Stone: A Standalone Rock Star Romantic Comedy (Pandemic Sorrow)
Page 18
Looking down, she laughs and there’s a moment of silence before she glances back up. “So, you learned how to fly too, I see.”
“If that’s what you wanna call it.” I reach out and grasp her chin in my hand. “I’ve thought about you. A lot.”
Her eyes drift from my eyes to my lips and she takes a deep breath. “I was stupid.”
“Nah, scared maybe.” I step closer to her, trailing my fingers along her jaw. “So, should we start over? You know, as normal people?”
“I can’t start over with you,” she says, and it stabs me a little right in the heart, but before I can respond she’s running her fingers over my chest. “How do you start over with someone you never really left?”
Epilogue- Phoenix
I dry my hands on the dishtowel before walking out of the kitchen and flipping off the lights. Stone’s on the couch with an acoustic on his lap. The notes he’s plucking out float softly through the air. He glances up when I walk into the room and he smiles. That smile. Jesus, it still gets me, even if he’s minus the eyeliner and leather. I fall onto the couch next to him and lay my head on his shoulder. The music stops for just a second when he leans over to kiss my forehead. “I love you,” he says.
“I love you, too.”
He strums out a few more notes before singing the lyrics to “Faithfully” by Journey. Stone’s raspy voice sends chill bumps racing over my skin. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and lose myself in his voice. This… this is our normal. No Hollywood. No concerts. No fame. Just us and music.
Stone places the guitar beside the couch and shifts to face me as he continues to sing. One of his hands skims over my stomach, rubbing gentle circles over the tiny bump.
Those dark eyes of his dance with excitement, love, that depth that always drew me in. And maybe love is something beyond our control, some fate guided mystery, because all I know is this man right here—he is my entire world. We both hated fame, but without it, we wouldn’t have each other.
The baby kicks, and Stone’s face lights up before he cups my cheek and pulls me to him. He presses his mouth over mine, smiling against my lips. “Still. Every time,” he smiles.
“What?”
Stone moves back just enough that I can see his face as he sweeps his fingers over my jaw. “I can still taste the next 50 years of my life every time I kiss you.”
THE END
Acknowledgments
There are so many people that provide me with much appreciated support, love, and friendship. I know I’m lucky as hell, but there are a few of my sweet friends I have to thank for helping me with Stone.
Of course first, I have to thank my wonderful husband, Caleb. You’re my babe, my love, and you tolerate me being crazy when I’m on deadline (and in general life stuff). I don’t know what I would do without you, be lost, I guess. I am truly lucky to have you, and I wake up every day knowing that. Every. Single. Day. I couldn’t be more in love with you if I tried. I mean, I watch you when you sleep… <3
Lauren: Bless your ginger soul. You put up with a lot. You are always there to listen. You don’t judge me when I don’t shower. You help me when I get stuck and encourage me. And you are my squirrel mate. For life. No getting out of the squirrel club. You’re my best friend, and I adore you more than you can know.
Amanda: My music industry resource and jazz hand enthusiast. I mean, you basically read the entire book to me to help me catch slip ups! Thank you so much for all your help with this book. It means the world to me. I enjoy laughing and talking to you and being a badge bearing member of the #redlipstickmafia. I’m glad to call you a friend. (I’m collecting gingers, you see.) Love you girl!
Jen: You always help me so much and show me support. Always. I know I can always count on you, and that means so much! I enjoy our rambles and your infectious laugh (you’re laugh is seriously the best). I’m so thankful we’re friends and that I licked you first, popped your wine cherry, and knew you before you were alien twerking. Twerk on, dear friend. Twerk on.
Cal: Thank you for your continued support, for believing in my rockers, and for letting me bounce ideas around with you. You are amazing, and I can’t wait to squeeze you!
Gitte and Jenny: Thank you for your continued support. It means so very much to me. The first book in this series is how I met you two, and I am so glad we’ve gotten to know each other over the years. You two are gems, that is for sure. Thank you for all you do to share the words!
To all the many blogs who share releases, teasers, and reviews, thank you. I couldn’t do what I do without your support. You guys make this industry amazing!
And to my dear readers, thank you for giving me a chance to provide an escape for you. Thank you for reading my words, loving my characters, and allowing me to do something I always wanted to do. I can’t thank you enough for breathing life into my books by getting angry and upset, disgusted and scared by the words on the pages. You are the reason I write! Thank you!