During one of the lulls, I opened up Facebook on the computer to update our business page. I scrolled through the newsfeed, catching up on local news, and stilled when I read the headline of a local newspaper.
The Forgotten Floundersshow in Edmonton this Saturday is cancelled! Lead singer and guitarist Calum Jacobs unable to attend due to a family emergency. Fans can expect a full refund, along with the bands sincerest apologizes and a promise to make it up with an additional show on their next tour.
At some point, while I read, I’d moved my hand to rest on my collarbone. I pressed my fist against my chest, trying to calm the roar of emotions thrashing throughout me. I hadn’t realized he had a show on Saturday, I’d been too stunned by seeing him again, and he hadn’t mentioned it when I invited him over for dinner.
Instead of leaving, Calum had cancelled one of his shows. The gravity of that action wasn’t lost on me.
“Ms. Morrison…are you okay?” I jumped at Shelly’s voice, startled by her sudden appearance behind the counter.
“Yes,” I replied, quickly exiting the browser and fixing a smile on my face. “How did your appointment go?”
“Awesome,” Shelly grinned widely, pointing to her mouth. “I got my braces off!”
“That’s great!” The tension was still set deeply in my shoulders, but my smile grew more genuine.
“I’m so glad I don’t have to do college orientation with braces,” she grinned, doing a little wiggle of excitement.
“You would have slayed it with braces too,” I scolded gently.
“That’s true…” she trailed off, shrugging out of her jacket. She stole a glance at me, her nose wrinkling a little. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“YouknowCalum Jacobs? For real?”
“Yes.” My smile slipped a little, but Shelly didn’t seem to notice.
“That’s so cool! I love The Forgotten Flounders! I even have a few posters in my room,” she laughed, her cheeks flushing with mild embarrassment. “How did you meet him?”
“We went to high school together,” I answered, avoiding meeting Shelly’s interested eyes. I didn’t want to announce that he was Asher’s father just yet, although I was sure it would eventually get out. I just hope it didn’t leak before Calum and Asher had a chance to spend time together. Even the mere thought that it might made me feel sick with unease.
“That’s awesome! Do you think I could get him to sign something or take a picture with me?” she pleaded, her eyes bright with excitement.
“I’m sure he’d be happy to do that if you asked him,” I replied, working to keep my smile in place.
“Okay! I think I will,” Shelly chirped, her grin spreading.
“All right. I need to go order more bags and restock the new releases.” To lessen our carbon footprint, we ordered bulk cream tote bags in three different sizes in place of plastic ones. Our shop emblem was stamped on it, and customers loved that they could reuse the bags. Most of our regularsdidreuse their bags, but I still had to put in the occasional order. “I’m leaving you in charge of the front. Shout if you need me.”
It took every ounce of self-control to make it to the office without letting my smile slip.
Calum
July 10th, 2008
Harper bit down on her bottom lip, almost shyly, and stole a glance at me through her thick lashes from the passenger seat of my Jeep Cherokee, watching as I parked against the curb in front of her house and killed the ignition.
“Thanks for today, I had a lot of fun,” she said, shifting so that she was facing me. A few long tresses of hair had escaped from her braid. Her cheeks were flushed and growing pinker as my appreciative gaze lingered. I wanted to kiss her again and never stop.
“I had a lot of fun, too.” Grinning, I moved closer to her and brought my hand up to cup her face. She leaned in with welcome, her eyes darkening. My attention dropped to her lips—pouty and slightly parted.
I moved in, my lips brushing against hers cautiously. I’d never taken so much pleasure from kissing before; nor had the act alone turned me on so much. Even now, our lips had barely made contact and I was already straining against the zipper of my board shorts.
So, I kept it gentle, refraining from pillaging her mouth like I wanted to. I kissed her softly, sliding my tongue against hers in slow strokes that she matched, igniting me.
Reluctantly, I pulled back, flashing her a grin when her eyes fluttered open half a second later. I moved my hand to tuck a long, tangled strand of hair behind her ear. “Let me take you out for dinner tomorrow night.”
“Yeah, okay,” she nodded, and I dropped my arm completely away from her. If she didn’t leave soon, I’d end up kissing her again—and I was pretty sure I’d end up embarrassing the hell out of myself if this heated exchange continued.
