by Carrie Elks
‘Babe, I can’t promise things are going to be easy. I can’t promise it’s all going to be smooth sailing. But I can promise that whenever things get rough, I’ll be right next to you, holding on tight. We could be rich or poor, and I couldn’t give a shit as long as we’re together.’
She nodded, her eyes wide as she stared at him.
‘And if everything goes wrong, then I know a really great girl who can survive on no money. I’ve even heard she’s good at dumpster-diving.’
Was that the tiniest smile playing at her lips?
‘She’s kick-ass at it,’ Cesca whispered.
‘And there’s nobody I’d rather go dumpster-diving with than you.’
A tear rolled down her cheek. ‘In some crazy, messed-up way, that might be the most romantic thing you’ve ever said to me.’
‘Then I’m kicking myself for being totally shit at being romantic,’ he told her. ‘Because you deserve romance. You deserve everything. Including tonight. You’ve worked so hard, baby, please come out and enjoy it. If you spend your life worried you’re going to lose everything, you’re going to miss out. I don’t want you to do that.’
Her gaze met his. ‘I don’t want to do that either.’
‘Then let’s go out, drink some champagne and talk to our friends. Then we’ll go home, I’ll rip this dress off you, and remind you exactly what life’s about.’
‘It’s about sex?’ She frowned.
It was his turn to laugh. ‘No, about love. Making it, having it, keeping it. I can’t think of anything better than that.’
‘Nor can I.’ She melted into his arms again, her head inclined as he looked down at her. And when he pressed his lips to hers, he could taste the champagne mixed with her tears. It was an intoxicating combination.
‘I love you,’ she whispered against his mouth. Her breath was as warm as her words.
‘I love you too, baby.’
And, really, nothing else really mattered. What was past was prologue, and the future was unwritten. They couldn’t ask for any more than that.
Acknowledgments
I know this is the boring bit, but so many people helped me to shape Cesca’s and Sam’s story into the book you are reading today. Firstly to Meire Dias of the Bookcase Agency – my agent and dear friend. I honestly wouldn’t be here without you. And to Flavia Viotti: agent, entrepreneur, and extraordinary woman. You both inspire me.
Thanks also to Anna Boatman for your support and advice, to Dominic Wakeford for your patience, and to the whole team at Piatkus for believing in me.
To Ash, Ella and Oliver – you make everything worthwhile. Thank you for trekking around Italy with me while I made notes and pretended it was a holiday. I promise to set the next book in an equally lovely destination.
To the rest of my family, thank you for your faith in this daughter and sister who sometimes spends more time in her head than in the real world.
I have so many wonderful friends that to name them all would take another book, so I’ll try to be brief. Thank you to Claire, Melanie, Gemma and Kate for pre-reading. Thanks also to my RNA friends, to my Enchanted Publications friends, to my online friends, to my Rayleigh girls, and to everybody who has believed in me, and encouraged me in my writing.
Finally, to my readers; thank you for picking up this book. I hope it transported you to a world where dreams come true and love wins out. I always enjoy hearing from you, and can often be found on Twitter or Facebook, or via my website. Come and say hello if you have a few minutes. I have virtual chocolate, and I’m not afraid to share it.
Until the next time,
Carrie x