Sunny pointed to her left. “Monkey bah!”
I realized she was pointing to the playground. Monkey bars. “Monkey bars!” I said.
“Oh!” Carys started to laugh. “For a second, I thought you taught her that.” Carys turned around. “No playground today, honey. We don’t have time. Maybe next weekend.”
As we traveled down the tree-lined road, I could see Carys smiling over at me.
“What are you smiling at, beautiful?”
“When I met you, I couldn’t have imagined the stud next door would end up my husband, and we’d be living in the suburbs with two kids.”
“And that I’d be coaching soccer. Not exactly playing the field in the same way anymore.” I chuckled and reached for her hand. “But you know, it all makes sense now.”
“What does?”
“Everything had to happen the way it did. Could you imagine if I’d gone on to play for the NFL? I would’ve never met you. I probably would’ve gotten myself into some kind of messed-up shit. I guarantee you I wouldn’t be this content. All those years I thought losing that career was the worst thing that ever happened to me. But my second act? This? I’d take it any day over that other life.”
Carys squeezed my hand. “When you said that, you reminded me of something. Did I ever tell you how I came up with Sunny’s name?”
“No.”
“I was all alone in the hospital after I had her. The entire pregnancy had been scary with so many unknowns, and on top of that, I’d just learned my baby had Down’s. Fear had nearly crippled me.” She stared out the window a moment. “The day before, I’d given birth to her in a blur with a ton of drugs. After everything I’d been through, for the first time, it was just me and Sunny. She looked up at me, probably wondering where the hell she was. I looked out the hospital room window and saw the sun coming up. I just kept looking at that sunrise over the city and back at her little face. She’d just been through the hell of birth, yet she was so peaceful. She was alive and content in my arms. And I realized I wasn’t alone at all anymore. I had everything I needed. Sunny. The light that emerges from darkness.
“That’s beautiful,” I said, feeling a lump in my throat. “I’ve always loved her name. But now I love it even more.”
In the rearview mirror, I glanced back at Sunny, whose ice cream cone was now melted all over her face.
The light that emerges from darkness. “You know how you felt when you saw the sun that day, Carys? Pretty sure that’s exactly what I felt the first time I looked into your eyes.”
Dear Readers,
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading The Anti-Boyfriend! I’d love to stay in touch and invite you to join my mailing list and receive back a NEW, FREE short story.
For a Good Time Call
Ever see For a good time call scribbled on the bathroom wall of a bar? Sure you have. Ever wonder what would happen if you had a few too many drinks and actually called the number? Well, now you don’t have to wonder anymore, because I’ll tell you… It blows up in your face when you suddenly realize who Mr. Good Time is.
OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD
RoomHate
Neighbor Dearest
The Day He Came Back
Just One Year
When August Ends
Love Online
Gentleman Nine
Drunk Dial
Mack Daddy
Stepbrother Dearest
Jaded and Tyed (A novelette)
Sins of Sevin
Jake Undone (Jake #1)
Jake Understood (Jake #2)
My Skylar
Gemini
My Favorite Souvenir (Co-written with Vi Keeland)
Dirty Letters (Co-written with Vi Keeland)
Hate Notes (Co-written with Vi Keeland)
Rebel Heir (Co-written with Vi Keeland)
Rebel Heart (Co-written with Vi Keeland)
British Bedmate (Co-written with Vi Keeland)
Mister Moneybags (Co-written with Vi Keeland)
Playboy Pilot (Co-written with Vi Keeland)
Stuck-Up Suit (Co-written with Vi Keeland)
Cocky Bastard (Co-written with Vi Keeland)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book was written during a really challenging year for all of us. In these unprecedented times, I’m so happy to be able to help provide an escape for you. I consider myself the luckiest gal in the world to have readers all over the world who continue to support and promote my books. Your enthusiasm and hunger for my stories is what motivates me every day. And to all of the book bloggers who work tirelessly to support me, please know how much I appreciate you.
To Vi – Forever my partner in crime. Hopefully you don’t get tired of me singing your praises. Each year our friendship becomes more invaluable to me. I couldn’t do any of this without you. The best part of this career has been our collaborations and getting to work with my friend each and every day.
To Julie – My late-night watch dog. Thank you for your friendship and for always inspiring me with your amazing writing and attitude.
To Luna –Thank you being there day in and day out and especially this year for being such an inspiration. The best is yet to come.
To Erika –Thank you for always brightening my days with your daily check-ins and virtual smiles. It will always be an E thing!
To Cheri – An amazing friend and supporter. Thanks for always looking out. Can’t wait ‘til the day we can all get together again.
To my Facebook reader group, Penelope’s Peeps – I adore you all. You are my home and favorite place to be.
To my agent extraordinaire, Kimberly Brower –Thank you for everything you do and for believing in me long before you were my agent, back when you were a blogger and I was a first-time author.
To my editor Jessica Royer Ocken – It’s always a pleasure working with you. I look forward to many more experiences to come.
To Elaine of Allusion Book Formatting and Publishing – Thank you for being the best proofreader, formatter, and friend a girl could ask for.
To my assistant Brooke – Thank you for hard work in handling all of the things Vi and I can’t seem to ever get to. We appreciate you so much!
To Kylie and Jo at Give Me Books – You guys are amazing! Thank you for your tireless promotional work.
To Letitia of RBA Designs – My awesome cover designer. This cover is one of my favorites that you’ve designed. Thank you for always working with me until the finished product is exactly perfect.
To my husband – Thank you for always taking on so much more than you should have to so that I am able to write. I love you so much.
To the best parents in the world – I’m so lucky to have you! Thank you for everything you have ever done for me and for always being there.
Last but not least, to my daughter and son – Mommy loves you. You are my motivation and inspiration!
ABOUT PENELOPE WARD
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over twenty novels.
Penelope’s books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
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