Like Gravity(105)

“I love you, you know.” His mouth ducked down to kiss my exposed shoulder where the hospital gown had slipped. “When I thought I’d lost you—” He broke off. “You died… you died in my arms. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same after that.”

I nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. I’d never be the same either.

“Don’t ever do it again,” he growled against my ear.

I laughed. “I’ll do my best,” I promised. “And Finn?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you too.”

I relaxed against his chest, listening to the beat of his heart beneath my ear. I could feel my body approaching sleep, still exhausted after everything that I’d been through in the past few days.

Few weeks.

Few months.

It had been a hell of a ride, since I’d met Finn Chambers. And I didn’t regret a minute of it.

“Finn?” I asked, my voice slurred with sleep.

“What is it, princess?”

“Tell me a story?”

I felt his lips curl into a smile against my hair.

“Once upon a time, there were two little kids, who fell in love…”

As I drifted off into sleep, Finn’s voice a lullaby, I dreamed of the young girl who’d thought she’d lost everything, until she met a boy who showed her that love is the one thing that can never be taken away.





Acknowledgements


I could probably fill another novel with thank yous alone, but a page or so will have to suffice for now.

Firstly, to my parents for their unending support and love.

Mom – Since I was a little girl, you’ve been showing me what it means to be a true woman. Every day, you’ve proved that Supermom really does exist. Thank you for your constant – sometimes unsolicited – advice on all matters big and small, and for always, always, always having my back. Not many people are lucky enough to be able to call their mother ‘friend,’ let alone ‘best friend.’ You are my inspiration. I love you.

Dad – From my preschool days on, you instilled in me a love of reading and writing. Thank you for supplying me with a slew of the classics, until I was old enough to ride my bike to the library unsupervised. Through the years, you’ve been my sounding board, stalwart friend, and trusted advisor. I love you.

To my family and friends – thank you for believing in me.

To Arlene Lammy, for helping me with the editing process and being my personal cheerleader throughout this journey, I am eternally grateful.

To every self-published author out there – thank you for being brave enough to share your stories with the world, and for giving me the courage to share mine as well.

And lastly, to Sara Bareilles, for writing the song Gravity, and leading me back from the throes of writer’s block more times than I could count.