“Glad to hear you approve. Give it a week and it’ll be different again.”
“Different is good. Different makes you beautiful.”
I barely hear her soft giggle. “I like you on drugs. You’re very sweet and complimentary.”
I grumble and shift on the couch. “I’m always sweet.”
“When you need something or you’ve turned on the charm at the bar. Otherwise you’re quiet—the strong, silent type.”
Now I’m pouting. “I’m always nice to you. We’re friends.”
“That we are.” She takes a bowl out of the cupboard. “Soup’s done.”
I sit up more when she brings over the bowl, a cloth napkin, and a spoon. I expect her to hand me the napkin, but instead she tucks it over my shirt. The gesture is something my mother would’ve done for me when I was little. I miss my mother.
I should call her. I’m feeling nostalgic and homesick for a place I haven’t lived in years. Emotions make me vulnerable. My father gave me that advice when I began playing rugby seriously at fifteen. I need to stop with the mushy emotions and toughen up.
It’s only a hairline fracture, nothing to cry over.
“You’re not going to feed me, too, are you? I think I can manage a spoon.” My voice holds an edge to it.
Sage flinches slightly. “I’m not making airplane noises even if you beg.”
She curls up in the old leather armchair at the other end of the couch. Now she’s too far away, which also makes me cranky.
I slurp the soup, testing to make sure it’s no too hot. “Do you have crackers? I love crumbled saltines in my tomato soup.”
“So demanding.” Her smile returns as she searches for crackers. “You’ll have to survive with Ritz.”
I hold up my bowl for her to add the crackers. “Make sure to break them up really well.”
She obliges with a sigh, but I can see in her eyes I amuse her.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. How did it happen?”
In between spoonfuls, I tell her the embarrassing story about being taken down by a rock.
“At least you weren’t alone when it happened. Imagine the shit you would get from ski patrol for having to be rescued from the parking lot.”
“It was the base of the bunny hill.” I defend myself.
“Right, that’s so much better.” She grins at me. “I’m never letting you forget this when you tease me about not skiing double-black diamond runs with you.”
I don’t like being teased by anyone, but I’d take it from her. The soup and drugs combine to make me sleepy. I place the empty bowl on the coffee table before closing my eyes.
“You’re so good to me, Sage.”
“I know. I’ll even let you nap on my couch, but try not to drool on the pillows.”
I shift around, getting more comfortable. With my eyes still closed I feel a soft blanket being settled over me. It smells of lavender and something girly and pretty.
“If you want to date me, all you need to do is say the word. I’d never let you go.” My thoughts become words as I feel myself being dragged under a wave of sleep.
Read Next to You on Amazon
Acknowledgements
I’m thankful most of all for my readers. Thank you for buying, reading, reviewing and sharing my books.
Big love and thanks to my husband for being my partner in all things. Many of the funny parts of this book are funnier because of your input and sense of humor. Thank you to my Colorado family for reminding me of the beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley and the joys of Ruggerfest last year. Our time together inspired this series.
To Julia Kent, thank you for being a beta reader, a sounding board, and a good friend. To the Indie community of smart, talented, driven, and generous authors, thank you for being amazing. I’m lucky to call you colleagues and friends.
MJ, thank you for reading an early version of this. It’s better because of your input and cheerleading. I think I’ll call you Maverick from now on.
To the members of Daisyland, thank you for being the best group of readers ever. I’m grateful every day for your friendship, your support, our conversations, and all of the sloths.
Special shout out to: Kiersten Hill at BFF Book Blog; Tina Lynne at Typical Distractions; Nic Farrell at Flirty and Dirty Book Blog; Laurie Oh and Nina Grinstead at The Literary Gossip; Amber Boyd at The Geekery Book Reviews; Mandy Lawler at Straight Shootin Book Reviews; Lori Wilt at Ficwishes; Dee Montoya at Wrapped up in Reading; Jennifer Beach at Uniquely Jenn; Autumn Davis at Agents of Romance; Debbie Besabella at Black Heart Reviews; Michelle Kannan at All Romance Reviews; Miranda at Red Cheeks Reads; Chanpreet Singh at Saucy Book Reviews; Phala at Aalya and Books; Erin Spencer at Southern Belle; Roxie Madar at Schmexy Girl; Vilma at Vilma’s Book Blog; Melissa Krehley at Slow Reader’s Blog; Lisa at True Story; Margie Longoria at Margie’s Must Reads; Stacy Sanders at Red Reader’s Reads; Tracey Kruger at Smut Book Junkie; and to every blogger who takes the time to write a read and write a review of one of my books, thank you! Your support is never taken for granted. Thank you for all that you do for the love of books.
Thank you for the beautiful cover and series branding, SM Lumetta. You are truly a magical unicorn. CA, you make my words into gorgeous books and you’re one of the nicest people in the world.
I’m blessed to have an amazing team of support: Fiona Fischer, my super kickass assistant; my expeditious editor Melissa Ringsted at There for You Editing; needle in the haystack finders, Marla Esposito of Proofing with Style and Elli Reid for proofreading; Jessica Estep at Inkslinger PR and Jeananna and Kylie at Give Me Books for helping to spread the word about my books; Meire Dias at Bookcase Literary Agency, who has become so much more than an agent; and KP Simmon at Inkslinger PR, for her wisdom and big picture vision. To each of you, a huge thank you for keeping me focused on my goals.
Most of all, thank you, readers, for leaving a review or telling a friend about my books.
Hearing from my readers is the best part of publishing. I can be reached on social media or at [email protected].
xo
Daisy
Find me here:
Mailing list | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Website
More books by Daisy Prescott
Love with Altitude:
Next to You
Crazy Over You
Wild for You (coming later in 2017)
Up to You (2018)
Modern Love Stories:
We Were Here (prequel to Geoducks)
Geoducks Are for Lovers
Wanderlust
Happily Ever Now (coming late 2017)
Wingmen:
Ready to Fall
Confessions of a Reformed Tom Cat
Wingmen
(a boxed set of Ready to Fall & Confessions of a Reformed Tom Cat)
Anything but Love
Better Love
Small Town Scandal (coming May 2017)
Bewitched
A magical short set in Salem, Massachusetts
Spellbound
A magical sequel to Bewitched
Enchanted
A magical continuation (coming September 2017)
About Daisy
Daisy Prescott is the USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romantic comedies, including Modern Love Stories, the Wingmen series, and the Love with Altitude series.
Daisy currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with her husband, their rescue dog Mulder, and an indeterminate number of imaginary house goats. When not writing, she can be found in the garden or kitchen, lost in a good book, or on social media, usually talking about hot, bearded men and sloths.
Mailing list
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Website
eading books on Archive.
Crazy Over You (Love with Altitude #2) Page 21