by Miranda Kavi
“You saw me naked?”
He nodded. “I tried not to peek.”
She flushed. “No fair.” She grabbed a robe off her chair and went out the door.
Her mom was curled up on the familiar red couch, braids tied back in a loose ponytail, a steaming cup of tea in her hand. Celeste sat beside her, and pulled her into the tightest hug. When she finally released her mom, she patted some of Celeste’s curls back into place.
“Hey, darling. You feeling better?” she asked.
“I’m getting there. I just wanted you to know that I love you and Daddy very much,” she said.
Her mom smoothed her hair behind her ears. “We love you too, baby. You know they found Tink, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“I figured you were texting back there with all your school friends.”
She put her tea down. “I can’t believe the school psychiatrist was involved with all this. You spent time with her. You could have been killed.” Her eyes filled with tears. “It would have been all my fault if something had happened to you! I made you see her.”
“Mom, no one could have possibly known about this, and I’m fine.”
“Right.” She dabbed at her tears with her sleeve. “That’s right. I’m so glad you’re okay!” She pulled Celeste into a tight hug.
Celeste smiled. “I think I’m going to go back to bed.”
“Good idea. I’ll go get some groceries. Want me to get some flowers to take to Tink?”
“How about balloons?” Celeste said.
“Even better.”
She returned to her room, shut and locked the door, and got back into bed with Rylan.
“You’re still here,” she whispered.
“Always,” he said. Then his lips were on hers, and the world went away for a while.
ACKNOWELDGEMENTS
Writing this book would not have been possible without the love and support of my amazing husband. Thank you, thank you, thank you a million times for all of your encouragement and support. I’m a lucky girl.
My toddler daughter, while not particularly helpful on the writing front, brings me an immense amount of joy and love. Thank you, sweet baby girl.
I am deeply grateful to Rex Griffin – I can’t thank you enough for reading every word, making corrections, suggestions, and asking questions. Seriously, you were a life saver. April Calaway and Audrey Griffin, I’m indebted to you both for reading the early drafts of this as well as anything else I throw at you. Your encouragement was a lifeline. Many thanks also to my extended family and friends for tolerating my numerous internet musings about this project. It means the world that you guys support me!
Special thanks to Claudia McKinney for the jaw-droppingly beautiful cover image and Ashley of the Bookish Brunette for the typography. You guys rock! Another thanks to Natascha Jaffa of SPJ editing for polishing Rua up and letting her shine.
To the reader: thank you for choosing this book. You’re awesome!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Miranda Kavi is a YA and Urban Fantasy author. She has worked as an attorney, an executive recruiter, and an assistant in a biological anthropology lab. She loves scary movies, museums, and is hopelessly addicted to chocolate. She lives in the Houston area with her husband and daughter.
Want to learn more? Find me here!
http://mirandakavi.com
http://www.facebook.com/MirandaKavi
http://twitter.com/miranda00writes
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10592745-miranda-kavi
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