Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Instead of taking her up on the not-so-subtle offer, I step back and open her car door. “We’ll talk again soon?” I ask, knowing we have more things to do to prepare for the Thunder’s year ahead.
Her cheeks are flushed as she nods. “We will.” She enters the vehicle, no longer meeting my gaze.
The sexual tension is gone, replaced by her embarrassment, and I’m not happy with myself. Not at all.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Rainey
“I’m mortified,” I say out loud, as I drive home from Midnight, fresh from offering myself to Lucas and being turned down.
I don’t know what I was thinking. One minute we’re standing by the car, the next he’s tucking my hair behind my ear. I feel his knuckles against my cheek and it’s like his touch engages my entire being. Next thing I know, I’m tilting my head up, all but begging him for a kiss. And the man I thought desired me as much as I do him steps back and hustles me into the car.
“How about you come over. I’ll make dinner, and we can talk about how much men suck?” Kaylee offers.
I shake my head, then remember to speak. “No, thanks. I need to stop by my mom’s. Dad is out with my uncle Alex for a business dinner, and I told her I’d keep her company.”
“Okay, but I’m here if you want to talk.”
I’m so grateful to have a friend like Kaylee. “Thanks. See you in the morning.”
“Bye.” I click off the phone.
About thirty minutes later, I’m sitting in Mom’s kitchen, my hands wrapped around a cup of hot tea. My mother is sitting next to me, both of us on high stools around the center island. I grew up in this house, and it holds so many good memories. At the thought, I think about Lucas and how he doesn’t have a decent childhood to look back on, and my heart breaks for the hurt, angry boy he’d once been.
Am I still embarrassed by the kiss thing? Yes. Though I have no choice but to move past it.
“Earth to Rainey,” my mom says.
I look up and she comes into view. My mother is wearing a lounge outfit in lavender, a color that suits her well. Her long hair is pulled into a low ponytail and her makeup is light, as always. She’s beautiful, and not just because I’m biased.
According to the rest of the world, I’m my mom’s mini-me. I think my face is a combo of both my parents. I have chocolate brown hair, like her, and curves—too many, if you ask me—also like her. I have freckles across my nose—and so does she. But my eyes are all my father’s side. All the Dare siblings have dark navy eyes and so do their kids. It’s a dominant gene, I suppose.
“Rainey, honey, where are you? Is everything okay?” Mom asks.
I shake my head and laugh. “Sorry. I was lost in thought. Just thinking about whether I look more like you or Dad, and how many traits you and I have in common.”
She grins. “It always makes me happy when people say they think we’re sisters. Of course, it’s more a compliment to me. Makes me feel younger.” Mom leans in and props her chin in her hands. “But I sense there’s more on your mind than whether we look alike. Want to talk about it?” she asks.
About how I’d practically begged Lucas to kiss me? No. About my appointment tomorrow? The one I’ve been pushing out of my mind but can no longer ignore? That, I can do. “I have a meeting at the museum tomorrow to discuss a temporary exhibit for the Thunder during the 50th anniversary season.”
Mom sits up straight in her seat. “The museum?” she asks warily, and I understand why.
Adam Roberts, my ex, works there, and I do my best to steer clear of him.
I nod. “With Adam.” He’s the curator of the museum. “Trust me, I tried to meet with his assistant. I even had the date scheduled, but Adam had the man cancel. If I want this exhibit, I’m going to have to meet with him.” Over lunch, though I doubt my mother wants to hear I’m sharing a meal with my ex, the persistent jerk.
When I thought of the idea of doing the exhibit at the museum, I’d known I’d have to deal with him. We dated for six months a year ago, and he pushed for too much, too fast. I didn’t want to spend all my free time with him, while he attempted to take over my life. I’d tried to pull back and just when I decided to break up with him, he proposed. That was the final red flag. Who gets engaged in six months when his girlfriend is clearly pushing him away?