Excerpt of Past Due by Elizabeth Seckman

On her way to the counter, she took a gander at Tanner. He bent over and ran his hand across the tire tread then stroked the chrome hub cap. She hoped he didn't get down and crawl under the stupid thing. She shook her head and walked on. . .straight into a mound of sturdy warm flesh. Jenna cringed, then opened her eyes to find herself nose to chest with a well formed male body. She felt her cheeks flame with embarrassment. "I am so sorry." She answered without looking up.

"No problem. . .Jenna."

The voice rang familiar. Jenna, in an instant, felt a moment of mystical calm. A rightness in the world kind of feeling. But, this feeling was instantly replaced with full blown, blood draining, knee weakening panic. "Tres." The word nearly choked her. Her heart beat so rapidly she thought it might leap from her mouth if she opened it again. She looked over her shoulder at Tanner. Fortunately, he was still preoccupied with the Bat Mobile.

"So, how have you been?" He asked the question slowly, with an emphasis on

each and every word. Jenna doubted the friendliness of the question. It seemed more like the beginning of an interrogation. Like where were you on the night of September 7th? Simple question, kill yourself answer. Jenna gulped. She'd declare the fifth if she had to.