Until I Die Again [On The Way To Heaven] (Soul Change Novel) by Tina Wainscott Page B

companion’s head looked more like six o’clock shadow, her scalp showing through the tiny hairs struggling to grow back.
    He looked at her with a surprised smile, then took a lock of her hair in his hand and whispered, “You’d look great in that hairstyle of hers.” He glanced around. “Anyone got any scissors?”
    She laughed and pulled away. “No! Don’t touch my hair.”
    The people sitting near them turned to give them looks meant to hush. Hallie didn’t care. She leaned over and quietly said, “Only if you get your ears pierced and wear earrings like his.”
    He looked at the punkish man she’d indicated, with three inch handcuff earrings dangling from both ears and a spike through his eyebrow.
    “In one ear or both?”
    “Both.”
    “Hmm.” He looked at her hair again. “It’d be worth it. I’ll find an ear piercing shop, you find a hair dresser. Or a hair undresser, as the case would be.”
    As if they were both imagining the other without hair or with funky earrings, they started laughing. Several people turned and shhhh ’d them. He laughed when she stuck her tongue out at the back of their heads.
    He whispered, “Darn, they might never let us in here again.”
    She turned to respond and found her nose touching his. Their gazes locked and their smiles faded. Something unravelled inside, freeing her heart to jump around. And words sang to her from a distance, sweet, melodious words.
    Find his heart.
    The impact of what those words meant sent her backwards, and she stared into the darkness around her while trying to catch her breath. When she looked at Jamie, he seemed stunned, too. And a little annoyed with himself. He stared at the stage, and she knew darn well he wasn’t interested in anything up there.
    “I know you hate this stuff as much as I do, so don’t pretend that you’re all of a sudden enjoying it,” she said.
    He looked at her, causing her heart to increase its rhythm. “I need an intermission. Let’s get out of here.”
    Taking her hand, he pulled her from the seat and headed toward the exit doors. The grumps mumbled their wishes that their departure be permanent. When they reached the fresh air outside, their laughter resounded through the parking lot. He clamped his arm around her shoulder and steered her toward the car. She was almost disappointed when they reached the Porsche and he removed his arm to open the door for her. After getting in, he turned to her.
    “I think that’s the most fun I’ve ever had at one of those things.” Then he looked ahead, and an uneasiness passed over his features.
    “What’s wrong?” she asked, desperately wanting the mood to continue.
    “I’m not used to having fun with you anymore, Hallie. It seems strange.” He backed the car up and pulled to the exit.
    “So? What’s wrong with having fun with me?”
    He looked at her for the longest time. “There’s been so much between us.”
    She ventured to reach out and touch the hand resting on the gear shifter. “Can’t we forget the past?”
    His laugh held no humor. “That’s easy for you to say. You have forgotten the past. I can’t do that, even if I wanted to.”
    He pulled onto the highway, heading in the direction of home. The last threads of their light mood slipped away, but she grasped at one.
    “Let’s go to Oceanview.”
    He looked at her as if she was crazy. “Don’t tell me you have a sudden urge to visit your mother.”
    “God, no. I have another idea.” She grinned provocatively, hoping to pique his curiosity.
    “And what might that be?”
    “Come on, and you’ll find out.”
    “I don’t know if I like your surprises. Let’s just go back home.”
    She leaned toward him, needing to close the gap between them, at least physically. “Please, Jamie. I don’t want tonight to end yet.”
    Instead of winning him over with her pleading and honesty, he moved away. “Hallie, this is too weird. You’re too different. I don’t know how to act around you