Foolproof

by Jennifer Blackwood

  I clicked on the playlist that I’d made for tonight, a mix of eighties and nineties music. As soon as it started playing, Jules let out a squeal.

  “I thought this was supposed to be a romantic date, not a torture sesh.”

  “It’s mood music.” Not really, but I had to get a rise out of her somehow.

  She’d been doing really great lately— loved her athletic training classes and had a blast with her practicum with the football team. She was on speaking terms with her mom and dad. A phone call every few weeks. She was much happier now that they’d finally wised up and stopped guilt-tripping her.

  “Just as long as you don’t sing, we’ll be good.” She poked me in the side as I set down the next plate.

  “You don’t like my singing?”

  A pained look crossed her face. “You’re horrible.”

  “That’s it, no Oreo truffles for you.”

  She reached for the plate, but I snatched it up before she could reach it and held it over my head.

  She pushed back from the table and shot up from the chair, trying to get the plate. “You’re really going to punish me by denying me dessert?” Even on her tippy toes and her arms fully extended, she couldn’t reach the truffles. My pint-sized sugar fiend.

  “I’ll save the punishment for later,” I whispered in her ear.

  She shuddered against me, her arms wrapping around my waist. “Is that a sleeve of Oreos in your pants or are you just happy to see me?”

  I set the plate down on the table and pulled her closer. “Come and find out.”

  She shook her head and smiled. “I love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  We never made it to the third course, but who needed Oreos when I had Peach?

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  Acknowledgments

  My head is still spinning from how fast this book turned from a draft to a polished book. I always get nervous writing my acknowledgements because I feel like I’m going to leave someone out. So let me say this: thank you to everyone who has given encouraging words, feedback on my book, bought my book, or just given a smile that brightened my day.

  Okay, phew, I feel better. On that note, here are some people I am forever grateful for:

  My fabulous agent, Courtney Miller-Callihan. Thank you for always being in my corner and giving me great writing advice and peace of mind when I need it the most.

  The amazing team at Entangled—Candy Havens, my brilliant editor. Thank you for pushing me to write a better book and believing in Jules and Ryan. Britt Marczak, cover artist extraordinaire and answerer of a million and one questions. Your covers are truly beautiful and better than anything I could ever imagine. Thank you for always being just an email away. Debbie Suzuki, promo queen. Thank you for showing me ways to market better and tips to increase readership! Also big shout out to Nicole Steinhaus for initial feedback, the CE, and everyone else at Entangled who helped Jules and Ryan have their HEA.

  Lia Riley and A.J. Pine, my writing compadres. Thank you for always being there for me. Ryan and Jules would not be here today if it weren’t for you two. Thank you for believing in me. You’re both groovy and if I could put an Austin Powers meme in here, I would. I don’t think I would have made it without out g chats, texts, Facebook messages, etc. For that, I am eternally grateful.

  My good friends, Jessica Gunn and Rene Gilley, Natalie Blitt, Megan Erickson, Lex Martin, and Jules Barnard. I love our group messages and mutual support. You are all so talented and kind, and I am a better person for knowing you. Thank you for always being there for me.

  My writing friends, Amy Trueblood, Brighton Walsh, Esher Hogan, Lisa Houghton, Lisa Burstein, the 14 NA group, and my friends on Twitter—thank you for always making me smile and sending lots of support in the form of virtual chocolate and hot guy pics.

  To all the readers in Our So Called Group. Thank you for your support and feedback. Special shout out to the ladies who helped come up with naughty office supply jokes. I think you’ll see I used quite a few of them in the book.

  My special blogger friends, Sil from Hopeless Book Lovers, Danielle from Ramblings From This Chick, Tina from Typical Distractions, Three Chicks, Maf from Maf’s Crazy Book Life, Christine from I Heart Big Books (who makes the most incredible swag EVER), Alexis from Three Girls and a Book Obsession, Jessica Anhalt from Desire Divas, Alicia Wyland, and all other bloggers who have given the time to read and review. Thank you all for being so supportive! It means so much to me.

  My readers, thank you for picking up this book and giving it a chance. I am grateful for you.

  My family—Thank you for always being supportive. I love you all.

  Justin and little man, I love you both so much. Thank you for being 110% supportive. I would have never pursued my dream of being a writer if it wasn’t for you.

  About the Author

  Jennifer Blackwood is an English teacher and New Adult author. She lives in Oregon with her husband, son, and poorly behaved black lab puppy. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she’s binging on Veronica Mars episodes and white cheddar popcorn.

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  www.jenniferblackwood.com

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