by K. K. Allen
“Yo, Theo. What’s up, buddy?” someone behind me called.
Theo was only a few feet away when he did a quick sweep of the line before giving an uptick of his chin to whoever had greeted him.
Then his head dropped slightly, his gaze connecting with mine—I thought. Theo’s glasses hid everything, so I couldn’t be entirely sure. It was just a second, a flash, but I felt it—a connection I don’t think I could have made up despite my fierce crush on a man I knew only from his interviews. I wanted to stretch time to stay a little longer in the moment because the instant it was gone, I knew I would never get it back again.
I was lost in my thoughts when I felt fingers splay across my back. A shove thrust me onto my toes, tipping me off balance.
What the—?
I shot forward, my hands reaching in front of me, ready to catch my fall, when I realized only one thing was there. Or one man, rather.
Theo’s arms reached out, his expression unchanged, as if catching me were the most natural thing in the world. My palms slammed against his chest just as his arms wrapped around me. Then he stood me up, his grip firm as I stared into his glasses, desperate to see past the reflection of myself.
All I could think about was the sturdiness of his form, the strength of his hold, and how absolutely consuming his rough, calloused hands were as they skimmed the bare skin of my shoulders and arms.
“Think you can be more careful next time?” He grumbled the words over my shoulder, snapping me back to the present.
Shane. A snare shot off in my chest. He pushed me. It had to have been him. But I didn’t want to pull away from Theo long enough to confirm my suspicions.
“This is a dance studio, not a mosh pit.” Theo’s accusing tone was filled with raspy disapproval. He shifted me slightly, scenting the air with fresh apple cinnamon and leather, an intoxicating mixture that left me dizzy. “You don’t want to be responsible for shortening this young girl’s career. Apologize.”
I turned then, ready with my glare as I caught the eyes of my best friend.
I’m going to kill him.
“I’m sorry, Lex.” Shane’s tone was sincere, but there was no denying the hint of amusement it carried. Theo’s arms left me, forcing me to stand on my own. I turned around, ignoring Shane and offering my savior a polite smile.
“Thank you for catching me.”
He didn’t smile. In fact, his brows stayed dented in the center. “Glad you’re okay.” He didn’t ask whether I was, and he didn’t wait for me to reply. Instead, he aimed one final look at Shane, the crease lines in his forehead expressing his annoyance.
“It was just an accident,” Shane pressed, pulling me into his arms in what I’m sure was meant to be an apologetic hug.
But as Theo backed away and continued down the corridor without another pause, I was certain it wasn’t an accident at all.
“I should murder you.”
I was patient enough, waiting until we’d left the dance studio later that day to let Shane have it. We had just started our ten-block walk to our place, and I felt as if I would burst if I didn’t say something.
His laughter started, and I threw an arm out, knocking him in the stomach. He cringed and swooped me up cradle-style, despite my flailing limbs.
“Put me down, you big, giant asshole.”
His laughter never ceased and only grew louder. “You should be thanking me. And I’m not letting you down until you promise to keep your hands to yourself. You heard what Theodore said about being careful. Oh, and what else? Shortening the life of this young girl’s career.” He burst into another fit of laughter. “He thinks you’re twelve.”
I was mortified and completely furious at my best friend.
“Let me down, or I’m moving back to Seattle.”
“Oh, stop it. You would never.”
“You have no idea what I’m capable of doing right now, Shane Masterson. And right now, you are not my best friend. You’re this evil thing of a person sent to earth to destroy me. Right now, I hate you. I can’t believe you did that to me. Why? I just want to know why you felt the need to embarrass me in front of the one person—the one person—I care about impressing.”
Shane put me down, leaving a hand on my shoulder. I shook myself away, and his laughter finally silenced. “Oh, Lex. I’m sorry. If it makes you feel better, I think I’m officially on Theo’s shit list. He was mad at me, not you.”
“No,” I squealed. “That does not make me feel better. We’re in this together, remember? Don’t make me regret signing up for tomorrow’s audition.”
“Okay, okay. But at least you got to touch him. How did he feel? Please tell me his skin is as soft and velvety as it looks.” His head snapped toward me. “Oh my God. How did he smell? Like sunshine and roses? No. I bet it was more like dandelions after a warm rain shower.”
It was Shane’s heavy, dreamlike sigh that broke the spell. I laughed, because laughter was so much easier than staying mad at my best friend.
“Thank God,” Shane said, clearly noting my amusement. “I cannot handle angry Alexandra. You remind me of your mother, all spun up and spewy, like a whacked-out sprinkler system.” He shook his head as if disturbed by whatever visual had played in his mind. “Hey, let’s go out to eat.”
The change of subject happened so fast my brain did a complete three sixty.
“No. Not until you explain to me what the fuck you were thinking back there. You thought that was how to get Theo to notice me? Really?”
He gasped and held up a finger, tsk-tsking me. “Cussing sounds dirty coming from your mouth. Don’t do it.”
“Shane,” I shot out. It was my final warning.
“Fine. He was standing right there in front of you, and I could practically see the little Theo and Lex babies running around in the background. It was this sixth sense. I pictured the entire epic love connection. You know, the ones you see all the time in movies, where the couple makes eye contact for the first time and these little stars and hearts start fluttering around the air.”
“Yeah, pretty sure I’ve never seen a movie like that.”
He stomped his foot and placed his fists on his hip. “Whatever. You’ve only been in love with the guy for the past decade. I was trying to help you out.”
“How’d that go for you?”
He pursed his lips, as if deep in thought. “At least you can count on the guy if you ever decide to play ‘Trust Fall.’ He caught you, didn’t he? And then he asked if you were okay.”
I rolled my eyes as hard as I could. “Wow. Yeah. I think it’s love. Maybe he’ll fly me to his summer house in Spain and propose to me there.”
Shane’s eyes grew wide. “He has a summer house in Spain? Is it nice? I’m sure it’s—”
“Shut up!” I growled.
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Novels by K.K. Allen
Up in the Treehouse
Haunted by the past, Chloe and Gavin are forced to come to terms with all that has transpired to find the peace they deserve. Except they can't seem to get near each other without combatting an intense emotional connection that brings them right back to where it all started . . . their childhood treehouse.
Under the Bleachers
Fun and flirty Monica Stevens lives for food, fashion, and boys ... in that order. The last thing she wants to take seriously is dating. When a night of flirty banter with Seattle's hottest NFL quarterback turns passionate, her care-free life could be at risk.
Through the Lens
When Maggie moves to Seattle for a fresh start, she’s presented with an unavoidable obstacle—namely, the cocky chef with a talent for photography and getting under her skin. Can they learn to get along for the sake of the ones they love?
Dangerous Hearts (A Stolen Melody, #1)
Lyric Cassidy knows a thing or two about bad boy rock stars with raspy vocals. In fact, her heart was just played by one. So when she takes an as
signment as road manager for the world famous rock star, Wolf, she's prepared to take him on, full suit of heart-armor intact.
Destined Hearts (A Stolen Melody, #2)
But with stolen dreams, betrayals, and terrifying threats--no one's heart is safe. Not even the ones that may be destined to be together.
Waterfall Effect
Lost in the shadows of a tragedy that stripped Aurora of everything she once loved, she's back in the small town of Balsam Grove, ready to face all she's kept locked away for seven years. Or so she thinks.
Center of Gravity (Gravity, #1)
She was athleticism and grace, precision and passion, and she had a stage presence he couldn't tear my eyes from. He wanted her...on his team, in his bed. There was only one problem... He couldn't have both.
Falling From Gravity (Gravity, #1.5)
If I hadn’t considered Amelia dangerous before, I certainly did now. She wasn’t anything like I had expected. Even after all these years—of living so close to her, of listening to her giggle with my sister in the bedroom next to mine—I hadn’t given much thought to my sister’s best friend.
Defying Gravity (Gravity, #2)
The ball is her Amelia's court, but Tobias isn't below stealing--her power, her resolve, her heart... When he wants a second chance to reignite our connection, the answer is simple. They can't. Not unless they defy the rules their dreams were built on and risk everything.
The Trouble With Gravity (Gravity #3)
When Sebastian makes Kai an offer she can't afford to refuse, she learns signing on will mean facing the tragedy she's worked so hard to shut out. He says she can trust him to keep her safe, but is her heart safe too?
About the Author
K.K. Allen is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author who writes heartfelt and inspirational contemporary romance stories. K.K. graduated from the University of Washington with an Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences degree and currently resides in central Florida with her ridiculously handsome little dude who owns her heart.
K.K.'s publishing journey began in June 2014 with the young adult contemporary fantasy trilogy. In 2016, she published her first contemporary romance, Up in the Treehouse, which went on to win the Romantic Times 2016 Reviewers' Choice Award for Best New Adult Book of the Year.
With K.K.'s love for inspirational and coming of age stories involving heartfelt narratives and honest emotions, you can be assured to always be surprised by what K.K. releases next.
www.KK-Allen.com