Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
"I love the blush, Claire," he says as he pulls out onto the main street. "But you shouldn't be embarrassed for being turned on right now. I'm a pretty sexy guy."
"Self-esteem is great, too," I tell him.
He winks at me when I look over at him, and I vow to not think about any of the negatives in my life as he carries me across town to pick up Larkin. I'll have plenty of time for that once I'm alone and unable to fall asleep later. There's no sense in ruining this time with him when there's nothing I can do about any of it right now.
He holds my hand all the way to Madison's house, and I don't bother to ask him to wait in the truck when we get there like I did with Nora this morning. Chase is his friend, and it would be awkward if he stayed out here.
He keeps an inch or two of distance after he opens my door for me, and I can tell it takes a lot of restraint on his part.
Chase opens the door for us with a wide smile on his face after Walker knocks, welcoming us inside.
"They're in the playroom," Chase says when I walk past him.
Walker stays back, chatting with his friend when I go in search of Larkin as if I know where the playroom is.
"Momma!" Larkin screams from the second floor.
"Be careful," Madison urges when Larkin looks like she's going to fly down the stairs to me.
My sweet little girl slows her feet to stay safe, but her smile grows and grows with every step.
She's always happy to see me, but there's an excitement in her eyes when she clears the stairs and runs up to me.
"Nanpup puked on Cole, and then Cole puked!"
Madison looks green with disgust when I look up at her in horror. Puke is the absolute worst.
"He ate a roll of toilet paper. I called the clinic and they said he'd be fine."
"Geez," I tell her. "Rough day?"
She shakes her head. "Not really. Cole just has one of those stomachs. He can hear someone making a gagging noise and it sets him off. I don't mean to rush you off. We can chat a little more tomorrow when you pick her up, but we have an event we have to get ready for," she says in a way that makes me feel like a friend that she can be straightforward with rather than someone she feels like would get upset if she told the truth.
"Oh, sorry! Let me get out of here. You’re sure you're fine with keeping her? We haven't even discussed prices yet."
"Go home," Madison says, waving me off. "I would ask that tomorrow you bring her some trolls. She's rather disappointed that she didn't have any today."
"Of course," I tell her. "Have a good evening.
Walker watches me, his conversation with Chase never stalling as I walk toward him.
"Walkey!" Larkin screams at the top of her lungs as she runs across the foyer to stand in front of him.
She tells him the same thing about Nanuk and Cole, laughing even harder at the disgusted face he makes.
"Let's go, troublemaker," I say as I approach her.
Walker stands to the side, watching me get Larkin in her car seat as if he's studying for a test I'm going to make him take at a later date.
He waits until I'm done and in the truck before closing my door and walking around the front of the truck.
The entire drive back is Larkin talking animatedly about her day and how much she loves it there. It makes me feel a lot better about my decision. I don't think she had a bad time at Nora's house, but Nora doesn't have kids her age or a dog that licks her face.
Walker pulls up to the spot designated for my duplex, and it only takes half a breath for me to realize the difference.
"Someone put a wreath on my door," I say, unclipping my seatbelt but making no move to get out of the truck.
It's not one of those cheap wreaths you'd get from a big box store that leaves little fake pine needles everywhere. This one is made from that pretty mesh material, and it sparkles in the low light from the setting sun.
"Weird," he says before climbing out of the truck and making his way around to my side.
It's the strange look on his face that's a mix of excitement and apprehension that makes me narrow my eyes at him.
I climb out of the truck, taking his offered hand to make sure I don't face-plant at his feet.
I step around him when he opens Larkin's door and helps her out.
She makes a beeline to the front door, making “oh” and “aw” sounds at the way the pretty thing sparkles.