Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 81208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
There’s a seriousness to his tone that makes me wonder if he’s referring to more than just the store. If it was arson, how am I ever going to get everything resolved? I can’t go back to the store if I’m truly in danger.
“What happened to the guy in the woods?”
Evan fiddles with the radio dial and selects some soft country music, killing time. “You ever read a fairy story, getting halfway through before wanting to close the book and never open it again?”
“Yes,” I say. “Hansel and Gretel.”
Evan nods. “That one’s particularly dark. Can I just say that I’ve closed the book? That way, you can be sure that finding out the end of the story isn’t what you really want.”
I nod, even though he’s piqued my curiosity. Speaking about this with Robert felt manageable but Evan’s more of an unknown quantity. I’m worried about opening up a can of worms I won’t be able to contain.
“So, you should collect everything you’ll need. We won’t be coming back here for a while.”
“A while? That sounds like a long and unspecified amount of time.”
“It is,” Evan says. “And I’m not down with Hunter’s caveman approach. These are different days, and we need to be mindful of that. There’s no way I’d want to make you do anything you didn’t want to do.” He glances at me, taking his eyes off the road to check on my reaction. “But I believe you’re our destiny, Goldie. We’ve met a lot of women in the past and done a lot of things, but we’ve never had the same reaction to any of them as we’ve had to you. You’ve got to understand that we haven’t chosen this for ourselves, and to be honest, we wouldn’t choose it for you. It just is, as it has always been. For us, it’s something we’ve been expecting. For you, I understand that it’s difficult to get your head around.”
“Let’s just say my life was one way a few days ago, and now it’s a whole other way. I feel like I’ve stumbled into another dimension, and I’m me, just different. The world looks the same, but it’s not.”
Evan shrugs. “Maybe you should consider it this way. No one is exactly what they seem. You meet someone, and they put on their best behavior, then you get to know them, and their genuine character starts to show through. With us, it’s more than just character. It’s a physical difference, but you’re aware of it up front. Now it’s just about getting familiar with the rest of us. I promise you’re going to love us. We’re made for each other, after all.”
His grin is broad, and I notice he has a slight dimple when he smiles widely. His hands are loose on the steering wheel, and they’re just the same as Robert’s in size and coloring. Hands just like those have touched me everywhere. A face like that has looked at me with so much fierce lust that I thought I could melt. He’s the same, but different. Lightness and humor to Robert’s serious intensity. “Even Hunter?” I say, then realize I’ve kind of admitted that I already like Evan and Robert.
Evan chuckles. “Even Hunter. On the surface he’s an arrogant, entitled ass, but underneath, he has a heart of gold.”
“Yeah. That part is buried down deep right now.”
We’re close to my apartment, and I start mentally noting what I need to collect. Will Evan come up or wait in the car? Do I want him to come into my home?
He parks outside and turns to me. “You want some help?” The fact that he’s asked is a good sign and demonstrates that he’s not automatically overstepping. If it was Hunter, he’d be out the door already, assuming I need his help. I like Evan’s approach. He has the same kind of respectful attitude as Robert.
Unlocking the door to my home feels strange. I’ve only been gone for half a day, but there’s the same unfamiliar feeling to it as after a two-week vacation. Evan follows me inside, and I watch him gazing around out of the corner of my eye. My home is eclectic for sure. Lots of old furniture teamed with bright modern art and white walls. I love it, and it’s certainly different from the Bjorns’ ancestral mansion.
“I’ll just be a few minutes,” I say.
In my bedroom, I grab my small suitcase and pack jeans, sweaters, underwear, and nightwear. It’s hard to predict what I’m going to need, so I pack what I’d wear if I were going on a weekend break, minus the little black dress. We’re not going to be going out for dinner under the circumstances. As I’m packing, my mind whirs over my situation. Evan’s close but I have a moment alone and in my space. The blank notepad on my nightstand blinks bright and white. I grab for the pen, writing a quick note about where I am, my eyes constantly flicking to the doorway. When I’m done, I stuff it into the drawer, leaving it like the breadcrumbs Hansel and Gretel scattered in the forest. If something happens to me, maybe someone will find it.