“Whoa, hey, what’s wrong?” Carter asked, holding me tighter.
I hated that I was crying, but it actually kind of felt nice to let it out. I realized that I wasn’t only crying because I had to let him go, but also because of everything else that had happened so far this summer.
Carter smoothed my hair down on the side of my head and leaned over to look me in the eyes. His face was blurry with tears, but still so amazingly gorgeous. My tears came faster, and heavier. Carter lifted me slightly, shifting my position so he was still holding me but he had a better view of my face as he asked again, “What’s wrong, Lena?”
My words came out fast, one tumbling over the other. “I have to break up with you again.” I paused, sucking in a shallow breath of air. “I’m going back to Virginia at the end of the summer,” I mentioned in a near-whisper.
Carter furrowed his eyebrows, then shook his head and laughed to himself. He used a thumb to wipe away the tears that lingered on my cheeks.
“It’s not funny,” I said, my voice sounding distressed even to my own ears. “Don’t laugh.”
He forced the smile off of his face, but his eyes still twinkled in the light from the descending sun. “You’re right. Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s just, I always assumed you were going back at the end of the summer. I was prepared for it.”
I widened my eyes. “Really?”
He nodded. “Just so you know, I’m not letting you break up with me again. I care about you way too much to let that happen.”
I bit my lip as he continued.
“I want to try a long distance relationship with you, and if it doesn’t work out then at least we can say we tried. If anyone is worth waiting for, it’s you.”
A giddy smile was on my face. I raised a hand and rubbed the tears from my eyes. I probably looked horrible now. Like a red eyed idiot with a Rudolph nose and matching cheeks. “Really?”
“Really,” he reassured me.
“Who knows, maybe next year I could go to college in California,” I said, giving us something to look forward to.
He poked me in the side, causing me to squirm for a second. “You don’t have to worry about that now. Let’s just see where the year takes us. Whatever happens, I’ll be there for you.”
My heart pounded hard in my chest. “Okay.”
“How much time do we have left until you leave?
I didn’t even have to think about it. The time was like a clock counting down in my head to the day that I had to leave everyone behind. “A few weeks,” I answered, not wanting to say the exact amount of days.
He smirked, brushing my hair back with his fingers as he said, “Then let’s make this a summer for the books.”
He tugged me closer, placing his warm mouth on mine and kissing me with everything he had in him.
After a moment I pulled away, breaking the kiss to lean down and write in the sand.
L + C
Here for now,
together for always.
Acknowledgments
“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.”—Michael J. Fox
The last time I wrote an acknowledgment was pretty hard, to say the least. Coming from a family like mine, it’s difficult to choose whom I should thank. Support and love has been consistently given to me in my lifetime. I have mentioned my family in all three of my prior acknowledgments, but since this novel focuses on family dynamics, here is my chance to elaborate on why I am so thankful for mine.
I was blessed with the type of family that supports each other. Not just my immediate family, but also my extended family. My Aunt Kathy, may she rest in peace, was our shining angel then, and now. She was the rock in our family, and we are all still trying to adjust to being without her. She was a source of endless wisdom, and always had amazing advice to offer. She was one of those people who left an impact on the lives of everyone who was lucky enough to know her.
I also want to acknowledge my cousin James, Aunt Teresa and Uncle Joe, Aunt Maggie and Uncle Ted, Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Franz, Aunt Roshaun, Aunt Tiffany and Uncle Rudy, my parents, and my grandparents Rudy and Paulette Tyson, and Marianne Gaskin for continuously encouraging me to succeed. When my first solo novel, Better Than Revenge, released, my family jumped into action. As soon as the books were available for pre-sale, my Grandma Marianne ordered twenty copies for me to sell. Not long afterwards, my Aunt Dorothy ordered copies of each of my released novels and put them into the free libraries in her neighborhood. Her idea was so creative that my Aunt Teresa decided to do the same. Thanks to them, I am proud to say that I have novels in several free libraries so anyone who wants to read them can.
My Aunt Roshaun, Aunt Tiffany, and Grandma Paulette have each ordered all of my novels, and make me feel like a superstar when they have me sign them. Much like my parents do, these three spread the word around about my books at any chance they get. Thanks to them, everyone at their jobs and church knows that I am a published author. From offices in Washington D.C. and Crystal City, to school busses in Alexandria, everyone has heard about this momentous time in my life, and has offered me encouragement and support.
Finally, I want to bring attention to my beautiful cousin, Jenna. She is the friendly redhead who inspired me to create the character Lena. The two of them share many traits. Like Jenna, Lena has a kind soul and a creative mind. Jenna is a very talented artist, and one of the most compassionate human beings I know. She is strong, and I want to thank her for inspiring me not only for the character in this series, but also in my everyday life.
I love you all, and I will continue to strive to be the best that I can be.
About the Author
Taylor Henderson is a twenty-year-old college student who was born and raised in Northern Virginia. She has been an adamant reader and writer since she was young, and has always found solace in the worlds and characters that other authors have brought to life in their works. Taylor plans to continue writing, and hopes to expand to different genres in the future.
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/TayMHenderson
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TayMHenderson
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9885214.Taylor_Henderson
Website:
http://www.taylormhenderson.com/
Scarlet Awakening (Sweet Secrets #2) Page 15