I was still a teacher at his school, after all.
And I’d decided to stay there, even taking on tennis coaching responsibilities for the girls’ team for the next school year.
After the election, though, if Tyler won, we’d reevaluate whether or not we needed to relocate to Washington, D.C., for the length of his term.
For now, though, we simply worked on his campaign and planned the wedding, which we decided to have at Degas House to commemorate the paintings we discussed when we first met.
“I want my son in some photos as well,” Tyler said, and the photographer nodded.
I looked over at Christian, loving how close he and Tyler had become. They didn’t always have the same interests, but they’d found a lot of common ground and enjoyed doing things together.
Christian had even started tagging along with Tyler on some of his campaign trips around the state, touring factories and neighborhoods, and he was very interested in his father’s business. Not the office work part of it, but when Tyler had to take a trip to see equipment or check out a building site, Christian loved to join him as much as his school schedule allowed. Tyler was a good father, and he hardly went anywhere without Christian now.
Which got me thinking…
“We still haven’t talked about that,” I said under my breath just to him.
“What?” He glanced at me.
I licked my lips, not sure how I would answer the question I was about to ask. “Do you want children?” I questioned, and then corrected myself. “I mean, more children?”
Tyler blinked, looking surprised, and then I saw his gaze go to Christian before turning back to me.
“Yes,” he answered. “If it’s with you.”
My lips curled, and I felt strangely excited. A baby?
“You?” he hinted.
I inhaled a long, deep breath. “I think so.” And then I looked at him, nodding as realization hit. “Yeah. I’d love to have one or two.”
He leaned down and kissed me, his teasing lips making me promises for later that I couldn’t wait for.
“Do you think we can balance it all?” I spoke against his lips. “Our careers, the campaign, children…”
He let out a sigh and stood back upright. “All we can do is try,” he stated. “But we don’t break our commitment. Family, fortune, future,” he dictated. “None of it means anything without him or you.”
I tightened my arm around him, not giving a damn that I needed him so much. I’d gotten very good at being weak, and I wasn’t ashamed of it.
But in truth, I knew it wasn’t weak to need people. To need love and connection.
You’re only strong if you can stand on your own, right?
Nope.
The truth was, you’re happier when you’re needed and stronger when you’re loved.
I could survive without Tyler, but why would I want to? Ever?
Nothing could replace him or erase him.
Except…
I opened my mouth, narrowing my eyes. “I forgot to ask.” I looked at him with amused curiosity. “Which political party do you belong to?”
He broke out in a laugh, his chest shaking as he looked down at me.
“How is it that you don’t know that?” he exclaimed. “You researched me online.”
I shrugged. “I went to your website and social media, nosing around, but that was it.”
Although we’d had discussions about his platform, and I’d accompanied him here and there, I realized it was the one thing that never came up.
He shook his head and stared at the camera.
“So?” I hinted.
“So what?”
I instantly hooded my eyes, unamused. “Which political party are you a member of, Tyler?”
“Does it matter?” he played.
“It might,” I shot back.
But he just turned and wrapped me in his arms, bending me backward with the force of his kiss. I squealed under his lips and then let my eyes roll back, my head feeling dizzy, as his tongue entered my mouth.
“Ew.” I heard Christian’s complaint from across the room.
And then Jay. “All right,” he chastised. “I’m getting the child out of here.”
Tyler didn’t break the kiss as he shot out his hand, waving goodbye to them, while I tried not to giggle.
He definitely knew how to shut me up.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First, to all of the teachers in the world – the days are endless, the workload only increases, and you’re not paid nearly what you’re worth. But you’re the greatest of all artists. Some paint with brushes, while others play guitars, carve wood, or perform onstage. But you work with living minds and diverse spirits and create dreams that cultivate futures. Thank you for everything you do!
Next, to the readers – this was the first book and the first characters I dived into after finishing the Fall Away series. So many of you have been there, sharing your excitement and showing your support, and I am continually grateful for your continued trust. I know my adventures aren’t always easy, but I love them, and I’m glad so many others do, too.
To my family – my husband and daughter put up with my crazy schedule, my candy wrappers, and my spacing off every time I think of a conversation, plot twist, or scene that just jumped into my head at the dinner table. You both really do put up with a lot, so thank you for loving me anyway.
To Kerry Donovan and the rest of the team at New American Library – you’ve all been a joy to work with, and you’ve helped make one of my dreams come true. Every time I see my book in a book store, I know I didn’t do that alone, and it makes me feel on top of the world. Thank you for helping me be the best I can be and for believing in me.
To Jane Dystel, my agent at Dystel and Goderich Literary Management – there is absolutely no way I could ever give you up, so you’re stuck with me. I mean, I would literally wrap my body around your leg and chain myself to your hip. I hope you like the way I smell, because I’m with you to stay.
To the House of Pendragon – you’re my happy place. Well, you and Pinterest. Thanks for being the support system I need and always being positive.
To Vibeke Courtney, who is always in my acknowledgments – thank you for teaching me how to write and laying it down straight.
To Lisa Pantano Kane – you challenge me with the hard questions.
To Ing Cruz at As the Pages Turn Book Blog – you support out of the goodness of your heart, and I can’t repay you enough. Thank you for the release blitzes and blog tours.
To all of the bloggers – plain and simple, oh, my goodness! You spend your free time reading, reviewing, and promoting, and you do it for free. You are the life’s blood of the book world, and who knows what we would do without you. Thank you for your tireless efforts. You do it out of passion, which makes it all the more incredible.
To Abbi Glines, Jay Crownover, Tabatha Vargo, Tijan, N. Michaels, Eden Butler, Natasha Preston, Kirsty Moseley, and Penelope Ward for their encouragement and support over the years. It’s validating to be recognized by your peers, and authors supporting authors cultivates mutual respect. Positivity is contagious, so thank you for spreading the love.
To every author and aspiring author – thank you for the stories you’ve shared, many of which have made me a happy reader in search of a wonderful escape and a better writer, trying to live up to your standard. Write and create, and don’t ever stop. Your voice is important, and as long as it comes from your heart, it is right and good.
READERS GUIDE
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1.
There is a twelve-year age difference between the protagonists of Misconduct. Do you believe the age gap made a difference as far as life experiences and maturity? How much of an age gap would be too much for you?
2.