Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 106774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Audrey plays with the pearl on her necklace. “It’s okay to be hopeful. If you don’t have hope in life, you have nothing at all.”
Gianna rolls her eyes. “As sweet as this is, let me be the voice of reason and point out that this has transformed pretty quickly.”
Audrey holds up a hand. “I will admit that I’m not as experienced as either of you—especially our friend Gianna here—but I do feel like I have a valid point.” She clears her throat, sitting a bit taller in her chair. “I think it speaks for itself that you were able to take this relationship, albeit quickly, from hating his guts to letting him up in yours.”
My jaw drops.
“Audrey Maria Van!” Gianna says gasping. “What just came out of your mouth?”
I cover my mouth, giggling at them. Audrey’s face is as red as the walls of Rhubarb, and Gianna’s a hilarious mix of shock and pride. I can’t believe she said something borderline crude. But, considering she’s around Gianna a lot, it’s surprising that it’s taken this long for her to shed some of her good-girl tendencies.
“Can we go back to the point you were trying to make, Auddie?” I ask, giving her an out.
“Yes,” she says quickly. “I was trying to say that it’s been a natural progression from enemies to semi-friends to lovers, and there’s something beautiful and organic about that. It’s not like you met him, gave in to lust, and then had to backtrack and figure out all the bad parts of the guy so you could fall in love with him. You started at the bad and then worked your way to the good.”
“I’m not in love with him,” I say, lifting a brow.
“And let’s nix lovers from our vocabulary,” Gianna says. “It sounds so two-minute missionary to me, and I can guarantee you that Gray Adler isn’t that.”
I smirk. “No, no, he isn’t.”
Audrey sighs, frustrated with us—but that’s par for the course. “All I’m saying is that you trust him, Astrid, because you wouldn’t have let it get this far if you didn’t. And coming from you, I think that speaks volumes.”
Chessie approaches us with our meals. The salads are beautiful with fresh lettuce and spinach, perfectly grilled chicken, and homemade croutons. We dig in as soon as she leaves.
“What do you want to happen with Gray, Astrid?” Audrey asks. “In a perfect world, where do you see this going?”
I stab a piece of chicken and then shove it in my mouth. It’s rude to talk with your mouth full.
Her question assumes that I have a say in what happens between me and Gray. And, to some extent, I do. But if he wants to shut things down and walk away, then I don’t. I’m wary of having a door shut in my face. Again.
But this is the thing that’s kept me up every night this week. It’s impossible not to wonder if us seeing each other nearly every night and texting on and off all day means we’re headed in a certain direction. The selfies and quick check-ins between errands or practices feels like more than two friends. I don’t text Gianna and Audrey like I’ve been communicating with Gray.
My phone lights up, and I glance down and see Gray’s name and the little cowboy boot emoji beside it. I pick it up, opening the app with butterflies in my stomach.
Gray : We won. A bunch of guys got banged up, so we get Sunday and Monday off to rest.
Me: Is everyone okay? Are YOU okay?
Gray : I’m fine. No one’s seriously injured. It’s just the last leg of the season and everyone’s tired and the damage is starting to accumulate.
Me: Need a massage?
Gray : I need something, but I don’t know if a massage is it.
My fingers fly across the keys.
Me: I volunteer as tribute.
Gray : LOL We’re on our way home, but it’ll be late as hell when we get in. Want to come over tomorrow?
Me: I have to scope out a venue for Renn tomorrow morning at ten o’clock. It shouldn’t take more than an hour or so because I’ve already reviewed the catering options and security protocol. I can be out of there and across town to you by one.
Gray : Can’t wait.
Me: Ditto.
I drag my gaze up to my friends. They’re watching me, amused. “What?”
“I know that look,” Gianna says, tossing a crouton in her mouth. “You were just setting up a fuck date.”
“You don’t get bonus points for knowing that, because even I could decipher that one,” Audrey says.
Good to know I’m broadcasting my business all over my face.
Gianna sighs, picking up her fork. “It’s just strange that it’s you and not me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for you. Thrilled, really. I want you to be the happiest little redhead in all the land, but my life is boring right now and I’m jealous.”