Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 75720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I dabbed at them with the pillow and settled into bed, back to being the little spoon as Jake wrapped me up, encasing me in his body heat and making me feel like I was the safest and happiest guy in the entire world, and it only made me more excited about what this new chapter between us would bring.
20
JAKE PEREZ
“Boyfriends, huh?” Ashley asked as she took a bite out of her granola bar, leaning on the open door of a shining red Audi. The bright lights in the dealership danced across the candy-coated paint job, reflecting in Ashley’s hazel eyes.
“Yup.” I nodded, leaning back in the car seat. “Boyfriends.”
“And look at that smile you get when you say it.” Ashley poked a finger into my ribs. It was undeniable, though. I could feel the strain in my cheeks from how big my grin was.
It had been a few days since Noah and I had made things official, and each one of those days somehow kept getting better and better. I half expected to win the lottery by the end of the week, along with receiving news that I was some kind of Spanish prince who needed to go and get the keys to their grand mountainside castle.
“Where’d you two meet again?”
“We worked together, but what really sparked it was bumping into him at the grocery store and getting invited to his book club. Seeing him outside of work made everything way more intense.”
“Do you work closely with him? He’s not your boss, is he? That could get messy.”
I shook my head as I rubbed the soft white leather steering wheel. “We’re in different departments, so he can’t fire me.”
“Okay, good, because coming from someone who’s dating her boss, it does get a little complicated. But it’s also a hundred percent worth it.” Ashley looked down at me with a glint in her eyes, brought out even more by the turquoise-green gem hanging on her neck. “And he has a book club?”
“Yup. Reading Under the Rainbow. It’s him and his friends getting together to read thrillers and mysteries. And you know how I go through those books like candy.”
She answered with a nod, running her hand through her long blonde hair with the fresh highlights.
“He sounds like a keeper to me. A guy who likes to read and has a good job? Lock him down with a ring.”
I chuckled as I got out of the Audi, walking to the sapphire-blue car sitting near the front desk of the showroom. I didn’t wake up thinking I’d be buying a new car today, but when mine didn’t start again this morning, I texted Ashley and told her our lunch date was being moved to a used-car dealership. I promised I’d get her a Snickers bar from the vending machine.
“It’s way too soon for a ring,” I admitted, although the idea didn’t sound all that far-fetched to me.
“It’s never too soon for a ring. Look at us—we dated for a year and a half before you popped the question. Maybe if you did it sooner, I would have realized I needed to come out sooner, and we could have avoided a whole lot of drama.”
I gave her a playful glare. That day wasn’t exactly the best, but it left the doors open for future happiness, so I didn’t regret it. I was happy Ashely had said no to my beachside proposal, tears in both of our eyes as we realized it wasn’t working and it would never work, not in a romantic sense. My proposal had only come because of the extreme suggestions by Ashley’s friends, telling me that an imaginary clock was ticking away.
Still, the momentary pain of being rejected didn’t last nearly as long as the happiness that came after. And it was obvious in the way Ashley carried herself now, her shoulders a little higher and smile a little easier to come by. Even her way of expressing herself changed as she ditched all the sundresses and floral leggings she’d purchased off a Facebook group (which she told me were moldy anyway and needed to go), swapping them out for some tight jeans and crop tops.
It was exciting to see her find herself, and I supported her every step of the rainbow way. “I’m not taking credit for you being a lesbian. That’s all you,” I pointed out.
She shrugged. “I guess. Whatever, you get my point. Just live life to the fullest, and if that means going to Vegas and being a little irresponsible, then so be it.” She tapped my shoulder, looking very pleased with doling out terrible advice.
“What about you and Xi, then? Why don’t I see a ring on your finger yet?”
“Because I’ve got it in my back pocket right now.” She reached around and pulled something from her jeans pocket. A small velvet red box. My eyes went wide, looking up from her open palms to her still-glinting gaze, shining even brighter than before.