It Started With A Book

Chapter 16

"Lip balm."
___

"Would you rather a job where you can help people or a job where you make a lot of money?" Brin asked Elliott, who's hands sat in his lap.

They'd been parked at a drive thru three minutes after placing their order. A game of Rock Paper Scissors declared Elliott the winner in deciding between a burger joint and a run down pizza place.

The neon pizza slice marquee across the street flickered even though blinding evening rays shone beyond giant clouds.

"That's simple. I'd like the second one."

"Really why?"

"With more money I could help more people," Elliott stated, while the ordering booth crackled behind them.

"Admirable answer. That's like beauty pageant worthy. Don't you think?" Brin broke into a smile when the boy beside her did the same. "All you're missing is the dress and tiara."

"And I would rock the heck out of it. Have you seen my body?"

Yes.

Brin covered her cheeks that burned spurring another smile.

How could she forget his stunning physique or the way her arms felt resting on his shoulders? Or the way she didn't pull away from his touch on their way to the amusement park? Or the way she leaned into him when he saved her from an injury?

Okay, falling down three of her Aunt's steps would have only given her a slight bruise but the hopeless romantic she was-- the stairs might have well been Rapunzel's tower.

"I don't doubt that."

They fell into a fit of laughter, sighing contently once they caught their breaths.

"I like hearing you laugh," Brin replied, tracing over the outer portion of her hand.

"And I," Elliott touched Brin's hand, pausing her breathing, "like making you laugh."

Brin faltered at the intensity of Elliott's brown pupils that held her gaze hostage.

She crinkled her eyebrow muscles following Elliott's increasing urge to close the gap between them. His body hovered over the console, waiting for Brin to give the go ahead.

On the other side of the car, was another story. Nervousness cascaded through Brin, blossoming into signature symptoms-- a lip bite and the unexplainable need to fiddle with her fingers.

Loud honking broke their trance. They looked through the windshield to find the two vehicles gone and then behind, a trail of four.

"Oops," Elliott chuckled, "guess we lost track of time."

"Guess we did," Brin covered her mouth with her lower palm, staring intently at a seagull gulping down an abandoned fry outside the car.

The pounding in her chest didn't subside, not when Elliott went to fill the car at a gas station and left her alone with her thoughts.

"Anything you need?" He offered before hopping out.

"Lip balm."

Wow.

"I had one job," she muttered to herself.

"What was that?" Elliott pressed his back against the opened door his hand on the roof.

If she hadn't been cooped up with him so much she'd have missed the quick facial change. A flash of surprise masked swiftly with confidence coloured his face.