Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 142214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 711(@200wpm)___ 569(@250wpm)___ 474(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 711(@200wpm)___ 569(@250wpm)___ 474(@300wpm)
He slipped on a sweater. His sandy blond hair stood on end.
“We’re just hanging out, Greyson.”
“Let’s not have lies between us, Wren. I was there when you called him to arrange a date.”
That was true, but that was before she and Greyson kissed. “I can cancel—”
“Don’t.”
Taken aback that he’d tell her not to cancel a date with his brother after what they just did, she blinked at him in confusion. He said no lies, but he seemed to be avoiding the truth.
“But... what about everything that just happened?”
“I told you that was the last time. We both know anything between us is wrong and it won’t work out.”
She didn’t know that, and neither did he, but she was too hurt by his indifference to say that to him.
Then he looked back at her, as if surprised she was still standing there. “You’re gonna be late.”
She closed her mouth to stop her chin from trembling. It was stunning how much his apathy hurt. She blinked away the sting and swallowed, not even knowing how to respond to such a comment.
He brushed past her and left the room. She needed a few seconds to find her bearings before she could follow. When she returned to the kitchen, she picked up the canister of kitten formula with shaky hands.
“He’ll need a bottle of formula four times a day.” She rattled off directions as a weak defense mechanism so she didn’t humiliate herself even more. “Once we see how he adjusts, we can wean him off slowly and introduce solid foods.”
“What?” He turned and frowned. “I’m not keeping the cat.”
“He’s too small to live outside on his own with the others. This is only for a couple of weeks.”
“Wren, I don’t have space in my life for a kitten.”
“Finders keepers, Greyson.”
Maybe she wanted to punish him. Why should he get away from every situation without taking responsibility? He was going to take accountability for something, at least for a little while.
“I can take him to the sanctuary once he’s a little bigger, but it’s too cold to put him out there now. He doesn’t have a mother to feed him, so it looks like the universe picked you. Congratulations. It’s a boy.” She pressed the canister of dry formula into his chest and let go so he had no choice but to catch it. “Directions are on the back.”
She was losing her battle with her emotions and needed to get out of there. Gathering the basket of supplies, she bundled up without meeting his eyes.
“Wren—”
“I have to go, Greyson. I’ll check in tomorrow to see how Tinsel’s doing.”
It would be awkward to see him, but she had a responsibility to the cat. When she reached the door, she looked back, giving him one last chance to apologize for being so dismissive.
He said nothing, so she swallowed down her hurt and accepted that he’d rejected her yet again. Somehow, this time hurt more than all the times that came before.
CHAPTER 8
“More Than Just a Mistletoe Moment”
Soren’s fingers drummed against the heated steering wheel, restless energy coursing through him. Wren had slipped by the car to ask for a few more minutes so she could change. Nothing like an afterthought at the start of a date.
This had to be a date, right? She’d been the one to call him and suggest they see what happened. He assumed that meant she was considering his proposal to take their friendship to the next level.
Glancing at the rose sitting in the cupholder, he flicked the switch to heat her seat. This was definitely a date.
Adjusting the wool lapel of his coat, his attention fixed on the front door of her tiny house. The interior lights went out, and she appeared, much more put together than she had been ten minutes ago.
He climbed out of the warm SUV to get her door. “Your chariot awaits.”
“I’m so sorry I was late.”
“It’s okay.”
“There was an issue with one of the cats.”
“It happens.” He pulled the seatbelt over her and clipped it, breathing in her familiar, delicate scent—something between vanilla and winter air. “You smell nice.”
She laughed nervously. “Thanks.”
Shutting the door, he rounded the car, returning to the driver’s seat. Soren expected a little awkwardness tonight, at least at the start, but he knew what he wanted and he wasn’t holding back. He planned to prove that their connection was enough of a foundation for a good future. It might be strange at times, but he intended to break down any polite barriers quickly and get her accustomed to his touch and attention, so any unease would fade quickly.
It shouldn’t be too difficult. They were already familiar with each other. This was just a different sort of familiar, one he’d considered many times before but never honestly thought she’d be down for exploring.
“Ready?” He put the car in reverse.