Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
“Sass?”
“If the shoe fits . . .” I use her response against her.
“And I was just getting used to the sound of disdain when you call me sweetheart, and here you go, changing it up on me.” Grabbing the small bag that matches her shoes, she plucks my tie as she passes. “A million bucks says you can’t make it one car ride without denigrating into utter irritation.”
“We’re about to find out, Sass,” I reply with a wink, following her toward the door.
“Okay. Okay. Let’s not wear it out.”
I chuckle as we set out on our first venture, where we’ll encounter people from our real lives. Mine, to be specific. I’m on the edge of my seat, wanting to see how she handles this.
Something about car rides always seems to quieten her. I wonder if she’s using the time to plot or calm. She doesn’t appear anxious and has only touched up her lipstick as if she’s looking forward to the event. Some small talk is made about the crowd ascending the steps into the museum, but otherwise, we arrive without a hitch or a confession.
Upon entering, I check us in and pin our ribbons onto the front of our clothes. “What does a gold ribbon mean?”
Leaning in, I reply, “It means we donated.”
She smiles to herself, but I catch it. “How much?” she whispers, waggling her eyebrows as she digs her nose into my business by lifting on her tiptoes and grinning at me. She’s cute, but I’m still not sharing those figures with her.
“Enough.”
Lowering back down, she pouts. “Blah. Fine, don’t share.” She looks around. “Where can we get a drink in this place?” It’s amazing how she doesn’t seem the least bit worried that she might be busted tonight. I wish I had her confidence. Oh, wait . . . yeah, I’m not known to be humble.
“The bar is over here.” I place a hand on her back to guide her through the crowd. When it gets too dense, I drop my hand to hold hers. She slips it into mine so naturally that I’m beginning to believe we’re a couple. And then I remind myself that snakes slither into your life.
We reach the bar and order drinks. While they pour her a glass of champagne and then reach for the good bourbon behind them, she leans against me, happy, feeling good by how her whole body is pressed against me like I’m not her mark. “I’m glad we came.”
“Have you attended before?”
She gently pushes hair from my forehead and off to the side. “Only with you, silly. You don’t remember?”
“Guess not.”
“I’ve been thinking about something,” she says as we stroll away from the bar with our drinks in hand.
“Oh yeah? What’s that?” I sip the liquor as we find a vacant cocktail table near the La Nuit bronze sculpture with a view of Central Park at night. I’d rather look at Delaney, who wins my attention over great masterpieces any day.
“Are you really a member of the Mile High Club?” She takes a sip of her champagne and then holds it in front of her with her eyes locked on me.
I start to laugh, which is a good distraction since I really have no intention of getting into my past sex life with her. “Have you ever seen Washington Crossing the Delaware? The Met has the original. It’s the size of a wall. We really should—”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me, but just because you mentioned it, I’m not a member.”
She peers up at me, waiting to see how I’ll react, as if I’d judge her for that. I set my glass down on the table. Brushing my hand over her cheek, I cup it, making sure she’s looking into my eyes. “Everyone should see Washington Crossing the Delaware at least once in their life—”
I’m whacked on the chest. “You are outright insufferable, you know that, Warner Landers?”
I’m too busy laughing to respond, but I missed a moment I’m already regretting. “I do know, and when I forget for only a second, I have you to remind me.” She laughs, but it’s light as she looks down at the ring on her finger, catching the slimmest of light in the hall where we’re standing. “Hey, Sass?”
When she looks up, I’m forgiven. There’s no malice lingering in her eyes. Thinking back over the past few days, I don’t think there ever was. It’s the opposite now. The way she’s looking at me like I’m the one who can save her inspires me to pick up where we left off yesterday. Lifting under her chin, I lean down to kiss her.
“I was hoping you’d be here, Warner.” The familiar voice sounds my alarm before I have a chance to open my eyes. Incoming. Incoming. Incoming. As soon as I do, I take a firm hold of Delaney’s hand, holding her close to my side. “Mother, I didn’t expect to see you.”