Wrapped in Hope: A Forbidden Romance (The Hope Series Book 1)
Page 25
He lets out a small laugh. “It’s River.”
River…that’s a weird name. “Don’t you want to know mine?”
The waitress places a glass of water on the table in front of him and he picks it up, taking a drink. “I already know your name, Jovi.”
“What? How do you know that?”
He lets out a deep laugh. “Calm down, I’m not stalking you if that’s what you’re thinking. I heard your dad tell George yesterday. That’s how I knew you were outside.”
Oh. That makes sense.
The waitress places our meal down in front of us and the smell of the food wafts up, stinging my eyes and making them water.
“What’s the matter?” River asks, picking up his fork to eat.
“I don’t like spicy food.”
“Then why did you order the spiciest thing on the menu?”
I open my mouth to tell him ‘because of the list,’ but then think that maybe I shouldn’t tell him about that. That list is between Katie and I. I don’t want to share that secret with anyone else. Plus, he’d probably think I was completely crazy.
“It’s just something I thought I needed to try.” I shrug as I pick up my fork and poke at the sliver of meat.
He shakes his head, not understanding, as he takes a bite of his own food. “Do you want to order something else?”
I shake my head. “Nope. I ordered this, and I’m going to eat it.” I raise the fork to my mouth and take a bite. The slice of chicken is already hot and burning my mouth so the spiciness of it doesn’t even register…until I swallow. Then my mouth feels like it’s on fire. My eyes start to water as my mouth stings.
I stick my tongue out and try fanning it with my hands. When that doesn’t work, I grab my glass of water and chug down as much of it as I can. The burning on my tongue is what I imagine hell to feel like. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think my mouth was melting.
River’s laugh cuts through me, and I turn my angry gaze at him. “What’s so funny? I’m in pain here!”
He throws his head back, laughing even harder.
I reach across the table and smack his shoulder. “What’s wrong with you? Make it stop!” My eyes are completely filled with tears now. They are running down my face faster than I can wipe them away. But my tearstained face is not what I’m worrying about. I’m worried about never being able to taste anything ever again because I know my taste buds are burning off right now.
All my yelling at River and acting like a complete crazy person gets the attention of the waitress and she rushes over with a glass. “Drink this.”
I take the glass, more than willing to drink anything that will put me out of my misery. I chug the magical substance, that just so happens to be milk, and little by little, the burning subsides. I set the empty glass on the table while she stands back watching with a look that says ‘I told you so’.
“Oh, that’s so much better. Thank you.”
She nods with her arms crossed over her chest and walks away.
I use my napkin to dry my face as I look back up at River. He’s just sitting there eating like nothing is going on.
I feel my eyebrow raise. “Are you serious? How can you even eat that?”
He shrugs. “I like it.”
“I hate spicy food.” I toss my napkin down on the table and scoot my chair back. “In fact, I think I’m going to go pay and get out of here.” I stand without telling him goodbye and turn towards the register.
The waitress who waited on my table is now behind the counter. When I walk up, she smiles and waves me on.
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
She nods. “It happens all the time.”
I can only imagine. “Thank you,” I tell her with a kind, appreciative smile.
I push open the door and step out onto the sidewalk. I’m only a few steps away when River rushes out behind me.
“Hey!”
I stop and turn to face him. “You are a really bad stalker. You know, you’re not supposed to let me see you.”
He rolls his eyes. “I’m not stalking you. What are you doing today?”
I shrug as I begin walking again. “I have to pack.”
“Pack?” he sounds alarmed as his feet stop moving.
“Yeah, I’m taking a trip,” I say over my shoulder.
He jogs until he catches back up to me. “Where to?”
I look at him, feeling a smile tugging at my lips. “What’s it to you?”
“I’m just making conversation, Jovi.”
“I’m not the best at conversation,” I say without slowing as I jog across the street.
He keeps pace with me, and once we’re across the street, he grabs me by the crook of my arm, stopping me. “Let’s stop in here and grab a drink.” He motions towards the small pub we’re standing in front of.
My head cocks to the side while I look over at him, studying him. “Look, I didn’t mean for you to fall in love with me or anything last night. That broken girl you met yesterday and saw last night, that’s not me.”
He rolls his eyes yet again. “Don’t be so full of yourself.” He grabs me by my shoulders and walks me in the door.
Want more?! Go grab it now! Free in KU!
Acknowledgments
I’m sort at a loss of words here. I never imagined that I would have anyone read my stuff, and here we are onto book nine. NINE!! That’s completely crazy to me! I wanted to start by thanking all of my readers, all the people that took a chance on me. I wouldn’t be here without all of you. As a writer, I should be able to come up with enough words to explain how much this means to me, but I can’t. It’s just… mind blowing. I feel like I need to look up a bunch of words just to describe how I’m feeling right now, but for the purpose of saving paper, ink, and tablet battery, I won’t do that. I’ll just leave it as a simple thank you.
Always to my hubby. I know you think I’m crazy, but you’re crazy too. That’s why we fit so perfectly. Thank you for your continuous support, love, and understanding.
To my kids, this one is completely blacklisted for you. Just know that I love you with my whole heart.
To my best friend, Sarah, you’re amazing and such an important part of my life. I love you and don’t know what I’d do without you. One of these days we will retire and buy that beachside bar so we can turn into the old drunk ladies with bad skin from getting too much sun! Not a dream many have, but it’s mine!
To K. Webster, thank you so much for your endless support! You’ve gave me feedback, moral support, and pushed me to push deeper. I’ll be forever grateful!
To the ladies in my review group, you guys are so awesome. We’re a team and I don’t know what I’d do without each and every one of you. I love talking to you all daily, and I love reading your comments on all the random shit I post! Thanks for supporting me and sticking by my side!
To my betas, Jennifer Thompson, Dusty Summerford, Jennifer Jones, and Kyrsta Reuss, you guys…I love you guys! I was seriously concerned with this one because of the “forbidden” nature of Holden and Hope, but you guys saw what I couldn’t. You saw a love story that deserved to be read! I can’t thank you enough for your continuous love and support.
To anyone I may have missed, thank you for everything!
Also by K.B. Andrews
The Chance Series
A Chance at Forever FREE
A Second Chance at Forever Bestseller
Our Last Chance at Forever Bestseller
Giving Up My Chance at Forever (Coming 2018)
One More Chance at Forever (Coming 2018)
Standalone’s
Finding You in the Darkness FREE in KU
Losing a Piece of Me Get it NOW
Taking Down Brooklyn Get it NOW
Taking Back Brooklyn Get it NOW
F*cking Shattered FREE in KU
Wrapped in Hope FREE in KU
Check out the playlist for Wrapped in Hope
Visit Spotify to che
ck out the playlist!
I Don’t Wanna Live Forever - ZAYN, Taylor Swift
No Good 4 U - 12AM
Standing in the Dark - Lawson
Feel it Still - Portugal The Man
Crazy in Love - Beyonce
Demons - Imagine Dragons
Let Her Go - Passenger
It’s Been Awhile - Staind
Stay With Me - Sam Smith
About the Author
K.B. Andrews lives in Southern Illinois. She has always had a love for story writing and reading. She spends her days cleaning up after her family and running her kids to T-ball, gymnastics, school, and everywhere else they need to go. She is usually found with her nose in her laptop or trying to get everything done so she can spend the rest of the day with her nose in her laptop. To stay up to date on things she’s working on, giveaways, and possible ARC opportunities, follow her on social media and subscribe to her newsletter.