Contemporary Romance Week - Jivin Tango by Connie Smith

​Lila and Austin have known each other since she befriended his younger brother when she was a toddler. In fact, since her parents moved from her hometown, Lila's lived with Austin's family. The two are friends, though more of the teasing, taunting breed than the BFF variety. But all it takes is one moment for everything to change...

For Austin, that moment comes when Lila performs a rumba in the school's auditorium to qualify for the state dance competition, the young woman on stage so far-removed from the little girl in his memories.

For Lila, the moment is a reflected image of Austin

​preparing for prom, the guy standing in front of his mirror hardly resembling the child that spent so much of his youth pestering her. Will they find a way to admit to themselves and their families that their feelings are deeper than friendship? And can Lila focus on this building relationship – and deal with her unstable ex – and still win the dance contest?

- SNEAK PEEK -

​A little later, I get home. Jacob’s at school for a volunteer project, and my parents aren’t back from work. Not too shocking, since it’s only four o’clock. What is surprising is finding Lila on the couch in pajamas, watching an Abbot and Costello movie.

I frown, then glance at my watch. “Shouldn’t you be at dance practice?”

She peeks at me, blushes for some reason I don’t understand, and shrugs. “Couldn’t concentrate, so we quit early. Police jitters, I guess.”

“Yeah, that’ll do it.” That could also explain the redness in her face, so I don’t press the matter. Instead, I gesture at the TV. “Which one’s this?”

“Hold That Ghost.” She lifts a corner of the blanket she’s using and looks sheepishly at me. “Want to watch it?”

I smile at how typical the situation is, despite the police commentary and the blush. Lila’s been obsessed with Abbot and Costello movies since we were kids, and this isn’t the first time I’ve caught her in comfortable clothes, watching one. I guess I officially know another piece of the girl that made it to adulthood.

“Sure thing,” I say before sitting next to her and pulling the blanket over my lap. “This one’s actually my favorite.”

She gawks at me like I’ve made the dumbest statement possible. “Of course it is. It’s the best one.”

I chuckle as I wrap my arm around her shoulders. She tenses at first, but I brush it off as nothing when she leans into me barely a second later. “You know that’s an opinion, right?”

“So?” she replies.

“So you said it like it isn’t debatable. Like an opinion can’t be wrong.”

She grins up at me, and my breath catches. This is definitely the most beautiful girl in the world, even if she’s dressed down. “Your apparent opinion, that opinions can’t be wrong, is wrong.”

I squeeze her tighter as another laugh spills from my lips. “Whatever you say, Munchkin.”

“Exactly.”

We watch the movie until its end, amused at all the right places. It never gets old seeing her with these films, hearing her cackle like she’s experiencing them for the first time.
She’s so incredibly perfect.

When she turns to me after switching the TV off, I’m still thinking those things. The moment I hear her gasp, I realize my thoughts must be written all over my face. I expect her to put distance between us, maybe slap me, but she doesn’t. She stares right back at me until her gaze eventually drops to my lips.

That’s all the signal I need. I’m kissing this girl.

So I do. I lean in to catch her lips with mine, surprised when she doesn’t hesitate in the least to return the gesture. It’s slow at first, innocent pecks, then gradually becomes something more heated. My hands settle on her face, and I can feel her fingers move up my chest to hold the back of my neck where she plays with the ends of my hair. Every minute I’ve wanted this kiss and all the times I’ve imagined it didn’t prepare me for how incredible it would be.

- Prize One -

- Prize Two -

- Prize Three - 

To ENTER you MUST comment below:

1. What did you like most about the sneak peek of Jivin Tango?
2. Have you read Connie Smith before?

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