Unafraid (Beachwood Bay) (35 page)
He opens his mouth in surprise then stops. He looks around at the wet empty highway, and finally, it sinks in that I may have a point.
“Fine,” he says, grudgingly. “I’ll call for Norm to come get us.”
“I thought there wasn’t signal out here?” I frown, pulling out my phone from my pocket again, just to check.
“I’ve got a CB radio in the truck.” He heads back towards the red pick-up. “Stay there!”
“Where else would I go?” I sigh, watching him walk away. I trace the back of his body with my eyes, absorbing the grace in his gait. Then he turns, catching me. I blush, hoping frantically that he can’t see my pink cheeks in the rain.
“You didn’t tell me your name.” he calls.
“You didn’t ask!” I yell back.
He grins, and waits, until finally I surrender.
“Juliet,” I tell him, and wait for the snarky quip, but instead, he just cocks an eyebrow at me.
“I’m Emerson,” he calls. Then he smiles, a flash of something true and reckless, so darkly beautiful I feel my heart stop all over again. This is what they write stories about, I realize, as if from far away. All those books and movies and poems I’ve read, this is what they all were preparing me for, the day when a strange man smiles at me, and makes me forget who I am.
His eyes meet mine, and I swear, my blood sings, hot in my veins despite the cold, damp rain trickling down my back.
“Welcome to Beachwood Bay.”
I’m so grateful for all the support and encouragement I’ve been lucky enough to receive. Huge thanks to my agent, Rebecca Friedman, for her amazing guidance and 24/7 support. My copy-editor, Emilie Jackson. To my girl Lauren Blakely for the gossip and virtual cocktails. For their wisdom and kindness: Emily Snow, Monica Murphy, Kristin Proby, Kendall Ryan, and Emma Hart. Thanks to KP Simmon for being a total rock-star, EM Donnelly for being awesome in general, the LA ladies for non-virtual cocktails. JSC & NNS for yogalates and sheer brilliance.
A huge, heart-felt thank you to all the bloggers who have helped get word out there, I couldn’t do this without you. And finally, to you: everyone who has read, reviewed, tweeted, rated, and liked my books! It means the world to me that my stories have found a way into your hearts, I treasure every moment of it.
Xo ~ Melody