Oops.

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Haven't posted here since last week. I broke 30k on Monday! I am feeling quite accomplished even though I look at my outline and go "wtf was this what I was supposed to be writing?" Because ummmm, it's not really? Anymore?

Also, I realized all my excerpts so far were like...um horrible nightmarish things and wanted to point out that YES THERE ARE GOOD PARTS TOO. There is ROMANCE or something like it. ANYWAY I am clearly on crack as you can see from the random caps, so here is a HAPPY EXCERPT OKBYE.

Marisol was being obvious. A hand on Jared's arm here, a brilliant smile at JR there. They would have been fine, if she hadn't purposely been gauging our reactions, making sure we were watching. I glanced at Lisa out of the corner of my eye and saw that that cheerful smile that was always on her face was faltering. I cleared my throat. "Lis, do me a favor? Put on some Black Eyed Peas. We're running interference."

Lisa blinked at me and her smile got a little devious as she cycled through the playlist to play 'Pump It'. The second the song started, I wove may way across the room with Lisa on my heels. I put on the best smile I could manage and said to Jared, "Hey birthday boy, how 'bout a dance?"

Marisol gave me a look that nearly convinced me that it was entirely possible for her to start spitting daggers. Jared however smiled at me, that thousand-watt smile that made my toes curl inside my boots. "Excuse me, Marisol, I can't turn down that offer. I'll catch up with you in a bit."

I gave Lisa an encouraging prod and she, biting her lips, look up at JR. Marisol glared at her and Lisa straighten up under that look. "JR, let's go cut a rug. Show Shannon and Jared a little Latino flava?"

JR gave Marisol and unreadable look and replied with a quiet, "Sure, let's bring it." He grabbed Lisa's hand in a massive one and followed us to the makeshift dance floor.

"So what was that about," Jared asked, dancing effortlessly. He had this easy relaxed rhythm than lent amazing movement to his dancing. It's like he didn't have to try. I,on the other hand, felt the slightest bit awkward, because dancing was by no means my strongest suit. It was just the first thing I'd thought of.

"Oh, um, nothing really. Just...Marisol was being Marisol and Lisa was getting a little upset. The way she was kind of hanging over you two, I mean."

"Just Lisa?"

I went red, knowing that it was pretty much futile to try to hide from Jared. It was almost ironic considering the one really big secret I was still keeping from him. "No, not just Lisa," I replied. glanced at Lisa dancing with JR.

He towered over her and I guess I expected him to be all arms and legs, but the two of them moved with a fluid dynamic I couldn't match. Lisa suddenly seemed to be made of hips, and boy did she know how to shake them. I shifted my attention back to Jared and caught him watching me with an amused look. "What?"

"Anyone ever tell you you're like a puzzle that needs to be solved?"

"I've heard the puzzle part before, but not that many people feel the need to solve me," I replied truthfully.

"Well I'm not like many people," he came back, and then crinkled his nose. "Damn, that was cliche as hell."

I had to laugh. "True though. I mean, there aren't exactly tons of people who can do what you do."

"So you saying you only like me for my fancy-ass dream mojo?"

I snorted in laughter. "Yeah. That's what I'm saying. Well, that and your ass."

"Yeah I knew I saw you checking me out." Jared actually preened, fluffing his hair.

I caught his hand. "Don't, it doesn't need the help," I teased. "And for your information, I was not checking you out. At any point. Ever. So there."

"So...has anyone ever told you you suck at lying?" He waggled his eyebrows at me.

"Shut up. No. I usually lie very well thank you very much."

"Aha! So you admit to lying, which means yes you were checking me out. It's all good. It's mutual."

I went red again, this time because Jared went from teasing to flirting in point five seconds and I could barely catch up. To make matters worse, the song playing ended, and predictably, went right into something a hell of a lot slower. It was in Spanish, and I didn't recognize it.

Lisa went a little pink as JR stepped closer and slipped his arm low around her waist. Jared did the same to me, before I had a chance to react. It gave Jared the opportunity to get pretty close, close enough to say in my ear, "Slow me down if I'm going to fast for you, okay?"

I could only nod in reply. I wanted to slow him down right then and tell him before it was too late, though a sickening feeling in my stomach told me it already was. If I told him now, he'd only hate me, but there was no way I could keep it secret for long.

He used the fact that we were close to his advantage, caging me. In a room full of people I suddenly felt like it was just the two of us. Midway through the song he asked, "Can we get away from the crowd for a bit?"

I found my voice. "Yeah um, my present for you's upstairs and I did not mean that the way it sounded."

He just laughed and stepped back, sliding his hand from my waist to my hand. "I know. C'mon show me the way."

No, I have no idea who the hell Marisol is. Bitch showed up in my story without permission.