Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Dorian chuckled, and we continued talking until long after he’d finished the last of his tea. He eventually took his mug to the sink and announced, “I have to get going soon. I try to get into the office by six so I can get some work done before I have to deal with people.”
“You’ve peopled enough in the middle of the night with me.”
He smiled. “I didn’t mind it.”
I felt myself blush.
“Thanks for the tea,” he said. “And the talk.”
I held up my mug. “Here’s to fire alarms.”
Dorian saluted me. “Until the next strange encounter in the night, Primrose.”
I’ll be looking forward to it.
CHAPTER 6
* * *
A few nights a week I worked as a waitress at The Blue Wave, a waterfront restaurant. There certainly were worse places to work, given that it was right on the ocean. But on this particular night, it was so busy that I barely had a moment to breathe.
I got to table three and prepared to take their drink order. “Sorry for the wait,” I said, taking out my tablet. “How may I—”
I stopped in my tracks when I got a look at the handsome man sitting across from his date.
His eyes widened. “Primrose…”
I gulped. “Dorian.”
We hadn’t crossed paths since the fire alarm incident almost a week ago. It was jarring to see him here in my place of work. The look on his face told me he hadn’t known I worked here.
The blonde sitting across from him looked between us. “You two…know each other?”
“You could say that.” Dorian closed his menu. “I didn’t realize you worked here.”
“Well, we never discussed where I work. This is where I waitress a few nights a week.” I shrugged. “Obviously…”
He turned to his date. “Primrose is the niece of my late father’s wife.”
“I see.” She sighed. “Good to meet you.”
“You as well.” I ran a hand through my hair.
“She’s actually staying at the mansion,” Dorian added.
The woman blinked as she turned to him abruptly. “With you?”
“Yes.”
“We don’t see much of each other, though,” I added.
His mouth curved into a smile. “Unless the fire alarm goes off.”
I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “Right.”
“And why is she living with you?” his date asked.
Before Dorian could say anything, I responded.
“I lived there with my aunt before she and Dorian’s father passed away. Dorian was gracious enough to let me continue staying there while I finish school.”
“Shouldn’t we all be so lucky to have wealthy relatives to live off of?” she chided.
The nerve of her. Wow. “We’re not related,” I clarified.
“Clearly,” Dorian agreed. “Since I haven’t an artistic bone in my body. Primrose is very talented.”
Sensing my cheeks reddening, I lifted my tablet again. “Anyway…I should take your order. What can I get you to drink?”
“I’ll have a glass of your best Chardonnay,” she said.
I nodded and turned to my relative. “And you?”
Dorian flashed a mischievous look. “Surprise me.”
I could barely think straight, let alone decide what to have the bartender make him. “Okay. Be right back.” I rushed off, my mind racing.
Before I got to the bar, I ran into the girl working alongside me tonight. “Hey, Maddie, any chance we can switch tables, and you can take over number three?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I actually just got a call that my sitter bailed on me, so I have to relieve my mom who’s watching my daughter. I have to leave here in five minutes.”
Great. So not only would I be serving Dorian and his date all night, we were about to be short-staffed.
“No problem. Sorry about your sitter,” I murmured as I headed toward the bar.
I sucked it up and placed their drink orders, having a little extra fun with Dorian’s request to be surprised. Served him right for putting me in this awkward situation.
The bartender handed me their drinks, and I headed back to Dorian’s table. Of course, on top of everything, he had to look more gorgeous than ever tonight in a linen button-down, his hair parted a bit to the side. He seemed even more tan, and I wondered if he’d taken a day off and spent it at the beach with her.
I placed his date’s wine in front of her and set down the mixed drink I’d had the bartender make for Dorian.
Dorian lifted the glass, examining the contents. “What is this?”
“An Alaskan Duck Fart.”
His eyes went wide. “Excuse me?”
“You said to surprise you. I take that responsibility very seriously.”
He took a reluctant sip. “What’s in it?”
“Coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and whiskey. I know you like that, since you requested it instead of tea once. This drink is potent, but it goes down easy.”
He ran his tongue over his bottom lip. “It actually tastes pretty good. Would’ve never guessed those ingredients went well together.”
“Next time be specific, or be prepared for another surprise.” I flashed my teeth.