Arrows
Page 18
They opened at the sound of someone stumbling inside.
“Karma! You’re here. But wait a minute, why? You left, and I—”
Aaryn stood at the bottom wearing khaki shorts, his chest naked. He held the railing as if moving might wake us from the moment.
His voice caught. “I thought you were gone.”
The plastic fibers beneath my hand went flat, but I didn’t rise, didn’t know where to start.
“I broke up with Danny.” I stared at him. “Why are you dressed like that? It’s snowing.” The light above the entry made his features sharp and beautiful.
He took one step forward, the snow in his hair already beginning to melt. “Because I’m human again, and for some reason they didn’t send me with a shirt.”
“Human again?”
The space between us began to feel like something I could choreograph, a real running at each other and spinning kind of moment. “I’m human now, but I used to be a god.”
I laughed. “Well, that explains why you’re so sculpted.” And then my face got warm and I had to look away, though I kind of wanted to stare at his chest forever.
“I’m being serious. Before I came to Earth, I was a cupid on Mount Olympus.”
I tilted my head to the side, one eyebrow raised.
“I’m the reason you stayed with Danny. My arrow, the one I shot you with a year ago, had you under a spell.”
“What?”
“It’s time.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m the one in control of myself, thank you.”
“You must have broken your own spell, like my mother did. I always knew you were strong.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Crazy about you.” The third stair creaked as he moved up, drops of water beading on his shoulders and chest. “I’m here now. Here to stay. The assembly let me stay.” Fourth step. “I’m here to build a life—and I’m yours, if you’ll have me.” He nodded, like he was finally understanding something. “I belong here.”
“The assembly? What are you talking about?”
“The assembly decides everything on Mount Olympus.”
“You’re insane!”
“Insane about you.”
The wind quieted. Fifth step. “Longing for you.” And my heart leapt hard because it had waited so long to give in to how I felt about him. My body felt like it was humming from the rush, the rush of letting myself care.
He held his elbows. “Freezing for you.” And I chuckled, him drawing closer, closer, until only three steps and the landing separated us. He held out his hand. “Here for you.”
“I never got to make my announcement.” I smiled, feeling dizzy with excitement. “I got the scholarship.”
He ran the remaining way and pulled me up for a kiss, which took my breath away; stupid as it sounds, that really happened. He hugged me too tight and spun around until I squealed, kissing my hair, my neck, both of my hands, really a crazy, insane guy.
“I can’t believe it. Yes. Yes! I didn’t totally screw up your life.” And he kissed me again, his hands cupping my face, me half laughing as I kissed him back all sloppy, feeling happier than, I don’t even know, just happy. “We have to celebrate, right now. We have to talk about everything, and I have to get a shirt on, and—there’s so much to tell you. You have to promise you’ll believe all the crazy parts, and then forgive me, no matter what.”
“Oh my God.”
“Yes?” He crowded me against the door gently, my arms winding around him, my lips inches from his. “I’m here.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
There’s a saying for writers: “To you, your book is the world, but to the world, it is a book.” I want everyone listed here to know that to me, you are the world. You and this book are connected. Thank you.
Thanks to my parents, Rick and Dawn, for giving me a happy childhood with plenty of time to imagine and write. To my grandparents, Jean, Larry, Virginia, David, and great–grandma Leona who were there, too.
To my sisters and best friends, Crystal, Tasha, Emily, and Laura, and my brother, Josh, for knowing me since they were born and loving me anyway. (BTW, I’m the boss.) To their spouses, Stef, Dusty, and JB.
To my husband, Shea, who deserves to be listed from beginning to end for everything he’s done, from believing in me to cooking for me to reading early drafts. You love me so well.
To my parents-in-law, Doug and Kathy, for your endless support of me and my family. To Shel and Shem, too.
To Owen, Athena, and Avery. I love you. Whatever you become in the future, make it something good.
To my nieces and nephews, Cali, Lucy, Ari, Bryce, Gavin, Hayden, Gabe, Brock, Laith, Ryder, Ledger, and Barrick, who fill my life with endless joy. Someday you’ll be old enough to read this. Auntie will kiss your adorable cheeks until then.
To my friends and beta readers: Tracy Anderson, Susan Gray Foster, Alexa Donne, Carmen Baumann, and Miranda Paul. Your comments have made this book sing. Your friendship is invaluable.
To Sharon Verbeten and Molly Senechal, two of my favorite librarians, who read some of my earlier work. Your support has meant so much.
To Nate Perrigoue, who brought up the idea of cupids in the first place.
To those who helped further my careers at TP Printing and Gannett. I appreciate the opportunities I was given.
To Angie Flanagan, who helped me get the dance parts right.
To the SCBWI, especially the Wisconsin chapter, for all the help and encouragement along the way. Special thanks to the family of Marsha Dunlap, whose memorial scholarship allowed me to attend my first Fall Retreat. I hope there is some satisfaction in knowing you helped me follow my dreams.
To Carrie Howland, my literary agent, who has been my perfect match since we met on Twitter. XOXO forever.
To Wendy Loggia, my editor, who believed in Arrows when it was a much different book. She has transformed this story into something I find very beautiful and honest. Just think: in a way, you’ve given me the world. How cool is that?
To everyone at Penguin Random House who has helped bring this story into the world, especially Stephanie Moss, Colleen Fellingham, Tamar Schwartz, and Mary McCue.
To Ray Shappell for this genius cover.
To anyone who’s ever felt lost loving someone who isn’t right for them. Here is a good place to take a stand. Because, no—physical, emotional, and verbal abuse are not okay. Being with someone who holds you back in life is not okay.
Luckily, you are stronger than you think. You are brave.
Your choices can change everything.
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