“Girl! You need to at least say hello. I remember back in the day you were really impressed by his performance.”
“I was?”
Stacey ignored her last comment and turned to Brent, their faces inches apart. “Do you remember the variety show and that stupid dance we did?”
Hip-hop was all the rage when they were seniors and Stacey had somehow talked Brent into joining her on the stage as a faux-bodyguard. Dressed in head-to-toe black and sunglasses, her devoted boyfriend stood during the entire song with his arms crossed while Stacey danced around him. It was hysterical.
“How could I ever forget?” he chuckled. Katie knew right then her best friend was going to get lucky that night by the way they were looking at each other.
“I need the ladies room. Care to join me?” she asked.
Stacey looked up with big, green eyes. “I’m okay right now.” She offered a sweet, innocent smile. Katie knew that naughty look.
“Suit yourself.”
She was glad to be out of the stuffy, loud ballroom and blinking lights, the cooler, air-conditioned hallway a welcome relief. While washing her hands in the restroom, she chatted with another girl who she had shared oceanography class with many years ago. As she pulled open the bathroom door to exit, she nearly collided with Clay Watkins.
“Whoa!” His baritone voice was smooth like butter.
“Oh God, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to exit without looking.” She stepped back and palmed the wall.
The girl from oceanography exited and eyed the two of them before making her way back to the party.
“Katie Parker, right?”
She swallowed hard while looking into his handsome face, aware that she felt weak in the knees. He was even more attractive up close. His mesmerizing, caramel-colored eyes looked back at her and she couldn’t help but notice right away tiny gold flecks circling the irises. His jawline was chiseled, and his lips were full and wet, no doubt from a sip of something he had just finished. His dark hair was tousled, and she had the sudden urge to bring her fingertips up to his head to get tangled in the softness.
When she realized he had read her full name on the tacky sticker attached to her blouse, she could feel her face grow hot. “Um, yes. That’s correct. And you’re Cow…Clay. Clay Watkins.”
His smile rivaled the sun glinting off the ocean. “Yes. That’s correct.” Was he mocking her?
“Well, it’s good to see you, Clay. How’s life?”
He shrugged and looked down at his boots while shoving his hands into his pockets, making his biceps more noticeable. When his bedroom eyes met hers again, she swooned. “Life is good. How about you?”
The way he was looking at her made her hands tremble with nerves. She grasped them in front of her skirt hoping he didn’t notice. What was happening to her? “It’s good.”
His expression was humored. “Good.”
They stared at each other for several seconds before Clay looked out into the lobby then back at her. Her heart sank, hoping that a lucky female wasn’t waiting for him, his next question taking her by surprise.
“You thirsty? Can I buy you a drink?” He seemed so relaxed and at ease. His invitation had her coming undone. The gorgeous male standing in front of her was nothing like the shy boy back in high school. His charm and easygoing attitude was a total turn-on.
Snuggle up with the Southern Promises Series which includes full-length standalone romances full of chivalrous men and their strong, Southern women.
www.kgfletcherauthor.com
Georgia Clay – A Friends to Lovers Romance
Georgia On My Mind – An Opposites Attract Romance
*Georgia Pine – A Second Chance Sports Romance
(*2019 Maggie Award Finalist)
Other Titles By KG Fletcher:
Reigning Hearts Series
Run to the Sea
Stars Fall From the Sky
A Sun So Bright
I’ll See You Again
Southern Promises Series
(Now available in a BOX SET!)
Georgia Clay
Georgia On My Mind
*Georgia Pine
(*2019 Maggie Award of Excellence Finalist)
Single Titles
Unexpected
Love Song
The Nearness of You
Praise for KG Fletcher:
“I can’t put into words what it is about this author’s writing that draws me in & doesn’t let go, literally till the end.”
~ Goodreads Reviewer
“Well-written stories with simply addictive storylines. KG Fletcher’s characters are relatable & lovable, sweet & sexy.”
~ Blushing Book Reviews
“Beautifully written, expertly crafted & so, so romantic.”
~ Author, GiGi Blume
Find KG online:
Website: www.kgfletcherauthor.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kellyf9393/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kgfletcherauthor/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kg-fletcher
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35996142-the-nearness-of-you
Audio/Video: https://www.kgfletcherauthor.com/audiovideo.html
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/kfletcher3
YouTube Channel with book trailers: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxD4r0_mOYWWiVmlT_JSSdg
Twitter: www.twitter.com/@kgfletcher3
#lovewins
The Nearness of You: A British celebrity, standalone love-at-first-sight romance Page 23
