Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Another one of the meeting staff, while not a weddings specialist, knows quite a bit and filled in before I was hired. She’d be the most likely person, and on a nearby pad, I jot down some items I’d like to cover with her before I make any formal announcements. When I decide to go, I don’t want to leave Clare in the lurch.
Mid-morning, Ava calls. “What are you up to? Want to go to lunch today?”
She and I have been having lunch together about once a week, and I hung out with her and a group of her friends once for a movie night. It’s been really nice reconnecting with her, and it makes me realize that I was so caught up with Scott and his family and my job, I hadn’t taken the time to develop many meaningful friendships in Atlanta. I have Hillary there, but we barely got together once a month. We’ve probably talked more since I came back to Vegas than we did when I was in Atlanta.
“I’ve been working today,” I tell Ava, “but a lunch break would be lovely.”
Ava doesn’t care much for cooking, but she is a foodie, and she’s been introducing me to Las Vegas’s culinary delights week by week. Early on, I suggested we eat at Thorn’s restaurant, and we did, but of course, she had already eaten there twice before. She’s watched every one of his cooking videos.
“Do you like Thai food?”
“I do, though I haven’t tried much beyond spring rolls and chicken pad thai.”
She laughs, and I can imagine her rolling her eyes at my unadventurous palate. “I’ll hook you up. I need something spicy after my family’s bland Thanksgiving dinner. So many starches, so little flavor.”
Now I’m the one laughing as we make plans to meet in an hour at the restaurant she names.
Ninety minutes later, my mouth is on fire and I’m waving for the waiter so I can request a refill on my water. The item Ava suggested that I order for myself is delicious, but now that I’ve sampled her spicy basil chicken, I don’t think I’m going to be able to taste the rest of my food.
“I warned you,” she says, looking both sympathetic and amused.
I pointlessly fan my open mouth with my hand. “You did, but you’re shoveling in forkfuls of the stuff. I figured, how bad could it be?”
She watches as I gratefully acknowledge my newly-filled glass of water and then proceed to down more than half of it. “Speaking of hot and spicy,” she says, casually loading her fork with more noodles, “how are your boyfriends doing?”
“Why do you insist on calling them that?”
“Why do you insist on pretending that they’re not?”
I shake my head as I push my plate forward an inch. Thankfully, there wasn’t much left to eat. “We’re friends, Ava. Thorn takes me for rides on his bike. I go to galleries with Kai. Did you know he’s big into art collecting?”
She lifts her brows and shakes her head, waiting for me to continue.
“He owns several pieces from a couple of local artists, and he’s always on the lookout for new talent he can support.”
“Fascinating,” she says blandly.
“Gage has taken me on hikes. We were out just last weekend.”
She eyes me as she chews and swallows. “If you’re all just friends, and if those aren’t dates, then I guess you wouldn’t mind if I asked one of them to go out with me?”
I don’t know exactly what my face is doing in response to this idea, but whatever it is, it makes Ava burst out laughing. “Girl, you’ve got it bad! Just admit it.”
When I shake my head, dropping it into my hands, she says, “Just own it. You’re a lucky woman. Are you really dating all three of them?”
I look up at her, my shake turning into a nod. “It’s just temporary,” I say. “Just while I’m here. I know it’s an impossible situation.”
She frowns at me as she reaches for her Thai tea. “Why?”
“I mean, it’s not reality, is it? Dating three men. Somehow, they’re all okay with it, but I know it can’t go on forever.”
“Why not? Are they wearing you out?” She lifts an eyebrow, indicating that she’s talking about tiring bedroom activities. I feel my cheeks start to color, and this time it’s not from the chili peppers. Certain parts of me have gotten a little worn out, but I’ve persevered like a trooper. A thoroughly-satisfied trooper.
Again reading my expression, she sighs. “I wish I was getting workouts like that. It’s been a bit of a dry spell for me.”
“Really? I thought you and … was it Erik? … were dating. The guy who was at your place on movie night.”
She shakes her head. “We are actually just friends, unlike you and your boyfriends, and don’t try to change the subject.”