Geektastic by Mary Frame

Author:Mary Frame [Frame, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-10-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

But we loved with a love that was more than love—

I and my Annabel Lee

—Edgar Allen Poe, “Annabel Lee”

Jude

“What are your intentions with Annabel?”

I move my gaze from the TV, where I’ve been watching Love Actually, and turn to Fitz.

He’s next to me on the couch, leaning back, one arm over the end of the couch, and his posture relaxed except for the tension in his shoulders.

“I can assure you, my intentions are always honorable.”

“Uh-huh. Look, I know you guys are going out tonight. Annabel told me she’s picking you up and I’m not invited.”

“It’s just a friendly night out.”

“Great. Then why can’t I come?”

“I’m afraid it’s more about business than pleasure and you wouldn’t have a good time.”

Fitz rolls his eyes. “I get it. You like her, but I think Annabel likes you, too.”

I lift my brows. “And this is a problem?”

He shifts in his seat, leaning forward and running his palms over his jeans before meeting my eyes. “I’ve been getting the sense that there’s something else going on there. I think you like her and even more scarily, I think she likes you back.”

I shrug. “I don’t profess to know what the fair Annabel feels or doesn’t feel.”

“I know Annabel better than anyone and she puts on a good show, but she’s actually very sensitive and hurts easily.”

“I understand what you’re saying.”

“Understand this as well: if you hurt my sister, I’ll hurt you.”

I smile. They’re both so protective of each other. It’s endearing. Admirable. “I think it’s more likely she’ll hurt me.”

He nods. “That could be true. She can be meaner than a wet panther.”

There’s a knock at the front door and then it’s opened. “Hello?” Annabel calls out.

I stand up but before I make it out of the living room, she’s already in the doorway and I think my heart straight stops, and in the resulting silence I can do naught but stare.

She’s not showing a lot of skin, dressed in a pale green country dress. The hem falls above the knee, flirting with her thighs, and brown cowboy boots cover her feet. But she’s a cool drink of water on a hot summer day and I want more than anything to drink her up.

“Hey.” She smiles at me.

The rare glimpse of happiness gives me encouragement.

“You look mighty fine tonight, Annabel. You could talk the dogs off a meat truck without having to say a word.”

She blushes. She never blushes. I want to chase the pink spreading down her chest and see where it ends. Her walls are always too high to show such a display of pleasure. And the fact that they’ve been knocked down, even for a moment, is a win.

“You’re not so bad yourself.”

I glance down at my plain red flannel, jeans, and boots. It’s not much, but she approves. The problem is getting her to approve of the man inside the body.

“Although . . .” Annabel purses her lips, walking over to me and reaching out. My breath catches in my throat.

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