Free Resounding Kisses by Jessica Gray

was fascinated with how much work went into something like this. She’d always dismissed demolition as a grunt job that took little skill, just a lack of self-preservation. After listening to Grant speak, she realized that only someone with killer mathematical skills would be able to actually do what he’d just described.
    “So the first blast will take out this area,” Grant was explaining.
    Ivy looked at him and asked, “First blast? Doesn’t the building come down all at once?”
    “No.” Grant shook his head. “We take out the center supports first. Then we move outwards, caving in the bottom load-bearing structures. Last, we collapse the very top and send it all crashing in on itself.”
    “Three different blasts?” Ivy asked.
    “Yeah, but they follow each other fairly quickly. Unless you were really listening and watching for them, it would all seem like one elongated blast.”
    Grant continued to explain how the building would fall. “It’s important that the building fall straight down in order not to damage nearby buildings.”
    “But don’t most explosions send things in all directions?” she asked, feeling adrenaline rushing through her veins. This was a lot more exciting than she’d anticipated.
    “They do, but these aren’t your normal, every day, run of the mill explosions.” Grant’s eyes sparkled with genuine excitement and love for his work.
    Sam grinned. “But there are always exceptions, no matter how carefully things are planned.”
    “That’s why we make sure the surrounding buildings have been evacuated before we start the explosions. There have been some major incidents over the years.”
    “Seriously?” Ivy caught her breath.
    “Sure. One wrong calculation and this entire block could go down. It would be like toppling over dominoes.” Grant reached for Sam’s shoulders and pulled her in front of him, wrapping one arm around her collarbones and the other around her waist.
    Ivy had always thought public displays of affection were cheesy and unnecessary, but watching Grant and Sam together, she realized how wrong she’d been – again. They didn’t have to verbally communicate; they simply never stopped touching one another. It was natural and there was definitely nothing cheesy about it. On the contrary, they looked so sweet together and once again, Ivy found herself re-evaluating her preconceived notions.
    Just like there was nothing cheesy in the way Terrence held her hand. Or the way he’d snuck in a few kisses. And the heated glances he kept throwing her way had her heart racing and her stomach in knots.
    Grant looked at his watch and then released Sam. “Guys, I hate to break this little show and tell session up, but we have to get out of here now. My assistant will come through to make sure the buildings are all clear.”
    “Then what happens?” Ivy wanted to know.
    “Well, once we’ve ascertained all of the buildings are clear, there will be one last radio check. If everything checks out, I’ll blow the first round of dynamite forty-five minutes from now.”
    They reached the barrier and Grant kissed Sam goodbye. “See you later, Sammie.”
    The trio slipped beneath the barrier and headed for a nearby restaurant. They grabbed deli sandwiches and glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice before heading back outside to find an empty table where they could eat and observe the coming event.
    Just as they were about to sit down to eat, Sam waved at someone further down the barrier. “Hey, I’ll join my friend down there since she’s all alone.” She turned to Ivy. “It was great meeting you. Enjoy the show.”
    “I will. It was nice meeting you as well.”
    “Bye Ter.” She hugged Ter and took off, leaving them alone once again. The difference between that night in the bar and now was – Ivy had no intention of running away. In fact, she was glad they were alone. Very glad.

Chapter 14
    Ter watched Ivy as they sat at the outside table and ate their