She’s rendered speechless. Her lips pout together and I can’t help but kiss them.
“So have a little faith in the world, rudo. Have just a little faith that the current will take you wherever you’re supposed to go, that wherever it leads is where you’re supposed to be.”
“Is that like following your heart?” she smiles.
“Yeah. Kind of. Someone told me that once—to follow my heart.”
“Did you do it?”
“Yeah. I followed it right to you.”
She opens her mouth, but no words come out. Her eyes blur and it looks like she’s going to cry. “I just . . . I can’t wait to be your forever.”
“You already are.”
The End
Before anyone or anything, I’d like to thank the Creator for all the blessings in my life. Sure, sometimes things go bad. But I’ve come to learn that there’s always a reason and, more importantly, He’s always there and has my back.
I would like to thank Mr. Locke, the love of my life, and the Littles, Alex, Ares, Achilles, and Ajax, “The A-Team”, for being my biggest cheerleaders. They root me on endlessly, even when I’m holed up in my office trying to meet a deadline. I’m not sure why I have been blessed with the best family ever, but I’ll keep them.
My mother talks with pride about my books, even though she claims she wishes they were ‘a little less dirty’. She makes me laugh and encourages me to follow my dreams and I could never tell her what that means to me. The inspiration behind Max Quinn’s mom in The Perception, she’s pretty great. Thanks, Mama.
The support I receive from my in-laws is overwhelming. They never fail to cheer me on and spread the word and I’m eternally blessed to call Rob and Peggy family.
My sister-in-laws have always treated me like one of their own. Jami’s notes of encouragement always make me smile. Fawn is always there to answer questions and to take brilliant photographs of my books. Aimee is as excited about my venture as anyone. I may not have sisters by blood, but I couldn’t love any as much as I love the three of you.
I’m blessed with the best friends a girl could ever ask for. Kari March gives me advice straight on, no bells and whistles, just like I need it. Jenn Costa answers the phone and listens to me ramble, even when I expect her to have had enough. Mandi Beck keeps me on schedule with our sprints and sane with her filterless antics.
I’d like to thank Michele for checking the hotness level, Susan for loving Fenton early, and Joy for taking on a job she wasn’t sure she wanted. Ninfa loaned her sweet heart, Jen P gave me her valuable time, and Yvette stepped in without even knowing me and gave me her all. Thank you all madly.
Once again, my team came through for me in a spectacular fashion! Thanks to Kari with Kari March Designs, Christine with Perfectly Publishable, and Lisa with Adept Edits for making my book come alive. Hugs to Jillian at Jillian’s Polished Proofs for making sure we didn’t miss anything! Thanks to Jen at Kinky Girls Book Obsessions for helping me with my pre-release teasers. And, last but certainly not least, thank you to Kylie at Give Me Books for organizing my release events. I’m in awe of each of your talents and humbled you all continue to work with me.
Candy Collins (The Locke Librarian) and Brandy Castenada took my plea for help late one night and answered. Thank you both for giving me information I needed; you made such a different in the final product of this book. I appreciate your kindness.
Speaking of kindness, thank you to Stephanie Gibson, Dawn Costiera, Karen McVino, Kiki Amit, Robin Bruce, Jen Lynn, Serena McDonald, Robin Keck, Lisa Gandy, Jade Hyland, Lexy Storries, and Chandra Gillig. You make me smile each and every day.
To my peers—SL Scott, Heidi McLaughlin, Staci Hart, Seraphina Donavan, Angie McKeon, K. Langston, Randa Lynn, Olivia Evans, and Brooke Cumberland: Thank you for always being available to answer questions and give advice and, most importantly, for your friendship.
My Facebook group, Books by Adriana Locke, and Goodreads group, All Locked Up, give me more support than I can articulate. Thank you all, each and every one of you, for your participation, excitement, energy, and love. You keep me going.
My eleventh grade English teacher, Mrs. Mitchell, made me a writer. She took my papers and pushed me, encouraged me, and gave me the tools to use later in life. She made such a difference and, although I haven’t talked to her in decades, I’d like to put good karma into the universe for her.
And, of course, my Instagram girls! How could I forget you?