring at her.
That was odd.
Was it her outfit?
“He really did try his best,” she defended Salem.
Weren’t these people his family? They could be a bit nicer.
“Did he really buy it for you?” the dark-haired one asked. She glared over at Salem’s brothers. “Con, how come you never buy me clothes? Huh? Look what Salem bought for his girl. And it’s designer!”
“It is?” She stared down at the cardigan.
“Yeah, that top is worth, like—”
Salem cleared his throat, interrupting the woman. “That’s enough, Erica.”
“Salem, it’s kind of rude to interrupt someone,” she said quietly. “And are you feeling all right? You don’t have Alexei’s frog in your throat, do you?”
“No, I’m fine. And it’s not nice to talk about the value of a gift.” He shot Erica a look.
“No, it’s not,” his father agreed. He leaned forward with a kind smile. “I think you look lovely, dear. I’m Jad, Salem’s dad. And this is his mother, Sara.”
“Hi, nice to meet you both. I’m Tamsyn.”
“Welcome to our house. These are my other sons, David and his girlfriend, Charlene. And Con and his girlfriend, Erica.”
“Salem really bought you those clothes?” Erica asked with a sigh. “They’re so nice. Con never buys me clothes.”