Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 141251 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141251 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
“Great.” I smile.
Julian’s eyes flicker over to me, silently accusing me of being a liar.
“Julian?” We hear another woman call out, and we all turn to see that stupid Rebecca.
“Hello.” He fakes a smile.
“Have you been hiding from me?” She laughs, putting her hand on his chest.
He chuckles uncomfortably.
I roll my eyes in complete disgust.
She flirts and laughs with him for ten minutes, making everyone cringe until I can’t take it anymore. “I’m going to check on Sammy,” I say.
I check on Sammy, and then I strategically go and stand on the other side of the field.
I can't listen to that woman flirt with him for one moment longer.
Frances comes and stands beside me. “Good Lord, Brell, don’t leave me with that stupid woman.”
I roll my eyes. “I know, you need a bucket to listen to them fawn over him.”
She pulls a face and fakes a shiver. “Julian has this knack of attracting the worst women.”
“He likes it,” I reply, deadpan.
“Would you and Julian like to come over tonight… for dinner?” she asks hopefully. “I would love to repay the favour.”
Damn it, she’s being nice. “I can’t, I’m so sorry. I have plans.”
Her face falls. She thinks for a moment. “Do you have a date?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I’m going out with my friend, Emerson.”
“Oh.” She fakes a smile and links her arm through mine. “How lovely.”
“Don’t get any ideas.” I sigh.
She taps my arm. “I wouldn’t dare.”
Julian and his father walk around the field to stand with us.
“Mother, would it be alright if you took the children back to your house this afternoon? I would like to have a meeting with Miss Brielle in private.”
Her eyes widen in excitement. “Yes, great idea. Take Brell out for lunch for a meeting.” She taps my arm. “And if you can talk her out of cancelling her date tonight, I can have the children so you can take her dancing.”
Why, that old snake…
Julian’s face falls. “You have a date tonight?” he asks, horrified.
“Yes.” I hesitate because I’m the worst liar in the world. “I do.”
“Who with?” he snaps.
“A doctor,” Frances replies as she squeezes my arm.
I frown at her. What are you doing, you senile, old woman?
“What doctor?”
His father smirks as he pretends to watch the game.
“None of your business,” I tell him. “Why don’t you go and ask one of the desperate, dateless soccer mums to go dancing.” I pretend to watch the game. “Or Strawberry Shortcake. She’s always up for a good time.”
He narrows his eyes, knowing exactly who I mean.
“Who’s Strawberry Shortcake?” his mother whispers under her breath.
“Julian’s rude work friend.”
“She’s not rude. It was a business meeting,” he defends.
“She’s more than just the nanny,” I offer sarcastically.
Julian fakes a smile.
“I’m lost,” his mother whispers, thinking only I can hear. “Who’s stupid?”
“He is,” I reply.
His father smiles at the field, entertained by our conversation.
“Oh, because putting the jerseys in the dryer is so intelligent.” Julian sneers.
I glare at him and squeeze his mother's arm. "I'm sorry, but in Australia, we can put our jerseys in the dryer. I'm not used to these United Kingdom inferior products… or men."
His father chuckles again as he looks at his phone. “Oh, I see. Strawberry Shortcake is a doll from the eighties with red hair.” He holds the phone out to show us.
Julian rolls his eyes, and I bite my lip to hide my smile. Has his father really being Googling Strawberry Shortcake all this time?
“Julian?” A woman calls from the other side of the field. We look over and see a woman smiling and waving in an exaggerated manner.
He fakes a smile and waves back.
“Good grief.” His mother sighs. “These women are unbearable.”
“They’re a perfect match for him,” I mutter as I watch the game. “Julian, go over and stand with her so she doesn’t come over here talking, please.”
Julian’s mother giggles and taps my arm that’s still in hers. “Oh, I really like you, Brell.” She glances at Julian. “Are you sure you two can’t go dancing tonight?”
“Positive,” we both say at the same time.
I need to get out of this conversation. “I’m going to get a coffee. Anyone want one?” I ask.
“Yes, please,” Julian and his father both say.
“I’ll come with you, dear.” His mother smiles, keeping her hand tightly linked through mine as we walk across the fields.
“Who’s Strawberry Shortcake?” she whispers.
I roll my eyes. “You’re very nosey.”
“This is true. Go on.”
“You can’t tell him I told you.”
She crosses her fingers over her chest. “God’s honour.”
“I went out with Julian last night as a friend.” Her eyes widen in excitement. “You did?”
“Don’t get excited. It was a disaster.”
“Why?”
“He ignored me for two hours and spoke to a hot redhead from his work.” Her eyes narrow. “Strawberry Shortcake?”
I nod.
“I always hated that doll,” she mutters.
“Anyway, I left, we had a fight, and then he went back out and didn’t come home all night.”