Flicker, p.21
FLICKER, page 21
Dark Lashes was hanging back, and Hazel pretended to sweep her hair up to a ponytail and peeked over her shoulder at him at the same time.
He caught her eye and gave her a very fatherly wink. She bit her lip so she wouldn’t frown.
Claire nudged her. “Let’s go. I want to get a good seat. Why are you blushing?”
“No reason. This whole thing makes me self-conscious.”
The theater was well-lit and had deep, velvet seats. The pushier among the group made their way to the front, closest to the stage and, therefore, the screen. It was as if these people thought getting the best seats would help them find their soul mates quicker. Hazel pulled on Claire’s arm until they were in the center of the back row.
Claire wiggled in her seat when Chance found her and pointed at her from the stage where he now stood, holding a microphone. After everyone was seated and the excitement had died down, Chance stirred them up again.
“Your soul mate could be here. Right now.” He motioned around the packed theater. “Look around. It’s not uncommon for our Booty Camp clients to lock eyes right this moment with the person they'll marry in six months. So do it. Feel it.”
Hazel could feel her eyes rolling, so she closed them in
case—on some random chance—the man for her was here, his first vision of her wouldn’t be filled with the sarcasm. It felt like a superstition or an exercise in fruition. But she didn’t throw out a raffle ticket until the numbers were announced, either, so...
She looked over her shoulder and found herself staring at Dark Lashes. He didn’t smile, and neither did she. He looked bored. Like just another day at the office, which she guessed it was for him as he sat in the back row adjacent to hers. Finally, he touched his temple with his index finger and pointed back at the crowd in front of them. It took her a minute to understand his sign language, but when she got it, she felt her cheeks flush. He wanted her to put her gaze forward. To stop looking at him.
She bit her bottom lip. What an asshole. What did he think—she was trying to tempt him into dating her?
Hazel gave him the middle finger and an exasperated look. He could jump to conclusions, but she wasn’t here to try and snag a man. Well, she wouldn’t mind finding a guy to take back to her apartment so Scott would have to step around them making out in front of the elevator. That would be some sweet revenge.
She gave Dark Lashes another hard look, and this time he seemed to be struggling with a smirk.
“Jerk,” Hazel muttered.
“Who? Chance?” Claire was focused on the man on stage who was feeding the crowd some impossible statistics.
“Did you know that woman who are single after twenty- six are eighty-nine percent more likely to die alone than their dating counterparts?” Chance stalked to the edge of the stage and fake whispered into the mic, “And men who don’t settle down see a reduction in penis length at the rate of three centimeters a year after forty if they haven’t found a permanent partner?”
“None of that is true. He’s making that up,” Claire said while Hazel gave Lashes another stare. He didn’t seem alarmed at the wild accusations Chance was slinging.
“Do those facts scare you? I hope you know they're false. As far as I know, anyway.”
Claire leaned in and whispered, “See?” in Hazel’s ear.
“That’s what the media wants you to believe. They try to shame you into finding love. And here at Booty Camp, we want to tell you we're here for a great reason. It’s okay to be single. It’s okay to be satisfied with your life on your own. We just happen to know that that’s not your feelings. No one pays a thousand dollars because they want to be alone.”
Claire and Hazel looked at each other. Claire mouthed, “Well, maybe you do,” which prompted Hazel to punch the top of her friend’s arm.
“There is the desire to find a match, but at Booty Camp, we believe in destiny. That you are put on a path to lead you somewhere in particular.”
Chance stooped lower and spoke to the first row like he was in a hair band in the 80s.
“Our competitors will say that if you have enough matching interests, you can get together and make a go of this crazy world. And that may be true, but here at Booty Camp, we want you to find The One. Your Happily Ever After. The prince, or princess, of your dreams. We believe in one true love for every person. That’s why we’re better. You will find your other half. The apple to your peach. The butter on your toast. We seek perfection. And we find it.”
Chance delivered the last lines straight to Claire. The whole room must have felt the chemistry between them because people turned and craned their necks to see who, exactly, had inspired that level of intensity from the speaker. Claire’s lips were opened slightly, almost breathlessly. She reached for Hazel’s hand and squeezed it like they were about to go down the scariest hill on a roller coaster together.
Claire looked so enchanted it was like she was acting in a movie.
She kept her eyes on the speaker, but spoke quietly to Hazel. “I’m going to marry that man.”
Hazel's mouth dropped open.
READ MORE HERE: https://amzn.to/3MkyTMF
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debra creates pretend people in her head and paints them on the giant, beautiful canvas of your imagination. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and writes new adult angst and romantic comedies. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two amazing children. She doesn't trust mannequins, but does trust bears. Also, her chunk tuxedo cat talks with communication buttons. So that's fun. DebraAnastasia.com for more information.
Pretty please review this book if you enjoyed it. It is one of the very best ways to support indy authors. Thank you! (Plus, anyone that reviews is granted three wishes by the first unicorn they meet.)
ALSO BY DEBRA ANASTASIA
Angst with Feels:
DROWNING IN STARS
STEALING THE STARS
https://www.debraanastasia.com/drowing-in-stars-giveaway
Mafia Romance:
MERCY
HAVOC
LOCK
https://www.debraanastasia.com/mercy-verse
Silly Humor:
FIRE DOWN BELOW
FIRE IN THE HOLE
https://www.debraanastasia.com/humor
Funny Humor:
FLICKER
BEAST
BOOTY CAMP
FELONY EVER AFTER
https://www.debraanastasia.com/more-humor
Paranormal:
THE REVENGER
FOR ALL THE EVERS
CRUSHED SERAPHIM (BOOK 1)
https://www.debraanastasia.com/paranormal
***FREE BOOK PLATES***
Okay Daredevils. I have literally the cutest offer ever for you. My dad makes my swag down in Florida. He is freaking adorable about it and is very serious about his job. If you want a FREE signed bookplate(s) email my dad and we will send them to you and whatever swag he can fit in the envelope.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A huge thanks to you, the reader. I am so honored to get to visit your imagination again. I published my first book on 2011. How time flies. You’ve let so many characters into your heart, and I’m so excited to bring you many more. I hope this note finds you well and happy.
To my beautiful family, T, J and D, I absolutely adore you and am so proud of all of you. Thank you for putting up with me.
A HUGE shout out to my parents, Steve and Valerie. Dad A has become a celebrity for his adorable swag envelopes and birthday cards he sends out to readers. Mom A is in charge of sparkle and glitter. They support everything I do and then some. Pam and Jim, you guys are amazing, and I love you. Pam and Jim! Thanks for keeping my bedroom ready in NY.
Helena Hunting, I’m so glad you haven’t figured out that you got the short end of the deal in this extensive friendship. I wouldn’t want to do this without you.
Tijan, my mystical bad ass friend. Thank you for being so positive all the time. You are fantastic.
Mom and Dad D, you are gifts, and I am so lucky to have you.
Amanda Rush Proofreading for the most elegant proof in the world.
All my Beta Beauties! Michele, Marty and Brandi, Amanda, Carol S! You are an emergency swat time of awesome.
Sweet Gel! All the beautiful pictures!
Debra’s Daredevils! We’ve been doing this for so long, I am the luckiest.
Whole Brower Literary Crew—Amiee Ashcraft and Kimberly Brower Thank you so much for everything!
Aunt Jo and Uncle Ted—you guys are so cool.
BLACKBERRY the talking cat.
Buds: Erika, you are the best
Christina Santos always
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Paige Smith Editing
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Anastasia, Debra, FLICKER
