Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 35957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“That works for me. It probably helps that we’re making a decision together, or I’d suggest the same thing we had last Friday. I’m a food repeater as well as music and clothes. I wear out a good thing until I’m tired of it and move on.” I shrug my shoulders. It’s a problem I’ve always had ever since I was a little girl. My mom and aunt used to tease me until my dad told them they were the pot meeting the kettle.
“Ah, that could be a conundrum. Crew might have a problem with that, since I can’t remember the last time he ate the same meal twice. At home, I can’t confirm that, of course, but at the office, he usually orders something different each time.” Mary gives me a wealth of information about Crew.
“Hmm, well, let’s get to it.” My phone vibrates along the wood surface where I put it when I got here entirely too early. I’d been keyed up last night and well into the morning, tossing and turning. I finally woke up around five o’clock, cleaned up after myself, made a pot of coffee, consumed more than my normal, ate breakfast, got dressed, and headed out the door. “Excuse me, Mary. I’m truly sorry. I usually don’t receive messages back to back.” I skirt around the desk.
“No problem. I’ll suggest the three and then we can go from there. Italian, Chinese, and then there’s my personal favorite, Sunrise Café. It has the best burgers, chicken tenders, and salads in town,” Mary prattles on while I take a look at my phone.
Talia: I’m awake. Text me with updates!
“The café sounds amazing, and everyone can choose what they want. I love Italian food, but heartburn is real, and Chinese has to come with a time where old movies are playing in the background and you’re camped out on the floor in comfy clothes.” I look up from my phone before responding to the message.
Me: I have so much to tell you but not enough time. I’ll text on my lunch break!
There’s another text, this one from the group chat with my mom and aunt, one I’ll respond to later.
Mom & Auntie Val: Stop by on the way home. We’re having dinner and playing cards.
“Did you say Sunrise for lunch?” Crew comes back in to join us.
“Serena did think that’s a good idea for today?” Mary asks.
“Works for me,” I reply.
“Same goes, thank you, Mary.” My eyes go to Crew’s. He’s put back together, the wrinkles are long gone, and his suit jacket is perfectly in place, more or less covering up the stain from me rubbing against him.
“Any time. I’ll grab your orders, and then we can all start our workday. Should I hold any visitors while you two get settled in?” My stomach drops to my feet.
“That would be nice, but only for thirty minutes or so. Then we’ll hit the ground running, which means Todd will no doubt make his way here, too,” he says, giving me notice to keep my shit together, and boy, am I grateful. What won’t be easy is keeping my hands to myself today, a problem I know Crew will have, too.
9
CREW
“Do you have any plans this evening?” We might have spent all day together, working, eating lunch, and working again, but ever since this morning when I got her off, it’s as if I can’t get enough of her. And believe me, I snuck in more than my fair share of touches. Serena even did some of her own, taking it a step further and sliding her ass against the bulge in my pants. I enjoyed every damn minute of it, too. Especially when there was a lull in our afternoon, I picked her up, placed her in my lap, and kissed her until she was wiggling herself to my breaking point.
“Unfortunately, I do. That’s whom I answered at lunch. My parents, aunt, and uncle are on this mission to have me over as much as possible since I’ve started here. I love them, really, I do, but I’m not sure how much longer I can handle their rich dinners.” It seems Todd isn’t only asking me to help out with feeding Serena, but this must be a family arrangement until her first paycheck arrives.
“Pencil me in on your schedule. You tell me when you’re free, and I’ll make plans for us.” I’d have her over to my house, nobody would bother us there, but the last thing I want is for her to change her plans.
“I’m free tomorrow. Wednesday and Thursday, I have Mackie.” I rock back on my heels, wondering who she’s talking about. As far as I know, she doesn’t have a kid or a man in her life, especially the latter. I remain silent, hoping she elaborates, and I’m disappointed when Serena reaches for her phone. My thoughts start rolling. Did we just fuck around with her having another man? I’d much rather her be a single mom than working with a man in her life.