‘You.’
‘Me?’
‘You said it, Rosie: unless I tell her, I’ll never find out if she feels the same way.’
‘Then I’m the Specific Someone?’
‘Yes, you are.’
And there it was. Such a simple sentence, yet the brevity of it hit me with hurricane force. For months Ed’s mention of his Specific Someone had rankled with me inexplicably; I’d dismissed it as envy at a friend moving on. But the truth was, I was jealous—not of Ed falling in love, but of the woman who had stolen his heart. When he appeared to be drifting from me, the reason it hurt so much was that it seemed to confirm how much he didn’t want me. And even walking here tonight, when I thought I was thinking about Nate, Ed was the one who, in fact, claimed most of my thoughts. It was his opinion of me I cared most for; his support and time I valued more than anyone’s; his friendship I most covetously guarded.
It was time to face the truth.
Stepping forward bravely, I reached out my hand and, with trembling fingers, stroked the tears from his cheek. I felt his arms around me, pulling me closer, felt his breath brushing my face like a warm summer breeze.
‘I want to love you, Rosie. I want to show you how love should be and let you melt me completely. And every hurt, every wound your heart has suffered over the years, I want to heal with my kisses, every day, for ever.’
‘Oh, Ed…’
New York froze around us as his lips met mine—a hundred million questions answered in a single heartbeat. At that moment, Ed became everything: hands and lips, bodies and breath, hearts and souls. I lost myself in his embrace, the warmth of his love enveloping me like a blanket. And I knew. I knew I was home.
When we finally broke apart, I gazed into his eyes and I saw Ed Steinmann for the very first time.
I saw a man who looked like he was in love…
This city is not mine by birthright: yet New York chose to make me belong. It has soothed my pain, reignited my dreams and resurrected my hope. Deep within its vibrant heart, I found my own. And this is where my heart will stay for ever.
Acknowledgements
I’ve read so many authors’ thank-you’s and they always seem to miss the most important people—the ones that pick up their book from the shelves. So I’d like to thank you first. And let you know that, when you chose my book, you officially made my day. I hope my book officially makes yours in return!
Thanks to the wonderful, über-talented community on Authonomy.com, who supported my book when it was Coffee at Kowalski’s. I have made so many firm friends on the site and love being part of such an awesome bunch of people. Thanks especially to Simon Forward and Philip Gilliver, who championed my book in the Forums, Matt ‘Sesty’ Dick and Kim ‘Inky’ Curran—all incredible authors in their own right and great friends to boot. Thanks also to the lovely Laura, Clive and the Authonomy team.
Huge thanks to the amazing team at Avon, who have not only helped this complete newbie to understand the scary world of publishing but who have also given me the encouragement and space to create something I hope everyone will be proud of: Maxine Hitchcock, for her faith in me and excellent advice; the truly gorgeous Sammia Rafique, my editor, for going above and beyond in everything from editorial advice to sharing a love of chick-flicks (I told you you’d love While You Were Sleeping); also thanks to Keshini Naidoo and Yvonne Holland.
Finally, thanks to my fantastic family and friends, who have encouraged and inspired me more than any of them realise; Mum, Dad, Bev, Ro, Freya and Gran; the wonderful Whites and Davies’; the truly awesome former Edenhurst/Peppermints massive; my brilliant family at Calvary Church, Kingswinford; Helen (best mate extraordinaire); Linsey, for bugging me till she got the next chapter; Danielle for proof-reading and being a great chum; and my lovely Bob, who is my best friend and Prince Charming rolled into one. For everything, all honour to the Master Storyteller, who knows me better than anyone else.
Dreams can come true—you’re holding one in your hands right now.
About the Author
FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK
Miranda Dickinson has always had a head full of stories. From an early age she dreamed of writing a book that would make the heady heights of Kingswinford Library. Following a Performance Art degree, she began to write in earnest when a friend gave her The World’s Slowest PC. She is also a singer-songwriter. Fairytale of New York is her first novel. To find out more about Miranda visit www.miranda-dickinson.com
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Copyright
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
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Copyright © Miranda Dickinson 2009
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EPub Edition © OCTOBER 2009 ISBN: 978-0-007-34632-5
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