A Beat in Time by Sandrine Gasq-Dion Read Free Book Online

yeah, we have one.”
    “God, you sounded so snotty just then.” I eyed him sideways.
    “Well, big time author comes here, I have to point out all the good stuff about Flagstaff.”
    “I’m looking at something right now.”
    Jensen glanced at me quickly and I gave him a smile.
    “Oh, I have to take you to the park. They always have these great revivals and shit.”
    The park was huge and Jensen found a parking spot way in the back. We walked towards a large grassy area with what seemed like hundreds of people sitting around on blankets. Music floated on the wind and I caught sight of a stage with guys rocking out. Jensen took my hand and I swear to God my heart almost blew out of my chest. I looked at our hands, and Jensen threaded his fingers in mine. I stared straight ahead, trying not to let my emotions get the better of me. We’d held hands a thousand times when we were dating, but this? I knew a lot of women would be analyzing the shit out of this right now, but my only thought was what the fuck? Jensen pulled me down and we sat cross-legged with a few other people. Jensen placed his hands on his knees, closing his eyes.
    “Sit in the lotus position,” he whispered to me.
    I did as he asked and placed my hands on my knees as if I were meditating.
    “What are we doing?” I whispered back.
    “Praying.”
    Seriously? I mean, I was Catholic, but I didn’t go to church. I didn’t ask God for much, either. I was sure he was a busy man. I closed my eyes and tried to think of what I would pray for. Maybe the health of my family. I was in good shape, so anything I would ask for would be for someone else. Jensen chuckled softly beside me and I cracked open one eye. He was smiling at me.
    “What?” I narrow my gaze at him.
    “Really? Did I ever strike you as the praying type?”
    “Jensen Pratt!” I hissed.
    Jensen got up and ran across the grass, I was close on his heels though, and I tackled him. He fell with me on top of him and both of us were in hysterics.
    “You should have played football instead of doing gymnastics.” Jensen teased, lifting a piece of hair from my face and tucking it behind my ear. His fingers grazed my jawline.
    “You really haven’t changed a bit, Serena,” he said, softly.
    “I did. You just don’t see it.”
    “I see that you’re still out of my league.”
    “What does that mean?” I lifted off of him and searched his eyes.
    “Nothing. Come on.”
     
    We walked around the park and headed towards the stage area. A band was setting up and Jensen stopped to watch. They all had long hair with tie-died shirts on. I watched in awe as they tuned their instruments, knocking out a few riffs here and there. I picked up on the beginnings of a Pink Floyd song and turned to Jensen. The mic reverberated around the park as the lead singer spoke.
    “We’re going to warm up with some Pink Floyd,” he said.
    “You must like this band.”
    “I do. Come on, let’s dance.”
    I was about to protest that no one else was dancing, when I noticed that a few couples had walked out to the front of the stage and actually were. Jensen pulled me into his arms as “Is There Anybody Out There” began to stream out of the instruments and across the park.
    Jensen’s hand slid down to my lower back and he pulled me close. I wrapped my arms around him and settled in the nape of his neck. The music changed to “Hey You” and Jensen pulled me closer. I knew he’d always loved Pink Floyd, I never knew I’d be dancing to it. Well, moving around in slow circles. Jensen nuzzled my cheek and I pulled back a bit. Our eyes met and I searched his.
    “We should go,” he said.
    We went out for ice cream and then Jensen took me to the secondhand store. I perused the aisles as Jensen looked through old vinyl records. I stopped as a Guinness print caught my eye. The matting was a lime green and the frame was black, the picture inside was all in Gaelic. I had to have it.
    “See something you like?” Jensen