Reckless Abandon (November Blue, #2)(87)

I whispered as we walked out of Antonio’s “He wasnot checking me out. Now, shut up so he doesn’t hear us.”

“Whatever, I’m going to grab a coffee, want one?”

“No, caffeine-a-holic, I’ll get some vitamin D while you fund Starbucks,” I laughed and took a seat on the bench next to the boy

she’d been staring at. The line was long and I knew Tosha would wait, no mater the length. I needed to get comfortable.

People passed by like they were on a conveyor belt as I checked out what would be my new surroundings come fall. North Pleasant

Street in Amherst was not foreign to me; it held some of the best bars and restaurants in the area. I breathed in the smells of

fresh-baked popovers from Judie’s restaurant right across from me as I turned my head to the right—where I found “fluid

mechanics boy” watching me.

You know that split second? The one where you decide if you’re going to just smile and continue looking around, or chance an

encounter with a stranger? It’s a dangerous moment. It changes absolutely everything.



*



“Come on, Natalie. Let’s not do this again.” Eric pulls me back to the present.

I roll my eyes and walk to the bathroom. He doesn’t try to follow me; he learned early on I lock doors behind me. Plus, the boys

are sleeping and he won’t want to wake them . . . being that he’s “Father of the Year” and all.

Reaching under the bathroom sink, I locate the peroxide and alcohol and run them over the razor I used earlier. There’s no need to

risk infection; I’ve been there, and it’s just a sure-fire way to get caught. I can’t cut somewhere new this time because the “

cat scratches” are already on Eric’s radar. I stare at the marks from earlier and decide that reopening them is the easiest route

to go; the easiest way to be mad at him without screaming and starting a blow-out. I’m sick of yelling. Sick of fighting. Sick of

crying.

Just a little. Just one more time





Acknowledgements


Scott- Thank you for taking over extra household duties, including our monster children, so I could write this. Your support means

a lot.

Michelle Pace—Thank you for spying my original outline and being on board with me even when the story looked a lot different than

it does now. Hours-long phone calls about motivations, “are they going to hate me?” and “no, really, are they going to hate me?

” helped me get through this in one piece. You’re more than a beta reader; you’re my person.

Maggi Myers and Melissa Brown-Pretty Little Writers. I love navigating this crazy new world and am thrilled to have you ladies on

either side of me. Geography means nothing as far as our friendship is concerned. Thank you for the Skype sessions, responding to

panicked text messages, and making me smile. I love you both.

Charles Sheehan-Miles- While I’m honored that you came on as a last-minute beta reader, I’m even more honored to call you a

friend. Thank you for taking the time to hash things out with me and always pushing me to be better. I look forward to working with

you for a long time.

Lori Sabin-Glorious editor, fabulous friend. Thank you for your time and care with this novel.

Sarah Hansen-This cover is more than I dreamed it could be. Thank you for being a rockstar.

Erica Ritchie-I’m so grateful you took the time and care to produce the amazing photo shoot that lead to this cover. It’s

breathtaking.

Valerie Laramee-Thank you for the impromptu New Year’s Day photo shoot so my author picture could be from something other than a

cell phone. Even if it was nine degrees outside.

The Indie Bookshelf-You’re a supportive and intelligent group of women, of which I’m proud to be a part.

Janna Mashburn-Thank you for your beautiful work on the trailer for this book and for Ten Days of Perfect. They capture the true

spirit of each book.

My beta readers-We shared laughs, tears, and dozens of posts about specific words wink. Thank you for your dedication to help make

this book the best it can be: Melissa Brown, Maggi Myers, Janna Mashburn, Charles Sheehan-Miles, Erin Roth, Lindsay Sparkes, Angela

Cook McLaurin, Jennifer Roberts-Hall, Michelle Pace, Nina Gomez, Lisa Oliver Bryant, Kacie Walker, Darcie Sherrick

Finally, to all of you-Thank you for reading this book and sharing it with your friends. Your support is the only thing that keeps

Indie authors going.