Free Just For Tonight by Virginia Cavanaugh

Chapter One
     
    Kelly Dever sank her teeth into her bottom lip as she watched Thomas Brigs bend over to retrieve a beer from the ice chest. His sexy ass, encased in denim, was the thing of fantasies—at least her fantasies. The rest of his tall, lean body was made of awesome as well. He straightened and she continued to stare at him across the kitchen with longing and appreciation as the muscles in his back rippled below the tight blue t-shirt. She had it bad.
    She took a swallow from the dark glass bottle in her hand and tried not to grimace as the bitter dry concoction washed over her tongue. She’d never been a big drinker, but she didn’t know how she’d make it through the party without a little liquid courage. Thomas turned and she let her gaze roam over him as he talked with one of their other coworkers. Straight white teeth flashed as he smiled and exchanged greetings with the bald, middle-aged man Drew Climmins, who worked as a night stocker at Harry’s Grocery.
    She chugged some of the brew. The longer she drank it, the less horrifying it began to taste.
    “Why are you hiding in the corner over here by yourself?”
    Kelly turned to look at her best friend, and fellow cashier Gina Stark. “I’m not hiding.” Indeed she was technically in open view as she stood by a large potted plant next to the sliding glass doors that led out onto the patio. Soft music drifted inside mingled with the light chatter of the other guests and the slight scuff of shoes on pavement.
    Gina sighed, flipping her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Sure. And I guess you aren’t pining either?”
    Kelly narrowed her gaze, meeting Gina’s blue stare. “I showed up. What more do you want?” She’d tried to come up with any excuse she could for missing the boss man Harry Fort’s forty-fifth birthday party, but his wife Tammy wouldn’t take no for an answer. She’d started working for them a year ago, and she had to admit the little hometown grocery store’s employees had become more like an extended family. Except Thomas. What she felt for him went way beyond how she felt about one of her brothers.
    “I don’t know. Why don’t you try mingling, or having a good time?”
    Kelly shifted her gaze back to Thomas and took a swig of the beer.
    “Okay, so everyone already knows you have the biggest crush ever on Thomas.”
    She whipped her head around to stare at Gina. “Tell me you didn’t talk to the other employees about the things I’ve told you?” The words escaped in a harsh whisper. Her cheeks heated as she thought about her best friend divulging things she’d told her in confidence.
    “What the hell? Do you really think I’d do something like that? I was talking about the way you look at him when he isn’t watching. Everyone has seen you give him the dreamy eyes.”
    Kelly grimaced. Had she really been that transparent? “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to accuse you of spilling. I just don’t know what to do. I really, really like him.”
    Gina rolled her eyes. “Then do something about it. It’s not like you don’t talk to each other during lunch breaks at least four times a week. Why don’t you go start a conversation with him, or ask him to dance or something?”
    Kelly sighed. She wished it was as easy as her friend seemed to think. “It’s different at work. A lot of the time we’re talking about work stuff. Every once in a while we broach subjects that are more personal, but I bet he feels like we’re just passing the time. I mean, look at him.”
    “I know, he’s hot, but what does that have to do with him liking you? You’re a great person. Funny, cute and smart.”
    “You left off fat.”
    “Pfft. Really? So you have a few extra pounds. Big deal.”
    She had more than a few extra. At five foot five and a hundred and fifty pounds, she had more along the lines of love handles. “Seriously. Look how physically fit he is. His lunch is usually turkey on whole wheat with fresh fruit. I’m more