"But you feel too good." He gives my breasts a squeeze to enunciate this point.
I'm not sure how long we stay like that, still connected, laying half-naked on a prep table in the dark, quiet cafe.
I do know that there is nowhere else I'd rather be, no one else I'd rather be with. I got my fairy tale ending, even if I had to fight tooth and nail for it.
My reality is even better than the storybooks.
Epilogue
Finn
Eight Months Later
Airports for able-bodied people are the worst. Airports for me are pure torture.
Not that I'm not able-bodied; when I have my sports prosthesis on I'll blow you away in running, basketball, football, you name it. But with my regular, everyday artificial leg, sprinting for a layover is not ideal.
Not to mention that me and metal detectors are not friends. At all. It's not until I pull out my purple heart, which I seriously do travel with, that the aggravated TSA workers give me a sympathetic smile and let me through.
"Finn! Come on, we are going to miss it!"
Leighton is scrambling ahead of me, juggling a carry-on, a purse (which is secretly hiding her shoes), and a laptop bag.
"Babe, there is an hour until boarding even starts..."
Who knew my cool, saucy, badass wife was a totally anxious traveler? I'd never actually boarded a flight with her, besides our trip to Hawaii, but we were so wrapped up in pre-engagement bliss I think we both weren't ourselves.
So far she's checked our boarding passes 16 times, 10 times on the flight from Nebraska to New York. Now we're sprinting through JFK like crazy people trying to...what? Get a front row seat at the boarding gate?
I love her madly though.
Since moving back to Nebraska eight months ago we've only traveled once, and even though it was to Australia, and the plane ride is practically a trip in itself, Leighton has been pestering me lately to get out there more.
Not that our life has been uneventful. We traded-up, buying a two-bedroom townhouse in Nebraska near my parents, Julian and Marina, and Carter. Leighton has been redecorating to her heart's content. And she fully designed Marina's new nursery...that's right, I'll have a nephew in four months.
I've been busy with the clinic and my therapy. After more than a year of talking to Dr. Gorink, and other wounded veterans, I am almost fully healed. The nightmares don't come anymore and I've made my peace with Pete's death.
And tomorrow will mark our first year anniversary. Married for 365 days. And what is more romantic than taking your wife to Paris on your one-year anniversary?
"You know, I really am the best husband ever..." I grumble as I hike the duffle I'm carrying higher up on my shoulder.
"You are baby, you know it." She looks over her shoulder, the mass of black curls whirling with her, and shoots a cheeky grin at me.
And just like that, I'm no longer annoyed at her. If we didn't love each other so much, we just might strangle each other. I'm not saying this year hasn't brought its challenges, but it's also been a time for us to fall even more in love with each other.
Challenges like my therapy. Her leaving LA. The anniversary of Mary's death, which was particularly hard on her. But we got through it, both of us picking the other up and kissing all of the metaphorical scrapes and bruises.
Leighton stops short and I nearly trip over my wife and land splat in the middle of the terminal.
"Babe, what the hell!?" I sputter.
"No way...they actually convinced her to do it!"
Leighton is standing in the middle of the airport facing a huge advertisement for the newest upcoming season of Mrs. Right. Featuring none other than Erin.
"Wow, we didn't think she'd give in." I wrap my arm around Leighton's waist out of pure habit as we stare up at Erin's sunny face shining back at us.
After the wedding and final taping of the reunion for Mr. Right, we'd cut ties with the entire franchise. Of course fans and even some legal consultants had approached us about filing civil charges against the producers after the lies they told us had come out to the public some months ago, but we declined. The entire show was toxic, we knew that now, and washing our hands of it was the best option.
I know Erin and Leighton had texted after, and I know my wife told her to stay away from the show. We knew she'd be pressured to come on as a lead, she was a fan favorite after I'd humiliated her on national TV. My gut still simmers with guilt nearly a year later every time I think about it.
"I can't believe she agreed. After she was so strong after your season in saying no to them, they finally nabbed her a year later." Leighton curls into my chest, our need to touch each other just as strong as its ever been.
"Well, I hope she finds someone who is worthy of her." I lean in to kiss Leighton's forehead.
"Yeah, me too." She looks wistful for a minute, and then, "Okay well, since we're early, how about we share a Cinnabon!? That can count as a pastry, right? Look, we are already halfway to being French!"
I shake my head, laughing at her ridiculous reasoning. "Fine, but you're buying."
I feel her snake my wallet out of my back pocket, slapping my ass with it as she pulls it out. "What's mine is yours baby!" Leighton singsongs as she walks off to go buy the gooey treat.
This is our reality. Feeding each other fattening snacks at the airport, where we are two hours early for our flight. And I wouldn't change it for the world.
Acknowledgments
I knew I had to write a book about reality TV, because besides writing and my husband, it’s probably one of my favorite things in life. And that should be embarrassing, but I’m not even ashamed.
Doing the research for this book, reading hundreds of blogs and websites about a certain reality TV dating show, was both incredibly fun and genuinely eye-opening. I found out about exactly the types of people they cast for these shows, the ridiculous levels those people will go to for fame, and that once in a blue moon, actual real love might happen.
And if there is one guilty pleasure I’ll always admit to, it’s that I adore watching a couple make it, no matter the odds stacked against them, even more than reality TV.
To my book family — bloggers, authors and readers alike — thank you for always encouraging me, being a helping hand or a lending an ear, writing and recommending amazing books, and generally just being absolutely awesome. I will never be able to fully put into words my love for you or the community we have all created.
To my publicist Heather, thank you for being my book world wizard. I would not be able to do any of this without your help.
To my husband; thank you for being an incredible human being. Thank you for loving me at my worst as well as my best. Thank you for believing in me when no one else does, even myself. You are the tops, babe.
Also by Carrie Aarons
Red Card
She spent five years planning a future that will never exist. He spent five years trying to erase a past he can’t forget.
London is Leah Watson’s fresh start. When she secures the perfect internship during her study abroad semester, with an infamous celebrity public relations firm, she is determined to forge her own path - one that is nothing like her life back in Oklahoma. That plan is tested when British football’s bad boy, Killian Ramsey, decides that she's the one he wants and he's playing for keeps.
Will she put her future on hold — again — for the type of man she swore she'd stay away from?
Killian is one bloody good football player. After a tragedy shattered his entire world, the cocky and arrogant face he puts on for the media is a complete lie. When he meets Leah, his heart starts to beat for the first time in years. But when the feelings get too real, his perfectly constructed facade starts to slip.
Will he risk it all to be with her — taking whatever penalties are thrown his way — or will he play it safe?
Pitching to Win (Over the Fence, Book 1)
What do you do when the town golden boy, who never noticed you in
high school, decides to make a play for your heart?
For Minka Braxton, high school has been anything but easy. After a humiliating scandal sophomore year, she's avoided the social scene and anything having to do with boys, especially of the popular variety. But with senior year approaching, Minka decides its time to take life back into her own hands. That is, until Owen Axel, the type of guy she's always avoided, decides he wants her in his hands.
Owen Axel is the definition of popular. Good looks, all-star worthy pitching arm and a former pro-athlete father make him Mitchum's town God. Returning from college for the summer, his plan is simple. Beach, booze, and beautiful girls. But one look at Minka Braxton and he knows what he wants. He just doesn't count on her not wanting him.
As the summer unfolds, both must decide how much to reveal, how deep they should fall, and what might happen if they strike out.
Hitting to Win (Over the Fence, Book 2)
After a lifetime of neglect and sorrow, Miles Farriston has hit rock bottom after his lying ex-girlfriend proves that no one in his life sticks around. On the outs with his friends, in jeopardy of losing his baseball career and this close to getting kicked out of Kappa Eta Sigma, Miles is forced to compete in the Greek Life dance competition. What he didn't bank on was getting bright, cheery Chloe Trabucco as a partner.
Ballet, friends and her sorority. The only three things Chloe Trabucco wants to focus on and excel at. So when she is asked to compete, as a freshman, in the popular Greek dance competition, she couldn't be happier. That is, until she learns Miles is her partner. The same Miles she's had a huge crush on for half of her life, and the same guy who made it clear months ago that he wants nothing to do with her.
Her positivity and patience annoy him. His attitude and anger finally drive her to the breaking point. Can they hit a home run, both on and off the dance floor, or will they go down swinging?
Catching to Win (Over the Fence, Book 3)
Kelsey O'Brien is the definition of a free spirit. She goes where she wants, when she wants, and takes to bed who she wants. And when she arrives back at Grover University after eight months on an African animal preserve, it’s her newly hunky best friend that has caught her eye. As their friendship turns physical, Kelsey begins to form feelings she swore she'd never have for anyone. But when the past she's not ready to face finds her, she must make a decision whether to stop running, or confront the truth.
The first time Clint Bellows laid eyes on Kelsey, he fell hard. Too bad she looked right through him. A year and countless hours in the gym later, she's back and hardly recognizes him and his new body. After a drunken encounter takes them over the line of friendship, Clint agrees to Kelsey's proposal of a benefits-added relationship. Only he's playing for keeps, and is willing to round all of the bases trying to score the self-proclaimed gypsy.
She's running from her demons. He's committed to winning her over. Can he catch her in time, or will she be out of his grasp before he can blink?
Check out other books by Carrie Aarons.
Do you want to see a book about Erin? How about Carter? Sign up here for news on upcoming projects.
About the Author
Author of romance novels such as the Over the Fence series and Red Card, Carrie Aarons writes sexy, swoony and sarcastic characters who won't get out of her head until she puts them down on a page.
Carrie has wanted to be an author since the first time she opened a book, and can't describe what it feels like to be able to write love stories as an actual career. She loves spinning tales that include dapper men, women with attitude, and the occasional hunky athlete.
When she isn't in what her husband calls a "writing coma," Carrie is freeing-up her jampacked DVR, trying to become the next HGTV star as she DIYs her very first house, and planning her next travel adventure. She lives on the East Coast with her husband whom she loves dearly for supporting her crazy dreams and putting up with her bossy ways.
For more information:
@authorcarriea
CarrieAarons
www.carrieaarons.com
[email protected]
Kissed by Reality Page 20
