Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“Nothing like a little sibling rivalry to motivate you to do better.” This guy sounds like he needs a therapist, not a date. “What kind of advertising do you do?”
Charles launches into a fifteen-minute monologue about his job and how stressful it is to be the hardest-working guy in the office. Then he tells me he was passed over for a promotion last month that he totally deserved. This all seems like a red flag, and I’m just waiting for him to take a breath so I can escape.
But before that can happen, the conversation takes a swift dive into point-of-no-return territory. “How many children do you want?” he asks suddenly.
“I’m not sure.” Do I want kids? I think so. I’m adopted, and I don’t have information on my birth family. I’ve had genetic screening, but I’d want to have that discussion with my partner. If I were to have a family, I’d also like to adopt at least one child. But twenty minutes into my coffee date with Charles the Slurper is not the time to discuss that.
“I want five kids,” he states emphatically.
“Is that right?”
“I think it’s great that you’re educated and you have a job now, but your first priority once we have kids is to be a mom.”
That we’ve jumped from coffee to being the mother of his five children is a massive, flashing red beacon, on top of the flags from before. “That’s an interesting perspective.”
“Can you cook?” Charles asks. “You look like you must be able to cook.”
If I wasn’t sorely in need of caffeine, I would be tempted to throw my coffee in his face. “Thanks. And yeah, I can cook. Can you?” I fire back.
“I barbecue. I’m very traditional.”
“It sounds that way.” I can’t wait to tell Shilpa about this guy.
Charles props his elbows on the table, his expression growing serious. “I’m looking for a wife, Wilhelmina. Do you think you’re good wife material?”
“I am absolutely good wife material.” But not for this guy. What the fuck is happening right now?
“You have great childbearing hips.”
I think this is meant as a compliment.
My phone rings. Thank God for best friends.
“I’m so sorry. It’s my grandma. I need to take this.”
Charles frowns.
“Hi, Grammy, is everything okay?”
“How’s it going?” Shilpa asks. “It’s not too late to join me at the spa.”
“Oh no! And they’re locked in your car? Do you need me to come get you?” I mouth sorry to Charles.
“It’s going that well, huh?” Shilpa sighs. “I’m sorry this one is another dud.”
“Of course. No. No, it’s no trouble. No, don’t call CAA. I have an extra set just for this reason. Why don’t you wait inside the diner? I love you, and I’ll see you soon.”
“I’ll tell them you’ll be here in less than ten,” Shilpa says.
“Bye, Grammy.”
I end the call. “I am so, so sorry. My grandmother locked her keys in the car again, and I have her set of spares.”
Charles gives me a warm smile. “I totally understand. Maybe next time we can have dinner.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to pass. Thanks for asking, though.” What’s the point in lying?
His brows pull together. “Excuse me?”
“You jumped straight to children on date number one. I get wanting goals to align but try to focus on the actual connection and a few more dates before you plan the next five years.”
“You don’t have to be a bitch about it,” Charles retorts. “Any woman would be lucky to be with me.”
I’m sure his mother would agree. “I hope you find what you’re looking for. Please excuse me. My grandma really does need me.” I try for a soft smile because an angry man can be a dangerous one.
I can’t get out of there fast enough. I speed walk the two blocks to the spa, where Shilpa is waiting. She passes me a glass of sparkling rose water as I take the chair beside hers.
“Sum up your date in one sentence.”
“He told me I had childbearing hips.”
She arches a brow. “You have great hips.”
I sigh. “Back to the drawing board I go.”
I’ve been on a ridiculous number of dates over the past several months, and the reunion is only a handful of weeks away now. I’m running out of time.
CHAPTER 4
HEMI
“It should not be this hard to follow protocol. I don’t understand what the challenge is. Am I being unreasonable here? Like, are my expectations out of line?” I ask. The celebrities versus pros charity game is right around the corner, and dealing with rink availability for the women’s team on top of this is exactly what I don’t need.
Shilpa flips a pen between her fingers. “You’re not being unreasonable.”
She can’t say anything else. Not in her position. Not when she’s the legal representative for the team. When we’re in the office, Shilpa always plays by the rules. When we’re outside the office, she sometimes chooses to speak her mind. But only in an ‘I am a lawyer, but not your lawyer’ kind of way.