Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
I blinked at him. “You took care of it? What do you mean?”
“I covered the bill.”
“I don’t know what to say to that.”
“You might wanna try “thank you.”” He winked and tapped Zac on the shoulder.
I forced a smile, and it took everything I had to eke out, “Thank you.”
He grinned smugly. “You’re welcome.”
“Okay, Lo, say goodbye. Time for you to go to bed.” I squeezed her hand and gave her a soft smile.
“Bye. Thank you for dinner, Mister Adrian.” Lola smiled shyly and tucked herself behind me.
With the echoes of their goodbyes, I ushered her out of the restaurant and straight into the car. I pulled out of the lot before Adrian and Zac had even left.
By the time I arrived home, Lola was fast asleep. Her head lolled to one side, and her mouth was wide open.
I couldn’t help but smile as I got up and out of the car, keys in hand. I wouldn’t even be able to undress her and put her in pajamas. Tonight, laziness would win out and she could crash in her clothes.
Parenting at its finest.
I’d just turned the key in the door when the sound of a car rumbling caught my attention. I turned in time to see the bright red Toyota pull up in front of my driveway.
My stomach sank. Only one person had ever pulled up there before.
“What are you doing here?” I asked when Adrian got out.
He held up a white block. “You left your phone on the table. Zac noticed it before we left.”
Damn it. “Oh, well, thank you for bringing it over.”
He bounded up the path to me and handed it over. “You’re welcome,” he said, his tone full of warmth, and his eyes reflecting the very same thing. “I know you hated every second, but I had fun tonight.”
I stared at him.
He didn’t even try to fight the smirk that tugged his lips to one side. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow night. By the way,” he said, tapping the side of his chin. “You’ve got a little…”
I rubbed at the spot he indicated. “Is it gone?”
Still smirking, he shook his head. “No. It’s right…” He stepped closer to me and, meeting my eyes, brought his hand up to my face.
My heart skipped a beat.
“Here,” he murmured, wiping his thumb across the corner of my lower lip. Slowly and gently, tingles erupted from the point where he’d made contact with my lip. “Got it.”
I swallowed. “That’s not—that’s not where you said.”
“I know.” His thumb lingered on my mouth for a second longer.
Then, without another word, he dropped his hand and turned away.
I waited, my hand on the door, and watched as he got into his car and drove away.
Drove away like my heart wasn’t thumping a million miles an hour thanks to that touch.
That man—he’d be the death of me one day.
Chapter Eleven
Perrie
My phone rang loudly, as seemed to be the norm lately. Thankfully, Lola was at school and not around to tell me how annoying it was.
I wasn’t even going to look at it. I knew for a fact it would be Adrian—nobody had called me since I was arrested. I guessed it had gotten around that I was working for the police now.
It sucked, but it also reminded me that the people I’d once considered friends were only friends of convenience.
Like that was a new thing in my life.
The ping of a new message immediately after the phone stopped ringing had my attention. That meant I had a voice message, and if it were Adrian calling, that wouldn’t happen. He’d just call again and again and again.
And again.
I got up and retrieved my phone from the computer desk. The missed call was from a number I didn’t know but had the Las Vegas area code, so I dialed the service to get my message.
“Hey, Perrie,” a familiar, lilting yet masculine tone carried down the line. “How are you, darling? It’s Fergus. I’m calling for a catch-up. Are you free right now? Let me know.”
My eyebrows shot right up. It’d been years since I’d spoken to the guy who was formerly the best male stripper in the Fox empire. Why was he suddenly calling me now, and how the hell had he gotten my number?
Those facts were enough to make me call him back.
“Perrie, darling!” Fergus trilled. “You got my message!”
“I just missed your call,” I lied. “It’s good to hear your voice, Ferg. How are you?”
“Fabulous as ever. Are you free now? Let’s get a drink. I have a break from work.”
“Uh…” I looked around the room as if something to do would jump out at me. “Sure? I guess. Where?”
“Stanley’s work for you?”
The cocktail bar was fifteen minutes from my house. “Sure. I’ll get changed and make my way over there.”
“Fabulous, honey! See you then!” He hung up on that note.