Strange thing about love: it shatters all walls and encompasses all senses and steals the very breath from your lungs. It kisses you good night and greets you in the morning and spins your thoughts with one face. It cries when you cry and laughs when you do and stitches two souls together.
I love him. This boy. I forget what it's like to not love him, and I suppose that's the point.
"The bog can finally go back to being the bog: gator tails and frog songs and, if we're lucky enough, endless nights under depthless stars." My voice softens, and a small laugh escapes me. "Only this go-round, you are mine, Beau Cadwell. And I am yours."
His grin speaks of his wicked charm. His hopeful eyes tell me he agrees with every word spoken, and I manage to whisper.
"Forever and ever."
Acknowledgments
Georgia, you beautiful state, thank you for the wonderful, inspiring memories. I wouldn't have wanted to grow up anywhere else. An outpouring of gratitude to the people who made Wicked Charm possible. Entangled Teen and my editor, Karen Grove, you are a charm to work with. Stacey Donaghy, agent and friend, thanks for your guidance. Invaluable help came from Amy Horn, who read the first, messy draft and told me I had something worthwhile. Endless gratefulness to my friends Tracy Clark, Kelsey Sutton, and Jenn Marie Thorne for chats, encouragement, chocolate, and Starbucks. You girls have kept me sane. Jay Asher, you are one of the very first people I told about this novel. Thanks for convincing me to drive across the state on a whim, ALA, many laughs, and for showing me the ropes. It was the experience of a lifetime. My precious family: you are adored. Dad, remember the time you encouraged me to call a gator over, and then had me sit beside its head while you snapped a picture? That was fun. Thanks for the walks through the woods, too. Rodolfo, I hope all my chapters end with you. The biggest of all appreciation to my son. I'd pluck down the moon for you if I could, and it'd still never shine as bright as your smile. I love you more.