Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“You are totally glowing,” Maggie gushes as we stand at the bar, waiting for our drinks.
“Am I?”
“Hell yeah, honey,” Elise says.
“Are you two having sex? You totally look like he’s giving you some good old Texas loving,” Maggie whispers.
“If we were, I sure wouldn’t tell. That’s between us.”
“Oh, come on. Let me live through you, please.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Look at how he watches you. You’re totally letting him in those panties,” Elise says.
“A lady never shares her business.”
“I love you guys together. You both look so happy. He’s crazy about you.”
“I love me some him,” I sigh.
Elise smiles at me and reaches to tuck a few braids behind my ear. I search her pretty brown face. She and Brooke were the closest.
“You’re so pretty. You look so much like her. She was my best friend, like my sister. You have no idea how much your sister loved you. You were her everything.
“I promise I’ll always be here for you. I’m not a good enough person to replace her, but I’m here anytime you need me.”
“Aw, Elise, thanks. That means a lot.”
“Well, you have two new sisters now. You’re stuck with me too, honey,” Maggie says.
I fight to hold back the tears that are burning the backs of my eyes. They have always been kind to me, but this means more than I can express.
“Thanks, guys,” I choke out.
They pull me into a group hug and squeeze me tightly. My heart swells because I know it’s genuine. These are Pook’s people; they know all her secrets.
Our drinks come and we make our way back to our table. I take my seat next to Trevor and lean into his heat. He wraps an arm around my shoulders and kisses the top of my head.
“Still not ready to tell me why you had me bring my guitar?” I say as I look up at him.
He gives me that handsome, mischievous smile and winks at me. “You’ll find out soon enough. Hold tight.”
I poke my tongue out at him. Him and his secrets. He’s been up to something all vacation.
“Good evening, everyone. It’s time for our open mic session. I hope you signed up for your spots,” a lanky guy steps up on stage and says.
I look at Trev and gasp. “No, you didn’t,” I breathe.
“You said you wanted to try your new songs out. I asked around and found out about this place. I figured, why not?” he says and shrugs.
“You’re amazing, you know that, right?” I say as I smile at him.
“I’m glad you think so because you’re up first. I wanted to get here to sign you up as soon as I could.”
I lean in and kiss his lips. He grasps my face and deepens the kiss. I only pull away as my name is called to go up on stage.
Trev hands me my guitar and goes to hand me my notebook. I shake my head. This one is in my heart. I wrote it the morning after he made me come for the first time.
“I got this one,” I say and wink.
I head up on stage as my heart pounds. It’s always like this when I go to perform in front of a crowd. This place has a nice one tonight. The vibe is just what I need.
Settling on the stool on the stage, I look out at our group, spanning two tables. My eyes lock with Trev and I inhale deeply to calm my heart. Closing my eyes, I begin to strum the first few cords.
Woke up this morning and you were the first thing on my mind.
Went to call your name and realized we have no more time.
I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote a letter to an angel because that’s who was heavy on my heart.
I have so much to say, but still, I had trouble with the start.
So, I started with the truth.
You’re not here anymore and I’m falling in love and I’m living a life that doesn’t feel like mine.
He makes me happy and has made all my songs sappy, but I thought you should know he loves me too.
Now, all that’s missing is you.
So much to share but you’re not here.
What am I supposed to do?
I’m sure you’re God’s favorite angel—
I know he’s keeping you close.
I just might break into heaven—
Did God know I needed you most?
Every time my beau says he loves me—
I lose my breath… ’cause I don’t deserve him—
I’m bracing myself for his loss.
PS I hope you can forgive me—
I didn’t know I was trading an angel for love.
I remember you brushing my hair while I gushed about him.
Even I didn’t know how much I loved him then.
But you saw me and wouldn’t ignore me.
Instead, you said to have patience and one day, I would see.
Now, when he holds me tight and kisses me at night, I hear your voice saying we’re perfect—