Hello everyone! For my stop in Between the Lives's blog tour, Jess is here to share one of her favourite scenes from the book. I would also like to thank Amanda from Harper Collins Australia for putting this blog tour together!
PS: Don't worry, it's non-spoilery ;)
______________________________________________
Sabine is in her Roxbury life and working at her parent's pharmacy after just making a discovery that might change both of her lives. It is also the first time she meets Ethan:
When I got to the drugstore, I said hello to Mom and the pharmacist Denise, then I wriggled awkwardly – thanks to my cast – into one of the white jackets that were supposed to make us look more ‘medically informed’. When Mom and Denise weren’t looking, I slid my notebook onto the counter. I kept a magazine resting on top of it, so when customers came in they wouldn’t see the list.
1. Test blood theory – exterior physical reaction
2. Test hair – pigment and removal
3. Test laxatives – internal physical response
4. Test poison – consciousness and organ failure
If points one through four achieve a successful outcome, proceed to next point.
My hand trembled as I wrote number five.
5. Choose
I chewed on a fingernail, staring at what I’d just written. Could it really be that simple? I didn’t know, but even so ... I crossed out the last point. It was too early for that. Points one through four first. Then I’d worry about what would happen ... next.
Giddy from the rush of thinking such forbidden thoughts, I did what I’d really come here for: I stocked up on everything I was going to need, waiting until Denise went on her break to grab some items from behind her counter. By the time I returned to the register, someone was waiting and looked like he’d been there for a while.
‘Sorry for the wait. What can I get you?’ I was sure I was flushed from guilt. I hoped he hadn’t seen me shoplifting from my own family’s store.
The guy, who’d had his back to me, spun around and glared. I let out a little gasp before I could stop myself. He was probably in his early twenties – and he was undeniably hot. Trouble and attitude radiated from him. And there was something ... more. In his eyes. They were startling: dark blue and intense, with a depth you didn’t normally see. Eyes that could too easily see through someone.
I set my shoulders and got ready to deny any accusations. But he just gave me an up-and-down look I couldn’t read – other than to know it wasn’t flattering – and shoved a handful of crumpled scripts towards me.
‘How long?’ he asked, his full lips set in a straight line.
I gave him a tight smile as I sifted through over a dozen scripts, more than a few for heavy-duty medications. That explained the aggressive, defensive attitude: drug dealer.
‘These are going to take a while,’ I told him. ‘Since there are so many and they’re not all in the one name.’ Hint: I know what you’re doing. ‘The pharmacist will need to see ID and call it through for approval.’ After which we’ll ring the police.
I kept a firm hold of the scripts, expecting him to snatch them and make a run for it. But he simply shrugged, leaned against the counter and folded his arms.
‘Just call the Roxbury Medical Clinic and give them the prescription codes and my ID details. They’ll verify.’ He slipped a driver’s licence out of his wallet and tossed it on the counter before narrowing his eyes at me. ‘How long?’
This guy was an ass. And thankfully I wasn’t in Wellesley today; I didn’t have to behave. I sucked in a breath and was about to tell him to take a hike when Denise came back from her break.
‘Ethan!’ she said, looking delighted. ‘What are you doing here?’
Drug guy shrugged, sending me a sly look. ‘Being interrogated.’
______________________________________________
Where to buy?
Find Jessica Shirvington at:
______________________________________________
GIVEAWAY!
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia, I have 2 copies of Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington to giveaway to Australian residents!
The giveaway runs from today until 24 May 2013. Good luck!
