Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
What could she say to that? Rio was a very sensual man. She had no doubt he wouldn’t hesitate to make love to her wherever they happened to be.
“Are you really building a house on that spot?” Amber asked.
“The builder is meeting me out there on Monday to get started,” Rio told her as he buckled her safely into his sports car parked in the garage next to her snazzy ride that now occupied one space.
When they arrived at the venue hosting the reunion gathering, Amber tried to wait patiently for Rio to park and come around the car to unlock the door. When he opened it, she burst from the car and started walking immediately toward the side door where the group of friends had promised to meet. She could see everyone had already arrived.
“Ella.”
Amber stopped in her tracks, recognizing that as the only warning she would receive. She looked over her shoulder to see Rio walking slowly toward her. When he reached her, he held out his hand for hers and then continued his same deliberate pace with Amber, protecting her from traffic by his body.
“Damn,” Colt’s voice called across the last few yards as they approached. “I don’t know who’s prettier—Amber or Rio.”
“Amber, of course,” Rio corrected him before shaking hands with Colt and Beau as the ladies hugged everyone.
“Harper, that dress is gorgeous. It didn’t come from Avondale,” Amber suggested, scanning her friend’s beautiful appearance.
"I might have treated myself to a trip out of town,” Harper confessed.
“It’s so flattering,” Maisie added. “You look curvalicious. Someone can’t keep his eyes off you.” She nodded Colt’s way.
When all three ladies looked, they saw his gaze was locked on Harper. Amber couldn’t wait to get a chance to talk to Harper alone. She made plans to waylay her after the reunion was finished.
“Shall we go in? I have a feeling this group is eagerly anticipated,” Rio suggested.
Creating nametags for themselves at the welcome table, Rio easily smoothed over the fact that Amber had only registered for one dinner, paying for another meal. His handsome appearance and perfect manners charmed the class member dealing with the hotel staff, who assured him there would be no problem with a last-minute addition.
Quickly, they claimed a table before they were mobbed by classmates who wished to talk to the famous country star, Colt, the rising politician, Beau, and the handsome man accompanying Amber. The three women looked at the swarm surrounding the men and shrugged.
“Glass of wine, ladies?” Maisie suggested.
Rio caught Amber’s eye and excused himself from those around him. “What are you drinking, ladies?”
“I guess wine,” Harper answered. “I’m not really good with choosing the right kind.”
“Allow me,” Rio said with a wink and asked, “Red or white, tart or sweet?”
“Red, sweet,” Amber answered.
“White, sweet,” Maisie selected.
“Surprise me?” Harper suggested.
“Got it. I’ll be right back.”
By the time Rio returned from the bar with a tray of drinks he’d confiscated from somewhere, Beau and Colt had extricated themselves from those wishing to ask a million questions. He passed out the wine to each woman, handed a beer to Colt, a glass of scotch to Beau, and a sparkling glass of something for himself.
“Cheers, everyone,” Rio suggested, raising his glass. The others echoed his salute and tasted their beverages.
“The best wine ever,” Amber announced, taking another sip.
“Nope, it’s in my glass,” Maisie corrected her.
Harper just tapped on her glass and pointed with a smile to state her opinion.
“Thanks for showing us up, Rio,” Colt joked, lightly slapping Rio on the arm.
“I’ll share the names if you want to grab a few bottles,” he offered.
“I’d like that. Thanks,” Beau answered, taking another sip of the golden alcohol in his glass.
“So, we’ve talked about what we’ve been doing for the last twenty years. What are everyone’s plans for the next five or more?” Amber asked.
"Now that Harper and I are together, we have big decisions to make,” Colt shared, hugging Harper to his body.
“Together, together?” Maisie asked skeptically.
“Together,” Colt assured her.
“Congratulations,” Amber rushed to say, seeing Harper looking increasingly more self-conscious.
“Thank you,” Harper whispered.
“I’ll be in a think tank with a bunch of brainiacs who consume too many energy drinks,” Maisie informed them drily.
“Maisie, how far are you from the Capitol building?”
“No one lives in DC. I’m in Alexandria, Virginia. It’s a quick drive if you commute at four in the morning,” she joked.
“I don’t suppose you have a room to rent if I win the election?” Beau asked in a very normal tone that caught everyone’s attention.
“A room to rent?” Maisie echoed, staring at Beau as if he’d grown a second head.
“I’m moving in with Rio,” Amber announced, taking the heat off Beau.
“Really?” Harper squeaked. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re working at the hospital.”
“I’ll maintain a home here and spend time here when we are on breaks,” Beau pointed out. “The only person who won’t be officially living in town will be Maisie. I think she could do her think tank thing here.”