Free Spark by Brooke Cumberland Page B

a bottle.
    I groan. “Can we name it something else, please? Or hey, here’s an idea. Stop referring to it as an actual person or thing… or whatever it’s suppose to be!”
    She laughs back at me, noticing how flustered I am. “Getting to you that much, huh?” She crosses her arms, staring at me.
    “Is it that obvious?” I pout, handing the beer off to someone.
    “They haven’t taken their eyes off you, Lane.” I glance over her shoulder and see that it’s true.
    “This is so confusing, Riss. I mean, Alex is so sweet. But Eric…well, he’s Eric.” That’s all that needs to be said about Eric. She knows what I mean. Eric is a southern gentleman that makes my heart flutter every time he’s around. But the fact is, he doesn’t see me that way. However, he sees other girls that way… lots and lots of other girls.
    “Just have fun, Lane. Don’t take it too seriously. You have time. Lots and lots of time,” she grins, w agging her eyebrows at me. I know what she means by fun , but that just isn’t who I am. Or who I’m capable of being.
    An hour passes and I decide to take a break outside. It’s extremely warm inside, and every time I see Alex or Eric, the heat rises even more between my thighs.
    “Doing alright?” Alex approaches me from behind.
    “Yeah, just getting some fresh air.” I smile and watch as he sits on the curb next to me.
    “So,” he stumbles, breaking eye contact with me. “What’s the deal with this Eric guy? I mean…are you two a couple or something?” he asks, looking back up at me.
    “Eric and me? No. He’s a neighbor and friend, but we are definitely not a couple.” I don’t know why I say definitely , but it was the truth.
    “Good.” He smiles and looks relieved.
    “Would that be a problem?” I ask, feeling brave. “If we were a couple?” I lean back on my hands, getting a better view of him.
    “Well, yes. It would prevent me from being able to ask you out. So, since you and him aren’t a couple, perhaps I can ask you to dinner or something,” he asks, acting shy, but then smiles as he looks up at me. His fingers find mine on the sidewalk and he locks it with his, taking it up to his lips.
    The feel of his lips against my skin feels amazing. I don’t know how a pair of lips can feel so good against my skin, but it does. It feels wonderful.
    “Perhaps,” is all I say, waiting for him to actually ask.
    “Go out to dinner with me.”
    “That’s not asking,” I tease, still linking my fingers with his.
    “I know. I figured I’d try the whole guy dominating routine and see how far it got me,” he teases, stifling his laugh.
    “It won’t get you far at all , actually,” I say back, grinning at his lame attempt.
    “Damn. Okay.” He takes inhales slowly before speaking again. “Velaney, will you please go to dinner with me tomorrow night?” He looks adorably genuine, sending intense shivers down my body and landing smack dab between my legs.
    “I would love to ,” I smile, trying to hide the secret happy dance I’m doing in my head.
    “There you are! You sneaky bitch . I was worried about you!” Carissa yells, soon realizing I wasn’t alone. “Oh, shit, sorry. Didn’t see ya there, Alex.”
    “No worries.” He grabs my hand and kisses it once again. “I’ll let you get back to work now.” He flashes his incredible smile at me, only leaving me capable of nodding back at him like an idiot.
    He stands up and walks back through the employees only door. Carissa sits down next to me, examining my face.
    “What?” I ask.
    “You like him.”
    “Maybe.”
    “About damn time,” is all she says, leaving me laughing at her. I stand up and head back into the bar.
    I feel such a rush of emotions that I can barely control them. The fact that Alex makes me smile, laugh, and is genuinely sweet makes me giddy like a hormonal teenager. It wasn’t a feeling I was used to. Sure, I’ve watched chick flicks where the love is so intense and raw that you