Give Me Chocolate (And Jordan)

In thinking on how to introduce this, I realized I have several options. I could focus on it being World Chocolate Day. That seems important to a chocolate lover like me. I could also mention it being "Young adult romance your mother can trust." All my YA is clean with godly morals and a hint of my own humor. But I decided to focus on Jesus who mixed with a day dedicated to chocolate makes me smile HUGE. All He needs to be better is a chocolate bar. I'm sure they have those in heaven.

But anywho ... that indelible image placed in my wallet, below is an excerpt from the book. I've placed a few other links at the bottom. You have my huge gratitude for reading this and supporting my writing.

Only one thing appeals to Sedona Keyes as much as chocolate – Jordan Merritt, her brother’s best friend. But her brother is against it, so in favor of family peace, she sets her feelings aside.

When a horrible car accident robs her of her memory, Jordan becomes the only person she’s sure of. She loves him, and he loves her. But what they have might not survive her brother’s continued hostility or the time and doubt steadily tearing their love apart.

EXCERPT:
“I actually hate it when I get this way,” I mumbled, my mouth full. “It’s like someone sautéed my insides in rancid oil and served them up with a plate of live eels.”

“That’s gross.”

Jordan’s voice came from behind. He was leaning on the kitchen doorframe. Man, he was fine. I stuffed the chocolate bar further in my mouth, aware I looked like a hog at the trough.

But then, if I’d seen him over the years, he’d seen me. He’d done all the things young boys typically do to girls a shade younger than them. I’d been picked on mercilessly, had pranks pulled on me, been shut out and closed off while they played games I was supposedly “too little” for. He was there the Christmas my Aunt Barb gave me my first bra, had walked into the laundry more than once and found me chest-deep in underwear. What memories I’d formed, he’d formed as well.

“But accurate,” I returned.

He gave a crooked smile.

“Maybe we shouldn’t trust you to drive.” This comment came from my brother who’d entered smelling like too much cologne. He was dressed for work, khaki slacks and a red polo shirt embroidered with the company logo.

“Where are you driving?” my mom asked.

I switched my gaze to her face. “The mall. I have to buy a birthday gift for Janene.”

“I can drive you.”

My head winged left. Had Jordan just offered to take me somewhere? I’d ridden in his Jeep before, but never alone. Always, Gary was there. Speaking of Gary, he didn’t look too happy Jordan had spoken, which was the other reason I had to get over my infatuation. Harmony. At no point in time, did Gary want to lose his best friend’s attention to his little sister, and I respected that.

“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Gary said. “If she drives off the road, the road will see her coming and run.”

“Ha. Ha.” I made a face. I finished my candy bar and rose, tossing the wrapper in the trash can, then rinsed my fingers.

“Actually,” my mom said. “If Jordan could take you, I’d feel better.”

I twisted her direction, my hands tangled in the dish towel.

“I don’t like you going to the mall alone.”

At that moment, I wasn’t sure whether to crow because Mom had endorsed me being alone with Jordan or because my brother looked like he’d swallowed a toad.

“That is … if you don’t mind,” she said to Jordan.

“No problem. I have the day off.”

Her smile said she was grateful and pleased. My brother’s scowl said if she hadn’t been standing there, he would rupture. Ick. Not a pretty sight for anyone.

“It’s settled then. I have to visit your grandmother today anyhow and am leaving in about twenty minutes. This way I won’t have to worry.”

She worried a lot. Ever since my dad died, she’d taken on a lot of responsibilities that used to be his, and as a result, way more pressure. Gary did his part to alleviate some of it, as did I, and Jordan frequently told her he loved her. None of that brought my dad back, but at least, she knew she wasn’t alone.

“You go and forget about us,” I said. “Jordan will be my hero today.”

I caught eyes with him then, and that same tingling rush swept up my spine which said I was this close to something I had no clue how to stop. Gary’s face loomed into view over Jordan’s shoulder, and it wasn’t nice. But this wasn’t my fault … not Jordan volunteering, not my mom agreeing so easily. I glanced away. He didn’t have anything to get worked up over anyhow. Not like Jordan saw me as any more than he ever had, not like one trip to the mall would alter anything.