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✨EXCERPT: THROUGH THE STORM @natalie.parker.author releasing June 22nd!
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“Smile at me,” I command, getting frustrated. She has a right to be pissed and freaked out, but if he sees us tense and arguing he’ll probably come to his own conclusions.
“How can I smile right now—”
“Because he’s watching. Now come here.” I wrap her arms around my neck and tighten my hold on her. “We’ve got to get that fuckwad off our backs.” She relaxes slightly, bringing me satisfaction.
“My back,” she corrects me, talking to my shoulder.
Her breath is warm through my shirt. It sends a small tingle swirling down to my chest, and I wish I could allow myself half a second to enjoy it, but the apprehension that we’re about to blow this is taking over. “Just look at me,” I insist, and when she obliges, I look straight into her eyes for just a beat before letting my gaze shift to just above them – an old habit I picked up long ago. “Our backs.” I squeeze her hips for emphasis. “No matter how this came about, we’re in this together now. Feelings or not, we are married, and we need to be a team.” When she doesn’t respond, I dare to let my eyes drift back to hers. They seem to soften as she takes this in, so I add, "Just smile and look like you’re in love.”
“You look like you’re in love,” her eyes widen in challenge.
“Touche,” I quip back, surprising myself. I try to find a focal point in this room that’s not someone’s eyes which is proving difficult with so many people here.
I don’t even get a chance before Bert cruises by with Dana and says, “I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure two people who just got married should look pretty damn happy about it, not constipated.”
Dana giggles, and he whisks her away, clearly just a drive by.
“God, are we fucking this up that badly?” Molly looks worried.
“No, it’s probably all me. I seriously don’t know what to do. I’ve never been in love before, and I don’t know how to sell this,” I confess.
“How can I smile right now—”
“Because he’s watching. Now come here.” I wrap her arms around my neck and tighten my hold on her. “We’ve got to get that fuckwad off our backs.” She relaxes slightly, bringing me satisfaction.
“My back,” she corrects me, talking to my shoulder.
Her breath is warm through my shirt. It sends a small tingle swirling down to my chest, and I wish I could allow myself half a second to enjoy it, but the apprehension that we’re about to blow this is taking over. “Just look at me,” I insist, and when she obliges, I look straight into her eyes for just a beat before letting my gaze shift to just above them – an old habit I picked up long ago. “Our backs.” I squeeze her hips for emphasis. “No matter how this came about, we’re in this together now. Feelings or not, we are married, and we need to be a team.” When she doesn’t respond, I dare to let my eyes drift back to hers. They seem to soften as she takes this in, so I add, "Just smile and look like you’re in love.”
“You look like you’re in love,” her eyes widen in challenge.
“Touche,” I quip back, surprising myself. I try to find a focal point in this room that’s not someone’s eyes which is proving difficult with so many people here.
I don’t even get a chance before Bert cruises by with Dana and says, “I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure two people who just got married should look pretty damn happy about it, not constipated.”
Dana giggles, and he whisks her away, clearly just a drive by.
“God, are we fucking this up that badly?” Molly looks worried.
“No, it’s probably all me. I seriously don’t know what to do. I’ve never been in love before, and I don’t know how to sell this,” I confess.
#comingsoon #natalieparker #smalltownromance @theauthor.agency
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