Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
I jumped out of the truck and slowed my steps, wondering for the first time all day what exactly I was going to say during this little coffee date. I pulled out my phone, swiping through the screens, eager for any sort of distraction as my brain tried to convince me to turn and get the hell out of there.
But my heart pushed me—or more accurately, her hold on it pushed me —forward.
I puffed out a giant breath, about to step across the street, when the front door pushed open, breeze catching her ponytail before she locked eyes on me.
“Hey.” She waved halfheartedly, something close to regret seeming to overtake her features. Christ, I probably should have turned around. Just the fact that I was drawn to a girl prone to crying in dark parking lots probably meant she carried some baggage, but call me crazy, I was still interested. “Evenin’,” was all I said.
Her eyes brimmed with emotion, jaw clenched tightly before she opened the door again, backing up the way she’d come. “So, I guess you want coffee?”
I laughed, not sure what else to do.
“What I’d really like is a few shots of Jack to calm these damn nerves.”
“You? Nervous?” She looked back in disbelief.
I moved closer, following her back into the coffee shop. It was empty. Everyone else had already gone home, and the closed sign was already flipped. Guess it was good I’d left early. A minute later, and I would have missed her altogether.
“Truth? I’m nervous as fuck—and not over the coffee.”
Her eyes hung on me, weighted with meaning.
“Why?”
I paused, realizing this was the reason I didn’t do this. This “getting to know someone” thing was just about torture. Life was better when I was the boss and no one around me ever asked why.
“Because…” I hovered at the door, eyes searching the small room before finally landing on hers. “Because I haven’t dated anyone in ten years.”
She stifled a small laugh, eyes turning up as my most heart-wrenching dating moment up to now lightened the mood.
I chuckled with her, trying to put on the best charming smile I could muster. “I just haven’t met anyone fascinating enough.”
“I’m pretty fascinating,” she said as she smiled, a really radiant smile. I felt like I’d been blinded.
I shrugged, glad that she seemed a little more comfortable now that I was basically a non-threat. If that’s what it took to make her smile like that, I’d shame myself in front of her every day.
Her eyes brimmed with amusement before she gnawed on her bottom lip. “Truth: if I have to smell espresso beans for another minute, I might barf all over those fancy shoes of yours. Maybe a short walk around the block instead?”
A walk. Or something. “I’m game for either of those things.”
I swung the door wide for her, and she breezed by me, her soft vanilla scent mixed with coffee beans and hope. Anticipation ran red hot through my system.
She pulled out her phone, tapping out a quick message before her eyes met mine. “I guess I should ask, who exactly am I going on a walk, or something, with?”
I grinned, not wanting to be too forward and ask the same but dying to know her name.
“Name’s Arkin Broderick, founder and head foreman of Wilkins and Broderick Pile Driving and Construction.”
Her grin deepened. “For real? You’re a pile driver?”
I shrugged. “Most people prefer construction worker, but master pile driver fits the bill.”
“That’s not a joke, is it?”
“Nope.” I grinned, enjoying the idea that she had a sense of humor once she warmed up. “You can look it up, send the link to my website to your friend if you’d like. I’m a man easily found. If I haven’t proven it yet, you’re safe with me…” I trailed off, still waiting for her name.
She tipped her head, orange and pink splashes of evening sunshine sparkling off her hair and in her eyes like diamonds.
I stepped closer, eager to close a little more of the distance between us. “If you don't mind, I'd like to know who I’m about to take this walk, or something, with.”
Her smile faded, worry lacing her features and making my heart fall in a thud at my feet. “Daphne.”
She bent her head, tapping out the rest of her message on her phone before hitting Send and shoving it into her purse. “Now I’m all yours, Arkin Broderick, Master Pile Driver.” Her dazzling smile returned as she teased, “Just don’t make me regret those words.”
C H A P T E R F O U R
Daphne
Arkin was kind.
That was the first thing I’d ever noticed about him, and it threw me off
balance.
This man was nothing like the guys who showed up at the bar. He was
thoughtful, polite, and had a self-deprecating sense of humor, which I found