Beauty & the Geek

By Tess Dacre

The geek. Well what do you expect. Of course he’d mess it up with the only two girls he’s dated. Trouble is, he really likes this one, and is terrified of messing it up again. Fortunately for him, she needs help in an area where he has skills. Her twin ends up with his cousin, and together the four of them end up helping rescue someone else, who turns out to be the making of them all.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, actual events, locale or organisations is entirely coincidental.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tess Dacre
• Release date: Oct 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301360543

Tess Dacre

I love to read. One day I found I was bored with reading, and thought "why not give writing a try?" Now I love to write too. I've done some, and it's given me a huge admiration for those who write full length books. My imagination and tenacity gives out at about 25,000 words! I've garnered some lovely comments on my writing. Thank you all. I hope you enjoy reading my stories as much as I've enjoyed writing them. If you did, please review. Thank you.

Book preview

Beauty & the Geek

By Tess Dacre

Copyright 2009 - 2012 Tess Dacre

Smashwords Edition

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover photo credit: dollen / Foter / CC BY-ND

One reviewer said:

I have read several of your stories and have found them so believable that I was caught up in the emotions of the characters. You have a fantastic way of making a story so real that one could almost imagine it really happening. I hope to see more stories from you.

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Chapter 1 – Lame ducks

She was there again. I had seen her the previous year, and occasionally in the office. As usual, her long brown hair was slightly unkempt and she was wearing a dark sweatshirt, dark pants and dark trainers. Her face had that slightly shut in look of someone who doesn't want to be noticed. Indeed she was curled up on a chair in the corner of the room. I wanted to help, as I had helped others in her situation.

Earlier in the year there had been Joseph. He'd been looking for a job and unable to get any interviews. I had helped him with his letters and CV, gently drawing out his skills and experience and helping him to write it up. Then when he was called for interview, giving him interview practice. We'd been shopping too, and fitted him out in a suit and tie. He'd protested, but what else did I have to spend my money on? He didn't get the first two jobs he went for, but was successful on the third. His confidence has improved enormously so now he walks tall.

I had a good job as a web programmer. I was a geek. Here I was at my boss' Christmas party. I'd joined the firm a year ago, so this was my second time here. I don't like parties, but couldn't really get out of this one if I wanted to progress. I knew I was out of place. For heaven's sake, I had on a jacket and tie – the most formally dressed there. Years ago I had tried to dress more informally, but it was a disaster, so I stuck to what I knew. But I had a soft spot for and a desire to help lame ducks, I think because of my own feeling of being out of place.

I screwed up my courage and made slow progress across the room to the girl sitting in the corner. Her eyes flared slightly as I arrived next to her, and she looked down to try to prevent me talking to her. I folded myself up to sit on the floor next to her and looked up into her face. For a moment my breath hitched. Her alabaster oval face was beautiful, highlighted as it was by a very slight blush and a dusting of freckles. She was also older than I had first thought, perhaps near my 35 years.

Hi.

She mumbled a response and coloured even more.

So what's a beautiful girl like you doing stuck in a corner?

She looked up sharply.

Don't be silly.

I smiled at her. She looked curiously at me.

Why are you talking to me?

I saw you here last year, and I've seen you around the office, and I wanted to find out what you did.

Why?

Because I'm nosey.

She laughed, and my breath caught again. She had no make up, no pretence, but when she smiled I couldn't breathe.

So what do you do?

Her face shut down again and she looked down.

I'm so sorry – I didn't mean to upset you. I was horrified that my simple question had caused her distress. Let's talk about something else.

She nodded.

What music do you like?

She coloured bright red, and my heart sank that I had upset her twice in a row. I didn't hear her response.

I'm sorry – I didn't catch that?

Bach.

I could feel my face light up – geek that I am. My favourite.

She looked up sharply and frowned at me. You're just saying that to humour me. What's your favourite piece?

So many depending on my mood, but I love the start of his Christmas Oratorio with the drums and trumpets.

Her lovely smile peeped out again. It's really true, she said wonderingly, you do like Bach. Do you play an instrument?

"No, just sing. Bass is comfortable, but I can do tenor as well. It's really