Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 105734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
I love the way she says the word, ‘friend.’ It’s like there’s an unspoken pact between us not to discuss my love life any further. Marlena has to know that this isn’t a simple friend situation. No matter how much you might enjoy spending time with a friend, it’s unlikely that you’ll go on a picnic with a casual acquaintance. Picnics are for lovers. Everyone knows that. Of course, Sofia and I aren’t lovers, but I hope we’re moving in that general direction. Marlena’s letting me off the hook by steering clear of that whole discussion.
“So, do you know if we have a picnic basket?” I ask, now that we have all that sorted out.
“Upstairs in the attic, I think,” Marlena says.
“Great,” I declare, hurrying past her to mount the steps.
I just invited Sofia out spontaneously, and she said, ‘Yes.’ There’s no time to waste. I take a sharp left at the top of the stairs and open the door to the attic. I don’t come up here often, but it’s not that bad. My father’s staff keeps it pretty organized.
I find a picnic basket sitting on top of an old dresser with a bunch of dried flowers. I grab it, hurry downstairs, and pack it up. Marlena’s pouring herself a cup of tea. I wonder if every day is going to be quite so entertaining between now and the baby’s birth. I hope not. I like Marlena a lot, but she caught me completely off guard with her rush of emotions.
I kiss her on the cheek and leave before things can get any weirder. As I’m passing through the front door, I notice a handful of our men hanging out on the porch. I recognize a few of them, but there are some unfamiliar faces.
One loiterer is my bodyguard. He stands up as I walk past. “Where are we off to, chief?”
“The park downtown,” I say, indicating my picnic basket.
The bodyguard doesn’t say anything else. He simply pulls a set of keys out of his pocket and follows me to the garage. He could have made fun of my picnic basket, but he’s too smart for that. I kind of like him. He doesn’t say much, but when he does, it’s usually friendly.
I climb into my car and drive off the property. It takes about twenty minutes to get downtown, and when I park, I’m nervous. I really like Sofia and I hope she likes me. I try to assure myself that she does by rationalizing her responses. She wouldn’t have agreed to meet me if she weren’t interested. I need to stop second-guessing myself and just go with it.
I put on the parking brake and stare out the windshield for a long moment. This is going to be good, I tell myself. I’m going to have a great time.
The words ring just a little hollow. I hope I’ll have a great time. I feel like I’m out on a limb, hoping that I’m making all the right moves, but not entirely sure. The wheels have been set in motion, and there’s no turning back. Not that I would want to, but I’m going to have to hold my breath and hope that the picnic thing impresses her.
Stepping out of the car, I stoop down to pop the trunk. Inside, there’s a blanket and the basket. I grab both and step out onto the lawn to search for a place to set up.
There are a few places right out in the open. I can see I’m not the only person who had this brilliant idea. There’s another couple sharing a blanket and a meal beneath a tree. I keep walking. I want to find somewhere scenic and private.
I follow a small trail down through a row of trees and discover a tiny stream running through the park. I can easily cross to the opposite side where there is a flat space just big enough for the picnic blanket.
I get to work making things perfect. I’ve even brought a bottle of wine in case that’s called for. I’ll have to tread carefully though; at our last date, Sofia didn’t drink very much. I decide I’m going to hang onto it, and only break it out if it comes up in conversation.
I place the picnic basket on one corner of the blanket and sit down to enjoy the view. After a few minutes, I wonder if I got here too early. Or maybe I’m too late. I don’t know which direction she’s coming from or how long it will take her to get here.
Just as I’m about to text her, I catch a glimpse of her through the trees. “Sofia!” I call out.
She turns to inspect the trailhead, smiling brightly when she catches sight of me.
CHAPTER 10
SOFIA
Under ordinary circumstances, if I saw a guy waiting for me with a picnic basket at his feet, I would be charmed. Okay, I am charmed, but I’m trying not to be. I have to remind myself of all the shady characters I saw going in and out of the restaurant. They are the same people who work for Frankie’s father. He’s not an innocent friend, but a member of a powerful organization that uses violence to keep people in line. I have to remember that for my sake.