Cast the Cards
Page 1
Chapter One
Summer, 2001
Cool night air caressed bare arms, and Savannah shivered. Questioning her outfit of choice, she stepped closer to Clark. The sleeveless, plum-colored dress with the gold, Egyptian pattern, empire waist, and flaring skirt had been fierce in the heat of the day. But with the sun gone down it was freezing.
“Cold?” Clark asked in his soothing baritone.
“A little.”
“Here.” He shrugged out of his lightweight, brown leather jacket and helped her slide her arms inside the too-long sleeves. His chivalry melted her like chocolate candy in the sun. If she wasn’t already head over strappy-heeled sandals for him, she’d be falling.
Now I just need to tell him. When her childhood best friend Clark and his identical twin Carey had opted to attend the community college for their first two years alongside her, she’d been ecstatic. They’d been the Three Musketeers since diapers. Separating would have ripped her heart out before she jumped into the biggest adventure of her life. Freshman year felt like a continuance of high school. Yet, somewhere between the start of sophomore year and now things had shifted.
She saw Clark in a brand new light. When he’d asked her to go to the carnival and Carey had bowed out, she saw the opportunity she’d been waiting for.
His scent permeated the jacket, and she pulled it closer, inhaling. Sandalwood and worn leather.
“Such a gentleman.”
“’Course, Vannah. Couldn’t let you freeze to death. Our parents would kill me.” They took a step forward as the group ahead of them entered the funhouse.
“So what’s after this?” she asked.
“Tunnel of Love and then head back to the dorms?” He inclined his head toward her.
“Sounds good.” If you still want to talk to me after what I plan on pulling in the tunnel.
“You okay? You seem far away.” He cocked an eyebrow, dipping his head to meet her gaze. His hair fell across his forehead and into his eyes. Concern darkened his blue-green eyes to a beautiful turquoise. She longed to push the silken strands back and tuck it behind the ears that curved slightly at the tips.
He brushed the locks back impatiently, breaking the spell he’d held her under.
“Yeah, just hoping there are no clowns inside.”
“Still afraid of clowns?” He smirked.
“Yes, they’re creepy. It should never be socially accepted to hide your true identity under make-up, and constantly perform odd rituals.”
“Rituals?” His lips twitched with repressed laughter.