Want
Page 24
“After the wailing and gnashing of teeth, I think they’ll survive.”
I take his hand and press it to my cheek. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Juli—”
“No, really. Right now, I don’t deserve you. I don’t deserve anyone. I think—”
I swallow, not sure how my next words will be received. But no matter his reaction, they’re true. I feel it in my gut that this is the right thing to do.
“I think I need some time. Not that I don’t love you, too. I do. But I need some time to myself to put me back together again. You don’t deserve a shell, and that’s all I am right now. You deserve the real me, not who I’ve been the past few months.”
He leans forward and presses his forehead against mine. “Gorgeous and smart.”
“You said you believe good things come to those who wait. Think you can wait a little longer for me?”
“You got it, kitten.”
THE END
Acknowledgments
I’m so very blessed to have supportive friends and family who have been telling me for years that I should write a book. First, my parents, who indulged my voracious reading habits; my best friend and beta reader Taylor Barth; my other patient beta readers Christie Speich, Ashley Brown and Dee Jordan; my Write Club critique group, including Carrie Cox, Lee Ann Ward, Israel Parker, and Joyce Scarbrough, who was this story’s first editor. Juli and Dave, thank you for giving them the ending they deserve.
Speaking of editors, many thanks to the incredible Melissa Keir; my insanely talented cover designer Najla Qamber; my amazing publicist Majanka Verstraete; and to Shilpa Mudiganti for giving me this opportunity to share my fictional babies with the world.
There aren’t enough hours in the day to properly express my thanks to Sara Gundell and the Novel Novice team for introducing me to Young Adult literature and its generous, supportive, and talented community.
To my kiddos, who probably think my laptop is another sibling; and my husband, for always taking the kids outside because “Mommy needs to write.” You’re so good to me.
And finally, my sincere thanks to the City of Mobile, Alabama, with all its quirks and rich history. Moving here was the best decision we ever made.
About The Author
After collecting two English degrees in the Midwest, Stephanie Lawton awoke in the deepest reaches of the Deep South. Culture shock inspired her to write about Mobile, Alabama, and all the ways Southern culture, history and attitudes seduce the unsuspecting.
She can often be spotted photographing cemeteries, historic buildings and the Gulf Coast’s beaches. She also tends to psychoanalyze people, which comes in handy when creating characters.
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