Thought another excerpt was in order. Be sure to head over to the Coffee Time contest page. There are a lot of good books up for grabs and the game is fun!
Here's a little know fact: the cover artist, Caroline Andrus, cover couldn't find anything suitable for the time period so I sent her some of my private stash of family pictures. She chose one of my mom and dad. Pretty cool, huh?
“Hello, Benjamin.” I smiled, flipping the hair from my neck.
“Hey, Hollywood.” He nodded. I swore he said it seriously this time, not teasingly like a couple of days ago. My dinner churned in my stomach. His gaze was steady, creating a roadblock between my mind and mouth until Paulie tugged on my arm.
“Let’s get a cola.”
I ignored her directive, looking to Laura for a reason to stay in breathing distance of Benjamin. “Why, Laura, your dress looks quite stunning. I do think brown is your color.” I spoke to my friend, keeping my face slanted toward Benjamin, obsessively avoiding giving him a profile view.
“Uh, thanks. Your blue dress is…lovely.”
I tipped my chin in acknowledgement of Laura’s attempt to match my mature manner.
“It looks great with your hair.” She ended on a high note, pleased with her social banter.
Paulie elbowed me as she rolled her eyes. “`Scuse us, Ben.” She shook her head, giving Laura a nudge. “Let’s go get a cola, you guys.”
“You two go ahead.” I waved them off. “I’ll join you in a moment.”
“What do you mean you’ll join us in a moment?” Paulie set her hands to her hips.
I whirled around, facing her. “I have something to discuss with Benjamin. Go get colas and bring me back one.” I kept my voice low, dismissive.
Paulie clutched Laura’s elbow. “Oh, for Pete’s sake, let’s go. Claire wants to shoot the breeze with my brother.”
Clasping my hands behind me, I studied the toes of my oxfords for a moment before looking at Benjamin. When I did look into his face, he smiled as if he might say something.
“What?” I asked.
“I was thinking.” His glance skimmed me briefly from head to toe. “You do look nice in blue.”
I caught my breath, his assessment a visual caress. Shaking tresses of curls from my face and blinking to regain my composure, I managed a reply. “Why, thank you, Benjamin.” I dipped my chin, peering into his dark lashed blue eyes.
He nodded his head and took a drink from his beer. His other hand was casually tucked into his jean pocket, and he stood with one leg crossed over his ankle. I let my gaze wander along his arm, watching the muscle flex below the roll of his shirtsleeve as he brought the bottle to his lips. Struggling to breathe in a normal fashion, the rate of my heart was anything but normal. Could he hear my heart, see the heat flaring across my chest and neck?
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