Stubborn by Jeanne Arnold

Author:Jeanne Arnold [Arnold, Jeanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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I spent the entire ceremony shifting around in my seat trying to stare at Gabe in his sharp monkey suit. He must have been dying. I wanted to grab my skirt and fan myself. The oppressive heat was debilitating.

I managed to pick apart grilled swordfish and a dinner roll before I decided my stomach couldn’t handle food. Molly and I sat with Mr. Halden and the bride and groom’s parents under a white tent at elegant tables decorated with place settings made of the finest crystal and silver. I was slightly unnerved sitting with strangers. There were only six tables in all, aside from the wedding party. Gabe never moved from his spot next to Lane at the head table. He was hiding behind a blooming vase of yellow and white roses. I assumed he was trying to avoid his father. I stole a glance from time to time and caught him gazing off into the distance.

On one gamble at a look, he cracked a smile at me that struck his eyes. Our gazes locked for the first time in hours. I held my stare. He looked happy.

“I spiked his drink up good. He should be acting human in a minute,” Caleb whispered at my ear. He angled over the back of my chair.

I was alone at the table. Everyone had gotten up to mingle or dance. Molly had excused herself to the ladies room. From his seat, Gabe still fixed his hazel eyes on me. The side of his mouth curled mindlessly. He was so easy when he smiled. I couldn’t stand it.

“He’s such a lush,” Caleb joked again. His warm breath blew in my ear. “He needed some zip in his zipper.”

I tensed. Didn’t he care that Gabe was watching? With even more nerve, he pressed his nose into my hair and pretended to smell the rose at my ear. I twisted at my hips and faced him.

“Avery, I still think about it. And you,” he whispered brazenly.

I hoped Gabe wasn’t a practiced lip reader. My face flushed hot. I was growing sick to my stomach. The darn kiss was never going away.

“I know you do too. You look at him and you wish he was me.”

I shut my eyes and then reopened them. I prayed he would disappear.

“I think I’ve had enough Haldens for one summer, thanks,” I said as I held my voice steady. “How can you do this with your brother right there?”

“Simple.” His hazel eyes ravaged me. “With you looking like this, I can’t hide how I feel. He’s blind. I’m not. I get what I want. Least I try to.”

I dropped my head into my arms on the table. Caleb placed a hand on my bare shoulder and ground his palm into my skin.

“I’d take that hand and put it somewhere else,” I warned through my teeth and shook him off.

Mr. Halden approached and Caleb backed away. I straightened my spine and scowled sideways.

“Miss Ross, may I have this dance?” He extended his long hand.

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