She turned to me. My sister's eyes were as familiar as anything in my life, but I didn't remember them ever being the glacial shade of blue they were now. "I saw you get into his truck that night. So did you?"
"No." My voice shook. It never occurred to me someone might've seen, least of all her. That'd been over three days ago, and she hadn't said a word about it. "I swear, I didn't. All we did was go for a drive."
"Why should I believe you?" she asked.
"I wouldn't lie to you, Tiffany. We drove around and came back. He didn't burglarize any house. We didn't . . ."
"Say it."
"We didn't have sex."
She grabbed the baggie of Manning's things from the console and threw it at my feet. "What the fuck am I supposed to do with his shit?"
I picked it up, the keys jangling. "I . . . I don't know. He has no one else. I guess we-"
She snatched it from me. "There is no we. Are you going to go to a landlord and explain this? You can't even drive." Her voice broke. "He wouldn't even talk to me in there. He only had a few seconds, but you took them. All he said to me was ‘your sister needs you.'"
There was nothing else to say. How could I ever explain what the last five weeks had been for me and Manning? That I'd felt justified in the decisions I'd made to try to keep him for myself? "I'm sorry."
"Sorry won't get him out of prison." She started the car. "Look what you've done, Lake. You made a colossal mistake, and now my boyfriend has to pay the price."
We pulled away from the curb. I watched the courthouse in the side mirror until it disappeared-gone, just like summer. Just like Manning.
I stared at nothing in the reflection long after we'd driven away, until I could no longer see through my tears.
Tiffany's words played over and over in my head.
Look what you've done, Lake.
Coming May 2017: Somebody Else's Sky, book two in the Something in the Way Series. Preorder now on Amazon.
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Acknowledgements
For their patience, encouragement, and mastery, I have to first and foremost thank my editors, cover designer, & cover photographer. This story has lived in me so long, I worried I wouldn't be able to tell it right, in written form or visually. I don't think anyone on my team knew what they were getting into. Elizabeth London, I would be lost without you. Thank you for talking me through this story over and over (and we're not even done yet! Wait, where are you going?) and for encouraging me with '90s-tastic gifs. Letitia of R.B.A. Designs, you not only nailed it, but you did it on your first try. I bow down. I'm thrilled to have your magic touch on the covers to come. Lauren of Perrywinkle Photography, I didn't think there was a chance in hell I'd get to see the characters in my head on the cover. You were that chance. Your talent has blown me away for years, and I'm proud to finally have your work on my books. Lake and Manning have come alive under your direction. Thank you. Katie of Underline This Editing , you were one of the few to help shape this book, and thanks also to Tamara Mataya Editing for your eagle eye and for a running commentary that kept me laughing when I needed to.
Behind the scenes, my publicist had nearly nothing to work with and managed to do her job splendidly anyway. Thanks, Melissa, for never making me feel nutty when I know I'm acting that way. You're a sounding board and a friend. My author pals and peers are support systems whether they know it or not (I hope they do). From sprinting vampires to covert cover advice to shop-talking, I'm inspired and motivated by them on a daily basis.
My reader group and street team are my happy places. Period. To get "face time" with readers every day is priceless. To know you're rooting me on, sharing yours ideas, laughing at my mishaps & tpyos, letting me into your personal lives, and showing each other pictures of how you see my characters-it brightens my world like you'll never know. I love you all!
Titles By Jessica Hawkins
More info at www.jessicahawkins.net/books
Prefer audiobooks? Some of my books are available for listening. Learn more here.
If you're up for something similar to what you've just read, try my completed trilogy, The Cityscape Series (keep swiping to read chapter 1). To get a little sexier, go with Slip of the Tongue.
THE CITYSCAPE SERIES
The Cityscape Series is the compelling story of a forbidden love affair between a married woman and the man who could be her soul mate. Start the completed trilogy reviewers have called "gripping," "sexy" and "smart."
Olivia Germaine has already found love. Devoted wife, loyal friend, determined career woman - she's created the life she always envisioned. But when Olivia locks eyes with David Dylan, alleged playboy and eternal bachelor, across a crowded room, he challenges Olivia to confront the life she's built and to make decisions that could either lead to happiness...or regret.
Will Olivia be able to draw the line between lust and love?
And can David respect that line?
The Cityscape Series on Amazon.
SLIP OF THE TONGUE
"Addictive. Painful. Captivating. Tumultuous. Juicy. Sexy. Slip of the Tongue is an authentic, raw, and emotionally gripping must read that I just loved. A highly recommended favorite of mine."-Angie's Dreamy Reads
Sadie Hunt isn't perfect-but her husband is. Until Sadie finds herself in the last place she ever expected to be: lonely in her marriage. When rugged and sexy Finn Cohen moves into the apartment across the hall, he and Sadie share an immediate spark. And while Sadie's marriage runs colder by the day, she and Finn burn hotter.
Her husband doesn't want her anymore. The man next door would give up everything to have her.
Slip of the Tongue on Amazon.
THE FIRST TASTE
"The First Taste is a delicious read that will have you craving seconds. I promise!"-Kim Karr, NYT Bestselling Author
Andrew Beckwith has already devoted his life to one girl-his daughter, Bell. As far as he's concerned, she's all he needs. Amelia Van Ecken is an independent, smart, and savvy businesswoman who doesn't have time for sex, much less love. Andrew and Amelia are complete opposites, but on one thing they agree-relationships are overrated. But that doesn't mean they can't be rated X. Because when sharp-tongued Amelia and stubborn Andrew cross paths, sparks fly-and burn.
The First Taste is a standalone spin-off of Slip of the Tongue. Available now on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
YOURS TO BARE
"Sensual, evocative, and spellbinding."-K.L. Kreig, USA Today Bestselling Author
No matter how cruel it's been to him in the past, Finn Cohen's never been able to flip fate the bird. So when it drops a leather-bound journal at his feet, he knows he should walk away …
Halston Fox's journal is the one place she can be herself-as long as she can tie it up and put it away when she's finished. But when Finn undoes the bow, he pulls strings that could unravel both of them.
Yours to Bare is a standalone spin-off of Slip of the Tongue. Shop now on Amazon.
EXPLICITLY YOURS SERIES
(Download the first book free!)
"Pretty Woman meets Indecent Proposal in Explicitly Yours, a provocative series that'll leave your heart racing."-Louise Bay, USA Today Bestselling Author
Lola Winters doesn't think she can escape her life as a waitress- until she receives a shocking proposition from a sexy stranger. Wealthy businessman Beau Olivier wants Lola for a night, and in order to get her, he's willing to make her dreams come true.
But what if one night isn't enough, and Beau isn't ready to say goodbye in the morning?
Explicitly Yours Series on Amazon.
STRICTLY OFF LIMITS: A FORBIDDEN ROMANCE NOVELLA
Alexandra James gave up her spring break for an offer she couldn't refuse: a week-long job that would earn her enough money to buy her way out of a broken heart. But if she thought her new boss would let her off easy because he's her father's best friend, she couldn't have been more wrong. 21,000 words.
Strictly Off Limits on Amazon.
SOMETHING IN THE WAY
An epic, three-book saga of forbidden love.
It was a hot summer day when I met him on the construction site next to my parents' house. Under the sweat and dirt, Manning Sutter was as handsome as the sun was bright. He was older, darker, experienced. I wore a smiley-face t-shirt and had never even been kissed. Yet we saw something in each other that would link us in ways that couldn't be broken...no matter how hard we tried.