Page 34 of Between Now and Forever

“A very good way,” I reassure her.

Her smile is tentative, but bright again when she finally looks up and hands me the towel.

This time, when it passes between us, our fingers tangle briefly before I take it.

I rub it absently through my hair and then pull my shirt off and throw them both on the bed.

“Now,you’restaring,” I tease her.

She flushes but, her gaze doesn’t waver. “Well… you’re hard not to stare at, too.”

Damn.This woman is going to test the bounds of my resolve today.

Why is this happening? The timing couldn’t be worse.

I take a step toward her, but stop when I remember that my mother could walk in at any time and that she would skin me alive if she caught me doing anything before she’s had time to run a background check on her.

I’m pretty sure she has no idea who I am. And I’d like to keep it that way. I want her to remember the charm and never know the fury that lurks beneath it.

“It’s Elisabeth.” She says quietly.

“Huh?”

“My name. It’s Elisabeth. Liz.”

“Of course it is.” I chuckle and shake my head at how crazy this whole night has been.

“What’s so funny?” She says, her stance defensive.

“You wouldn’t believe it if I told you,” I say.

I hardly believe it myself.

“It’s rude to tell a joke and then keep the punchline to yourself,” she says and I decide she’s right.

“Okay. But don’t say I didn’t warn you,” I point a finger at her.

“Oh my God, you must be the worst at telling stories. You’re totally dragging this out.”

“Elisabeth is my favorite name in the whole world.”

She barks out a disbelieving laugh, but her eyes twinkle with delight.

“Oh, come on. You can do better than that.” She shakes her head.

“I knew you’d laugh,” I say with mock affront.

She gives a small roll of her eyes, but then smiles gamely.

“Okay, I’ll bite. Who’s your favorite Elisabeth of all time?” she asks in challenge.

“Easy. Queen Elizabeth the First.” I grin.

“Right.She’s probably the only Elisabeth you can think of.” She raises her eyebrows and her lips pucker into a disbelieving smirk.

“Elisabeth Taylor, Elisabeth Shue, Elizabeth Dole, Elizabeth Hurley, Elizabeth Smart, Elizabeth Gilles, Elizabeth Hamilton—another fine woman by the way—Elizabeth—"

“Okay, okay, I believe you,” she shouts in exasperation, but her grin tells the truth – it’s wide and giddy and really fucking perfect.

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