by A. R. Rivera
I set a bowl of steaming soup in front of Evan first, and then Marcus, explaining as I go. “Look. I’ve been where you are. I had no one to help me, either. I know what that feels like.”
Evan breaks away from sprinkling the crackers into his soup. “What makes you think we don’t? Have help or family, or something?”
This time I am anxious to meet his eyes. “You wouldn’t be staying in a shelter if you did. And it’s no big deal. Everybody needs help sometimes.”
Marcus hesitates, staring down at a spoon. “Thank you, once again for the charity, Sheri.”
While the two young men dig in, a sense of satisfaction builds inside. With a deep breath of courage, I square my shoulders. “You know . . . I might be able to help you find a place to stay. You need help finding your way around, too. Los Angeles is . . . fickle. It’s tough to navigate when you don’t know anyone.”
Evans hazel eyes widen. He sets his spoon down and wipes his mouth. “You would do that? For strangers?”
I shrug, because it feels so awkward to stand here and have something to offer. But it feels amazingly right, too. Like my homage to Jake. I could make him proud. “Absolutely.”
Marcus brushes a long lock of curls away from his forehead. “We haven’t got any money.”
“I figured that. You can use my address for booking jobs. Or if you need a place to crash . . .”
Evan seems to gasp. Blinking up at me, he almost whispers, “This is madness. How do you know we won’t rob you?”
I’m holding up both hands, palms out. “I think you’re smart enough to know that I’d find you if you did. Besides, all my stuff is shit.”
Marcus chuckles. “We could be psychopaths.”
I’m looking Marcus straight in the eye now. “No you couldn’t. You’re just two people who could use a little guidance. Besides, you’ll find a way to pay me back.”
I lean in, addressing the doubt in their faces. “Look, think it over. Come by later, around six. I’ll make you dinner. My apartment is just above this place.” Pointing to the side entrance of the restaurant I explain, “I’m off at two. Outside that door is a flight of stairs. My front door’s at the top. We’ll talk about it.”
I can do this. I can help and not hurt.
+ + +
In Between Octobers . . .
Book 1, Savor The Days Series:
Happy endings have often eluded Grace Zuniga. Now, as she finds herself facing deadly trouble, she’s hoping and praying that pattern can change.
When Grace wakes up in a dark, confined space, having no memory of how she got there, the fear is nearly crippling. She can’t surrender to it. Her children need her. She’s all they have left after losing their father. Though Grace is not sure she can survive, she’s determined to try. But to do that, she has to figure out who took her and how she ended up trapped and alone in the wilderness, at the mercy of a person who will do anything to keep her from escaping.
Stumbling through her bleak circumstances, Graces’ mind wanders over the last life-changing year, from one October to the next, reliving the most precious and heart-rending moments that led up to her kidnapping.
The previous October, when Grace stepped into an elevator, and into the life of sexy, enigmatic actor Rhys Matthews, a new chapter of her life began. Now Grace must ask herself, “How will it end?”
Books by A. R. Rivera:
Savor The Days Series (Each book can be read as a stand-alone without spoiling the plot!)
Between Octobers (Book 1): After ‘Sheri’ meets Evan and Marcus in the diner that day, a new story begins taking shape. Between Octobers begins nearly a decade later, after Evan has become the world renowned actor and Hollywood heart-throb known as Rhys Matthews. His story continues through the eyes of Grace, in Between Octobers . . .
September Rain (Book 2)
Upcoming release: Winter 2015, Inertia Book 1 of the Time and Again Trilogy
Thank You so very much for taking the time to read my second published novel!
It my greatest hope that you sincerely enjoyed reading it. God knows, I sure had fun writing it. Now, Reader, if you wouldn’t mind going a little further, and leaving a book review on Amazon or Smashwords, I would really appreciate it. Book reviews are very important and powerful tools. Not only because I’m dying to know what you think about my work, but also because you taking your time to jot down your thoughts on what I create—whether it’s positive or negative—will help me get better. It may also determine whether or not another reader will select my book. So if you loved or hated September Rain, I want to know! But I really hope you loved it.
