Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 154882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
The cabbie let us out before a trendy, carnival-themed bakery dubbed After-Hours Fresh.
“My mother’s a chef.”
Bane helped me out and rested his hand on the small of my back like it was a normal, everyday thing. My drying mouth and prickly skin said otherwise. Why did every touch from Bane make it seem like I was feeling for the first time?
“She knows where to find the best of everything, in every borough, and in every cuisine. Some of them are places you’d never think of.”
“What will we find here?” I drifted closer, bumping against his side. Bane didn’t draw away.
“This place is a treasure trove. Best funnel cake, candy apples, cotton candy lemonade, kettle corn, and nachos. They’re only open at night and everything’s made fresh to order—hence the name.”
“Sounds delicious.”
“Yeah? ’Cause we’ll get something else if you’d like it better. Serious, all the bests. Try me.”
“Cotton candy lemonade and nachos. Can’t think of anything else I’d like more.”
We chimed the bell going into the colorful, clown-painted restaurant. While we waited in line, I tossed him the most difficult and random meals I could come up with.
“Baked Alaska.”
“Chelsea’s Café in Waterford.”
“Ooh, fresh sushi.”
Bane gave me a look. “Rockchapel Fish Market. Come on, Blaine. Don’t go easy on me.”
“Okay, okay,” I said, laughing. “Masala dosa.”
“Alright, she’s bringing her good stuff now. I’m going to have to say... Flavor of India, Leighbridge.”
“This one is really going to stump you.”
Bane paused to give our order. “Lay it on me.”
“First, I want to know what I win.”
“What do you want?”
“A tattoo.” It was out of my mouth so fast, I surprised myself. Though once I said it, nothing else would do. “Whoever did yours is a true artist. I want their name. What I have in mind is intricate.”
“The name of my tattoo artist—done. What do I get if I win?”
“Nicer outfits for your scarecrow sentries.”
Bane smiled. His tone was soft and caressing as he replied, “What if I want something else?”
I licked suddenly dry lips. “Name it.”
He accepted our food, holding my lemonade up to me. Gaze locked, my lips wrapped around the straw. Tangy sweetness delighted my taste buds, and a stray, dirty vision overcame of my mouth swallowing Bane—his hand on the back of my head as he burst.
Bane’s grin widened like he plucked the mind movie from my head and watched it start to finish—twice.
I took the drink and nachos from him, face burning. Bane paid for us and we made our way down Orchard Street.
“I want one of Kenzie’s creations,” Bane said. “Tricky wants us to be matching, but I don’t think I’d pull off a purple unicorn jacket.” I giggled at the image. “A jacket in whatever you choose. I trust you.”
I loved hearing him say he trusted me more than I’d admit. “Agreed. Here it is... fugu.”
Bane sucked in a sharp breath. “You evil, devious woman,” he said over my cracking up. “Choosing a delicacy banned in all fifty states. Wow. If it was anyone else, game would go to you, but...”
“No. Don’t tell me you know a place that serves the best fugu.”
“Genji’s Steak House. There’s a secret restaurant through the back door of the main restaurant. He serves many illegal dishes. Haggis, beluga caviar, shark fin soup, horse meat, and when you’re done, wash it down with absinthe.”
I shook my head, smiling up at the starless sky. “You’ve lived a very different life from me, Alexander. I’m realizing that the longer I’m with you guys. How much I’ve missed, and how much more I’ll get to experience.”
“Anything at the top of the list?”
“Visiting the places on Sunny’s map.”
We strolled, ate, talked, and laughed. I was so caught up in just being with him, I didn’t pay attention to where we were going until we hit grass.
“Harmony Park,” I said. “You were serious. You’re... taking me on the lovers’ walk?”
“Yep. There’s something I want to show you.”
Bane moved and I didn’t.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, taking my hand. “It’ll close in twenty minutes.”
“Bane, is this a date?”
His crooked, heart-stopping grin kick-started my heart. “Course not,” he replied, crushing said heart under his boot and tossing it in the trash with our food cartons. “I don’t date. You know that.”
“Are you serious?”
He frowned. “What’s wrong? You look upset.”
“Oh, do I?” I snapped, eyes stinging. “You said food and the Harmony walk are top three date-night ideas. What was I supposed to think?”
“Ah, I see how that’s confusing. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to give you the wrong idea. Hey,” he whispered when I didn’t speak. His touch was gentle drying my eyes. “I am sorry. Tell me how to make it up to you.”
“You don’t have to make it up to me. Just tell me what we’re doing here. Why did you invite me out?”
“Why? I didn’t know I needed a reason.” Bane traveled down, rubbing my chilled arms. “I wanted to talk to you, eat with you, hang out with you. Because I thought we were friends.”