Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
His gaze swings to mine, his sexy lips turned downward. “Oh, sure. The Cuban restaurant can wait.”
I hate the disappointment in his voice. It’s the same feeling that’s settled over me and put me in a shitty mood. He grows quiet, obviously put off by my canceling our date tonight, and I don’t blame him.
In silence, I clean up the food and wrappers, crumpling everything up and shoving it into the bag he carried in, then tossing it in the trash. He puts the drinks in the garbage and then we’re standing around, each waiting for the other to speak first.
He glances at me, gaze slightly narrowed, staring into my eyes as if trying to figure me out. “I should get going,” he says at last.
I bite down on the inside of my cheek to keep from blurting out all my truths and disappointing him even more. Imagine telling Jack I’m being blackmailed by a state senator that’s my ex-boyfriend, and my entire life could crumble around me if either of us blinks first. He’s a good man, but my situation would send any rational person running the other way.
“Thanks for breakfast.” I smile but it’s forced.
He inclines his head. “I’ll be in touch about the day trip.” He doesn’t mention rescheduling dinner and my mood plummets even more.
We stare at each other and then he pivots and lets himself out.
Damn, I think when he’s gone. I’d hoped being honest about who was on the phone would be the right thing to do, but between the word ‘ex-boyfriend’ and canceling dinner for something that just came up, I ruined what was going to be a really great day.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Jack
Later that night, I’m keeping an eye on the heavy-handed bartender while also glancing around at the early evening crowd. I’m supposed to be out for dinner with Taylor. Instead, I’m sitting with my sister at the bar while she waits for Lucas.
“I don’t know what happened,” I tell her. “One minute Taylor and I are having a fun breakfast, the next her ex-boyfriend calls, and she’s canceling dinner saying she says she has work she has to get done by tomorrow morning. It didn’t make sense then and it doesn’t make sense now.” If Taylor had work, she wouldn’t have agreed to the date in the first place. “Not to mention, her mood changed as soon as she returned from taking the call.” I drum my fingers on the countertop. Throughout the day, my frustration has merely grown.
“Something’s going on with her ex.” Rainey nods with certainty. She tucks a strand of brown hair, just like mine, behind her ear. “Do you know anything about him?”
I shake my head. “We haven’t discussed anything serious, like our past dating history.” I’d hoped we’d go below the surface tonight, get to know each other on a deeper level.
“Have you called her today?” She props her chin on her hand, elbow on the bar.
“No. Things were awkward when I left.”
“Ask her out again. Tell her you want to reschedule. If she does, you’ll know for sure her canceling isn’t about you. If she hesitates or makes an excuse, I’ll buy you a drink.”
Since I own the bar and don’t pay for my liquor, I roll my eyes.
She sticks out her tongue like when we were kids just as Lucas arrives. “Aah, sibling time. You two are always ridiculous.”
I lift one shoulder. “You try growing up with her.”
Rainey rises to her feet and wraps her arms around Lucas’s neck. “Hi, honey.” She presses a long kiss to his lips and I look away. Not because I’m envious of how easy their relationship is now—which I am—but because she’s my sister and I don’t need to watch her making out with my partner.
“Are you ready to head out?” Lucas asks, and I glance back at them.
She nods. “I’m starving,” she says, slipping her hand into his.
There’s no reason for Lucas to hang around. We have a manager and assistant manager who can run this place if none of us show up at night. As for me, I’m not going to stay long.
“Have fun, you two.” I rise to my feet. I’ll stop and talk to Lorenzo, the manager, and remind him to keep an eye on Bella’s over-pouring before heading out.
“Jack, don’t forget what I said. Call her and ask her out again. You’re a catch, little brother.”
She earns another eye roll from me because I’m only a year younger than her twenty-nine years. “Thanks, I’ll think about it.”
Do I really want to push Taylor for another date? Yes, I do because I’m not the type to stand on ceremony. But if she shoots me down, she’ll have made herself clear. And I’ll cancel yacht day too.
I wait until I’m in my car heading home before I call her on speakerphone.