Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Scrubbing my palm over my face, I attempt to figure out a way to undo what just happened. Maybe later I can get her alone, while at home, and discuss how what we did was wrong.
Or you could kiss her again…
Someone enters the bathroom, jolting me into action. I dart into one of the stalls, heart racing wildly in my chest.
My ex-wife is looking for anything to drag me over the coals with. And what does my stupid ass do? I kiss my new wife’s eighteen-year-old daughter in a fucking bathroom while both my previous and current wives are fifty feet away.
I have to get my shit together or I’m going to lose everything.
Fuck.
Chapter 6
Mei
It’s been three days since the kiss. Kisses. Neither of us have mentioned it again. Owen is friendly enough, but he doesn’t allow himself to be alone with me. Though he promised to hug me when I’m sad, I don’t pull that card on him. We both know what happened was reckless and stupid.
College started back up today which I was glad for. At least for a few hours, I was able to focus on anything but this sham marriage and my incredibly good-looking stepdad. But, once I pick up Penny from the babysitter, we’ll be back in the tense environment where I can’t even look Owen’s way without blushing profusely.
One day, someone besides him, is going to notice.
As I pull into the driveway at Carol’s house, my phone buzzes. When I see Owen’s name, my heart hammers in my chest.
Owen: Addison and Cason are going to their mom’s after school. Rhett said he’ll be out late at Riko’s place and your mom said she has some errands. Looks like it’s just the three of us. Be thinking about what you want for dinner and we can order in.
My stomach twists and my skin flushes. This isn’t a date, but it kind of feels like one. Aside from Penny being there, I mean. Okay, so it’s not a date. Ugh, a girl can dream.
I climb out of my car, thankful for the blast of winter wind that chases away the inferno blazing inside me. Brakes screech from nearby, drawing my attention. A bearded man in a silver sedan parks at the curb directly across the street from Carol’s house. I’ve been coming here for nearly two years and haven’t once seen this man. Something about the way he stares at me has every hair on my body standing on end.
Creep.
Tearing my gaze from him, I hurry inside the small, cozy home. Carol is in her eighties but still gets around just fine. Penny is the only child she watches, so naturally Carol spoils her like crazy.
“Hello, sweetheart,” Carol says as I enter. “Come in and get yourself some tea.”
The house smells like cinnamon and vanilla. A smile tugs at my lips. Penny is sitting on the floor near the refrigerator, focused on mashing buttons on her toy which has it making different animal sounds. I squat to give her a kiss on her head, then make my way over to Carol for a hug.
“Smells good in here,” I say after I pull away. “What are you making?”
Carol gestures an arthritic hand toward the oven. “Coffee cake. I figured you could take a loaf to your new family.”
I let out a strange laugh. “Still kind of weird hearing that, but thanks. Will do.”
Carol hums something charming as she makes me a cup of tea. I gratefully accept the hot cup and bring it to my lips.
“You know how to make a girl’s day,” I say, grinning at the elderly woman.
She beams at me. “You know I love you like a granddaughter, sweetheart. I may not have a lot of money, but I know the way to a girl’s heart is through her stomach.”
We both giggle which makes Penny cackle too. God, I love that little girl.
“What’s with the guy sitting across the street. Does he live around here?”
“Silver sedan?” Carol asks. “I don’t know him. I’m supposed to tell Christopher if he shows up again.”
Christopher, her son who lives with her, is a cop. I like Christopher. It makes me feel better knowing Carol has protection.
“He showed up again. I got total creep vibes from him,” I tell her with a shiver before sipping more tea. “Is this a new flavor?”
“Different brand,” Carol says. “I’ve been experimenting with some new ones. I found one that helps with the aches and pains, especially at night.”
“Can’t sleep?”
“Not when my hips are angry.”
I meet her stare and ask, “Is it just for pain or does it make you sleepy?”
“I think it helps me sleep.” Carol chuckles and shakes her head. “Told your mother about it, too, since she’s anxious lately. Thought maybe it would help her relax. Of course, you know Jin. She disagrees with anything that’s not modern medicine.” Carol laughs again before saying, “Doctors.”