Several hours later, I found myself once again standing on the top of a bridge, wrapped in Sam’s arms, this time at the formal ceremony unveiling the brand-new Anne Rivers Suicide Prevention Barriers.
“My breath doesn’t stink,” I finally shot back at Sam before forcing him into another kiss.
“My nose disagrees,” he joked then pushed a piece of gum into his mouth.
Sam had never once picked up a cigarette again. But, judging by the fact that he’d just devoured his tenth piece of gum since we’d arrived on the bridge, his memories were testing him.
“So, have you given any more thought to Sander?” he asked, turning to face the podium, where the governor had stepped up to give his speech.
“Sanders? Maybe. Sander? No. That end ‘s’ makes all the difference.”
He groaned even though he was still skillfully smiling for the camera. “Sanders Rivers is a terrible name. Don’t set our son up for failure.”
“I’m not setting our son up for anything. We’re having a girl.”
“Fine, but we aren’t naming her Bridget.”
I gasped, slinging my head to face him. “We met on a bridge!”
“That doesn’t mean she has to suffer for it,” he replied out of the corner of his mouth. “Thank God we didn’t meet at Taco Bell.”
“Her name could be Bella.”
He rolled his eyes. “Fine. McDonalds.”
“Donna Rivers is a beautiful name!” I exclaimed, interrupting the governor and causing every eye on the bridge to swing in our direction.
Sam laughed and dropped the umbrella forward to shield us from the cameras. Looping his arm around my shoulders, he pulled me in for a hard kiss. “Okay. Okay. Bridget it is. But, for the record, we’re calling her Bree, not Bridge.”
“Deal,” I mumbled against his mouth as photographers worked their way behind us, furiously snapping pictures.
I should have cared that they were stealing that moment from us just to sell it to some magazine or website. But that was our life. It was hard to get worked up about that while safely cradled in Sam’s strong arms.
So, instead of ending the moment in an effort to protect our privacy, I sucked in a deep breath and got lost in the golden-brown eyes that had saved my life in nearly the exact same spot all those years before. “I love you.”
Sam smiled one of his award-winning grins then used the toe of his boot to tap my high heel. “I love you too, Designer Shoes.”
The End
Coming in 2016
The Spiral Down
Henry Alexander’s story
Other Books by Aly Martinez
The Wrecked and Ruined Series
Changing Course
Stolen Course
Broken Course
On the Ropes
Fighting Silence
Fighting Shadows
Savor Me
Bianca and Bianca: Yes, I named a character after y’all. She was a bitch. You two are NOT! I love you both so hard. Thank you for sticking with me since the very beginning.
Megan: Thank you for all the black, but especially for the purple! I love you so hard.
Natasha: Calm down! No, seriously. You are the best. We have established this. Don’t let it go to your head, because you are also a twat. HA! I love you! P.S. I need another 100 Kinder Eggs.
Amie and Miranda: What can I possibly say? You ladies rocked this hard! Thank you for the numerous pep talks when I wanted to quit. Sam appreciates you pushing for more dirty too. He told me so.
Mara: I’m still laughing at the gifs in your emails. HAHA! Thank you so much for all of your feedback.
Tracey: You have your own books now, and you still make time for me. You are amazing!
Lakrysa: I absolutely love your “I got nothing,” emails. I squeal every time you write it. Thank you for being such an amazing friend, and yes…even telling me when you do have something. HAHA!
Gina and MJ: As usual, you two ladies rocked the proofread. My eye twitches when I think about what I would do with out y’all. HA!
Danielle: First Flinted and now, only three months later, Samted. I’m keeping you forever. I don’t care if Ashley did call dibs first. BAHAHA!
Ashley: I owe you way more than this little section in the back of a book. You want a kid? No? A dog? No? A husband? No? Hmm… Okay, so a little section it is! Thank you for everything. No, like, seriously….EVERYTHING! I have no idea what I would do without you.
Jessica Prince: You kept my ass in gear. Which is a task that can be pretty hard especially when there are m/m books to be read! HA! Thank you so much for all of your help on this one!
Erin Noelle: Thank you so much for reading every agonizingly unedited word of this book. I can honestly say this book is better because of you. Thank you so much for that!
The Rock Stars of Romance PR: Lisa, you rocked this so hard and I can’t even begin to explain the peace of mind I have just knowing you are taking care of things. Thank you for being awesome.
Mo Mabie: I don’t even know what to say. You know I love you even when I argue with you about…well, everything. HA! Thank you for being my middle school boyfriend and staying up late, talking on the phone for five hours until we’ve both plotted more books than we will ever write. I don’t know that I’d be able to do this without you. But more than that, I don’t want to try. You’re stuck with me.
Jammy Jean Lovers: There are no words for how much I love y’all. This writing thing wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without the three of you. You keep me sane in this world that can often get crazy. No drama. No judgment. Nothing but 100% support. (That’s the sign of a good bra too!)
FTN Ladies: I’m so lucky to have found a group of talented, smart, and funny ladies. I love each and every one of you. You ladies make me want to be a better writer.
Stacey Blake: I’ve said it all before. You are the most priceless jewel I have met during this crazy indie author thing.
Mickey Reed: Had had had had had had had had had. Hopefully that makes up for the billion you HAD to add while editing this. HAHA! Sorry.
Alissa Smith: Thank you for keeping me in line. Without you, I’d be lost. No. Seriously. I still don’t know how to find my Google docs. HA!
And last but not least….
The readers and bloggers: I would be nowhere without all of you. This book is for you!
Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in South Carolina, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.
After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.
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