Us After You
Page 34
“Next time, try dating someone in your own age group,” Mrs. Ryker Finn advises me as she bites her lip. “And make sure they are single.”
“Yes, thank you, I’ll take that under advice.” I give her my best student-tone voice with a courtesy nod and all that shit.
Ha, as if I’ll date again. This is the last time. I won’t give men the power to damage me—break my heart. Closing in on the dark cherry couch to snatch my purse, I spot a thick, wool winter coat. It reminds me of home.
Unlike Texas, back home—middle of nowhere between Washington and Oregon—the weather is bone-chilling during this time of the year.
Stupid nostalgia. Not sure if it’s the holiday, home or family I miss. But the loss of everything I once had is hitting me all at once. I haven’t seen my parents since that day… and I have no idea how to reach out or if I want to do it. Do they even miss me?
My chest tightens. I hate to remember any of it. One memory brings all the others back and the feelings. The oxygen suddenly disappears. The emotions are asphyxiating me.
Stop, I order myself. Never again.
Emotionless, that’s the AJ I am and will remain for the rest of my life.
I grab my purse and head to the door where I notice the rolling luggage and a magazine on top of the entrance table…
One of the most wanted bachelors, actor Gabe Colt, finally found his match.
My blood boils as I re-read the fucking magazine. I stare at his picture. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and white radiant smile. The never-aging Gabe Colt. He was captured walking beside a woman about twenty-four, twenty-five maybe? Her pronounced belly stares at the viewer.
A baby?
‘… and he’s finally going to be a father.’
Finally?
The belly hits me right in the face, the words punch me in the gut and I can’t breathe.
Acknowledgments
Can you believe I wrote 98k words for Us After You and yet, this is the hardest part for me because I’m afraid I’ll always forget someone. If I omit your name, my apologies, my memory is terrible.
First and foremost, I’d like to thank God because he’s the one who allows me to be here and who gifts me the time, the creativity, and the tools to do what I love. Thank you for all the blessings in my life. My family, my friends, my readers, and my health. Also, for letting me do what I love the most writing stories.
My family, a huge thank you for their support. My amazing husband. He’s my inspiration—not for my heroes, but for my life. He inspires me to work hard, never give up, and believe in myself. He’s my forever—my everything.
To my beautiful children, the most amazing humans there are in the world. Love you to no end. Thank you for being mine.
Huge thank you to Sandy who helped me so much with the plotting part of the book.
To my beta team, Darlene, Becky, Yolanda, Patricia, and Karen. You guys rock!!!
Hang Le, for always making the most gorgeous covers in the world. She’s the most talented artists I’ve met. Not sure what I’d do without her.
Becky Barney, how can I say thank you. You grabbed my hand and walked me through the story in ways that it became a piece of art.
Marsha Graham, thank you so much for spending an entire day chatting with me about social workers, guardianships, and giving me feedback on my book.
Thank you to Emery Jacobs for always pausing her day job and taking time of her own manuscripts to give me the best medical advice, even when I not always use it for good.
My amazing ARC team, girls you are an essential part of my team. Thank you for always being there for me.
To my Chicas! Thank you so much for your continuous support and for being there for me every day!
Thank you to all the bloggers who help me spread the word about my books. Thank you never cuts it just right, but I hope it’s enough.
To the readers, you guys are everything. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my words, spreading the word, and sending me messages about how much you love my characters or how the stories have touched your lives. It’s because of you that I can continue doing what I love.
Thank you for everything.
All my love,
Claudia xoxo
Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breath away. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and her youngest two children. She has a sweet Bichon, Macey, who thinks she’s the ruler of the house. She’s only partially right.
When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At night, I like to binge-watch shows with his equal geek husband.
To find more about Claudia:
website
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