Be Sweet by Diann Hunt Read Free Book Online

struggling to inch my way past him. He takes a side step. We’re caught in this face-to-face, trying-to-get-around-each-other thing. It feels as though someone is trying to beat her way out of my chest, and if Russ stands any closer, she’ll clobber him. The smell of his woodsy cologne makes me want to set up camp. And I can’t stop staring at those rippling biceps. Boy, he must work with some pretty heavy teeth.
    â€œYou leaving?” His words are so close, his fresh breath grazes my face. Somebody gulps out loud, and I think it’s me.
    â€œI haven’t seen Mom and Dad yet.” If only I had some gum. It’s one of those Dentyne moments where you’re caught off guard. Speaking of guard, I sure hope my deodorant is working. A facial blotter would come in handy right about now too. “Just got here a little while ago and thought I’d better head over and see them.”
    A flicker of disappointment flashes in his eyes and my heart somer-saults.
    â€œIt’s been thirty years, and I only get an ‘I’m afraid my geometry days are over’?” Though the sparkle is still in place, his eyes droop.
    I just stand there smiling with teeth that are three months overdue for their semiannual cleaning. My feet have deserted me, I’m sure of it. I want to check, but if I look down, my head will thump against his chest, and we could be wedged between the door frame for life. I con-sider it, but only for a moment.
    â€œWill you be back soon?” he asks, with a definite “I hope so” look on his face.
    â€œProbably not tonight,” I say apologetically. My heart is drumming so hard, I could give Ringo a run for his money.
    We stand there another second or two, though it seems a millennium. “Um, well, I guess I’d better go.” I edge past him.
    â€œMaybe I’ll see you around. I live in Tappery now, you know.”
    â€œYeah, I heard that,” I call over my shoulder. “See ya.” I wave, then dash to my car. By the time I settle into my leather seat, my mutinous heart is beating ten times its normal rhythm. It has to be the thyroid meds. Yeah, that’s it. I’ll have it checked when I get home.
    My fingers fumble with the keys, then I stick them into the ignition and, with a flick of the wrist, start the engine.
    â€œDeep breaths, Char. Deep breaths.” Breathe in and out, slow breaths. Inhale, one, two, three, four; exhale, one, two, three—
    A tap sounds at my window, and I scream. Once my heart kicks back into its natural beat, I reach for the button and roll down the glass.
    â€œSorry, didn’t mean to scare you. Just wanted to make sure you were okay.” Russ’s face is too close again. For a fleeting moment I’m tempted to grab him by the neck and drag him into the car, caveman-style.
    â€œI’m fine,” I say, sounding like Snow White sucking helium.
    â€œAll right. You were just out here awhile, and I wondered if some-thing was wrong.”
    â€œOh, uh, well, I was, uh, looking for something in my purse.” That was the best line I could come up with? My entire vocabulary leaves me with one glance into his eyes.
    He hesitates. “Sure you won’t stay?”
    My brain screams yes, but Mom’s stern face comes into my mind, and I hear myself say, “I’m sorry, I had better not stay tonight.”
    He nods. “See you later.” He gives the top of the car a quick pat.
    I smile, roll up my window, and peel rubber, no doubt flipping pebbles and twigs upon Russ’s pants legs as I go. Who am I kidding? I could have kicked up a boulder the way I peeled out.
    My emotions are out of control. I’ve probably been watching too many romantic movies lately. It’s unnerving, that’s what it is. The last thing I need is a romantic complication in my life. Okay, so he’s handsome. Those kind of guys are a dime a dozen. I married one, and look where that got