Page 15 of Shade
“Oh, sorry. I forgot you can’t read.”
“I can read.” He rips the book back out of my hand. “I just don’t see the point in readingthatshit.”
“Well, you should.” My eyes drift intentionally south. “It might help you.”
“Oh please, woman.” He gives me a look of smugness. One he’s perfected well. “I don’t need any help in that department.Youshould know.”
He’s right. I do know that sleeping with Tom Chase offered me no complaints. Let’s just say he can fuck better than he sings and that’s saying a lot considering he’s pretty fucking good on the mic. Still, he’s no Shade Sawyer, and I bet you a million bucks Shade’s better in bed. I don’t have a million bucks, never will, so before you start making bets with me, you should know that going into it.
Flipping through the first couple pages of the book, the corners of his mouth lift in amusement. “I want your wanton little noises?” His voice is a low growl, attempting to be seductive. His eyes move from the book to mine. “What the fuck is this shit?”
“I didn’t say it was mind-blowing,” I point out with a grin. “I just think you should read it.”
He flips through a few more pages and then raises an eyebrow. “What’s mewl?”
“Did you graduate high school?”
Want to know the scary part? Tom thinks about his answer. His stares at me with the most perplexed look on his face. His brows crease into deep lines and his mouth downturns in a frown. “Yes.”
I fight the urge to say, yeah right. I’m sure he did, but I doubt it was with honors or anything. “It means to cry, Tom. Now I really think you should read the book.”
The break room door swings open to our left and in walks Mila, her eyes intent on mine.
In a panic, I reach over and punch Tom in the stomach.
He coughs and leans forward, pushing out a breath. “Why’d you do that?”
“Give that to Judah, from Mila.” I wasn’t sure what else to do. I know Mila talked to Izzy this morning and I know Izzy blabbed that I told her about the firefighter Mila fucked the other night.
Tom studies my face. “I’m not Judah.”
“You’re the closest thing to him.”
Rolling up the sleeves of his gray shirt, Tom shakes his head at me and moves away about a foot. “Whatever.”
With determination in her eyes, Mila slaps me on the shoulder. “Why’d you tell Izzy about the other night?”
It’s a natural reaction to being accused of gossiping when you clearly have been. My eyes widen despite my attempt at not reacting. It’s like a wide-narrowed look. Now it just looks like I might have to fart and I’m scared it’s going to sneak out. “I forgot it was a secret.”
“Damn it, Scar. You know I’m scared of Izzy, and now she’s lecturing me on what I should and shouldn’t do.”
She’s scared of Izzy? I’m terrified of her.
I toss my pretzel bag in the garbage beside the couch. “Well stop confiding in her, and she won’t feel the need to counsel you.”
Luckily for me, her phone starts ringing and her attention diverts.
Being the general manager of the hotel, my best friend is stretched thin most days and usually forgets my short comings, like blabbing everything she tells me to our other friend, Izzy Bizzy. It’s not that I don’t value my friendship with Mila, I do. I love her like a sister, but sometimes I talk to Izzy about her. All girls do it. If you say you don’t, you’re fucking lying.
“Just don’t tell her anything.” Her pretty blue eyes move to her phone. “If I want her to know, I will.”
I reach for my apron on the back of the couch and tie it around my waist. “Fine, I won’t.” I smile, attempting to crack her with my personality. She loves me and always forgives me. “What time does Shade check in tomorrow?”
“No idea. He never gives a time.”
She’s right. He can’t ever give a time of check in because if people knew when he was coming to town, the hotel lobby would be filled with screaming girls and paparazzi.
This time I might just be one of those screaming girls.
