Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93785 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93785 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Astrid smiles. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”
“Really?” I ask, laughing. “Because I am.”
“No. You’ve found your niche, and anyone with eyeballs can see that you’re perfect for this,” Astrid says. “Who are you running against?”
I take a breath and lick my lips. “It’s apparently between me and Sports Take with Drake Bennett.”
An amused grin slips across my cheeks. Even the man’s name is a vibe, leaving a taste on my tongue after it passes my lips. It’s too bad that he isn’t my type.
Astrid leans forward, her eyes crinkling in the corners. “Drake Bennett, huh? Gray listens to his podcast all the time. He says that Drake’s the only sports guy worth listening to because he really knows his stuff.”
“I will never tell Drake that,” I say, laughing.
“Why?” Audrey slices her chicken breast. “That’s a nice thing. He’d probably like to hear it.”
“Of course, he would, which is precisely why I won’t tell him.” I shrug, dusting a strand of hair off my shoulder. “He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t need his ego stroked, okay? He’s hot as hell. I think his show is the most popular sports podcast in the world—if not, it’s close. And he’s also a reasonably nice guy.” I lift a brow before taking a sip of my drink to cool myself down. “See what I mean?”
“Oh, I see what you’re saying,” Astrid says, grinning.
Audrey giggles. “Me, too. Is he your next victim?”
“Absolutely not.” I shove a forkful of salmon into my mouth. “And I can’t decide whether I’m offended by your use of the word victim to describe the men I sleep with, or if I’m proud of it.”
Astrid sets her fork down and lifts her glass, swaying it back and forth in the air. The smugness of her grin piques my interest.
“What?” I ask.
“Why did you say absolutely not in response to Audrey’s question? He seems right up your alley.”
I snort. “Of course, he’s right up my alley. I can’t imagine a female who wouldn’t want him up their alley.” Turning to Audrey, I wink. “That was a euphemism in case you didn’t catch on.”
“Believe it or not, I do get them sometimes,” she says, shaking her head.
Our laughter floats through the air, attracting glances and smiles from patrons nearby. A woman not far from us lifts a glass in a toast. To what? I don’t know. Maybe she’s just acknowledging our friendship. But I respect the sentiment and lift mine back to her.
Kim drops by to check on our table, and I use the opportunity to segue our conversation from Drake to Kim’s new puppy because the last thing I want to delve into tonight is my coworker. While delving into him would undoubtedly be a memorable experience, it’s also undoubtedly even better in my head.
And that’s where it’ll stay.
CHAPTER
FOUR
Drake
The back door springs stretch, pinging like metal does when it’s old and begging to break. I can’t remember a time when they didn’t sound like this. I’ve offered to replace the door many times, but every time, the offer is quickly refused.
“Mom,” I call out. I step across the threshold and breathe in the scent of freshly baked blueberry muffins. “It’s me.”
I listen for her to shout back or for her footsteps against the hardwood, but the only thing I hear is a sports show Dad has on in the living room. Despite the pang in my chest, I smile.
Mom and I have always been close. My sisters were Daddy’s girls, which meant that my mom and I formed a special bond. Still, up until just a few years ago, Dad would be the one meeting me at the door. He wanted to hear all about my life, fascinated by a world he had always dreamed of living in, but married too young and had kids too soon to see if he could make it as a pro athlete. My sisters were his pride and joy, but I was the one who carried his dreams across the goal line.
I know he’s proud of me, even on the days he doesn’t remember who I am.
“Hey, you,” Mom says, taking me by surprise. Her blue eyes, the same color as mine, brighten as they settle on me. “I didn’t think you were coming today.”
I pull her into a hug, letting her hold on to me for a few extra seconds. “I was going to stay home and get some work done, but your daughters called me last night.” I pause to roll my eyes for effect. “They told me they were coming here this evening, and I couldn’t let those two heathens win any favoritism points.”
Her laughter is as breezy as it gets these days. “My daughters? You mean your sisters?”
“I prefer to think of them as your daughters, but yes. Elodie and Evie. Your spawn.” I widen my eyes before I laugh, too. “What time are they supposed to be here?”