Book Excerpt part 2: Meet Jase

From the new manuscript, WITH AND WITHOUT YOU.
So you've met Cole (previous excerpt).
This is where things get messy. Meet Jase.

Danni caught herself staring at Jase. She thought she’d already met all of Cole’s friends - until Ray showed up with the new guy. The hot new guy.

“Aren’t they great?” he asked Danni, gesturing at the band onstage.

She nodded, meeting his eyes for just a moment. She tried to ignore the black, shiny hair that fell to just above his shoulders. She completely ignored how his dark skin nearly glowed against his white Nirvana tee. Heat crept up her spine; she should not be checking out this random guy. She was with Cole. “I love them. I saw them two years ago with The Black Keys at Joe Louis Arena.”

Jase shook his head, “No way, you were there? I was at that show. The Keys blew that place up.”

She nodded, “Yeah.” Brilliant, she thought.

“Danni is pre-med,” Ray told Jase over the music.

Ray was just adding to the awkwardness she felt.

“Wow, that’s awesome,” Jase moved in toward her to be heard. “Smart girl.” He smiled at her.

Danni shrugged, “I guess.” For the second time that night she wished she’d dressed differently, worn something other than her standard jeans and hoodie. Smart Danni, she thought. With her too curly hair and too tied up tongue. Jase was still watching her, in her space. This was so wrong.

“Smart, and great taste in music too, huh?”

Danni smiled. She found she was having a hell of a time meeting his eyes.