Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 242(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 242(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
From the direction of the girls’ group, I hear, “Wait, how is she wearing Prada summer runway? I thought she was a maid.”
But I don’t think Tripp overhears the whispered comment, which, frankly, is an entirely fair one, so I maintain my smile. If one of them knows I’m a maid, they all do. And I’m not ashamed of my hard-working job. Might as well lean into it.
“Hey, everyone. Instead of making me feel welcome, you could try and keep your rooms a little cleaner.”
Silence lands heavily.
Until one of the guys laughs and they all join in, including the girls.
“Sorry, I’m a Libra,” one of the young women says. “I get a headache when everything is too clean.”
“I’ll skip your room, then,” I quip.
More laughter.
Is this going…well?
Tripp is beaming down at me, his fingertips stroking up and down my bare back. And while I want to curl up against his side and stay there all night, I should make an effort with his friends. They’re important to him. On the heels of our tough conversation, I want him to know I accept the most vital parts of his world.
“Um…” An idea strikes, and since everyone is still staring at me, I have the floor. “Did you say you’re a Libra?” I ask the girl who just spoke.
“Yes,” she responds cautiously, one eye squinted.
I take my backpack out of Tripp’s hand, quickly unzip the top, and take out the handheld travel telescope my aunt bought me for Christmas.
“You can actually see the Libra constellation in the sky tonight. It’s pretty clear out,” I say, hesitantly walking toward the group of girls.
They stare back at me over their champagne flutes.
I slow my gait and wait.
“Hold on, Libra is a constellation?” the first girl finally asks.
“It is,” I respond without a hint of condescension.
“Oh my God, show me.” She fumbles for her phone. “I need a picture.”
“What about Leo?” another girl asks, this one in a gorgeous teal cocktail dress.
I wince. “No Leo this time of year, but Scorpio and Sagittarius are a go.”
“That’s me!”
“And me!”
Everyone is scrambling now, looking excited. Over stars. Have I won them over with something I really love? Something that allowed me to remain true to myself?
I gesture for them to come over to the railing of the ship. “Who wants to look first?”
“This messy Libra has dibs,” the first girl shouts, clicking her way over to me in white stilettos. “This is so cool. Can you tell me my horoscope, too?”
“Ooh. That might be outside my wheelhouse, but we can Google it while you look. Make it a whole experience.”
“Someone Google Libra!” She gives me a little hip bump. “I’m Eliza, by the way.”
I turn and send Tripp a smile over my shoulder, only to find he hasn’t moved. He’s still standing in the same spot, watching me with something in his expression I can’t name because I’ve never seen it before. It’s wonder. Breathlessness. And maybe…
No.
It can’t be love, right? So soon?
With a heavy breath, I turn back around and point my telescope up at the sky, locating the shape I have memorized as well as my own name. Handing Eliza the telescope, I point out Libra, my chest tightening with pride when she gasps and everyone starts begging for their turn.
“How did you manage to snag Tripp Sterling, by the way?” Eliza asks me when someone else takes the telescope. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, he’s been around the block. We all have. But I’ve never seen him pay actual attention to a girl longer than two seconds. And a girlfriend?” She looks impressed. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
Tripp
I can’t take my eyes off her.
She…is killing it. I walked into this party ready to verbally slaughter anyone who even came close to hurting her feelings. But she has charmed the girls so thoroughly, they’re eating out of the palm of her hand. They adore her. And I grew up with these young women, so I know how rare an occurrence this is. They are not easy to impress.
“Um, Tripp.” Someone waves their hand in front of my face. “You in there?”
“Huh?” I attempt to focus on the conversation taking place with the boys, but not a single word has penetrated my lovestruck haze. “Sorry, catch me up.”
“We’re talking about that new freshman defenseman we met at training. Xavier. What did you think about him?”
They want to talk about lacrosse when I’m taking Vida’s virginity tonight?
I can’t think about anything else.
Yes, I’m thinking about how it’s going to feel to be inside her. How fucking sweet she’s going to smell and taste and sound. How good it’ll be to move on top of her.
Yes, I’m definitely thinking about all of that. A lot.
But I’m also thinking about how I can make her first time comfortable. How I can guarantee her pleasure, even though it might hurt a little. How I can make sure she knows it means a lot to me that she’s trusting me with something so important.