If he wanted to give me a ring and have me call him my fiancé, I could handle it.
After all, I was already having his baby.
Agreeing to a ring on my finger wasn’t as big of a deal as squeezing a human out of my vagina.
I held my breath and waited.
He looked at me uneasily, holding the ring between us.
“Is this the part where you bolt out of the car and run away?”
I stared at him, expressionless, and I saw his eyes go from hopeful to nervous.
I folded my arms in front of me and rested them on my growing belly.
“This is the part where I wait for you to propose.”
His face broke into a smile and he leaned in to kiss me, a few pecks at first, and then a longer, deeper kiss. I took his face between my hands and kissed him again and again, his hand still holding the ring, suspended between us.
“I love you, Lena Andrews. I’ve only ever wanted you. You’re the only person I want to share my life with—well, you and the children we’ll have.”
“Children? Plural? There you go being cocky again,” I teased him, saying the same words I had used once upon a time.
“What do you say, Lena?”
“Put that ring on my finger, baby daddy.”
It might sound strange, but this is always the hardest part. Writing a book is a long, solitary process, but without the help of a few key players, I feel I might have never been able to reach the finish line.
A massive thank you to Emily Giovanni, Lauren Brynolf, Shawn Garcia and Kate Spitzer for being willing to read a very messy version of this story.
Thanks to my wonderful editor, Caitlin with Editing by C. Marie. It’s always a pleasure working with you. You give me peace of mind and make my words better, and that’s invaluable. Thanks to Judy with Judy's Proofreading.
Thanks to my family for being patient with me when I'm distracted by my characters and the stories in my head. To my best friend Susanna: I'm thankful for the many crazy adventures we had together. This story couldn't have happened without some of them.
Alyssa with Uplifting Designs, you have outdone yourself with this cover. I can’t stop looking at it! Alexandria with AB Formatting, I’m writing this before I hand the book over to you, but I can’t wait to see what you will do with it! Thanks to The Next Step PR and Enticing Journey for handling the promo.
Thanks to the readers and my wonderful group, Hilaria Alexander Rockettes! I love you, ladies.
Thank you for listening to my ramblings and loving my words. You make my days brighter!
Thanks to Andrea Johnston, the blurb whisperer: I couldn’t have done it without you. Brittany Johnson: I am so thankful you decided to join the crazy train and helping me with a few things: you are amazing!
A big, huge thank you to all the wonderful women of the indie community who never cease to amaze me and make me want to become a better version of myself. There are too many of you to name, but you know who you are. Thanks to all the early readers who have been so enthusiastic about The Art of Us. Thanks to the bloggers who rock my socks off and work tirelessly to promote the work of indie authors. I couldn’t do this without your help.
The Art of Us Playlist
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Here is a small selection of the music I listened while writing to The Art of Us.
The full playlist is available on Spotify.
* * *
Verité - Constant Crush
Halsey - Tokyo Narita (Freestyle)
Selena Gomez - Bad Liar
David Bowie - Modern Love
The XX - Seasons Run
Phantogram - You’re Mine
Moth and the Flame - Fade Into You (cover)
SZA - Love Galore
Lorde - The Louvre
Barbra Streisand - People
Drake - Portland
The Strokes - Welcome to Japan
ToveLo - Moments
DAISY - Way Cool Baby Love
MILK - You’re Mine
The Kills - Doing it ’til death
TVGirl - Lovers Rock
Paramore - Tell Me How
Halsey - Bad at Love
Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Jorja Smith - Carry Me Home
Hilaria Alexander was born and raised in the south of Italy, where her family still lives. She was bit by the travel bug early on and lived in Tokyo and Orlando for a while before settling down in Oklahoma City with her husband and kids.
She loves books - obviously - as well as movies and TV, and is addicted to award shows. She can't play an instrument to save her life, but she loves music, which is one of her biggest inspirations when plotting new stories. If you have questions about her or her books, ask her on Facebook and Twitter, or email her at [email protected]. For excerpts, news and giveaways, join her readers group.
Also available by Hilaria Alexander
Lost In Scotland
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Just when you think you're lost, you might end up falling in love.
* * *
Sam Farouk is having a bad year. Things have gone down the drain ever since she found her boyfriend cheating on her at the Golden Globes. An unfortunate turn of events forces her to trade sunny Los Angeles with the rainy, chilly highlands of Scotland. She has the chance to work as one of the makeup artists on a new TV series based on a fantasy saga everyone is bananas about, but she can’t help feeling lost and a little bit homesick. Until she starts falling for Hugh MacLeod, the actor set to impersonate the titular role of Abarath, dragon slayer and part-time Casanova.
Hugh MacLeod is ready for his big break. After more than a decade taking every possible acting job just to stay afloat, he can finally show his range in a series to be proud of. Hugh’s commitment to his career comes before anything else, and that’s part of the reason why he hasn’t had a serious relationship in a while. But the more he’s around Sam, the more he knows he’s in deep, deep trouble. How is he supposed to not fall for the sexy, mysterious brunette who works all over him every single day? Every touch, every look is torture.
* * *
Getting lost in each other might be wrong, but it could end up being just what they need.
The Art of Us Page 28