Safer Outside (A Mature YA Romance) (The Outside Series)

by Kristina Belle

  “Uh, no. Never.”

  “That’s why we didn’t ask.” With a quick peck to my temple, he steps away so my grandma and aunts can pass me around for hugs.

  I never imagined being as happy as I am now. We danced and laughed and had cake and it was one of the best times I’ve ever spent with my family.

  Using the excuse of needing some air, I sneak out to the balcony and look back at all the people that truly love me and are rooting for me to succeed. I don’t want to get teary but I can’t help it.

  I’m excited to leave for college but a part of me wants this for a little while longer. I want more time with a happy mom. I want to see the joy in her eyes when she’s able to give me something special or see me reach a milestone. I want to be at all of Billy’s games and pick up Macy from school and take her for ice cream. I won’t be far but it won’t be the same. What seemed like freedom only a few hours ago now seems like I’m being pushed out of the nest and I have mixed feelings about it.

  “What are you thinking about, beautiful?” Logan scoots against the railing and tucks me into his side, rubbing his palm over the goose bumps on my arms from the cool breeze.

  “I can’t believe I’m leaving home soon. I’m gonna miss them.”

  “You won’t be far.” He turns so he’s standing in front of me, blocking me from everyone inside. “And you’ll always have me.”

  “Always?” I ask, smiling. I’m not being insecure. I just like to hear him say it.

  “Forever.” He pulls another one of those blue boxes out from behind his back. Over the years, there have been several. Sometimes earrings or a bracelet. A few necklaces. But never a ring. That first ring is still my most prized possession and has never come off my finger so when he places the box in my right hand and holds my left hand against his heart, I feel faint.

  “You’ve worn my ring for almost three years and I never wanted you to take it off.” He lowers my hand and slowly slips the ring to the tip of my finger. “But I think it’s time for an upgrade.”

  My breath hitches as Logan pulls the silver band free and slips it into his shirt pocket then drops to one knee. Still standing with the new box in my hand, I can’t say a word as he lifts the hinged lid and removes the biggest diamond ring I’ve ever seen. “Elizabeth Charlotte Martin, will you make me the happiest man alive by agreeing to become my wife?”

  I drop to my knees in front of him and attack his mouth with mine, nodding my head furiously while stealing the breath from his lungs. The sound of cheers and ‘aww’ from the other side of the glass wall finally forces me to pull away.

  “So…is that a yes?” Logan’s gorgeous smirk makes me want to climb right back inside of him.

  “That’s a yes. Forever.”

  Acknowledgements

  First and foremost, I have to thank Charlotte Abel for letting me ride her coattails into the amazing world of publishing. I would’ve never considered editing, much less writing, if it wasn’t for her constant support and encouragement. You’ve changed my life in so many ways!!!!

  Another instrumental partner in getting this book completed is E.L. Todd. She not only helped me through some plot holes but she edited this and countless other books so I could keep writing.

  Obviously this book was inspired by many friends and family members. You know who you are...and if you aren’t sure, just ask. This wouldn’t have been nearly as fun without the real life memories to embellish.

  And speaking of, I have to thank my husband and sons for putting up with me toting my laptop to every beach, scout meeting and family vacation we’ve gone on for the past few...years.

  And I would be remiss if I didn’t admit Stephenie Meyer was a huge part of the reason I rekindled my love of books. I’ll forever cherish the ways that Twilight changed my life and brought so many lifelong friendships to me.

  About the author

  Kristina Renee was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. She married her high school sweetheart after college and they have two sweet and adventurous sons. She spends her time chauffeuring her kids around and doing technical marketing but when she can escape, she loves reading, writing and editing. Learn more at www.KristinaReneeBooks.com

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  A Zebra Like Me

  By Amy Maurer Jones

  Prologue

  Maybelle

  I sit on the soft, green grass staring out at the lake behind my house. The breeze is cool and soothing against my sun-kissed skin. Tomorrow is the first day of school.

  A sour feeling invades my stomach. I barely passed last year. The pressure of my reality is consuming. Now, in the waning heat of August, after a summer filled with rest and relaxation, it’s easy to pretend this year will be better, but I know the truth. Soon, a daily routine of torture will overwhelm me. Pain-filled days spent trudging up and down concrete floors and flights of stairs. Agonizing hours of stillness trapped in the unforgiving frames of wooden desks. Neck-breaking, never-ending minutes straining to see what my teacher wrote on the board and overhead projector. And, the paralyzing stress of knowing it’s getting worse and I can’t handle it. I feel helpless and defeated and have yet to step through the school’s front doors.

  “I’m a zebra. No one understands me,” I whisper to myself.

  I take a deep breath as the air stirs. My focus is distracted by a shimmering glint of light. A silvery-white slip of paper floats down from the clear, blue sky. I stretch out my open palm and clasp my fingers around it. It’s folded neatly into quadrants. I unfold the square of paper to find out what is written inside.

  You’re not alone, Maybelle.

  I search the empty space around me and find nothing out of place. Everything is the same. My grandmother’s ferns dangle from their baskets on the back porch. The heavy, faded wooden rocking chairs are still, immune to the feeble breeze. The vegetable garden and the locked shed beyond it are undisturbed. An occasional boater drifts by on the lake but otherwise all is quiet. I am alone.

  I reach for my backpack and retrieve my makeshift diary, a simple spiral-bound notebook. I tear out a piece of paper.

  “Prove it.” I say the words as I scrawl them on the slip of paper, fold it into a square, and toss it toward the Heavens.

  Amy Jones Books

  www.amyjonesbooks.com

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