Laura Jackson – Romantic Excerpt – Part 1 of 2

Shannon here: Laura Jackson shares an excerpt from her latest Young Adult title, Worth the Time. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated, Jan 16 – 19 to enter the drawing. U.S. e-book or print, International – e-book. Deadline: Jan 31st, 11:59 pm, central time. Here’s Laura:

Lindsey is short on volunteer hours, so she’s in danger of not graduating. Her school counselor signs her up to help out at Covington House, a place that has a food pantry, clothing closet, ESL and tutoring classes, and after-school activities for kids.
          It’s there she meets Sutton, and it’s definitely not love at first sight.
Excerpt from Worth the Time:
          Julie was on the phone when Lindsey knocked on her office doorframe. Julie held up a finger, asking for a minute. As Lindsey waited just outside Julie’s office, a group of loud, sweaty kids flooded the main room. Normally, Lindsey avoided kids at any cost, but when the coach jogged in after them, she paused. She had only seen his back in the gym, but his face was worth waiting for.
His green eyes shone with excitement as the kids surrounded him. His short, spiked hair was dark with sweat. But what stood out was his smile as he passed out snacks to the kids, now sitting in a circle. Wide and a bit crooked, his smile said he was having as much fun as they were.
“We appreciate your help, Lindsey. I think you’re going to enjoy volunteering here.” Julie took Lindsey’s paper and signed off on the date.
Keeping her gaze on the coach, who was walking around with a trashcan, collecting the kid’s empty drinks and wrappers, Lindsey muttered, “I think I am.”
“Hey, let me introduce you to one of our other senior volunteers. Sutton, come here.” Julie waved the coach over. “I want you to meet Lindsey Hamilton. She’s volunteering from Waltham Academy.”
“Waltham.” He gave her a quick glance before looking back to check on the kids, who were singing in their circle. The bright smile he’d shown the kids was replaced with a smirk.
“Working on my hours.” She smiled. Maybe he would form another gorgeous grin.
He didn’t. “The only time we get volunteers from Waltham is when Mrs. Carmen is trying to get them to finish their hours in time for graduation.”
Lindsey frowned. It was true, but his attitude made it sound so much worse than it was. “Beggars can’t be choosers.”
Julie winced, and Lindsey’s cheeks flushed. But Sutton was the one who started it. He gave her a sly grin, probably thrilled she came off like the idiot, not him.
“Sutton’s one of our regulars. I’m sure you’ll work together often.” Julie gave Sutton a sharp look.
“I should get back to the kids.” He started to return to the kids but paused. “It’s nice to meet you. I know Julie is grateful for your help.”
His tone mirrored the times Lindsey’s  mom made her apologize to girls she’d been mean too—as forced and sincere as a thief saying ‘please’ as he robbed a convenience store clerk. Jerk.
Although he smiled at Julie, his gaze was cold by the time it reached Lindsey. It was obvious he had labeled her a rich brat in a private school uniform. And he was right.
About Laura: Laura Jackson loves books–reading and writing them. A life-long reader, Laura studied English in college and taught 7th grade language arts before earning her Master’s degree and becoming a school librarian. Now, she spends her days sharing great books with kids and her evenings writing books about teenage girls discovering God and His plan for their lives.
About the book – Worth the Time: 
Doesn’t anyone feel she’s worth their time?
Routinely ignored by her single mother, high school senior Lindsey Hamilton hides her loneliness behind a mask of flirtatious self-confidence that has many boys wrapped around her finger. However, during community service required for graduation, she meets a shy guy with a haunted past who barely gives her the time of day. Why doesn’t he like her?
Then the father she thought had abandoned her before birth wants to meet, and she discovers everything she believed about him is a lie.
How will Lindsey learn to trust so she can realize that she has been loved all along?
Question: Did you ever meet anyone you didn’t like at first, but later developed a relationship with – romantic or friendship?

Come back Jan 19th for Laura’s character interview!