Create a Life to Love

by Erin Zak

I looked up from the book I was signing for Luna, a reader at my latest book signing. “Yes, it absolutely is.”

  “So, like, someone you know fell in love with the birth mom of her adopted daughter?”

  A smile spread across my face when I handed over the signed copy of the book and nodded. “That is exactly right.”

  Luna’s face lit up, and she held the book close to her chest. “That makes me so happy. I never thought something like that could really happen.”

  “You and me both, lady,” I said with a laugh. “Thank you so much for reading it, though.”

  “You’re welcome,” Luna said and walked away. I saw her open the book and look for my signature. When she read it, she looked up at me and mouthed, “It was you, wasn’t it?”

  I smiled, shrugged, and she closed the book and turned away, her entire face lit up with a grin.

  The book signing ended shortly after, and after I said my good-byes to the Ybor City Bookshop owners in Tampa, I took off down the street. I headed into the wine bar where I was meeting Susan with Tabitha and Janice. It was one of my favorite places in Tampa. Small and intimate and rarely crowded. It was perfect. “Hello, my love,” I whispered against Susan’s ear when I leaned down to kiss her cheek. She turned her head and looked at me. It didn’t matter that two years passed, she still could take my breath away with a simple look.

  “How’d it go?” Susan asked, her hand instantly finding my bare knee. As time passed, she’d become more and more at ease with herself. She was working with troubled kids again, and she was wonderful at her job. I was more and more impressed with her every single day.

  “It went really well.” I looked at Tabitha and Janice. “What is going on? You two look spooked.”

  Tabitha shrugged. “Susan has some news for you.”

  “Wait a second. They know the news before me?” I reached for the glass of sauvignon blanc that the server, Joseph brought me. He always knew my order, God bless him.

  Susan shrugged one shoulder. “They were here when I got the phone call.”

  And as she said that, Beth came bursting into the wine bar with Peggy right behind her. “Surprise!” they both said at the same time.

  “Holy cow! You’re back!” The two of them had decided to take time off and go backpacking across Europe.

  Beth jumped into my arms when I stood, then she backed away quickly. “So, I have news. And you two can’t get mad at me.”

  “Oh, Jesus,” I said softly when I sat. “Did you get married?”

  “Before us?” Susan added.

  Peggy laughed and ran her fingers through her red hair. Both her and Beth looked so happy and healthy. It was wonderful. “No, we aren’t married. But listen…”

  “We’re going to move to Italy.”

  Susan gripped my hand that was next to her on the booth of the wine bar. “Are you serious?”

  “Before you freak out,” Beth started. She sat on Peggy’s lap at the end of the booth table. “I was offered a really great position at this art studio in Rome. They’re going to pay me really well, too. And Peggy has been recording with this band that she met up with there. I feel like I spent so much of my life hiding and sad. And this is, like, so not sad. None of it. It’s happy. I’m happy.”

  “What about school?” Susan was always the more responsible parent. Always.

  “I’ll be taking art classes over there. The money from the competition said I could use it for any class on any continent.”

  Susan looked at Beth and then pointed a finger at Peggy. “You’re getting paid, too, then?” Peggy nodded, clearly too scared to actually say a word. Susan looked over at me. “What do you think?”

  “I mean, she has the scholarship. And her own money from selling her art here.” I was whispering, not completely, but soft enough that they could only hear every other word. I made eye contact with Beth and winked. “I think it’s a crazy idea. But who are we to stop her?”

  “We’re her parents, Jackie,” Susan said softly, but there was a hint of laughter underneath the parental tone.

  “If I may,” Tabitha said and leaned forward across the table. Susan and I both looked at her and waited. “I think you should let her do it. What did you tell me that one time, Jackie? An artist should never say no to new experiences?”

  “Well, shit, she’s throwing my own words at me.” I smiled and took Susan’s hand in mine. “Okay, fine. But the only thing we’re doing is buying your plane tickets.”

  “The only thing?” Susan’s question was so sarcastic. She shook her head, and even though she was trying to be the responsible one, she looked at Beth and Peggy and said, “Okay. Fine.”

  “Wait.” Beth looked at me, Peggy, Tabitha, Janice, and then back at Susan. “Are you serious?”

  Susan nodded. “I’m serious.”

  “Holy shit!”

  “Language!” Susan whispered loudly. “Still your mom.” She reached across the table and took Beth’s hand in hers. “Tell me about your trip, you two.”

  We all listened as Beth and Peggy regaled us with tales of their trip across Europe. As the two of them continued to talk, Susan gripped my hand even harder under the table. I could tell she was going to cry the second we got into the car. It was so endearing, her inability to hold herself together sometimes. I loved her, though. I loved everything about her.

  Every day since I opened my door to find a rain-soaked teenager standing there, I was thankful.

  And now I was thankful that we actually did it. We all created a life to love.

  About the Author

  Erin Zak grew up on the Western Slope of Colorado in a town with a population of 2,500, a solitary Subway, and one stoplight. She started writing at a young age and has always had a very active imagination. Erin later transplanted to Indiana where she attended college, started writing a book, and had dreams of one day actually finding the courage to try to get it published.

  Erin now resides in Florida, away from the snow and cold, near the Gulf Coast with her family. She enjoys the sun, sand, writing, and spoiling her cocker spaniel, Hanna. When she’s not writing, she’s obsessively collecting Star Wars memorabilia, planning the next trip to Disney World, or whipping up something delicious to eat in the kitchen.

  Books Available from Bold Strokes Books

  Accidental Prophet by Bud Gundy. Days after his grandmother dies, Drew Morten learns his true identity and finds himself racing against time to save civilization from the apocalypse. (978-1-63555-452-6)

  Create a Life to Love by Erin Zak. When sixteen-year-old Beth shows up at her birth mother’s door, three lives will change forever. (978-1-63555-425-0)

  Daughter of No One by Sam Ledel. When their worlds are threatened, a princess and a village outcast must overcome their differences and embrace a budding attraction if they want to survive. (978-1-63555-427-4)

  Fear of Falling by Georgia Beers. Singer Sophie James is ready to shake up her career, but her new manager, the gorgeous Dana Landon, has other ideas. (978-1-63555-443-4)

  In Case You Forgot by Fredrick Smith and Chaz Lamar. Zaire and Kenny, two newly single, Black, queer, and socially aware men, start again—in love, career, and life—in the West Hollywood neighborhood of LA. (978-1-63555-493-9)

  Playing with Fire by Lesley Davis. When Takira Lathan and Dante Groves meet at Takira’s restaurant, love may find its way onto the menu. (978-1-63555-433-5)

  Practice Makes Perfect by Carsen Taite. Meet law school friends Campbell, Abby, and Grace, law partners at Austin’s premier boutique legal firm for young, hip entrepreneurs. Legal Affairs: one law firm, three best friends, three chances to fall in love. (978-1-63555-357-4)

  The Last Seduction by Ronica Black. When you allow true love to elude you once and you desperately regret it, are you brave enough to grab it when it comes around again? (978-1-63555-211-9)

  Wavering Convictions by Erin Dutton. After a traumatic event, Maggie has vowed to regain her strength and independence. So how can Ally be both the wo
man who makes her feel safe and a constant reminder of the person who took her security away? (978-1-63555-403-8)

  A Bird of Sorrow by Shea Godfrey. As Darrius and her lover, Princess Jessa, gather their strength for the coming war, a mysterious spell will reveal the truth of an ancient love. (978-1-63555-009-2)

  All the Worlds Between Us by Morgan Lee Miller. High school senior Quinn Hughes discovers that a broken friendship is actually a door propped open for an unexpected romance. (978-1-63555-457-1)

  An Intimate Deception by CJ Birch. Flynn County Sheriff Elle Ashley has spent her adult life atoning for her wild youth, but when she finds her ex, Jessie, murdered two weeks before the small town’s biggest social event, she comes face-to-face with her past and all her well-kept secrets. (978-1-63555-417-5)

  Cash and the Sorority Girl by Ashley Bartlett. Cash Braddock doesn’t want to deal with morality, drugs, or people. Unfortunately, she’s going to have to. (978-1-63555-310-9)

  Counting for Thunder by Phillip Irwin Cooper. A struggling actor returns to the Deep South to manage a family crisis, finds love, and ultimately his own voice as his mother is regaining hers for possibly the last time. (978-1-63555-450-2)

  Falling by Kris Bryant. Falling in love isn’t part of the plan, but will Shaylie Beck put her heart first and stick around, or tell the damaging truth? (978-1-63555-373-4)

  Secrets in a Small Town by Nicole Stiling. Deputy Chief Mackenzie Blake has one mission: find the person harassing Savannah Castillo and her daughter before they cause real harm. (978-1-63555-436-6)

  Stormy Seas by Ali Vali. The high-octane follow-up to the best-selling action-romance, Blue Skies. (978-1-63555-299-7)

  The Road to Madison by Elle Spencer. Can two women who fell in love as girls overcome the hurt caused by the father who tore them apart? (978-1-63555-421-2)

  Dangerous Curves by Larkin Rose. When love waits at the finish line, dangerous curves are a risk worth taking. (978-1-63555-353-6)

  Love to the Rescue by Radclyffe. Can two people who share a past really be strangers? (978-1-62639-973-0)

  Love’s Portrait by Anna Larner. When museum curator Molly Goode and benefactor Georgina Wright uncover a portrait’s secret, public and private truths are exposed, and their deepening love hangs in the balance. (978-1-63555-057-3)

  Model Behavior by MJ Williamz. Can one woman’s instability shatter a new couple’s dreams of happiness? (978-1-63555-379-6)

  Pretending in Paradise by M. Ullrich. When travelwisdom.com assigns PR specialist Caroline Beckett and travel blogger Emma Morgan to cover a hot new couples retreat, they’re forced to fake a relationship to secure a reservation. (978-1-63555-399-4)

  Recipe for Love by Aurora Rey. Hannah Little doesn’t have much use for fancy chefs or fancy restaurants, but when New York City chef Drew Davis comes to town, their attraction just might be a recipe for love. (978-1-63555-367-3)

  Survivor’s Guilt and Other Stories by Greg Herren. Award-winning author Greg Herren’s short stories are finally pulled together into a single collection, including the Macavity Award nominated title story and the first-ever Chanse MacLeod short story. (978-1-63555-413-7)

  The House by Eden Darry. After a vicious assault, Sadie, Fin, and their family retreat to a house they think is the perfect place to start over, until they realize not all is as it seems. (978-1-63555-395-6)

  Uninvited by Jane C. Esther. When Aerin McLeary’s body becomes host for an alien intent on invading Earth, she must work with researcher Olivia Ando to uncover the truth and save humankind. (978-1-63555-282-9)

  Comrade Cowgirl by Yolanda Wallace. When cattle rancher Laramie Bowman accepts a lucrative job offer far from home, will her heart end up getting lost in translation? (978-1-63555-375-8)

  Double Vision by Ellie Hart. When her cell phone rings, Giselle Cutler answers it—and finds herself speaking to a dead woman. (978-1-63555-385-7)

  Inheritors of Chaos by Barbara Ann Wright. As factions splinter and reunite, will anyone survive the final showdown between gods and mortals on an alien world? (978-1-63555-294-2)

  Love on Lavender Lane by Karis Walsh. Accompanied by the buzz of honeybees and the scent of lavender, Paige and Kassidy must find a way to compromise on their approach to business if they want to save Lavender Lane Farm—and find a way to make room for love along the way. (978-1-63555-286-7)

  Spinning Tales by Brey Willows. When the fairy tale begins to unravel and villains are on the loose, will Maggie and Kody be able to spin a new tale? (978-1-63555-314-7)

  The Do-Over by Georgia Beers. Bella Hunt has made a good life for herself and put the past behind her. But when the bane of her high school existence shows up for Bella’s class on conflict resolution, the last thing they expect is to fall in love. (978-1-63555-393-2)

  What Happens When by Samantha Boyette. For Molly Kennan, senior year is already an epic disaster, and falling for mysterious waitress Zia is about to make life a whole lot worse. (978-1-63555-408-3)

  Wooing the Farmer by Jenny Frame. When fiercely independent modern socialite Penelope Huntingdon-Stewart and traditional country farmer Sam McQuade meet, trusting their hearts is harder than it looks. (978-1-63555-381-9)

  A Chapter on Love by Laney Webber. When Jannika and Lee reunite, their instant connection feels like a gift, but neither is ready for a second chance at love. Will they finally get on the same page when it comes to love? (978-1-63555-366-6)

  Drawing Down the Mist by Sheri Lewis Wohl. Everyone thinks Grand Duchess Maria Romanova died in 1918. They were almost right. (978-1-63555-341-3)

  Listen by Kris Bryant. Lily Croft is inexplicably drawn to Hope D’Marco but will she have the courage to confront the consequences of her past and present colliding? (978-1-63555-318-5)

  Perfect Partners by Maggie Cummings. Elite police dog trainer Sara Wright has no intention of falling in love with a coworker, until Isabel Marquez arrives at Homeland Security’s Northeast Regional Training facility and Sara’s good intentions start to falter. (978-1-63555-363-5)

  Shut Up and Kiss Me by Julie Cannon. What better way to spend two weeks of hell in paradise than in the company of a hot, sexy woman? (978-1-63555-343-7)

  Spencer’s Cove by Missouri Vaun. When Foster Owen and Abigail Spencer meet they uncover a story of lives adrift, loves lost, and true love found. (978-1-63555-171-6)

  Without Pretense by TJ Thomas. After living for decades hiding from the truth, can Ava learn to trust Bianca with her secrets and her heart? (978-1-63555-173-0)

  Unexpected Lightning by Cass Sellars. Lightning strikes once more when Sydney and Parker fight a dangerous stranger who threatens the peace they both desperately want. (978-1-163555-276-8)

  BOLDSTROKESBOOKS.COM

  Looking for your next great read?

  Visit BOLDSTROKESBOOKS.COM

  to browse our entire catalog of paperbacks, ebooks, and audiobooks.

  Want the first word on what’s new?

  Visit our website for event info,

  author interviews, and blogs.

  Subscribe to our free newsletter for sneak peeks,

  new releases, plus first notice of promos

  and daily bargains

  SIGN UP AT

  BOLDSTROKESBOOKS.COM/signup