Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
“Yeah, I agree.” A yawn hits me out of nowhere, and though I try to hide it, I can’t.
“It was a long day. We can hit the sack early tonight if you want.”
I’m more tired than I want to admit. Part of it might just be the excitement and nerves of the day, but going to sleep early means the awkwardness of being in bed with Briar, and that…yeah, that’ll be interesting. “I don’t want to ruin your time with your family. We can stay up if you want. Or if I go, you can stay.”
“We’re heading to bed,” Donna says, entering the room.
“We’ll be up early and back at it,” Jeffrey adds.
“Yeah, I’m ready as well,” Briar says, and shit, that didn’t go as planned.
“All right, then,” I reply.
Donna gives Briar a hug and kiss on the cheek before walking over to me. “I’ll make breakfast in the morning. We’ll have some things planned while you’re here, but you and Briar should go out on your own. I’m sure he’d love to show you around town. It’s quite magical this time of year.”
“That’s exactly the word Dawson used,” Briar tells her. “He likes those holiday movies you adore, Mom. He’s been so excited to see our town.”
I enjoy hearing Briar talk about me like he knows me so well, love hearing him talk to his family about me.
“Well, you’ve picked the perfect town, if I do say so myself,” Jeffrey tells me. “We’re quite fond of our little town and hope you come back with Briar to visit more often.”
I try to swallow down my shame at lying to them. Briar and I aren’t real, and I won’t be returning.
Briar clears his throat. “Let’s take it one visit at a time, Dad.”
We say our good-nights, and they lock up while I follow Briar upstairs. We’re behind the closed door when he says, “Do you want to take a shower or anything? It’s small, but I have the bathroom off my bedroom.”
“Yes, actually. That’d be nice.” I need it after a day in the car and working on the farm, but it’ll also give me a few minutes to get my head around how in the hell this night is going to work out.
“There should be towels on the shelf.” Briar stuffs his hands into his pockets as if he’s not sure what else to do with them.
“Thanks.”
I smile.
He smiles.
Then we both chuckle like we realize how silly we’re being. “I’ll be quick.”
As much as I want to, I don’t linger. I take a fast shower, brush my teeth, then pull on a pair of briefs and the flannel pajama bottoms I brought. Usually I prefer to sleep naked, but that didn’t seem like a good idea in this situation.
Briar has got his bag in hand when I’m back in his room, waiting for his turn. “Look, I know we said it’d be fine, but I can sleep on the floor.”
“I can as well,” I reply.
“I don’t want you to have to do that.”
“Well, I don’t want you to have to do that either.” We both chuckle again. My hair falls into my face, and I push it back. “We’re both adults. It’ll be fine. If you feel comfortable, I do too, but if you don’t, please let me know. I would never want to make you feel strange or invade your space that way.”
He cocks his head slightly, like he’s trying to figure something out. I’m not sure what it would be, but he says, “You’re a good guy, Dawson.”
My pulse kicks up a notch. “Because I don’t want to force myself into someone’s bed?”
“No. Just because you are. I’m good with sleeping in the same bed as long as you’re willing to let me have the right side.” He grins.
“You expect me to lie on the left side? That’s a step too far!”
Our playfulness lightens the mood, and then Briar excuses himself to the bathroom. I busy myself by plugging my phone into the charger, then climb into bed, lying on my back and looking at the ceiling while I wait for him.
When he comes back out, he says, “You look like you’re dead.”
Because clearly, I’m awesome at this nonchalance thing. I must look stiff as a board. “Well, that’s the best compliment I’ve gotten in a long time,” I joke, trying to loosen up so I don’t look so awkward.
“I don’t believe that. You’re gorgeous.”
My head whips in his direction, hopeful tingling running up and down my arms. It’s one thing to kindly call me handsome earlier, but Briar calling me gorgeous right now feels different.
“I didn’t mean…well, you are, but I wasn’t trying to…oh hell, am I supposed to say that about my ex’s twin brother?”
“I think we’ve already crossed a few lines. At least we’re in this strange new territory together.” And I can’t lie, I like the idea of being gorgeous to him.