Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 48685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
I hope it’s not too fitted, I think self-consciously.
I glance at the time. Oops, 6:15.
Quickly, I cross the hallway to my bathroom and rummage around for my perfume.
I can’t believe that Matt paid for the whole dinner tonight, I muse as I move around old nail polish and sample face washes in my search. That’s so generous of him, but I bet all he had to do was flash that smile and they gave him a major discount. He’s that good-looking. Quickly, I tamp down my thoughts. This is your future father-in-law! I scold myself. Don’t think these things.
Blushing, I find my perfume and start applying it.
Yeah, but Matt Harrison is total eye candy.
I stop mid-spritz. Stop, Cora. Really, just stop.
I shake my head.
Well, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, physically at least. With piercing, bright blue eyes, jet-black hair, and bodies like lumberjacks, Matt Harrison and his son Marky look more like brothers instead of father and son, except that Marky is slightly shorter and smaller, giving the older Mr. Harrison a strapping, powerful vibe.
Cora, stop! That’s your almost-father-in-law. What is wrong with you? I blush at my unbidden thoughts.
“It’s okay to think he’s attractive,” I murmur to myself out loud. “You’re just getting a glimpse of what Marky is going to look like in twenty years.” I grin at the thought and finish spraying on my perfume.
Then again, at twenty-five, Marky is hot. We went to high school together and while we didn’t really frequent the same circles back then – he was the typical jock while I lived in the library – all the girls knew that the star quarterback was the crush to have.
“And now he gets to be mine!” I say to myself. So why aren’t I more happy? Then, I shoot a glance at the clock. Crap. “6:23. I’m officially going to be late to my own engagement party.”
With a final glance in the mirror, I dash downstairs, grab my keys and peacoat, and climb into my old hatchback. It’s not much, but this car has gotten me from point A to B since high school. Besides, buying a new car is out of the question until things pick up at the bookstore.
My little store, Hearts and Heroes, specializes in promoting and selling romance novels, and I’ve put in a ton of hours to make it a thriving business. And my efforts have been paying off, if a little slowly. We get customers, but so far, most people are browsing instead of buying.
It helps that just a few months ago, I moved in with my mom and dad to save money on rent and bills. It feels a little childish to live at home again at my age. But like the amazing parents they are, they were thrilled to have me, and honestly, I needed to cut corners any place I could to keep my new business afloat.
Getting into the car, I pause. Like the obedient daughter that I am, I send my mom a quick message to let her know I’m headed to the party. Then, I rev the hatchback and pull out onto the street.
It’s not a long drive from my parents’ house to Frankie’s, but it’s a pretty one. Our little town of Blue Mountain is starting to bud with early spring flowers that hang from nesting baskets on the light posts. Nestled as it is in the shadows of the Appalachian Mountains, our town gets a lot of tourists during hiking season and a lot of snow otherwise.
But for now, it’s a warm evening and even in my sleeveless dress and light jacket, I’m cozy and excited at the promise of the approaching warmer months. The soft yellow and pink sunset only reinforces my good mood, and I take its sweetness as an omen for all the good things heading my way, starting with this little celebration tonight.
I pull into Frankie’s and park my car. I’ve always felt slightly out of place at fancy restaurants, but this is my engagement dinner, I remind myself. It should be at a fancy place. I square my shoulders and climb out of the hatchback.
Okay, big breath. Lots of people to greet.
As I walk to the restaurant, the door flies open to reveal my mom, looking matronly in a light pink dress edged in lace.
“There’s my little bride to be!”
“Hi Mom. You look so pretty!” I go to her quickly and hug her tightly. “How’s my dress? I’m afraid I look like a blue whale.” I fiddle with the straps of the deep blue number, unsure how the fitted dress looks against my full curves.
“Sweetie, are you kidding? You look so beautiful.” My mom’s eyes start to mist. “And velvet? What a fun choice.” She kisses me on the cheek and dabs at her eyes.