Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
They were great role models for a perfect relationship, but that always put so much pressure on me. I mean, true love like that only happens to a select few. What if I wasn’t one of the lucky ones? What if I wasn’t as fortunate as they were?
I think it actually stopped me from dating.
Any guy who ever showed a lick of interest in me was always compared to that unrealistic standard. Could this guy be my soulmate? The answer was always no, so I didn’t show any interest back.
Now, I’m a twenty-two-year-old virgin who’s never even kissed a guy. I’m beginning to think that my parents’ perfect love affair was a fluke. An anomaly.
I’m starting to think I should start lowering my standards.
But how can I when I’ve been watching this my entire life?
“I’m not going to the fundraiser tonight,” my father says as he holds my mother tighter.
“Oh, don’t be silly,” Mom says. “You told the whole team it’s mandatory. You can’t flake out on them.”
“Oh, yes I can.”
“No, you can’t. I’ll be fine. I’ll have a drink and go to bed early. No big deal.”
“I don’t want to leave you.”
“You just don’t want to go alone,” Mom says with a smirk. “I know you hate those things.”
Dad sighs as the reality sinks in. He’s going to have to go to a cocktail party by himself. Usually, he just hides behind my mom and lets her work her magic.
“It’s going to be a huge fundraiser,” Dad says. “So many important people there and I’m going to have to talk to all of them.”
“I’m sorry, Dad,” I say, feeling horrible for him. “The timing sucks.”
He looks at me, but then he doesn’t look away.
I start to get a worried tingly feeling inside and then it clicks.
“Oh no,” I whisper.
“Please!” he says, practically begging already. “I’m the coach. I have to go and you know I’m not good at working a room.”
“You’re good!” I squeak out in a high-pitched voice.
“I’m good at yelling at the room or barking orders at the room,” he says, “but not working it. That’s your mother’s specialty.”
“Right now, I’d be good at clearing out a room,” Mom says.
“But… I don’t have anything to wear and my hair isn’t done!”
“Your mother has a closet full of dresses you can pick from,” Dad says with his voice racing. “And your hair looks perfect already.”
My mouth opens so I can give him a very valid reason why I can’t possibly attend, but I come up with nothing.
It’s three hours away. A night surrounded by rich snobs. Hours of listening to people talking about hockey. Oh god…
“The Hyenas are going to be there,” Mom says in a teasing tone.
“Really?” I say, my heart starting to race. “Which ones?”
“All of them if they know what’s good for them,” Dad says in his stern coach voice.
“Is Nolan Barlowe going to be there?” Mom asks.
Damn. She knows I have a crush on him.
I shoot her a look, but she can’t see it with her puffed-up eyes.
“Yes,” Dad says, looking at her skeptically. “Why?”
“Just curious,” Mom says with a shrug.
His eyes narrow on me. “He’s off-limits. I don’t want you dating a hockey player.”
“Mom asked, not me,” I say, putting my hands up.
He grunts in disapproval.
Well, if Nolan Barlowe is going to be there…
I’m starting to come around to the idea.
I’ve had a big crush on him since he signed with the Hyenas. He’s so hot.
I’ve never had a thing for hockey players, but there’s something about goalies. They’re the last line of defense, the anchor of the team. They’re so fearless the way they stand in front of a hard galvanized puck traveling over a hundred miles per hour. It’s sexy.
And Nolan is the sexiest of them all.
“What’s the dress code?” I ask.
“Fancy,” Dad says. “Black ties and nice dresses.”
“Okay, I’ll go,” I say with a firm nod. I can’t pass up seeing Nolan Barlowe in a fitted suit. That will definitely be worth all the trouble.
“Really?” Dad says, lighting up. “Thank you so much, sweetheart!”
He runs over and hugs me.
Mom yanks off the blankets and gets out of bed.
“Come on, Grace,” she says as she waves me over to her closet. “I’ll help you pick out a dress before my eyes swell completely shut.”
CHAPTER THREE
Nolan
Just when I think I’m rich, I see something like this and realize there’s a whole other level of wealth.
My mouth drops as I step out of my Porsche and stare at the humongous yacht in the distance. This is wealth. This is crazy.
It’s like a sideways skyscraper floating on the water.
I slip on my jacket and fix my tie while looking at my reflection in the car window. I look pretty damn good if I say so myself.
There are so many people lined up on the pier waiting to walk into the yacht. Everyone is dressed to impress. Designer suits, tuxedos, sparkling red dresses—beautiful women galore. This is the place to be tonight.