Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22648 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22648 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Relief floods my entire body as I put my hand against the truck and take a deep breath.
“What flavor do you want?” she asks, caught up in the excitement of the snowcones. “They’ve got thirty-seven. Apple, banana, coconut…”
As she lists off flavors, I calm down and tell myself to relax. This is a safe place, nobody knows where we are, and I’m not going to let anything happen to her. She’s happy, vibrant even, and I’m not going to tell her about my scare and ruin her day.
But that prickling on the back of my neck doesn't go away.
Chapter Nine
ABBIE
My cheeks hurt from how much I smiled today. I can’t recall the last time I had this much fun. I never realized how much I was missing the simple things in life until someone tried to take them away from me.
“Are you okay?” Spencer sits down on the porch swing next to me, and I peek over at him, fighting a blush.
He’s always watching me, and I find it really sweet. Some people tend to roll their eyes at me, but not Spencer. He’s either smiling or there’s a softness around his eyes, showing me that his affection is genuine.
“You know, I’ve always been a city girl.”
He nods, his brows pulling together slightly. “You don't like it out here?”
I shake my head but then nudge him with my shoulder. “Actually, I love it. I guess it goes to show me that I shouldn’t knock it until I try it.” I didn’t think I would enjoy being out here as much as I have.
“Maybe so,” he says with a grin. “It’s nice to come out here to get some fresh air.”
“It really is. Thank you for this.” My sigh is contented as I relax into the swing. “I needed it.”
“Don’t thank me. I needed it too.” Spencer reaches out, taking my hand and giving it a squeeze.
I’m so comfortable around him in such a short amount of time. I don’t know this man, or I shouldn’t, but I feel as though I do. So much so that I shared a bed with him, and it was me that ended up climbing his body.
“Well, anytime you need to get away, I’m down,” I say and wink at him.
“Good. I want to show you something.”
“Oh, a surprise?” I tease.
“Kinda.” He tugs my hand as he stands, and I follow him back into the house.
“I was teasing, but just so you know, I love surprises.” I know that some people hate them, but I am definitely not in that category.
“Good, because I love watching your face light up when you’re excited.” I stop walking, causing him to pause with me. “What?”
“That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
“What?” His expression turns to one of confusion. “How the hell can that be?” His question only makes it that much more endearing.
“I can be annoying when I get excited. I clap or do a silly dance or I might even squeal.” I try to wave it off like it’s no big deal.
“Bullshit,” Spencer blurts out without hesitation. “Whoever told you that is full of shit.”
“You think?”
“I know.” He steps closer, his free hand cupping my cheek. “You have to be a really shitty person to knock something that makes a person happy. Especially when it’s something that doesn’t affect you.”
The more his words sink in, the more I realize he’s right. I never thought of it that way, but I wouldn’t ever put someone down for being happy or enjoying something.
“You’re right,” I admit, needing to say it out loud.
“That’s why they pay me the big bucks.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me, and I snort a laugh. “Come on.” Spencer leads me down the hallway toward the empty room he showed me before.
Only this time when he pushes the door open, it’s not empty. Since he helped pack up all the supplies I wanted to bring with us, he knew which bags they were in. Those items are now out and spread across the room on a couple of tables. He’s even moved two chairs in here.
“How?” My hand goes to my mouth in surprise as I stare in wonder. Okay, my shower wasn’t that long. When the heck did he have time to do this?
“I had a few things in the garage that worked. Then all I had to do was make a call to a local place to get the rest.”
The smile on Spencer’s face is so big that telling him he shouldn’t have done this is pushed right out of my mind. In fact, I let excitement bubble up and throw myself at him.
Spencer catches me, and I feel his arms lift me in the process. Without hesitation, I press my mouth to his, and he stiffens for a second. My body reacted before I could stop myself and realize I shouldn’t have done it. As soon as I begin to pull back, Spencer grips me tighter and kisses me back.