Title: Whatever You Do (Try Again, #2)
Author: Stephanie Smith
Release Date: January 15, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Blurb
How do you trust someone who is everything you’re trying to
avoid?
Harper Lindell is having a bad day. You know, if a bad day consists of getting
fired from your cushy job and then catching your boyfriend red handed playing
hide the salami.
Sick of meeting the same guys over and over, Harper decides to
try her luck at Internet dating. How bad could it be? Right?
Tate Washington wasn’t looking to meet anyone. Still dealing with the consequences
of his one serious relationship, all he’s interested in is revamping his
family’s behind-the-times café.
He didn’t plan on seeing the beautiful receptionist from Argo
again, walking into his life to use his café as a dating hub, and using him as a
BFF.
Can Harper really trust Tate, who is everything she thinks she
needs to steer clear of?
Can Tate wait while Harper works through her insecurities and
fears?
Excerpt
“Andrew?”
I question as I reach the table.
“Yes.
Harper, hello.” He shakes my hand and the first thing I notice are his warm
eyes. They are gentle and sincere and I feel instantly comfortable with him.
“Take a seat, please.”
He
gestures to my seat before pulling it out for me to sit in. I smile up at him
in thanks for the chivalrous action as I slide into the chair.
During
our emails back and forth this week, Andrew and I had figured out that we are
from similar small towns not far from each other. We laugh about all the
misguided town folk and the classic ‘types’ every town has. The town clown who
has thought of every invention under the sun, the do-gooder mayor, the old lady
gossip group, and the crazy minister and his family. Of course I didn’t laugh
at that last one, as true as it is, being the daughter of a minister and all.
“So what
do your parents do?” Andrew asks.
“Umm.” I
stall looking for a distraction, not wanting to make to him feel bad.
“What
can I get you guys?” Tate offers and I’m grateful for the interruption.
“Oh gosh
I haven’t even looked yet,” Andrew says as he picks up the menu from the table.
“Just
the usual for me please.” As my eyes reach Tate’s his are wide with horror. I
sit upright at the urgency in his expression wondering what the hell is going
on.
He nods
his head in Andrew’s direction and I glance over. Andrew is studying the menu
oblivious to mine and Tate’s silent conversation.
I look
back at Tate giving him a ‘what’ look as he scratches his head then stiffly
nods back in Andrew’s direction.
I sigh
frustrated and look back at Andrew. He looks up from his menu and smiles at me
before turning to Tate and placing his order.
I still
don’t see a problem and look back to Tate with a ‘just fucking tell me’ look.
He
begins running his hand through his hair as he harshly nods in Andrew’s
direction again. I don’t even bother looking at Andrew again, knowing I’m not
going to see anything different than before.
With
wide eyes and a clenched jaw, I get out through gritted teeth, “I think that’s
all.”
Tate
sighs heavily, clearly frustrated and storms away from the table.
I shake
my head and when I turn back to Andrew he is staring at me in confusion.
“Sorry,” I giggle embarrassed he witnessed that final interaction between Tate
and me.
“No
worries.” He is sweet but his voice is wary. Tate and I probably looked like
two mute idiots. How humiliating.
Andrew
seamlessly continues our conversation. I use this opportunity to study him and
search for the meaning of Tate’s irrational display.
I didn’t
really focus on Andrew’s features before. He’s not ugly, but he’s definitely
not in the same calibre as Tate or Glenn.
Now that
I’m looking closer at him, there is something off about his looks. I can’t put
my finger on it but something doesn’t fit. It has to be something small like
his eyes aren’t in line or his facial features are too far apart, maybe bad
teeth or ears that are too big or small, but I can’t see any of that. All his
features seem symmetrical and in proper proportion to his face, but something
is definitely not right.
Out of
the corner of my eye I see Tate flailing his arms about. I shoot a glance his
way trying not to be noticeable only to see he is frantically running his hand
through his hair before tugging on the ends. No, tugging is too tame, he is
pulling hard on his hair.
I glance
around the café and no one has seemed to notice Tate’s complete and mental
breakdown. He’s lost it. Maybe it’s all the coffee fumes, they are really
strong in here.
When I
look back towards Tate he is on his way over to the table carrying our hot
drinks. I roll my eyes at his determined stare and wonder what antics he has
planned for us this time.
Tate
doesn’t falter as he strides towards the table and proceeds to drop a hot cup
of coffee all over the table and into Andrew’s lap. I gasp in shock at what is
unfolding in front of me. Andrew jumps from his seat, squealing like a small
girl. I watch horrified as his hair falls off his head and lands on the table
in front of me.
My mouth
drops open as I just stare at Andrew’s toupee lying in spilt coffee. Glancing
up at Andrew I see the heat rising on his face and shiny bald head. I smile
awkwardly at him as I pick up his hairpiece and hold it out to him as if it’s a
pair of dirty underwear and I can’t stand to touch it.
He
quickly swipes it from my hand and places it on his head, but not before I
notice his whole head, bright red in mortification. It’s like a beacon calling
in planes for landing. Andrew stares at me, his hairpiece on backwards and
coffee leaking from it, dripping all down his face.
“I’m so
sorry Andrew,” I whisper, as I place both my hands over my mouth. Shit, I can
feel the laughter rising.
“No, I’m
sorry Harper.” My gut churns on his behalf at the humiliation he must be
feeling. The silence of the café surrounds us, lucky it’s not overly busy at
this time of night. Andrew glares at Tate who smiles and raises his hands
innocently, before Andrew storms out of the café not breathing another word,
just leaving a trail of coffee in his wake.
“You’re
welcome,” Tate says casually as he pulls a clean chair up to the table, before
relaxing back into it and crossing his ankles in front of him.
Wherever You Will Go (Try Again, #1)
Brooke Willis had everything she ever wanted: a happy marriage,
volunteer placement at the art gallery, and the promise of starting a family
with the man of her dreams.
Saxon Reed had everything he ever thought he needed: a
successful career, nice cars, expensive apartment, and more money than he knew
what to do with.
After losing her husband Brooke insists on taking over his
company to keep his dreams alive. Struggling in an industry she knows nothing
about, Brooke turns to Saxon, her husband’s best friend and business partner,
for guidance and support. Their mutual grief, and Saxon’s need to look after
his best friend’s wife, creates a connection beyond just business.
Can Brooke take over the company and find a new life without
saying goodbye to the past? Can Saxon protect and care for Brooke without
scaring her away?
What happens when your heart doesn’t listen to your head? When
lines are crossed and boundaries are pushed?
About the Author
I'm first & foremost a reader & fangirl, I will always be first & foremost a reader & fangirl. I am on street teams, I pimp and I brag. I LOVE my Authors!! I have recently started writing as a way to relax and spend some time for me. My first novel Wherever You Will Go is due to release later this year. I'm having so much fun writing my first story and I'm looking forward to the journey it is taking me on.
Giveaway!
No comments:
Post a Comment