So, here we were, sitting on the same rock with the journal open in my lap and Bacon curled up in hers.
I flipped through the pages until I came to an entry written in a familiar swirly handwriting I’d recognize anywhere. “Found it,” I whispered, nudging Allie’s shoulder.
She let out a groan, covering her face as I started to read.
July 14, 2017
Just Friends
Our souls were matched before we met—a bond like ours I can’t forget.
But for all of you that I adore—I don’t want to be your friend anymore.
The love I feel for you is real—your heart is all I need to heal.
It hurts too much, the pain a chore—I don’t want to be your friend anymore.
Always just friends, I need so much more,
If you don’t feel the same, please close this door.
“Wow,” I muttered, feeling like I’d been punched in the gut. Alex and I had spent years hiding behind friendship, terrified of what we’d always felt boiling beneath the surface, but our attempt at playing it safe was exactly what almost drove us apart.
Her face turned bright red. “I told you not to read it.”
“It’s beautiful,” I said, kissing her lips softly. “I’m glad I read it.” I snapped a quick picture of her poem with my phone before packing the journal away.
“You are?”
“I am. It was your veritable ‘shit or get off the pot,’ and I shit. So, it’s all good.”
Alexis laughed so hard, she woke the dog. “Is that what this was?” she asked, twisting the ring around her finger. “You shitting on me?”
“I feel some excellent vows in the making here, ‘I promise to shit on you, all the days of our lives,’” I teased. “We are writing our own vows, right?” I asked, taking Bacon’s leash from her with one hand and holding her hand in the other as we started making our way back down the trail.
“Colton Fowler, if you say anything about shitting on me at our wedding, I will run out of there so fast...”
“It’s romance, in code, babe. No one else will get it. That’s what makes it awesome.”
“You’re a mess,” she chided, giggling to herself.
“But you love me anyway.”
“God, help me...I love you anyway.”
Thank YOU for reading my words. To write is my dream and I get to live it every day because of my readers. Your messages, your reviews, your support mean more to me than you will ever know.
As always, thank you to my husband Adam and to my children who sacrifice a clean house, cooked meals, and so much more so that I can pursue this crazy dream of mine. You put up with my mood swings and panic attacks and seemingly endless deadlines. You are my strength, and I love you more than words.
A HUGE thank you to my betas: Nicole, Danielle, Kate, Lauren, Karin, and Franci. You girls volunteered your time to help make this book the best it could be and I am so grateful.
Nicole, my brain, you have been here with me from the start and I wouldn’t know how to do this without you. Your friendship, your support, and your honesty are invaluable. Even when my characters are pissing you off, you are there to keep me from losing my mind, supporting me every step of the way. I’m so lucky to have you by my side. I love you!
Danielle, thank you for your love and enthusiasm for these characters. You were always there, willing and eager to help me and you have no idea how many times your encouragement kept me going. You’ve become an integral part of my team, but even more importantly a dear friend. I love you.
Kate Farlow. . . GURL, I don’t even know where to start. From reading my words and hashing out scenes to making teasers and helping me market this book, you have gone above and beyond. I’m so thankful that you came into my life and blessed to call you my friend. I love you, Dick! #tripod Lauren, my wifey. . . send me the therapy bill. Just kidding, I can’t afford it. :p Thank you for loving my babies and talking me off the ledge so many times. I thought that damn blurb was going to do me in, but you swooped in and set me on the right track. You’ve done this more times than I can count. Breakaway wouldn’t be what it is without you, and that’s a fact. You are the left to my right and I love you so much. #tripod Edeerie, my editor and my friend. Thank you for encouraging me to finish this book and for polishing and perfecting my words. I love you so very much.
Juliana, you rocked this cover, woman. Thank you for always being here for me. You are more than my designer. You are my friend and I love you.
Kate Stewart. Gosh woman. You’ve believed in me from day one and you will never know just how much that means to me. You are my unicorn, my mentor, and my friend. The memories we’ve made this year, I will never forget. You are stuck with me for life, because you know too much. Thank you for not letting me drown. LOL I love you to bits Katymin!
Shanora, my favorite Felicia. You have no idea how much I love and admire you. You are talented, selfless, and genuine. You are my sounding board and my friend.
Thank you to my proofreaders, Amy, Danielle, Nicole, Donna, Misty, Sandie, and Melissa.
HUNNIES!!! You are the BEST author group there is. Thank you for loving my words, supporting my dreams, and entertaining me daily. I love you ladies so freaking much!
Kylie, Jeananna, and Jo of Give Me Books, THANK YOU for all that you do for me. I’m so happy to have found a place in the GMB family.
Thank you to all the bloggers and authors who’ve read, shared, or helped support this release in any way.
To the friends and family who support my career and embrace this rollercoaster ride with me, thank you and I love you!