Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
“I thought you said you didn’t sweat the small stuff.”
“I don’t.”
“I saw that lady, and I know why you kissed me like that. You were taunting that woman.”
“So.” He shrugged.
“She wasn’t worth it. You told me you only get that way when you are protecting someone you see as defenseless getting picked on, or when people say inappropriate things about your family members.”
“Right.”
“Well, I’m far from defenseless, and you know that… and I’m not family.” Her head slightly cocked to the side; she rested her hand on her hip.
“No, you’re not defenseless, and no, you’re not family, but you’re interviewing for the position. A girlfriend is definitely family to me.”
As her cheeks deepened in hue, she abruptly averted his gaze. They arrived at his truck and he helped her inside. ‘Atomic Dog,’ by George Clinton, was playing on the radio when he turned the ignition. He got ready to turn the station, but noticed out of the corner of his eye that Porsche was grooving to the tune. Once the song went off, she sighed and adjusted her seat. They were going for a little ride to nowhere in particular. Windows cracked, the smell of the sea wafting in.
“I’ve been enjoying my time with you,” she said with a serene sigh. “These past few weeks of officially dating you have been… great. Just fantastic. We’ve had a lot of fun, and I like how down to earth you are. I just like you, period.” She nodded as if just now coming to that conclusion, or perhaps accepting it for what it was. Finally feeling comfortable with it.
“I’ve definitely been havin’ a great time getting to know you, too. You know how I feel about you… but in case you need to be reminded, I really like you. I care about you a lot, too.” He reached for her hand and held it as they drove slowly through West Bayside. He was her self-appointed tour guide, and he rather enjoyed taking her to different spots in Portland, some places she’d not ventured to or stayed long enough to appreciate.
“These all used to be warehouses. They tore ’em down and built these new buildings for different businesses.” He pointed at the structures.
“They look really modern.”
“Yeah… times have changed.”
As he drove along, her phone rang, then vibrated. He snuck a peek at her as she answered.
“Hey, Mom… yeah, just had lunch and finished taking a boat ride, actually… Casca Bay… A place called the Porthole… just chicken wings and a garden salad, but it was pretty good… Mmm hmmm… No, not on a diet… Yeah… I let my gym membership expire, and I just walk and work out at home now… right… No, I went with a friend…” His ears perked up. “No!… Mom, come on…” She giggled, then chewed on her fingernail. “…Yes…Mmmm… later. I can talk about it later… I said okay… can I call you back? I’m still out, actually… Yes, with the friend… No, we’re not… I can’t. I’m not driving, so… yes…” There was that laugh again. “…Okay. Yes, I will call you later… Okay… you too… love you…” She ended the call. “Well, that was a rather childish conversation. I’m sure to you I sounded like some sixteen-year-old girl trying to talk in code about my secret crush.”
“Yup. That about sums it up.”
She playfully smacked his shoulder.
“My mother wants me to meet someone and settle down. Not because she necessarily thinks all women need a man, but she thinks for me,” she pointed to herself, “specifically, it would be good. So whenever I’m dating someone, she gets way too excited and tries to make me tell her every single detail. That’s why I haven’t told her about anyone I’ve dated in the last couple of years. Too much pressure.” She slipped her phone into her purse, a big smile on her face.
“Do you think you’re afraid of commitment?” He looked at her from the corner of his eye as he made a right turn.
She was quiet. Too quiet. He could feel her eyes on him for a while, but then she turned and looked straight ahead.
“I wouldn’t say afraid of commitment, but I just want to be sure is all. I don’t like wasting time. I don’t want to be pressured into doing something I’m not comfortable with, either.”
“How about you toss those concerns aside and just go with the flow? Wouldn’t that be easier?”
“Throw caution to the wind?” She chortled. “Absolutely not. Caution saves lives.”
“There’s such thing as too much of a good thing, and too much caution makes your life pass you by. Now, I know we agreed to just ride around. Cruise. But there’s a really great bakery that serves these little lemon and vanilla Bundt cakes that you just wouldn’t believe. Are you game?” He turned to her, and was met with a beautiful smile.