Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“What’s wrong?” his mother asked, her face full of alarm. She came over to him, wiping her hands on her apron, and then touched his forehead, giving him a once over.
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you here so early? Are you drunk?”
“No, I’m not. Also, I don’t drink and drive or drive when I’m still drunk.” He rolled his eyes at his mom.
Pearl eyed him warily. “Hmm, don’t think I don’t know your tricks.”
“No tricks. I swear.”
She gave her son one last look and then returned to the stove. Dune helped himself to a cup of coffee. The stuff his mom made was by far better than anything he could brew. That was the one thing he hadn’t mastered and was thankful for the baristas at the local coffee shop or down at Carter’s Diner. He always had options.
“So . . .” Dune paused.
“I knew it.” She shook the spatula at him. “Is this about the young woman you brought to Pearl’s last night knowing I wouldn’t be there?”
“Yes, but I didn’t know you weren’t there. Did Crew tell you?”
“No, your Aunt Mona was there and saw you getting cozy with your friend.” Pearl elongated the word friend.
The way she said it made Dune cringe.
“We weren’t getting cozy anywhere, especially at the clam shack.” He rolled his eyes. “And she is a friend.” Except he wanted to test the waters on being more than friends.
Pearl pulled a stack of plates from the cupboard, added food to them, and then handed one to him.
“Where’s Dad?” he asked.
“He’ll be down in a minute. If you have something to ask, ask. Stop beating around the hedge.”
“Bush. It’s bush, Mom.”
“I prefer hedge.” She sat down and motioned for him to do the same. “What’s on your mind?”
Dune sat, gathered his thoughts, and told his mom about his idea and what he needed from her. Pearl sat there, listening to everything Dune said, taking it all in.
“You’re in love.”
“No, I’m not.” He scoffed and gave her a dirty look. He wasn’t in love. There was absolutely no way. They’d kissed once. Well, twice, but it was back-to-back and in his mind that only counted as once.
“Sup, Captain Blue Balls,” Crew said when he came into the kitchen.
Pearl scoffed. “I don’t understand why your friends call you that horrible nickname.”
Dune said nothing.
“It’s because he—”
“Shut your mouth, Crew,” Dune warned. “Anyway, Mom. What do you think? Is it something we can pull off tonight?”
Pearl thought long and hard and then finally nodded. “I’ll call in the troops. The ladies will have fun decorating.”
“What are you doing?” Crew asked as he stuffed his mouth with bacon and sat down. Dune filled him in and told him to come but to leave his friends at home because he didn’t want any underaged kids there. Of course, Crew took issue with that, but he’d end up doing as his brother asked.
Dune left his parents feeling pretty damn good about his idea. If anyone could pull this off, his family could. They loved it when they had a reason to go over the top with something, and Dune had just given them the reason.
He made it to the docks before the rest of his crew. Part of him wanted to close for the day so he could . . . well, he didn’t know what he’d do. He had to work. It was the only thing that would keep his mind off what the evening would entail.
As soon as Ana arrived, Dune filled her and told her the time and place as well as asking her to spread to the word to a select few. He did the same when he saw Speed and Wilson.
And when Caroline arrived, he greeted her like he had any other day since she started working with him. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” She yawned. “Sorry, I had a hard time falling asleep last night.”
“Me, too,” he said. He hadn’t wanted to leave her, but staying wasn’t an option yet either.
“Do you have plans tonight?”
She shook her head slowly.
“I’d like to take you out to dinner.”
“The clam shack?”
Dune laughed. “No, this place is nicer than that. It’ll be fun and casual.”
“I can do fun and casual.”
“Great, I’ll pick you up at eight.”
Caroline brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear, and when she smiled, it was as if the sun had risen in his chest. Her eyes were a vivid green, flickering with amusement or mischief—he couldn’t quite tell. A breeze carried her scent over to him, and he took a deep breath, hoping to keep the memory of the fragrance with him all day. His fingertips tingled with a longing to touch her face—or maybe something more daring—but now wasn’t the time nor the place.
Later. He would kiss her later under the stars or the twinkling lights.
By the end of the day, Dune felt like he was about to crawl out of his skin. He’d never been anxious before, or overly excited. Sure, he’d felt elated, but this was different. He was about to pull off the most romantic gesture of all time.