Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 77353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“Um.” I hesitate. How would Frankie feel about me laying in her bed? Honestly, she’d probably hate it.
But when Maverick aims his puppy dog eyes my way, I’m helpless to resist. “Please?”
I toe off my shoes and lie down beside Maverick, making sure to stay on top of the covers.
“Mama was reading Thomas the Tank Engine to me.”
“I thought I could tell you the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”
He snuggles into my side. “Okay.”
I slide my phone out of my pocket and pull up the Kindle app—that I downloaded just so I could read him this—and then open the book I bought of kids’ stories.
“Once upon a time, there were three bears—a papa bear, a mama bear, and a little baby bear.”
Maverick burrows into my side, wiggling until I have one arm around him and his head is on my chest. He sighs contentedly as I read to him.
“Goldilocks is kind of naughty,” he murmurs once I finish the story.
“A little bit. Curious, too.”
I feel him nod. “But we’re like the bears.”
“We are?” I lock my phone and set it down on the table.
“Yeah. Mama’s mama bear, I’m baby bear, and you…you’re papa bear.”
My entire body tenses as his words sink in. This kid, he has such a big heart. He’s so trusting and so loving, and somehow, I’m lucky enough to be on the receiving end of it.
I tighten my arm around him and press a kiss to the top of his head. “Good night, Mav.”
“Stay with me until I fall asleep?” he asks, already sounding halfway there.
Just like when he asked me to lay with him, I know it’s a bad idea. I know I should tell him no, that I should get up, turn out the light, and head to my own room.
But I don’t.
“Sure thing,” I tell him, planning to slip away as soon as I can.
Except, his warm body and soft breathing lulls me into a state of relaxation, and before I know it, I’m fast asleep, too.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
FRANKIE
I’d like to say Orion’s visit earlier tonight didn’t derail my entire shift, but I’d be lying. I’ve been an absolute mess ever since he left.
I swear, it’s like the universe has it out for me. Karma. Mother Nature. Someone.
I’m too much of a wimp to take a real chance on him, so keeping him as Birdie was supposed to be my failsafe.
For the last few months, he’s been my only bright spot on the nights I work, and now…nothing. He’s just quitting me, cold turkey, and his stupid white-knight-mister-respect thing only makes me want him all the more.
Like, seriously, what kind of guy breaks up with a stripper? Most just stop showing up. But nope. Not Orion. He had to pay me a personal visit, to tell me he’d met someone, and that he was going all in with her.
With me.
That’s the kicker. He broke up with me, for me, and doesn’t even know it.
I wonder how he’d react if he found out the truth? Would he think differently of me…less of me? I can’t imagine a guy like him would be cool with dating a stripper.
But I also never thought he’d go for a single mom, so what do I know?
“Birdie!” Walter calls my name, jerking me back to the present. “Head home.”
Shit! I must be really off my game if he’s cutting me.
“Walt, I’m sorr—”
“You’re not in trouble.” His eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiles. “Your shift ended fifteen minutes ago.”
“Oh. Wow. Really?”
He nods, looking all too amused. “I’ve been waiting on you to clock out, but…”
“I’ve been in my head tonight. Distracted.”
His amusement intensifies. “More like dickstracted.”
I gasp. “Walter!”
“I know a thing or two about it, kid. There’s a reason I only hire female dancers. Wouldn’t want my Lenny worrying about my virtue in a sausage buffet.”
“Respectfully,” I laugh, “you’re a mess.”
“You say mess, I say a delight.” He tosses his hands in the air. “Either way, Marcus is waiting to walk you out.”
“Thanks, Walt. You’re one of the good ones.”
“Don’t you forget it, kid,” he says with a wink.
I head to the back, scrub off my makeup, and change into my sweats before heading toward the employee entrance, where Marcus is leaning against the wall, watching the club floor with steely eyes. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Sorry to sic Walter on you.” He ducks his head. “You okay?”
“It’s been a long night.”
“Your boy was here.” He pushes the door open and holds it for me. “Left quicker than usual. That got anything to do with it?”
“My who?”
He lifts his brows and steps back so I can lead. “You know, your boy. Dark hair, fit, is here more than I am.”
“Very funny.” I dig my keys out of my bag. “But yeah, he has something to do with it. But not in a bad way or anything.”