Oughta Be a Movie: a Sugar-&-Spice romantic comedy by Susan Hammond
Authors: Susan Hammond
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quickie. As he took a step back, her eyes flashed disappointment, then she started fiddling with the necklace.
“Zebras are really interesting. Most people think they’re white with black stripes, but actually they’re black with white stripes and bellies. No one really knows why they have stripes—and there must be a reason—some think they’re camouflage because when they’re together…it’s called motion dazzle and it’s hard to see individual animals. But it could be the barber pole effect. When they’re running fast, a predator can’t tell which direction they’re running. You know like a barber pole? Are the stripes moving up? Or moving down?” She stopped barely long enough to catch a breath before asking, “Do you know what a social group of zebra’s is called?”
Ben was trying not to smile. “You mean like a herd?”
“Yes, but with zebras it’s called a harem. One stallion and eight to twelve mares. The bachelor zebras just hang out together in groups that form and break up. And when you breed a zebra and a horse, you get a zorse.”
No way could he stop a smile. Couldn’t even stop a chuckle. “You made that one up.”
“No really, they—” Her hand went to her hip. “You’re laughing at me.”
He chuckled again. “Maybe a little.” He reached for her and tugged her to him, wrapping her in a hug. “You know what they call a guy listening to an adorable woman spouting geeky science talk?” He felt the small shake of her head. “Very lucky.” She relaxed into the hug, her head on his shoulder. God, I love her.
“Thank you for the necklace.”
“You’re welcome.” He hugged her tighter then dropped his arms. “Better go.”
She picked up a small, pink purse from the desk. “Let’s do it.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” At her questioning look, he pointed to the bed. “Jackets. I have it on the best authority that a cold front is arriving at 9:30.”
“You’ll thank me.”
. . . . .
Warm, muggy air hit them as soon as they stepped out of the hotel onto the sidewalk. Ben just looked at her and raised his eyebrows, but Ali was sure he would say something soon. And as they crossed the street at the end of the block, he didn’t disappoint her.
“Sure glad I brought my jacket.”
Her elbow to his ribs missed. Too fast even while he laughed. He grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together, giving her hand a quick kiss and keeping it in his as they walked. There was no one around to see, and no need to pretend. Realization came to her in a rush.
There’d been no one on the terrace with them earlier. No one in her room when he proposed their sexy bet. No one in the elevator when he kissed her. No one to know he’d given her a Valentine’s gift. She smiled and glanced down at the zebra. He hadn’t done any of those things for Tim’s benefit.
He squeezed her hand and let it go, casually moving his hand to the back of her neck. He was touching her because he wanted to. She didn’t understand how things between them had shifted so quickly, but she liked how she felt. How they felt.
Most of the shops they passed were closed, but a used book store was open. He launched into describing a project he’d been working on that would start filming in April. Another romance, but a fantasy this time, set in a bookstore with a magic reading room where whatever you were reading became real while you were there. Her face heated at the thought of the book she was reading right now, grateful he couldn’t see her blush because she wasn’t about to explain what that was about.
A sign on the club door said “Closed tonight for private event.” The lighting inside was dim, but not dark. A spotlight shown on a small corner stage where the DJ was set up, but the larger performance stage was dark. None of the other guests had arrived since, for some reason, Ben needed to be there early. He still wouldn’t tell her why, only that it was a surprise.
Steering
“Zebras are really interesting. Most people think they’re white with black stripes, but actually they’re black with white stripes and bellies. No one really knows why they have stripes—and there must be a reason—some think they’re camouflage because when they’re together…it’s called motion dazzle and it’s hard to see individual animals. But it could be the barber pole effect. When they’re running fast, a predator can’t tell which direction they’re running. You know like a barber pole? Are the stripes moving up? Or moving down?” She stopped barely long enough to catch a breath before asking, “Do you know what a social group of zebra’s is called?”
Ben was trying not to smile. “You mean like a herd?”
“Yes, but with zebras it’s called a harem. One stallion and eight to twelve mares. The bachelor zebras just hang out together in groups that form and break up. And when you breed a zebra and a horse, you get a zorse.”
No way could he stop a smile. Couldn’t even stop a chuckle. “You made that one up.”
“No really, they—” Her hand went to her hip. “You’re laughing at me.”
He chuckled again. “Maybe a little.” He reached for her and tugged her to him, wrapping her in a hug. “You know what they call a guy listening to an adorable woman spouting geeky science talk?” He felt the small shake of her head. “Very lucky.” She relaxed into the hug, her head on his shoulder. God, I love her.
“Thank you for the necklace.”
“You’re welcome.” He hugged her tighter then dropped his arms. “Better go.”
She picked up a small, pink purse from the desk. “Let’s do it.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” At her questioning look, he pointed to the bed. “Jackets. I have it on the best authority that a cold front is arriving at 9:30.”
“You’ll thank me.”
. . . . .
Warm, muggy air hit them as soon as they stepped out of the hotel onto the sidewalk. Ben just looked at her and raised his eyebrows, but Ali was sure he would say something soon. And as they crossed the street at the end of the block, he didn’t disappoint her.
“Sure glad I brought my jacket.”
Her elbow to his ribs missed. Too fast even while he laughed. He grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together, giving her hand a quick kiss and keeping it in his as they walked. There was no one around to see, and no need to pretend. Realization came to her in a rush.
There’d been no one on the terrace with them earlier. No one in her room when he proposed their sexy bet. No one in the elevator when he kissed her. No one to know he’d given her a Valentine’s gift. She smiled and glanced down at the zebra. He hadn’t done any of those things for Tim’s benefit.
He squeezed her hand and let it go, casually moving his hand to the back of her neck. He was touching her because he wanted to. She didn’t understand how things between them had shifted so quickly, but she liked how she felt. How they felt.
Most of the shops they passed were closed, but a used book store was open. He launched into describing a project he’d been working on that would start filming in April. Another romance, but a fantasy this time, set in a bookstore with a magic reading room where whatever you were reading became real while you were there. Her face heated at the thought of the book she was reading right now, grateful he couldn’t see her blush because she wasn’t about to explain what that was about.
A sign on the club door said “Closed tonight for private event.” The lighting inside was dim, but not dark. A spotlight shown on a small corner stage where the DJ was set up, but the larger performance stage was dark. None of the other guests had arrived since, for some reason, Ben needed to be there early. He still wouldn’t tell her why, only that it was a surprise.
Steering
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