Page 11 of Forever Fascinating

She saw his beautiful lips turn upwards slightly and felt like a nervous young girl being admired for the first time by a potential suitor.

Was he toying with her?

Was he interested?

Should she be weirded out?

Jana’s gaze slid to X-Ray out of curiosity to see that he was watching the couple speak their vows to each other. She saw his throat work as he swallowed, only for her to look back at the other man – who was still watching her, looking more than curious.

It was like looking between a brightly lit room and a dark hallway. Poor X-Ray never had a chance with her, and Jana knew it. There was no spark, no flare, no attraction to the man she must have emailed and written at least fifty times.

Just friendship.

What a shame, too.

It was at that moment Jana glanced at Emily – and saw her watching X-Ray longingly. Stunned, she couldn’t help but gawk at her until Emily met her eyes, looking alarmed.

“Quit watching me…” Emily hissed.

“Oh, we are soooo talking when this is over,” Jana hissed back.

A loud applause caused both women to jump guiltily, and Jana realized she’d missed her brother kiss his bride.

Part of her was upset she’d missed it, but another part of her, the sisterly part, was glad because seeing her belovedbrace-face-dweebasauruskissing all over Karen was tough on the stomach sometimes.

He was downright emotional pudding when she’d seen them exchange their vows last year in Massachusetts… and there was only so much kissy-stuff a woman could take.

CHAPTER4

VAPOR

Matthew wassoooo up a creek right now.

Someone had taken his paddle, all the life jackets, tied his hands and feet together, before punching holes in his boat - just like Hot Cakes was going to punch him directly in the face.

That breathtakingly ethereal being was Hot Cakes’ sister?

He had never seen such a vision – and it wasn’t just her looks. Oh, she was very pretty alright, but when she smiled? It was like watching the heavens open up and shine directly on him.

Hot Cakes warned them all to leave her alone – but he never imagined his reaction to the woman. He had taken one look at her, and his heart stopped.

This was ridiculous, too.

He didn’t believe in love at first sight.

That was for emotional losers, dreamers, and people that lived in a fantasy world. No, he came from a broken home, where people divorced, fought, worried about bills, struggled and scraped by, and accepted that this was their lot in life.

He believed you could develop a friendship, a kinship, with someone, because his mother and stepfather were a united front like no other. They sat in the living room together, television off, just doing their own things, simply because they wanted to be close to each other.

That is what he expected or hoped for someday.

Meeting this mysterious woman’s eyes felt like he’d French-kissed a live wire. Electric, visceral, and hot. There was no mistaking the awareness that made his knees weak and every muscle in him tense.

This wasn’t the ‘kinship’ like he’d anticipated that his parents had. No, it was mindless fascination. He imagined someone someday would tolerate sharing his space, his life, and being with them… not the fluttery rainbows, little stars, simpering glances, and stupid, dumb little stolen waves to say ‘hello’across the room at each other.

“I’m such a loser…” Matthew groaned, closing his eyes, and looking up at the ceiling in the hallway separating the sanctuary and the reception hall.

“Your words, not mine,” Hot Cakes said tightly, walking past him in a very well-timed moment, causing X-Ray to laugh as he followed. Several of the other pilots walked past, saying their hellos, and greeting him… all of which were completely annoying.

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