Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 96833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“Thanks, Dad.”
“I’m sorry.” Claire sighed. “You know my thoughts on the matter. I do hope you’re feeling well, though.”
I forced a smile. Too little, too late.
Twenty minutes later, my sister was gone by the time Sig returned with takeout. I had no idea whether she’d returned to a hotel or taken off for California.
Sig and I ate while hanging out with my dad, and then my father announced that he was going to try to get some sleep. I promised to come right back to the hospital in the morning. Hopefully we’d receive the remaining test results by then, which would help determine when I’d be able to return to England.
“What’s the plan?” Sig asked as we left the hospital.
“I don’t really have one. I wasn’t prepared for this.”
“I just meant for tonight,” he said. “I can get a hotel for myself or book rooms somewhere for both of us.”
“Oh no.” I shook my head. “We’ll both sleep at my house, where I live with Dad. You can sleep in his room.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”
“There’s no one to impose upon. It’ll just be you and me.”
“I thought maybe you’d want to decompress tonight and not have to deal with anyone—including me.” He opened the passenger door to the rental car for me before getting in on the driver’s side. “Your sister is…a lot. I’m sorry you have to deal with her.”
“Yeah, well, there are worse things in life.” I sighed. “Actually, I’d kind of like you to see where I live. You know, since we’re here anyway. Definitely never thought I’d have the opportunity to show you around.”
“Alright.” He nodded. “Considering I hadn’t made the decision to fly here until I got to the airport, I obviously have no spare clothes.”
“I’d offer you some of Dad’s, but you’re way too tall.” I chuckled.
“There must be a department store nearby?”
Then a lightbulb flashed in my brain. “Actually, I have an idea…”
CHAPTER 31
* * *
Abby
Track 31: “My House” by Flo Rida
The beach was choppy tonight, the wind fierce. But just the sight of the sign reading Little Rhody made me smile. Sig pulled up in front of my family’s store, a small structure, purple on the outside with a whole lot of history and heart on the inside. I used the key I always carried in my purse to open the door before turning on the lights.
Sig entered behind me. “So this is the famous shop, eh?”
“It sure is. I figured I could show it to you and we could steal some extra clothes for you at the same time.”
“Brilliant.”
Everything was as we’d left it, fully stocked, when we’d had to close. I walked over to a shelf of men’s sweatpants. “These say Rhode Island down the leg.”
“Ah.” He took them. “I’ll wear these tonight and on the way home, enjoying the stares of people wondering whether I’m a lunatic.”
Laughing, I grabbed a T-shirt and held it against my chest. “And what do you think of this?”
Sig read the words on the front aloud. “Someone from Rhode Island Thinks I’m Cute. Shouldn’t that be for an infant and not in size extra-large?”
“You can be big and still cute.”
“I suppose I’m evidence of that.” He winked. “Although cute has never been a word used to describe me.”
“Well, it looks like it’ll fit you.” I giggled. “I think it’s coming home with us.”
“You don’t happen to have men’s boxers, do you?”
I snapped my fingers. “Believe it or not, we do.”
I walked over and held up two pairs. “You have your choice: lobsters or the Rhode Island state logo over the crotch.”
Sig scratched his chin. “How does one choose?”
“You’re right.” I laughed. “We’ll take them both.”
“You spoil me, Abby.” He looked around. “This place is sort of magical. I hope you can get it up and running again.”
“What am I gonna do with all this overstock if not, right?”
“I’m sure the market for State of Rhode Island-crotch boxer shorts is hotter than you think.” Sig wandered over to a stand. “This is saltwater taffy?”
“Yeah.” I laughed. “Are you a taffy guy?”
“No, but I’d like to buy some for Leo, if you don’t mind. He grew a taste for it when we spent the summer here. It’s sort of a running joke. He can’t find it very easily back home.” He grabbed a stack of four boxes.
“You didn’t even bring a suitcase. You’re gonna have to get something just to trek all of that taffy back home.”
He lifted a tote bag off the rack. “I suppose this Rhode Island Slut tote bag will do?”
“Go for it!” I cackled. “You know, I would’ve loved to meet you and Leo when you spent that wild summer here.” I paused to calculate. “Although I was probably in middle school then.”
“Ouch.”
“Not sure I could’ve gotten in on the fun.” I chuckled.