Hooked: A Dark, Contemporary Romance (Never After #1)(84)
I glance to the table where we had our first date, back before I knew she would soon eclipse my world and become the sole reason for my existence. She sits there now, her belly swollen with our second child, the first one just old enough to waddle around on his own.
We didn’t know it then, but she was pregnant when we buried her father.
A little boy. Named Ru.
Jon and her laugh at our baby while he wiggles his hips to music as it croons through the speakers, and a warmth spreads through my chest, happiness infusing every pore.
I never thought I would have this.
A family.
A life.
But then Wendy swept through with her unfailing loyalty and her selfless way of forgiving even the worst of mistakes, and she showed me that even the most damaged of hearts can still learn to love.
Eventually, we’ll have to go back home, of course. I still have an empire to run, and Jon is starting his first week of college to get his engineering degree.
He wants to build planes, of all things.
Shortly after the dust settled on everything, Wendy attempted to get her job back at The Vanilla Bean, but they said no, citing the multiple times she no-showed. Which was my fault, really.
So, I bought it for her.
And before little Ru came along, she spent her days brewing coffee and bonding with her best friends, Angie and Maria.
Maria took a while to come around, but once she started dating Curly, she softened up and these days they’re as thick as thieves.
I look back out on the water, closing my eyes and looking toward the future where adventure awaits, feeling grateful for how far we’ve come.
And to think, it all started with a little bit of faith.
Misplaced trust.
Missing pixie dust.
And a villain who just needed to steal a little love.
Thank you for reading!!
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Also by Emily McIntire
The Sugarlake Series
Beneath the Stars
Beneath the Stands
Beneath the Hood
Beneath the Surface
The Never After Series
Book Two (Title TBA) - This Winter
Standalones
Be Still My Heart: A Romantic Thriller - October 26, 2021
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Acknowledgments
If you had told me a year ago that I would be releasing my fifth book, I would have laughed in your face.
But here we are. I’ve grown A LOT as a writer, and honestly as a person since I released Beneath the Stars in September 2020. So I’d like to acknowledge myself—for never giving up, for believing in myself even on the hard days, and for always writing from the heart even when I know my books won’t be for everyone.
To my husband Mike, thank you for being my rock and for supporting me even at the beginning when I wasn’t sure what the hell I was doing. None of this would be possible without you.
To my best friend, Sav R. Miller. Thank you for always being there every step of the way, for over gifting me on every occasion, for talking me off the ledge and down from spirals, and for being a genuinely loyal ride or die friend, and one of the best people I’ve ever known. I’m honored to know you.
To my alpha and beta readers: Sav R. Miller, Anne-Lucy Shanley, Michelle Chamberland, Ariel Mareroa. Y’all are the most amazing humans, always working on my ridiculous deadlines and making sure I’m not writing complete shit.
To my editor Ellie and proofreader Rosa: I’ve given up on learning the difference between further and farther and it’s important you just accept that.
To my cover designer, Cat from TRC Designs: You are incredibly talented. Thank you for taking my vision and bringing it to life.
To my Street Team: I genuinely cannot express how grateful I am to have you by my side. Thank you for everything you do, all the ways you show up, and all of the light you bring to my life.
To my ARC readers: Thank you for always reading my words and helping spread the word about my books with your reviews. So much of my success is thanks to you.
To my Glam Fam (Em-C Glammers) : It’s ironic I call us Glammers when I literally exist in a bath robe and a messy bun, but here we are. Thank you for joining my groups, and picking up everything I write. Having people who love my words is a dream come true, and I’m so happy to have your support. I am living my dream because of you.