Author: Laura Heffernan
Publisher: Lyrical Shine -
Kensington
Release Date: March 7, 2017
SEEKING
THE SMART ONE
Twenty-four-year-old
Jen Reid had her life in good shape: an okay job, a tiny-cute Seattle
apartment, and a great boyfriend almost ready to get serious. In a flash it all
came apart. Single, unemployed, and holding an eviction notice, who has time to
remember trying out for a reality show? Then the call comes, and Jen sees her
chance to start over—by spending her summer on national TV.
Luckily
The Fishbowl is all about puzzles and games, the kind of thing Jen would love
even if she wasn’t desperate. The cast checks all the boxes: cheerful, quirky
Birdie speaks in hashtags; vicious Ariana knows just how to pout for the
cameras; and corn-fed “J-dawg” plays the cartoon villain of the house. Then
there’s Justin, the green-eyed law student who always seems a breath away from
kissing her. Is their attraction real, or a trick to get him closer to the
$250,000 grand prize? Romance or showmance, suddenly Jen has a lot more to lose
than a summer . . .
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Excerpt:
He touched my chin with two fingers,
bringing my gaze up to meet his. Damn those green eyes. I searched them for
answers, wishing I knew whether he was putting on an act for the audience. Even
with the lights off, the cameras stationed in the yard would capture us. The
producers filmed everything, day and night. Everyone in America would know if we
kissed. For a moment, I struggled to remember why that was bad.
“I guess it’s not your fault, since I
got the question right,” I said begrudgingly, shifting slightly backward.
“If that is the best I can get, I’ll
take it. But I’m going to work on complete forgiveness. I’ll pay you double
interest on our bet—six cents.”
“Well, then,” I laughed. “Maybe I’ll
have to reconsider once I get my money. I’d hate to have to send Birdie to
break your kneecaps.”
The image of five-foot-tall Birdie
coming after Justin with a baseball bat cracked him up. I laughed, too,
crossing my legs and settling more comfortably in the lounger. My knee
practically touched Justin’s leg. He didn’t move.
We sat quietly for a few minutes. I
wondered if he heard my heart pounding. Even not wanting to get caught kissing
on national television with a near-stranger, I found something about Justin
irresistible. Possibly his smile. Or his dimples. His brains. The ease of
talking to him. His personality. The fact that he was practically perfect for
me in every way.
That line of thinking wasn’t helping. I
needed to change the subject before I started calling him Mary Poppins.
“It’s a beautiful night.” I gestured at
the sky.
“Yes, it is,” Justin said, his eyes
never leaving my face. Did he lean forward slightly? Only inches separated our
lips.
The warmth definitely wasn’t the beer. I
licked my lips nervously and leaned in, closing the gap. If he moved the
tiniest bit…
“So—”
Copyright © 2017 by Laura Heffernan
About Laura Heffernan:
Laura
Heffernan is living proof that watching too much TV can pay off. When not
watching total strangers participate in arranged marriages, drag racing queens,
or cooking competitions, Laura enjoys travel, baking, board games, helping with
writing contests, and seeking new experiences. She lives in the Northeast with
her amazing husband and two furry little beasts.
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