Gifted Connections 4

“I’m sure they give you vacations. Plan one here. You girls can even stay here with me,” she insisted. “I’ll throw you both a party.”

I laughed once more as I texted the number she gave me.

Blake: Hey it’s, Blake :)

She pulled a phone out of her little clutch and texted back.

Anna: I have a feeling this is the start of a beautiful relationship.

I laughed. I was really starting to like her.

“Oh, look its Linc!” she cried excitedly. “I want him to be my friend with benefits, but he’s too nice. He thinks our friendship means more than a fling,” she said with slight bitterness.

I looked up and had to bite my lip. Jemmy, Rachel, and Dawn were going to officially hate me when they saw me with their onscreen boyfriend. Lincoln Hudgens was making his way towards us. I reluctantly had to admit he was more attractive in person than he was on the screen.

I was first introduced to him on a girls’ day of movies and snacks. Since then, they’d presented me with a few other films he had been in. He’d done a few action flicks, but the main genre he seemed to specialize in was romantic comedies.

He was tall and handsome, with short hair so black it was almost blue. His bronzed skin and cheekbones hinted at a Native American, maybe Asian heritage, but it was his eyes that I found the most startling; they were neither green nor blue. I would have thought they were cosmetic contact lenses if it wasn’t for the fact that Jemmy had googled it and came across pictures of him as a child with the same unique shade.

“Linc!” she cried out excitedly as she jumped up at him. “I’m so happy to see you. You’ve been so busy with filming and all those extracurricular activities.” She looked behind him. “Please tell me you didn’t bring her.”

He laughed sardonically as he embraced her. “I couldn’t miss the best party of the year, and no, I didn’t bring her.”

He paused as he saw me standing slightly behind her. His eyes were piercing as his eyes slowly perused my body. I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. He wasn’t creeping me out, he just made me feel…naked. I wished I still had my gift so I could call one of the guys to come to rescue me. I looked around for them and stiffened slightly when I saw Jace and Molly about twenty yards away.

Molly was Jace’s ex-girlfriend, a lingerie slash swimwear model. They had a history together, but I also knew Jace had broken the news to her about us recently. She wasn’t the typical ex-girlfriend. Not like Tamara (Jaxson’s ex), Stacey (Noah’s ex), or Rose (Drake’s ex). Molly was a genuinely sweet girl, and I truly believed if I hadn’t shown up in Jace’s life, they’d be together now.

“Earth to Silvermist,” Anna said persistently. “Silvermist, this is Linc. Linc, this is my new friend Silvermist. Can you believe she’s in security and has a gun attached to her thigh?” she whispered loudly as she looked around.

She didn’t introduce me as security at all tonight except for right now. I was assuming they must be close if she was letting him in on her secret.

I felt his piercing glance on me once again. He was currently scrutinizing my thighs. “You’re in security…Silvermist?” he asked skeptically as he held out his hand.

I bristled slightly. “My name’s actually Blake,” I gave Anna a pointed look as she pretended not to hear me…again. “And yes, I’m in security.”

As his large hands engulfed mine, he stiffened for a brief moment. I could have sworn his eyes narrowed. “You look like a baby, Blake.”

I grinned even though it was completely fake. He really was more charming and smoother on the screen. I wasn’t going to pass judgment just yet, but I was starting to think he was a douchebag. I couldn’t wait to tell Jemmy and the girls about this. Even if I looked young, no one with any manners would say it aloud. “I don’t believe age should matter if you’re competent at what you do,” I said brusquely.

I tried to ignore the fact that he still hadn’t let my hand go, and I felt a strange warmth spread through me. I really needed to go get some fresh air; the combination of the alcohol and warm bodies was getting to me.

“How old are you? Sixteen? Seventeen? Eighteen? How much experience can you possibly have?” he

continued to study me.

Anna started to laugh. “Stop intimidating her, Linc. She is going to be a new friend, and I know she’s good at what she does. The company she works for is one of the best.”

“Which company?” Linc asked still refusing to release my hand as he turned to look at Anna.

“Seven Security,” Anna rolled her eyes at him. “They’re used a lot around here and have built a great reputation. Even your girl has hired them.”

Linc snorted. I couldn’t hear his response because Troy came over to us.

“Excuse me, Anna,” Troy said with an amiable smile. “Do you mind if I borrow Blake for a quick dance?”

I was finally able to pull my hand away from Lincoln Hudgens. Quickly, I slid next to Troy’s warm protective body.

Anna laughed. “Silvermist,” she said.