Anything You Can Do
Page 21
“That is quite a surprise.”
I press a quick kiss to his cheek.
“I was supposed to continue competing against him. I had it penciled in for the next, oh, 40 or 50 years.”
“Now what do you have?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure.” I wink. “Marriage…children. At least two?”
“Three,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“FOUR,” I raise, still making it a contest.
“Easy there, let’s start with one and see how it goes.”
I smile and take a sip of champagne. “Okay, but where will our bevvy of children live?”
“Maybe a house with a lot more land and a wraparound porch.”
“I’d like that.”
“And a dog.”
“Yes. Definitely a dog.”
“Lucas?”
“Yes?”
“I think you should ask me tonight.”
“Daisy?”
“Yeah.”
“Be quiet so I can ask you now.”
And then Lucas Thatcher, the same boy I spent my entire life competing against, drops down to one knee and pulls a little black velvet box out of his front pocket. The same black velvet box I’ve sneaked a peek at every morning for the last year. I’m surprised it’s still intact after all my manhandling.
No one can see us when I start to cry, nodding my head yes over and over again. He slips the vintage diamond on my finger—an heirloom from his mom—and we stay there in that alcove making out like randy teenagers until the MC starts calling our name over the mic. Apparently, we are needed.
I step back, trying in vain to flatten my poufy dress. Dressing me up like a poodle was my mother’s idea of a sick joke.
“Do I look okay?” I ask.
“Yes, just a few hairs out of place. Nothing too conspicuous.”
I know he’s lying. I wipe at my face in vain. “Oh god. My mom will definitely know.”
“True, but then again, she’s known a lot of things ahead of time.”
I laugh, because of course it’s true. Just like always. The last two people who knew Lucas and Daisy were going to end up together forever were Lucas and Daisy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to Lance for co-writing this project with me. You brought this book to life with your humor and wit, and though it can be a challenge to work and write with your spouse, I like to think we do a pretty good job. I love you.
Thank you to my friends and family for their unwavering love and support. Thank you also to my fellow author friends. Thank you to my readers, especially the Little Reds!
Thank you to my editor, Caitlin, and my proofreader, Jennifer. You’re both such a pleasure to work with and I know how fortunate I am to have you both on my team.
Thank you to my agent, Kimberly Brower!
Thank you to all of the bloggers who help spread the word about my books! Vilma’s Book Blog, Book Baristas, Angie’s Dreamy Reads, Southern Belle Book Blog, Typical Distractions Book Blog, Natasha is a Book Junkie, Rock Stars of Romance, A Bookish Love Affair, Swept Away by Books, Library Cutie, Hopeless Book Lover, and many, many more! You all have been such a cheerleader for me and I am so grateful to each and every one of you!
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AMAZON
A PLACE IN THE SUN
Adult Romantic Comedy (age 17+)
When her mother’s incessant matchmaking hits an all-time high, Georgie Archibald does what any sensible woman would do: she flees the country.
Seeking refuge in the picturesque seaside village of Vernazza, Italy, Georgie’s only plan is to lie low, gorge herself on gelato, and let the wine and waves wash her troubles away...that is until she wakes up in a bed that belongs to the most romantic-looking man she’s ever seen.
Gianluca.
After going out of his way to rescue her, the former London financier turned mysterious recluse makes it clear that despite acting as her white knight, he has no plans to co-star in her fairytale.
But Georgie isn’t asking for his heart—she’s merely intrigued.
After all, Gianluca isn’t just gorgeous—tall and tan from days spent in the sun—his touch sets her world on fire. With him, Georgie experiences the most intoxicating passion she’s ever known, and it only takes a few steamy nights for her to realize that sometimes running away from trouble is the best way to find it.
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SCORING WILDER
Adult Romantic Comedy (age 17+)
What started out as a joke— seduce Coach Wilder—soon became a goal she had to score.
With Olympic tryouts on the horizon, the last thing nineteen-year-old Kinsley Bryant needs to add to her plate is Liam Wilder. He's a professional soccer player, America's favorite bad-boy, and has all the qualities of a skilled panty-dropper.
• A face that makes girls weep – check.
• Abs that can shred Parmesan cheese (the expensive kind) – check.
• Enough confidence to shift the earth’s gravitational pull – double check.
Not to mention Liam is strictly off limits. Forbidden. Her coaches have made that perfectly clear. (i.e. “Score with Coach Wilder anywhere other than the field and you’ll be cut from the team faster than you can count his tattoos.”) But that just makes him all the more enticing…besides, Kinsley's already counted the visible ones, and she is not one to leave a project unfinished.
Kinsley tries to play the game her way as they navigate through forbidden territory, but Liam is determined to teach her a whole new definition for the term “team bonding.”
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THE SUMMER GAMES: OUT OF BOUNDS
Adult Sports Romance (age 17+)
I despise Erik Winter.
He’s arrogant and cruel—a man I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy—and by some twisted turn of fate, he’s my new Olympic gymnastics coach.
I’ve had to contend with gruff coaches in the past, but Erik is far worse. His stern demeanor complements a body built for intimidation, and his reprimands come from a mouth so cunning, I know it could strip me of my defenses—if I let it.
Though each of us would love to be rid of the other forever, we are bound to each other by need and necessity. I’m his rising star, his best shot at proving himself to his critics. And without a coach, I have zero chance of winning gold in Rio.
The easiest way forward would be to wave a white flag and make peace with the man I’ll be sharing close quarters with for the foreseeable future, but he is intent on war.
Fine. By. Me.
If he pushes me, I’ll push back harder. If he wants to test me, to play with my head, I’ll show him just how many boundaries I’m willing to cross. Because I know it’s not a choice between winning or warring—not if you can have them both. At the end of it all, I plan on leaving Rio with gold around my neck and his icy heart in the palm of my hand.
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THE ALLURE OF JULIAN LEFRAY
Adult Romantic Comedy (age 17+)
From: JosephineKeller@LLDesigns.com
To: LilyNBlack@gmail.com
Subject: Justin Timberlake Nudes!
Lily, you predictable perv. I knew you’d open this email faster if I tempted you with a glimpse of JT's “PP”. Well, put your pants back on and grab some bubbly because I have much better news to share.
I GOT A JOB!
As of tomorrow, I’ll be the new executive assistant at Lorena Lefray Designs. I am SO excited, but there’s one itty bitty problem: I won’t be Lorena’s assistant. I’ll be working for her o
lder brother, Julian.
I know what you're thinking- ”But Jo, what’s the problem?”
Google him. Now. He’s the man in the fitted navy suit whose face reminds you that there’s hope yet for this cruel, ugly world. Keep scrolling…do you see those dimples? Yup. That’s the Julian Lefray I will be reporting to tomorrow morning.
Lord, help us all...
XO,
Jo
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THE ALLURE OF DEAN HARPER
Adult Romantic Comedy (age 17+)
#1 Best Selling Romantic Comedy on Amazon
From: LilyNBlack@Gmail.com
To: JosephineKeller@VogueMagazine.com
Subject: You're a flippin' idiot
Good morning my dear, naive friend,
I hope you're enjoying a breakfast of regret and sorrow.
Why?
Because you sent me to work for Dean Harper, aka a control freak in a tailor-made suit. Sure he owns the trendiest restaurants in NYC, but c'mon Jo, his ego makes Kanye West look like the Dalai Lama.
He's the type of guy that only hears the word “no” when it's followed by “don't stop.”
Working for Dean Harper would be like selling my soul to the devil...and before you say anything, I don't care if the devil has punch-you-in-the-gut brown eyes and an ass to match. My soul isn't for sale.
Regretfully yours,
Lily
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THE DUET
Adult Romance (age 17+)
When 27-year-old pop sensation Brooklyn Heart steps in front of a microphone, her love songs enchant audiences worldwide. But when it comes to her own love life, the only spell she’s under is a dry one.
So when her label slots her for a Grammy performance with the sexy and soulful Jason Monroe, she can’t help but entertain certain fantasies... those in which her G-string gets more play than her guitars'.
Only one problem. Jason is a lyrical lone wolf that isn’t happy about sharing the stage—nor his ranch — with the sassy singer. But while it may seem like a song entitled ‘Jason Monroe Is an Arrogant Ho’ basically writes itself, their label and their millions of fans are expecting recording gold…
They’re expecting The Duet.
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THE DESIGN
Adult Romance (age 17+)
Five minutes until the interview begins.
Fresh on the heels of her college graduation, Cameron Heart has landed an interview at a prestigious architecture firm.
Four minutes until the interview.
She knows she's only there because the owner, Grayson Cole, is her older sister's friend.
Three minutes.
For the last seven years, Grayson has been the most intimidating man Cammie has ever had the pleasure, or displeasure, of being around.
Two Minutes.
But the job opportunity is too good to pass up. So, Cammie will have to ignore the fact that Grayson is handsome enough to have his own national holiday.
One.
After all, she shouldn't feel that way about her new boss. And, he will be her new boss.
...
“I'm not intimidated by you,” I said with a confident smile.
“Perhaps we should fix that, Ms. Heart. Close the door.”
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With This Heart
New Adult Romance (age 17+)
If someone had told me a year ago that I was about to fall in love, go on an epic road trip, ride a Triceratops, sing on a bar, and lose my virginity, I would have assumed they were on drugs.
Well, that is, until I met Beckham.
Beck was mostly to blame for my recklessness. Gorgeous, clever, undeniably charming Beck barreled into my life as if it were his mission to make sure I never took living for granted. He showed me that there were no boundaries, rules were for the spineless, and a kiss was supposed to happen when I least expected.
Beck was the plot twist that took me by surprise. Two months before I met him, death was knocking at my door. I’d all but given up my last scrap of hope when suddenly I was given a second chance at life. This time around, I wasn’t going to let it slip through my fingers.
We set out on a road trip with nothing to lose and no guarantees of tomorrow.
Our road trip was about young, reckless love. The kind of love that burns bright.
The kind of love that no road-map could bring me back from.
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Behind His Lens
Adult Romance (age 17+)
Twenty-three year old model Charley Whitlock built a quiet life for herself after disaster struck four years ago. She hides beneath her beautiful mask, never revealing her true self to the world... until she comes face-to-face with her new photographer — sexy, possessive Jude Anderson. It's clear from the first time she meets him that she's playing by his rules. He says jump, she asks how high. He tells her to unzip her cream Dior gown, she knows she has to comply. But what if she wants him to take charge outside of the studio as well?
Jude Anderson has a strict "no model" dating policy. But everything about Charley sets his body on fire.
When a tropical photo shoot in Hawaii forces the stubborn pair into sexually charged situations, their chemistry can no longer be ignored. They’ll have to decide if they’re willing to break their rules and leave the past behind or if they’ll stay consumed by their demons forever. Will Jude persuade Charley to give in to her deepest desires?
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