Life Blood: Cora's Choice Book 1

I snaked out a hand, half-hidden, under the arm of the chair. He took it and folded it in his own. It felt good.

Over the next ten minutes, Sabrina crushed Lisette, who surrendered her paddle to Ross. "I'm not even going to try against you," she said.

Ross and Sabrina played a couple of games while we watched, Ross spending as much time coaching Sabrina as playing against her. After his win, Lisette insisted that Sabrina and Geoff have a final showdown, to see how much Ross's instruction had improved her game since we'd played together last. This time, Geoff was on his toes, lunging and jumping to return Sabrina's volleys. A fast one whizzed by, and he threw himself back to catch it.

"Watch out!" Sabrina yelled, but it was too late. He slammed into my chair, and we both went over in a tangle.

"And game," she said, coming around the table to help.

Geoff had put out his hand at the last minute to keep his weight from landing squarely on me, but I'd hit the ground hard enough to knock the wind out of me.

"Crap, Shaw," he said, jumping up. He slipped an arm under mine and pulled me to my feet. "I'm so sorry. I forgot you were there. I mean, I knew you were there, but I didn't know I was that close."

I clung to his arm for a moment to steady myself. He looked so guilt-stricken, his broad face earnest and intent.

"Really, I'm fine, Geoff," I reassured him. "I'm not that fragile." I let go of him, and a moment later, he released me cautiously.

"Thanks for the win, Cora," Sabrina said. "The old stationary-chair trick gets them every time."

"Very funny, Sabrina," I said, making a face at her. "I've got to go anyway, guys. I've got an appointment tonight, so I was planning on catching a nap before I leave."

"Sure, no problem," Sabrina said casually. She and Ross didn't know that I was sick.

"Good luck, and call me," Lisette said intently. She gave me a worried smile. "In case you're asleep when I stop by and I can't say goodbye."

"I'll walk you," Geoff said, picking up my book bag. "I need to do some last minute reviewing, anyway."

"Sure," I said. "Bye, guys."

"Bye," Lisette said. She waggled her eyebrows dramatically, looking at Geoff and back at me. I scowled at her. Geoff had the good grace to pretend not to notice the exchange.

Geoff and I walked side-by-side, not exactly comfortably, but I wouldn't say the slight awkwardness was a bad thing, either. It was an awareness of his closeness, his golden looks, and his size, relative to mine.