As part of my Book Launch Week, I’d like to introduce you to Astrid, one of the narrators of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades.
In this excerpt, it’s actually the other narrator, Shelby, who is speaking. It’s Shelby’s first day as an intern at a Boston PR firm, and Anne, the office manager, has just introduced Shelby and Astrid to each other.
Oh, and if Astrid’s outfit has you doing a double-take, I should mention that the story is set in the 1980s. 🙂 And if you’re wondering why the photo doesn’t show Astrid in that business suit, well — you try finding a picture resembling that fabulous number. 🙂 🙂
Astrid rose from her chair, turned around and stretched up to her full height, which was somewhere around model-tall in heels but probably more like a perfect five foot seven inches in reality. I vowed then and there to swap out my flat pumps for heels tomorrow. I didn’t even like flat pumps.
Astrid’s hair was straight and creamy blonde, streaked with honey and amber. Her light blue suit was ridiculously cute even though I wouldn’t be caught dead in it. It tapered from substantial shoulder pads to a thin navy belt accentuating her tiny waist. Navy blue trim outlined the cuffs and pockets, and a power bow at the neck topped it off.
“Hi,” she said, analyzing me with unimpressed crystal-blue eyes. She seemed ready to bolt past me, but either the lack of running room in the small cubicle or a quick glance at Anne changed her mind. “Nice to meet you,” she said, offering a slender, pearly-tipped hand.
“I’ll leave you two to get acquainted,” Anne said with a smile and what may have been a sympathetic look in my direction before turning and leaving me alone with this woman I immediately loathed and wanted to be at the same time.
Tune in tomorrow to officially meet Shelby.
