Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 67614 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67614 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“Perfect, then. Who were you chatting with?”
“Oh.” Her cheeks flush, and she waves me off. “It was nothing.”
“Who was on the phone, Breena?”
She worries her lower lip and then sighs.
“Hey. Why don’t you want to tell me?”
“Because it was a man, but I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, and I don’t even know why I’m worried about that, but I am because I don’t want to hurt your feelings, even though there would be no reason for your feelings to be hurt in the first place, but I’m a pleaser, and it makes me worry.”
“Whoa. You sure talk fast when you’re nervous.” Unable to stop myself, I cross to her and take her shoulders in my hands. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me or anyone. If you’re dating someone, and I didn’t realize it, I apologize for the kiss earlier.”
“No.” Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head emphatically. “No, that’s not it at all. For Hades’ sake, I’ve only had eyes for you my entire adult life. And I can’t believe I just said that. I think I’ll just go upstairs and hide under the bed.”
“Hold on.” I chuckle and wrap my arms around her, holding on tight. “Before we both want to disappear from embarrassment, let’s just take a deep breath.”
She does just that, breathes in deeply, and lets the air out slowly. Then, she returns my hug, wrapping her arms around my waist and planting her hands on the middle of my back, holding on.
“Let’s go back to the beginning,” I suggest softly and kiss the top of her head. “My parents will be here on Friday for dinner. I hope you’ll join us.”
“Thanks, I’d like that.” Her voice is soft, and she still has her face buried in my chest.
“What do you have planned for the rest of the evening?”
Her head whips up at my question, and she looks completely surprised. “I was talking to Lad Iverson.”
“Okay.” Lad’s a businessman in Salem. He’s single and young, and I’ve heard the women call him hot. But I know without a shadow of a doubt that Breena isn’t interested in him. “I hope he’s well.”
“He is. He just wanted to buy some stuff for his sister, Merrilee, who recently joined the coven. She’s new, and he’s not at all on our path, but he wants to support her and buy her something nice for her birthday. So, he reached out to me.”
“He definitely called the right person.” I brush my finger down her soft cheek. “Sweetheart, I’m not mad. I mean, did you have phone sex with him or something right after I kissed you?”
That makes her snort. “Definitely not.”
“Then I think everything’s just fine.”
“He did ask me out to dinner.”
I still and watch her closely, remaining quiet. Her brows furrow, but she doesn’t drop her gaze from mine.
“Okay. And what did you say?”
“I thanked him but turned him down, of course.”
“Why would you think that would hurt my feelings?”
She blows out a breath and leans her forehead against my chest once more. “I don’t know. I have to stop doing this. I’m always so worried about how other people feel that I just walk on eggshells all the freaking time. And I’m so tired, Giles. It’s exhausting.”
I simply take her hand and lead her to the sofa, then sit and tug her down onto my lap.
“Come here.” I settle in and grin at her. “This is kind of nice, isn’t it?”
“Actually, yes. It is.”
“Good, we’ll do this more often. Okay, I have some things to say, and I’m your friend first, always, so remember that, all right?”
“Just tell me.”
She closes her eyes, clearly readying herself for the worst. It makes my heart ache for her.
“You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met.”
Her eyes spring open. “Huh?”
“You heard me. I don’t know what happened to you before that made you feel like you have to make everybody happy all the time. Whatever it was clearly put fear in you about what will happen if you don’t. But I won’t be an asshole and tell you to just stop it.”
“Thanks, because I’ve tried.”
“I’m sure you have.” I kiss her forehead. “I can say this, though. You don’t have to walk on eggshells around me. Not ever. I’m not quick to anger, and I don’t expect anything from you, Breena. Just your friendship and kindness, and that’s pretty much a no-brainer for you.”
“I think I’m confused,” she admits and bites her lip again.
“Now, we’re getting somewhere. What are you confused about?”
“Well, before, when Lorelei was an idiot and spilled the tea about my crush on you, you seemed completely horrified.”
“No, I—”
She gently presses her fingertips against my lips, effectively shutting me up.
“And then you wanted to talk about it, and we did. But I still avoided you because I was embarrassed.”