“So it’s just you and me then?” - Life In The No Dating Zone by Patricia B. Tighe

Happy Release Day!

Description:

After surviving her parents' relationship drama when her older sister elopes, Claire Gardner vows not to date during high school. Now, three years later, Claire is thrust into new relationship drama--her two best friends have boyfriends. Which means Claire is spending more and more time alone. And she's more than a little peeved.

Enter Gray Langley. His year-long crush on Claire's friend Lindsey has made him desperate enough to ask Claire for help. Hesitant at first, Claire agrees--anything to get rid of Lindsey's current evil boyfriend. But as Claire and Gray plot together, an attraction develops, and now she must decide if being with Gray is worth the pain that will come from confronting her parents with the reasons for her vow.

EXCERPT

It would take about twenty steps to get there. Twenty normal steps—no lunges or anything—and I’d be standing beside Lindsey Taylor’s group in the middle of the lawn. It was the perfect opportunity. No sign of her boyfriend, Adam Castro, and only a couple of guys to compete with. And Mike and Parker were complete tools. There shouldn’t be anything stopping me.

Except the fact that I hadn’t had a real conversation with Lindsey since seventh grade. That, and an up-close look at her in that pink bikini might make me turn purple. I cursed under my breath. Why did I have to suck at this? Lindsey and Claire were some of the nicest girls in school. It’s not like they’d tell me to get lost. I could just sit down and join the conversation.

I probably wouldn’t even have to say much. There was a lot of noise over there with the football players throwing themselves off the diving board and the girls cheering. I could become one of Lindsey’s group. And then someday, when Castro did something stupid and she dumped him, I’d be there to console her. Right. Me and about ten other guys.

Tool #1 Parker jumped up from where he’d been sitting beside Lindsey, and after a short conversation, jogged toward the patio where I was holding up the wall of the house. Now there was only one guy. I should go now. Right now.

The sliding glass door to the patio opened and dumped out Amy Acton and that girl whose name I could never remember. They edged over to the tables of snacks. Parker arrived and, after rifling through an ice chest, pulled out a bottle of tea. He then started messing with the other coolers. Lift. Slam. Lift. Slam. What the heck was he looking for?

I grabbed a handful of potato chips so I wouldn’t look like I was hovering, then went back to leaning against the house. I sensed the snacking girls staring, but ignored them. Instead, I concentrated on Lindsey’s reddish-brown hair, which shone in the sunlight like a beacon. I really should go over there.

In fact, Lindsey’s friend Rose, and some guy I’d never seen before, had just joined the group. I could’ve gotten there at the same time and not looked so obvious.

“Hey, Grayson,” Amy called, and then both girls giggled.

I almost launched into an explanation about how I’d shortened my name to Gray, but didn’t really want to get into it. Besides, country music blared loud enough nearby that I’d have to get closer if I really wanted to talk to them. I didn’t. So I settled for a brief smile. For some weird reason that made them giggle more.

*****

I went to one of the ice chests—away from the giggling girls—to force myself to stop staring at Lindsey. I fished out a root beer and popped the top, but movement out of the corner of my eye made me look back at the yard. Claire Gardner was heading toward the patio, her ponytail of dark brown hair swinging as she walked.

Berger would have to wait. This could get interesting.

I took up my spot against the wall. When Claire reached the patio, the giggling girls accosted her. Well, sort of. They both started talking at once, but because of the music, I couldn’t hear any of it. Claire smiled, nodded, said something, then pulled a water bottle from an ice chest.

The girls kept talking, with Nita/Nyssa doing most of it. Claire tapped the water bottle over and over against her hip while she listened. I couldn’t be sure, but she seemed antsy. She leaned closer to the girls and spoke, making little karate chop gestures with one hand. Whatever it was, she really wanted them to get the point. Geez. Why couldn’t I talk to people like that? Or at least, to one person in particular.

The music cut out abruptly and the girls looked around. Way over by the volleyball net, Lainey Garza was trying to make an announcement. Good luck with that.

“I’ve got to go,” Claire said, her voice sounding so close I almost banged my head against the wall. I straightened, then focused on my root beer. Better if they didn’t realize I was eavesdropping.

“Thanks so much,” Nita/Nyssa said.

“Yeah,” Amy said, “you give the best advice.”

“No problem,” Claire said. “Talk to you later.” She turned away from the chorus of goodbyes, puffed out her cheeks like she was glad that was over with, and marched toward the gate.



I stifled a laugh. That would teach her to talk to giggling girls. But wait. Had Amy said something about advice? Claire gave them advice? Maybe she could do the same for me. Maybe she could even tell me the best way to approach Lindsey. It was worth a shot.




*****

Once the three Peterson kids had played in the pool and dried off enough to come in for a snack, I sat them down in front of the TV for a little SpongeBob time. Perfect chance for me to check in with the girls. We had plans to go to a movie that night, but I hadn’t heard from either of them about it.

I texted Rose:

What movie do you want to see?

No more than ten seconds later, my phone rang and a photo of Rose kissing her favorite coffee mug appeared on the screen. What was she doing calling me? She knew I only texted when I was babysitting. I went to the kitchen doorway to get away from SpongeBob’s giggle.

“Hey,” I said, “why’re you calling?” “Lindsey didn’t call you?”

“No, why?”

“Adam got off work for tonight. He wants to take her out.”

Something tightened in my chest. “So it’s just you and me then?”

“Well, no. Sam and I are going to dinner with them. But we want you to come too. I’m so sorry. Lindsey was supposed to call you. I had to take Josh to the dentist and Lindsey was going to tell you about the change of plans.”

“When has Lindsey ever remembered to do something like that?” “I know. I’m sorry. I should’ve done it myself.”

Sounded like I’d become the chore people liked to put off.

“Claire?” Rose said.

“I’m here.”

“You should come with us. We’re only going to Chili’s. I need you there. You know how weird Adam can be. Who else will laugh with me about it?”

I knew as soon as she said it, she realized her mistake. Because the answer, of course, was the new boyfriend. Sam.

It’s not that I didn’t want Rose to date someone. It was just that a few years ago when I’d vowed not to date during high school, I’d assumed Rose would always be available to hang out. Not like Lindsey, who had guys following her like she was leading a parade, even though she usually had a boyfriend. Guess most guys knew her relationships were short.



How I wished the one with her current boyfriend would end. Every time I saw Adam’s snake tat winding around his neck, its head just below his left earlobe, I imagined it sliding into his ear and then coming out of his mouth. So gross.

Goodreads ** Amazon

About the author:

I'm not the writer who's been writing for as long as she can remember. In fact, I didn't start writing fiction until I was almost thirty. But, I've always been a reader. Which, of course, is one of the basic requirements for being a writer. I've read everything from horse novels and spy thrillers to historical romance and fantasy sagas—and lots in between. There's something wondrous about picking up a book and entering a new world with new adventures. And I don't plan on stopping any time soon.

When I'm not reading, I hang out with my husband and two old dogs, plus my grown sons whenever I get the chance. In the fall I spend way too much time yelling at my TV while watching football. I'm also addicted to British TV shows. Top Gear, anyone?

Oh, yeah. And I write. Kissing books. Or at least books that include kissing. Hope you enjoy them!

Website ** Goodreads ** Twitter ** Facebook

Author's Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway