Something More Than This

by Barbie Bohrman

  “I read your letter.”

  My small smile is to hide the sinking feeling I get after hearing the way he says this: as if it doesn’t matter how or what I write to him, he’ll never forgive me.

  “Oh, okay, so I’ll just leave you alone then.”

  I turn around quickly and start walking back to my car, as if the sand was actually as hot as it usually is on a warm summer’s day. Behind me, I hear Dylan’s footsteps, so I stop but I can’t make myself turn around to face him again. I know that if I do, I’ll cry, because my heart feels as if it were literally breaking in two.

  I can feel the warmth rolling off of him in waves as he comes even closer, and closer still. And then he’s turning me around as my tears well up in anticipation of him saying all of the things I don’t want to hear out loud: that he wants nothing more to do with me, that I’ve ruined any chance we had once and for all.

  Dylan’s hand surprises me and cups the side of my face. His eyes follow the lone tear that leaks free and down my cheek. When his thumb reaches out to catch it before it hits the ground, I almost break down in relief. Because his green eyes are alive with something more than friendship, something more than a promise, and something more than the right here and now.

  “Katy, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

  And before he can even finish repeating one of the very first things he’s ever said to me, I’m in his arms where I belong, always.

  EPILOGUE

  One Year Later

  Florida Observer: Letters from the Editor, Sunday, October 11, 2016

  Dear Your Katy,

  Sorry it has taken me so long to write you back.

  I only have one question, and if you get it right, I’ll agree to marry you.

  In 1977, Miami quarterback Bob Griese was the first NFL player to wear what in a game?

  Sincerely,

  Editor in Chief Dylan Sterling

  P.S. I made it easy on purpose. Now, turn around.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Thank you to my kids, my husband, and my friends who have stuck by me and kept me going. A special thanks to the following people, without whom I would lose my mind: Lisa Chamberlin, MJ Abraham, Claire Contreras, Stephanie Sandra Brown, and Sara Queen.

  A heartfelt thanks to Melody Guy . . . you are simply amazing and I hope to work with you again one day.

  Thanks to everyone at Montlake Romance, specifically my editor, Christopher Werner, who I’ve probably driven crazy with titles for this book, and by the time it goes to print, covers too. Jessica Poore, author relations representative, who is without a doubt one of the most thoughtful and funny people I’ve had the pleasure of never meeting in person. And finally, my original editor, Maria Gomez, thank you for believing in me and rooting for me from the sidelines.

  Thanks to my readers, who somehow get my sick sense of humor and send me notes to let me know how much they laughed and cried during one of my books. Those notes never get old, and no matter how much time goes by, I’m still humbled that you chose my book out of the thousands you could be reading instead.

  And finally, thanks to all the book bloggers out there, big or small, who support me and my books. Without you, I would be nowhere, and to say that I appreciate each and every one of you would be an understatement. I would, however, like to say a special thanks to a specific few who have come to mean a lot more to me than I could possibly put into words: Sandy Roman Borrero, Holly Malgieri, Kayla Sunday, Cantu Sisters (Amanda and Crystal), Stephanie Brown, and AJ too! (Hi, AJ!!) Christine Estevez, and finally, Angie McKeon.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Photo © 2016 Barbie Bohrman

  Barbie Bohrman was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and ultimately moved to the Garden State, where she currently resides with her two children and husband. When she is not writing, you can find her trying to get through the one thousand-plus books on her Kindle or watching Lost or Seinfeld.

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  https://www.goodreads.com/bbohrman1

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  @barbie_bohrman

  Website/Blog:

  www.barbiebohrmanbooks.com