And so starts February...I have to
say after the crazy weather we've been having on the West Coast, I'm looking
forward to XOXOs from Mother Nature this month. At least the inclement weather
afforded a good excuse to snuggle up with a good book.
I'm a sucker for second
chance/secret baby books. But as a writer I've always struggled with the secret
keeper needing a rock solid reason for keeping a child a secret. I think Lisa's
got one. I hope you agree if you read the book. In the meantime, please enjoy Lisa
and Joe's first--in a very long time--kiss!
NEVER SAY
NEVER - West Coast Happily-Ever-After, Book 2
NEVER SAY NEVER
© Loner Llama Press
He stopped her. “One
confession at a time. I owe you an apology.”
She looked up. “For what?”
“For being an ass the day of
Patrick’s funeral. I was mad at the world, and I needed somebody to blame for
what happened. I didn’t care who I hurt in the process. You. My dad. Hell, I
probably said something nasty to my mother, too, but I don’t remember.” He
glanced toward the door. “Don’t ask her, okay? I’m a Kelly. Humbling myself
once a day is all I can take.”
Her lips curved upward but only for
a moment. “Why are you bringing this up tonight, Joe?”
“Because ever since you picked me up
at the airport I’ve felt like there was some ponderous weight between us.
Patrick. The past. Our past. And, of course, my asinine behavior at the
funeral. I was hoping if I apologized we might find a way to get past it.”
“Why? Because we’re going to be
working together—well, in close proximity—for the next few weeks?”
Her tone sounded contentious. “Yes,
partly.”
“Because you’re already bored and
need a little romance to spice up your stay?”
Momentarily stunned speechless, he
watched her tap the corner of the envelope to her lips. “Well, I hate to
disappoint you, but it isn’t going to happen. I may be a small town girl who is
too afraid of life to risk leaving Worthington, but that doesn’t mean I don’t
have plans. I do. And you aren’t part of them.”
Too afraid of life to risk leaving
Worthington? His words came back to haunt him. The night by the lake, after
they’d made love, Joe had asked Lisa to go with him. She’d refused, and he’d
accused her of being too afraid to take a chance on a bigger life outside of
Worthington.
“I was eighteen and full of myself.
I thought I had all the answers when, in fact, I didn’t even know what the
questions were.”
He shook his head and made a gesture
toward the bar where the sound of laughter filtered under the door. “You proved
me wrong, didn’t you? You’ve met your goal of graduating from college. You have
a lot of friends who think you’re fabulous, and your son has turned out
great—despite a few little age-related glitches. You have a lot more to show
for your life than I do.”
She set down the card and took a
step closer. “How can you say that? You’re a successful filmmaker. You’re
living your dream.”
“I left here convinced I was going
to be the next Steven Spielberg. That didn’t happen.”
She smiled the way she would have if
Brandon had said something self-effacing. “So neither of us has set the world
on fire,” she said with a shrug. “I’ve decided there comes a time when you
either embrace your life—flaws and all—or give up.”
She shook her head and a lock of
golden-red hair escaped from her fancy updo and danced across her shoulders. He
took her by the wrist and pulled her a step closer. Their bodies weren’t quite
touching, but he could reach her by leaning forward.
He moved slowly, giving her a chance
to back away, but she didn’t. He put his mouth on hers. She didn’t respond
right away, but after a heartbeat her mouth opened. At first, all he could
taste was the tangy flavor of the wine she’d been drinking, then her tongue
touched his and memories poured into his mind. Even after all these years, she
still tasted like Lisa.
This, he realized, was what he’d
wanted all night. All week. Ever since he’d walked out the doors of the airport
and seen her standing beside her perky little car. He needed this. He needed
her.
But Lisa apparently didn’t need him.
Stepping back, she held on to the
table with one hand and used the other to touch her lips, as if making sure
they were still there.
“I stole a kiss, not your lips,” Joe
said, trying to lighten the moment.
She didn’t smile. “I can’t do this,
Joe. Not now. Not until… There’s something you…” She didn’t finish the thought.
“I’m sorry. I have to get back to my guests.”
With that,
she walked out of the room.
As a special February treat, you can
download NEVER SAY NEVER at my DebSalonen Bookstore: CLICK TO BUY
for 50% off if you use this coupon: QMZ9I9XDM7
Or download from the vendor of your
choice:
Happy reading!
Deb
Thank you, Amy, for sharing this post. I love 2nd chance at love stories. Hope your readers do, too.
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