Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 96292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“Well”—I check my phone—“I don’t know if she’ll wait for me. But I’ll try.”
“Run.”
I laugh while standing. “I didn’t wear running shoes, but I’ll do my best.”
“Flynn?” Mrs. Rawlings calls after I’m several feet down the hallway.
I turn.
“Manners. I promise no matter what happens, if you have manners, she’ll want another date. And you’ll know when it’s the right time to tell her about your past. Because you do have to tell her.”
“Manners,” I repeat with a quick nod. “Past. Got it.”
It’s a big lake. I should have specified where we’d meet, so I text her.
Flynn: U here?
June: I was. But u were late. A girl has to have standards
“Shit.” I drop my head back and stare at the cloudy sky before closing my eyes. “I’m such a fuck-up,” I grumble.
“Words matter.”
I whip around in a half circle as June saunters toward me in denim shorts, a tight, black tank top, and white sneakers. Of course, I stare at her legs so long she calls me out with a knowing grin. But it’s not just her legs. The smile and the mischievous sparkle in her eyes is enough to render me speechless. I feel like the best version of myself when she looks at me. A version of myself that I’ve never seen, but often imagined.
“There are no two words more powerful than I am. So remember, what you say after those two words matters.” She slides her hands into her pockets and starts walking along the path.
I guess we’re not holding hands.
“In that case,” I say, catching up to her. “I am sorry for getting here late. This new job of mine has unpredictable hours.”
“Ah, yes. I’m sure there is nothing predictable about the muse business. After all, inspiration is unpredictable.”
“I feel like you’re making fun of me or my job. Which is it? And are we going to walk around this whole lake?”
“This whole lake?” She giggles. “You mean like two? Three miles?”
“Listen. I’ve been thinking about it. And I should have texted you before I got paid. Even like a: Hey, what’s up. You look beautiful today.”
June playfully nudges my arm. “How would you have known if I looked beautiful via text?”
“It’s just a fact. Like water is wet and ten thousand miles between oil changes is risky business.”
“Flynn … Flynn … Flynn … you are so unexpected.”
“In a good way?”
“Yes.” She sidesteps a pile of dog shit. “In a very good way.”
“Cool. Listen, we should eat. I have money now.”
“We could have gone to eat a week ago. I had money then,” she says.
“Then you should have invited me to dinner.”
“Perhaps.” She tucks her chin. “But I was waiting to be swept off my feet.”
I laugh as a man jogs past us with his two golden retrievers. “Sorry. I didn’t know asking a girl to buy me dinner was the new way to sweep her off her feet.” When I look over at her, she keeps her chin down, grin partially hidden.
“You know what I mean,” she mumbles.
“You forget I don’t date. So, I don’t know what you mean. Is this what you mean?” I wrap one arm around her back and my other under her legs and pick her up.
“Flynn!” She twists her torso to hook an arm around my neck as if she’s worried I might drop her.
Never.
I can smell her perfume. It’s sweet, just like her. It feels soft where her warm skin touches my neck. This almost counts as a hug, and now I don’t want to let her go.
“Let’s go to dinner.” I step off the trail and head up the small hill toward my car. “I’m buying.”
“Put me down before you drop me.”
“Why would I drop you?” I try to keep my attention in front of me, because looking at her face this close to mine only makes me want to kiss her lips, which are right there for the taking.
“People are staring at us,” she says with less urgency.
“Excellent. They’re probably thinking that guy just swept her off her feet. PAY ATTENTION, EVERYONE!” I yell as June gasps, covering her mouth, eyes wide. “THIS IS HOW YOU SWEEP A WOMAN RIGHT OFF HER FEET!”
“Oh my gosh! I can’t believe you did that.”
“Well, this is the second time you’ve mentioned being swept off your feet.” I grin, stealing a quick look at her face just as I stop at my car.
She’s so beautiful. What am I doing? This girl is out of my league. I ease her to her feet, but she doesn’t let go of my neck. Facing me, she runs her hands along my skin, toying with my hair. It makes my heart pound in a new way. I wet my lips and swallow hard, gazing over her head for a second to hide my nerves.
“Kiss me,” she whispers.