Excerpt: Bear

"You look… fantastic," George said, grinning from ear to ear. Her mostly muscular body fit well in a prom dress, even if she didn't think so. The black satin matched her frizzed hair perfectly and the silver beads coordinated with her ice-cold eyes.
"Oh shut up," she chided. Even though she didn't want to hear it, she secretly loved the comment. She just didn't want him to sounds like a buffoon.
"Elena," he said softly, confining her gently by her shoulders. "I mean it." His eyes told her he really did.
"Thank you," she said with meaning. "Just don't make a damn fool out of yourself tonight."
He chuckled, shaking his head with wonder. She never took his compliments, yet he still gave them. He slid his hand easily against the small of her back. "I won't. Promise."
"Hm." She didn't believe him. Just as long as he didn't attract too much attention to them, then it was fine. She started walking, momentarily leaving his hand, but slowing so it would catch up with her. Passing the family room, she shouted, "Bye Dad we'll be back by two." She'd used that phrase it so many times before it had all become it's own word. He grunted and raised his beer can in response.