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)
“Where are you going?”
“We,” he corrected her. “Get dressed.”
Caroline pouted a bit. She didn’t want to go to work this early. It was so cold this early in the morning, and she’d be miserable for the rest of the day because she had a hard time warming up, even when the sun was out. Dune went to her and rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip.
“You’re insatiable, and that’s not a complaint.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her to him. “I’m going to take you to breakfast.”
“Oh?” This slightly surprised her, as he normally drank coffee and had a donut or muffin.
“Yes, I haven’t taken you to Carter’s for breakfast. It’s a must stop on your list of things to do in Seaport.”
“That list went out the window the day I met you,” she said as she brushed her fingers through his tousled hair, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips. She’d been running them through it for hours, and she knew he liked it—a small smile crept across his face whenever she did.
Caroline dressed, not bothering to argue that she could sleep for another hour or so, or there were things they could do in that hour. She put on her work clothes, lathered her exposed skin in sunblock, and grabbed her things.
The sun peaked over the horizon and the sky lit up with the first hints of dawn, and birds chirped excitedly around them as they made their slow trek down the cobblestone street. A cool morning breeze rustled through the trees, promising a beautiful day ahead. They went into the lively diner and sat down in the first available booth.
After looking over the menu, Caroline took in the retro diner, with its black and white tiled floor, red sparkly vinyl stools, with matching booths. A jukebox sat in the corner and fifties music played through the speakers. At the end of the counter sat a cash register from the early 1900s.
“Okay, why haven’t you brought me in here before?”
“Technically, I have,” Dune stated.
“At night! When I couldn’t see anything. This place is cute and adorable, and I love it. Who owns it?”
“We do,” he said as they made eye contact. “My parents bought it years ago, back when I was in middle school and completely refurbished it. It was a total gut job. Everything had to be replaced. The former owners closed the doors one day and walked away. Left it here to rot.”
“It’s so retro.”
He nodded and looked around. “My dad found old images of what it used to look like and did his best to bring it back to life.”
“Well, he did a wonderful job.”
“You can tell him the next time you see him.” Dune winked at Caroline.
A woman approached, and Dune smiled at her. “Caroline, I’d like you to meet my cousin, Penny. She runs Carter’s for my parents.” Dune paused. “Penny, this is my Caroline.” His words were quiet and filled with longing. Caroline smiled at Dune, and then at Penny briefly before returning her gaze to Dune. It didn’t escape her notice, he said, “my Caroline.” She quelled the excited energy bubbling within. The giddiness at being his would be enough to get her today and every day that followed.
“It’s very nice to meet you.”
Penny grinned from ear to ear. “Is this the one you wrecked my back patio for?”
Dune visibly froze but recovered quickly. Caroline made a mental note to ask him why Penny’s question had caused that reaction. “Sure is,” he said as he reached across the table for her hand.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Caroline.”
“You too, Penny.”
“Do you guys know what you want?” she asked while she poured them some coffee.
“The regular for me,” Dune told her.
“And for you?” Penny asked Caroline.
“I’ll have the apple and cinnamon pancakes with bacon, please.” Caroline handed the menu to Penny, who thanked her.
Dune picked his mug up and took a sip of his coffee. “Are you ready for today?”
Caroline thought about her calendar, but nothing stood out. “What’s today?”
“Snorkeling,” he told her with a laugh. “You said you wanted to go.”
Caroline slapped her forehead. “I totally forgot. But yes, I’m ready. I haven’t been in ages. Where are we going?”
“Martha’s Vineyard,” he told her. Caroline’s eyes lit up and she clapped.
“I love the Vineyard. A couple of summers ago, Jackie and I went there for a weekend. We rented mopeds and drove all over the island.”
“Jackie’s your sister, right?”
Caroline slowly nodded, her eyes glazing over as the realization hit her like a ton of bricks: she had barely exchanged a word with her sister during the entire vacation. She hadn't even asked how school was or if she needed anything.
“You okay?” Dune asked as he reached for her hand.
“Yeah, just thinking about my sister. It’s odd. When I was at school, we talked every day and since I’ve been here, I think it’s been once.”