by Amber Garza
“Hey,” I call after him.
He turns to me, a question in his dark eyes.
“You okay?” I ask.
He nods. “Just some kids were being mean to me today at the park.”
Protectiveness surges. “Which kids?” I take a step forward. “Need me to take care of it?”
“Oh, no, you don’t,” Aunt Callie admonishes me. She makes her way to the beige couch and sinks down into it. The large painting hanging on the wall looks like it’s balancing atop her head. “You need to stay out of trouble, Colt.”
Her words unnerve me, but I shake them off. Bristol’s cries quiet down to sniffles as I continue to bounce her. She reaches up and grabs my lip ring with a chubby finger. I extract her hand, not wishing her to rip it from my lip. I stick out my tongue and wiggle my tongue bar around. Her eyes widen in fascination. It gets her every time. I steal a quick kiss on her round cheek.
“You sure have a way with them.” Aunt Callie pushes a sweaty strand of hair from her flushed face. She crosses one slender leg over the other, circling her bare toe in the thick reeds of the tan carpet.
I shrug. “They’ve pretty much always been my responsibility.”
“Oh, Colt. I’m so sorry.”
I wave away her words, not daring to look at her. The last thing I need is to read the pity inside them. “Got anything to eat? I’m starved.”
“In the kitchen. Here. You want me to take Bristol?” Aunt Callie opens her arms.
“No. She can come with me.” I glance down at her. “Wanna go with big brother to get something to eat?”
She flashes me a toothless grin, reminding me of an old man. I head into the kitchen, Bristol still in my arms. She’s so tiny that it feels like I’m holding a feather. Just as my feet hit the tile, I hear a car pull up. I step forward and peek out of the heavy, dark curtains in the kitchen window. My aunt’s house looks like it was decorated back in the seventies, done all in tans and dark browns. There’s no one outside. My shoulders relax when I catch sight of my aunt’s neighbor pulling into his driveway. As I drop the curtain, allowing it to fall back into place, I wonder when I’ll stop looking over my shoulder. I wonder when I’ll stop being scared.
Authors Note and Acknowledgments
I’ve wanted to write a book about best friend love for awhile. I think there is something magical and beautiful about falling in love with a best friend. Honestly, first love in general is something I love to write about. And what better time to write about first love than in the summer, right?
That’s how Cruz and Sloane’s story was born. When I wrote the first draft it was all in Sloane’s POV and it read more like a love triangle. I oftentimes have no idea what my characters’ personalities will be like. I just start writing them and that’s how they introduce themselves to me. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting Adam to be such a nice guy. But he is, and I didn’t want to change that about him. Cruz, on the other hand, is a little rough around the edges. But again, that’s who he is and I wanted to stay true to that. But when I read through my first draft, I realized that you needed to hear Cruz’s side of things.
So I went through and added all of that in. That made the book less of a love triangle, and more of a straight romance, but I hope you enjoyed that. I hope you loved Cruz as much as I did, and that you enjoyed the story.
As always I have a lot of people to thank.
First and foremost is my best friend and love of my life, Andrew. I love you more than I ever thought possible. You still give me butterflies. Thank you for being the best husband in the world.
Eli and Kayleen, I know it was hard to share your summer with Cruz and Sloane, but thank you for being so understanding when Mom had to work. I love you both more than words can express.
Cambria Hebert and Cameo Renae, thank you for our daily check ins. I couldn’t have finished this book without you.
Lisa Richardson, thank you for your amazing editing skills.
Alivia Anders, the cover is so perfect! You’re incredible.
Rachel, I’m excited to be working with you. Thanks for all your invaluable help and advice!
Thank you to Megan Squires, Cambria Hebert and Susan Griscom for reading early versions of this manuscript and helping me tweak it to make it shine.
Cassie Chavez and Tiffany Tillman, as always you girls rock! I’m grateful for your support.
To all the bloggers, readers, and the rest of my family, thank you.
And most of all, thank you to God. All I do is for you!
I love you all. None of my books would see the light of day without your support.
Amber Garza
Amber Garza is the author of the Delaney's Gift Series and many contemporary romance titles, including Star Struck, Tripping Me Up and Break Free. She has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Tea and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they're real people. She currently lives in California with her amazing husband, and two hilarious children who provide her with enough material to keep her writing for years.
