Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Frank’s head is bent over something Rocco is showing him on his phone while Becca chats with Aunt Dina. “Fascinating…”
“What is?” Aaron asks.
“Given his interest, I assumed he would own a car dealership or something like that.” I snort. “He has that slick salesman thing going for him.”
“Oh, come on, he’s not that bad.”
I throw him a pointed look.
He motions toward me with a rib bone. “Besides, cars are a hobby for him, not a career.”
“Oh, I see.” I scoff. “Weren’t you the one who told me I should do photography instead of running a service station?”
“Okay, you got me there.” He wipes his face with a napkin. “Or maybe people are just good at a few different things.”
“Thus the name of my shop.”
Aaron looks off into the distance. “Is that true for you?”
“Nah, I’m just Jack.”
“Hey, stop selling yourself short. Besides, I’m very fond of just Jack.”
I feel his leg slide against mine beneath the table and shiver from the contact.
My face heats, and I avert my eyes. “But the name was true of my dad. He would do all sorts of stuff around town. Was always lending a helping hand.”
He leans his elbows against the table. “Like what?”
“Anything from painting to installing flower boxes for the local businesses. Got to be a nickname for him.”
“Makes sense.” He smirks. “How did he get such a cranky son?”
“Hey now,” I protest, and his grin widens. “Careful, or I’ll drag you off to have my way with you one last time.”
“I won’t protest, but it would make it harder to leave.”
My heart gives a little jolt, and just as I’m about to respond, Cain and June head over to say their goodbyes, both looking exhausted.
“Thank you again,” June says. “For finding my boy.”
Aaron fist-bumps Cain. “No problem.”
“You shouldn’t go out solo so early in the morning,” I scold him.
Cain smirks. “Yes, Dad.”
“You better believe your dad would tan your hide.”
A smile forms on both of their faces, and it feels good that we can joke about it. Maybe we need to do more of that. Maybe we’re finally coming out of the woods.
“It’s been an interesting couple of weeks in Aqua Vista,” Aaron muses as we watch them leave hand in hand. “Speaking of which, do you think the turtles made it wherever they needed to go?”
“Most probably did, Mr. Sensitive.”
“Can’t help it.” He shrugs. “I also can’t help feeling sorry for Beth. The way she wanted to help today but held herself back. Second-guessed herself. You’ve got to know she means—”
“I know. I’ve been thinking about what you said. Maybe I am holding on too tight to my anger.” I most definitely am, and it’s hard to admit.
He nods. “She’s only human.”
“Really? I thought she was a vampire.”
He winks. “She very well might be.”
Our eyes connect and hold, and I’m rendered momentarily speechless. I want to kiss him so badly, to pull him toward me and claim him as mine, that I ache with it.
He thumps the table. “My work here is done just as I’m leaving town.”
I can feel the color drain from my face as Aaron looks away.
“Promise to stay in touch?” he mutters.
I swallow roughly. “Sure, I’ll try my best.”
“Not a phone talker?” he quips.
“How did you guess?”
He winks. “That’s okay, I’ll just bug you until you talk to me.”
“I look forward to it,” I reply, my gut churning.
Rocco makes his way over. “Gonna head back to the hotel, especially since I’m hitting the road in the morning.”
“Well, that’s my cue to leave,” Aaron says reluctantly.
“We’ll drop Rocco at the hotel on our way home,” Frank says, producing his keys. “You should stay a bit longer.”
“Are you sure?” Aaron asks Rocco, and he nods. Becca offers a bland smile, likely glad the night is coming to an end. That settled, Rocco and Frank share matching toothy smiles, and in that moment, they look like they could be long-lost Italian cousins.
Rocco’s gaze steadies on me. “Despite what you may think of me, you’re a stand-up guy.”
“Thanks. I’m sure you are too.” I look over his shoulder. “Careful, Frank will drag you to auto shows.”
“I won’t say no. San Jose has a good one.” Rocco claps me on the shoulder. “Maybe you two should do a road trip.”
“Maybe. Hard to get away from the shop, though,” I mutter, and Aaron frowns. It’s sort of true, but mostly, I’m just trying to protect my heart.
Frank shakes his head at me, knowing full well I’m bullshitting. He’ll be sure to talk my ear off about it later. Though it’s not like he travels much either.
Aaron throws away his empty plate, then grabs another drink. We sit talking and enjoying the pleasant night temperature for another hour. Too soon, Aaron is standing to leave.
“I’ll walk you out,” I say. “I have something to show you.”