Love Gone Viral
Page 27
Alice laughed. “I’m not planning on doing anything like that for a long time. Don’t think my heart could take the stress of that kind of conversation again. You might be a warrior in the conference room, but I’m still just a poor kid with a full beer and a sarcastic quip.”
Much as Meg wanted to reassure her she was more than that, she bit her tongue. While she thrived on the work, it was ultimately up to Alice to determine what she wanted to do next. If Meg pushed her too hard, she might shatter. Alice had taken a massive step being there and advocating for her neighbors; Meg couldn’t risk negating that growth.
Alice spoke again. “I’m sorry for blowing up at you, and for almost giving up. I was surprised when you mentioned a husband and assumed…well, I don’t really know what I assumed. I didn’t know what to think, but I didn’t think the best of you. It was wrong of me to judge you, Meg. I hope you can forgive me.”
Meg reached out and interlaced her fingers with Alice’s. “Charlie and I are best friends who also happened to be useful for each other. It wasn’t a loveless marriage, but it wasn’t fulfilling for either of us.”
“A real-life political alliance?” Alice asked jokingly.
“That’s a good way of putting it,” she replied. “You were right, though. I did hide it. For years, I acted to get ahead while convincing myself it was for a greater good. The older I got, the more I realized that I was doing myself a grave disservice.”
She stopped and squeezed Alice’s hand. “You’ve pushed me in many ways, Alice. I cannot thank you enough for giving me time and space to explain myself. I hope to have the courage to live my full truth, and I dearly hope you will be here with me.”
Meg knew it was a lot to put on another person’s shoulders. She could be stubborn and tended to dole out tough love. When working on a new campaign, she could be so laser-focused that she not only neglected rest for herself, but also forgot others’ needs. Alice would be well within her rights to walk away from her.
“Can we take things one day at a time?” Alice quietly asked.
It was more than Meg could have hoped for. Much as she wanted to launch headlong into a new endeavor, she could commit to pacing herself. “Nothing would make me happier,” she answered.
Meg saw Alice’s cheeks turn up and she knew that Alice was smiling behind her mask. “First things first, then. Let’s get you into something more comfortable.”
“Thank God. I’m desperate to get back into my sweatpants and slippers.”
“Somehow I didn’t think you owned anything comfortable.”
“This armor needs to come off sometime.”
With the sunlight beaming down on them, they made their way to Meg’s apartment, where they enjoyed an evening of calming tea and simply being together.
Though it was a small victory in the grand scheme of life, it was a win for the Glenwood community and a new beginning for Meg and Alice.
About the Authors
Meredith Bond
Meredith Bond's books straddle that beautiful line between historical romance and fantasy. An award-winning author, she writes fun traditional Regency romances, medieval Arthurian romances, and Regency romances with a touch of magic. Known for her characters “who slip readily into one’s heart,” Meredith loves to take her readers on a journey they won't soon forget.
Merry loves connecting with readers. Be sure to find her:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Instagram
Bookbub
And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter and get a free short story every month along with all of Merry’s news and the opportunity to get her next book before it’s even published!
Meg Napier
Meg’s friends during her high school years all expected her romance novels to hit the shelves decades ago, but she foolishly allowed “serious pursuits” to get in her way. Now that her beloved children can feed, clothe, and most importantly, support themselves, she’s free to turn her attention to her first passion - putting words to paper that capture your attention and make your heart sing in quiet joy. Her stories tell most frequently of second chances--in life, love, and sometimes even at rediscovering a soul-mate from a previous life. Writing is as fundamental as breathing, but when little roadblocks appear, it is the support of her wonderful husband and family that gives her the motivation to carry on. Email her at MegNapierAuthor@gmail.com or find her on her website
MegNapier.com
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Randi Goldleif
Randi Goldleif lives in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee with her partner. Always drawn to reading and writing, she dictated her first story to her mother in the first grade.
She constantly found herself in trouble during elementary and middle school because she was either reading books in math class or reenacting grand adventures of damsels in distress on the playground.
When not creating stories, she can be found hiking, running, or hanging with friends. Or on
Facebook
Twitter
You can also visit her website at TheRandiGoldleif.com.
Pru Warren
Pru Warren believes strongly in the “Happily Ever After” – and that romance novels are crucial when life isn’t living up to expectations. (Note to the wise: writing them is even more fun than reading them. Come on in – the water’s fine!) When not plotting or writing her next romantic comedy, Pru flagrantly wastes time, avoids cooking, and blogs about her endless quest for better health in “The Amazing Adventures of a Fat Lady in Fitness Land” (fatladyinfitessland.com).
M. Spencer
M. Spencer is a little too excited that SCOTUS oral arguments are now available for livestream, especially since she’s not a lawyer. A bona fide bibliophile, she hides her piles of romance paperbacks in tote bags because her bookshelves are already stuffed with other titles. Her hobbies include wearing red lipstick, studying French and Russian decorative art, and replaying the Assassin’s Creed games. She is eternally grateful that she can count on the hero of her own romance to read her first drafts and point out any plotholes. She writes erotica under a pseudonym and dwells in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Readers can find her via
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Acknowledgements
Yes, everyone says it, but the truth is, it really does take a village, and the path to getting these five stories out to the world was made smooth by a village of responders. Meredith Bond, who wrote the magical Falling Through Air, is also a professional formatter and writing coach. She took on the arduous task of formatting our disparate contributions and performing all the time-consuming tasks that turn words on a screen into an actual book. Anjali Banerji created our extraordinary cover. Our fearless copyeditors, Donna Swift and Anamaria Anderson, worked through numerous versions of our stories with patience and good cheer. Author and graphic designer JT Bock assisted with our cover design. And when I reached out for professional guidance, the following talented and generous authors were quick to respond with guidance and encouragement:
Robin Covington
Mindy Klasky
Lauren Layne
Donna MacMeans
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Dean Wesley Smith
Skye Warren
I am enormously grateful to all of them, and if you aren’t familiar with their work, now is the time to experience some wonderful writing.
Most of all, I am grateful to you, our readers. Your generous support is helping feed those struggling in these difficult times. Thank you.
Meg Napier
(100%); -moz-filter: grayscale(100%); -o-filter: grayscale(100%); -ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share