When We Met
Page 20
He was more than a year into his injury. His movements were still a little stiff, and he hadn’t returned to his adrenaline-seeking ways, but he was holding our girl and bearing all of her weight.
She untucked her arm, and while she was still in the air, she held it out to me, our fingers now clasped. My forever sobber had tears streaming down her cheeks and the most happiness anyone could ever have on their face.
By this time next week, we would be taking her home.
Except the hand I was holding would feel somewhat different. She would be wearing the diamond ring Caleb had bought her a few months ago, the one I’d helped him design. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that she would say yes. This year apart hadn’t been easy on them, but once Caleb had gotten strong enough to travel, he had visited her a few times.
They loved each other something fierce, and they made it work.
Once my best friend’s feet touched the ground, I hauled her into my arms, squeezing her with all my might. “I missed you. So much,” I whispered.
“You have no idea,” she answered back.
As I held her, one thought became so vivid in my mind. It was the same thought I’d recalled on the plane, a day from our past that I’d never brought up to her, but now seemed like the right time.
“Do you remember the morning of the marathon when I begged you not to answer your phone because I didn’t want you to go into work?”
She laughed, exhaling onto my shoulder. “How could I forget?”
I pulled back to look into her eyes, seeing how teary they still were. “You’ll never hear me say these words again, but I’m so happy you didn’t listen to me.” She smiled hard. “Because … who knows what would have happened if you had decided to go to the race instead.”
She glanced at Caleb, and then back to me, and I knew she was thinking about his injury. “Things aren’t perfect, but they’re my kind of perfect.”
“They definitely are, babe.”
Caleb put his arm around both of us. Whitney and I linked hands behind him, resting our grip softly against his back as we walked toward baggage claim.
“I’m starving,” I groaned even though I’d eaten the multiple courses served in first class.
“Wait until you see what I’ve planned for us tonight,” she replied. “This meal is going to blow your minds.”
Caleb glanced down at me and then at Whitney, his smile not fading at all. “When we met, I never expected this moment to happen.”
“Neither did I,” Whitney said softly.
But part of me had seen it the whole time. First, as she’d spoken about the guy in room 614 whenever she got home from the hospital, and then as he had become her boss and slowly the man of her dreams.
Before she’d left for Peru, she had been so worried that Caleb wouldn’t wait for her, and I’d told her over and over again that things were going to work out between them.
I didn’t want to say I told you so …
I’d save that for my maid-of-honor speech.
Acknowledgments
Nina Grinstead, every time I try to write this description, I choke up with Whitney tears. Sometimes, people are just meant to be in your life forever, fitting in tighter than family, a connection where they’re in each other’s heads and words aren’t even needed. That’s us. Love you so, so, so much. Team B forever.
Jovana Shirley, you never yell at me when I beg for more time or change every date I’ve booked or cry over my lack of meeting deadlines. You just encourage me, inspire me to hone my craft, teach me to be a better writer, and always find a place for me in your jam-packed schedule. Like I say at the end of every book, I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone but you. Love you so hard.
Hang Le, my unicorn, you are just incredible in every way.
Judy Zweifel, as always, thank you for being so wonderful to work with and for taking such good care of my words. <3
Chanpreet Singh, thanks for always holding me together and for helping me in every way. Adore you, lady. XO
Kaitie Reister, I love you, girl. Thanks for being you.
Nikki Terrill, my food-loving sister, you’ve been through it all with me—sickness, health, every up and all the terrible downs. Thank you will truly never be enough. Love you hard.
Sarah Symonds, being inside your head for this book has been the best experience, and I looove that we’re on this wild ride together. Thanks for being a part of it. XO
Dawn Fuhrman and Patricia Reichardt, thanks for letting me pick your brains and for being such a massive part of this process. No one has ears like you two. Heart you both.
Kimmi Street, my sister from another mister, there’s no way to describe us; there’s just something special when it comes to our unbreakable bond. Nothing and no one will ever change that. I love you more than love.
Donna Cooksley Sanderson and Ratula Roy, I love you both something fierce and need to hug you ladies sooo badly.
Extra-special love goes to Valentine PR, Kelley Beckham, Kayti McGee, Chris Fletcher, Tracey Waggaman, Sally Ilan, Elizabeth Kelley, Jennifer Porpora, Pat Mann, and my group of Sarasota girls, whom I love more than anything. I’m so grateful for all of you.
Mom and Dad, thanks for your unwavering belief in me and your constant encouragement. It means more than you’ll ever know.
Brian, my words could never dent the love I feel for you. Trust me when I say, I love you more.
My Midnighters, you are such a supportive, loving, motivating group. Thanks for being such an inspiration, for holding my hand when I need it, and for always begging for more words. I love you all.
To all the bloggers who read, review, share, post, tweet, Instagram—Thank you, thank you, thank you will never be enough. You do so much for our writing community, and we’re so appreciative.
To my readers—I cherish each and every one of you. I’m so grateful for all the love you show my books, for taking the time to reach out to me, and for your passion and enthusiasm. I love, love, love you.
Bonus Scene
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Spoiler Group
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About the Author
USA Today best-selling author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Marni was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts sexy, titillating stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotions. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida, with her husband and their yellow Lab. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop, working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling, or devouring fabulous books.
Want to get in touch? Visit Marni at …
www.marnismann.com
MarniMannBooks@gmail.com
Also by Marni Mann
STAND-ALONE NOVELS
Even If It Hurts (Contemporary Romance)
Before You (Contemporary Romance)
The Assistant (Psychological Thriller)
The Unblocked Collection (Erotic Romance)
Wild Aces (Erotic Romance)
Prisoned (Dark Erotic Thriller)
* * *
MOMENTS IN BOSTON SERIES—CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
When Ashes Fall
When We Met
When Darkness Ends
* * *
THE AGENCY SERIES (STAND-ALONE NOVELS)—EROTI
C ROMANCE
Signed
Endorsed
Contracted
Negotiated
* * *
THE SHADOWS DUET—EROTIC ROMANCE
Seductive Shadows—Book One
Seductive Secrecy—Book Two
* * *
THE PRISONED SPIN-OFF DUET—DARK EROTIC THRILLER
Animal—Book One
Monster—Book Two
* * *
THE BAR HARBOR DUET—NEW ADULT
Pulled Beneath—Book One
Pulled Within—Book Two
* * *
THE MEMOIR SERIES—DARK MAINSTREAM FICTION
Memoirs Aren’t Fairytales—Book One
Scars from a Memoir—Book Two
* * *
NOVELS COWRITTEN WITH GIA RILEY
Lover (Erotic Romance)
Drowning (Contemporary Romance)
When Darkness Ends
When Darkness Ends is the third and final book in the Moments in Boston Series. It’s an angsty, dark, stand-alone contemporary romance that’s releasing May 25, 2021.
* * *
You never forget your first love … even when he becomes a memory.
Click HERE to pre-order When Darkness Ends.
When Ashes Fall
When Ashes Fall is the first book in the Moments in Boston Series. Chosen as an Amazon pick for Best Romance Book of 2019 and a Best Book of January by Apple Books.
* * *
"When Ashes Fall is a tautly written, complex, and emotionally-charged love story that takes the reader on an unforgettable, unexpected, and deeply moving journey.” —USA Today
Click HERE to purchase When Ashes Fall.