Audre & Bash Are Just Friends(92)
With a sly smirk, he flicked his eyes from the paper to Audre, and she couldn’t help but beam with happiness. Goofily, she raised her hand (like the teacher’s pet she was).
4. Apologize to Farrow. Somehow, I led her on in that diner a few months ago. She’s been wild in my DMs.
“Sorry, not to interrupt, but who’s Farrow?”
“The girl I bought the bacon-egg-and-cheese for?”
“Ohhh. Sparrow.”
“Yeah, her!”
“Got it. Cool. Continue.”
5. Tell the most important person in my life how I feel about her.
Bash folded the paper up and slid it back into his pocket. He bit his bottom lip, trying to hold back a smile. “Come here.”
Audre flew off the bench and practically catapulted herself into his arms. With a happy laugh, he swept her into an embrace—holding on so tightly, it was as if he’d never let go.
Heart thundering, she pulled back from him a little. She gazed into his eyes and felt dizzy with emotion. “How do you feel about the most important person in your life?” she whispered.
Bash brushed his nose against hers and said, “I love you, A.”
“I love you, too, B.”
To seal it, he kissed her sweetly, deliciously, his mouth lingering on hers—stealing her breath and her heart all at once. With that, it was official. Bash and Audre were definitely, absolutely, not just friends.
Acknowledgments
First things first, I’d like to thank you, the reader. I’m so honored that you allow me to tell you stories. And it’s such a thrill when you get passionate about my characters! When I published Seven Days in June—a second-chance romance starring two writers, Shane and Eva—I quickly learned on social media that Eva’s (then-twelve-year-old) daughter, Audre, was the fan favorite! Making her the star of her own book was truly a delight.
I graduated high school wayyy back in 199-(rhymes with knee). So, I did some focus group research to make Audre’s world feel real. A massive thank-you to this genius crew who filled me in on the NYC high school experience: Jade, Lauryn, Rachel, Hanna, and Victory. Where would I be without your candid anecdotes and hilarious insights? I’m dazzled by each of you.
Huge thanks to my dear friend and Cali-girl, Shannon Mirabelli-Lopez, who decided that Bash was from Oakland. Now I can’t imagine him being from anywhere else.
To my editorial team—Alvina Ling, Alexandra Hightower, and Crystal Castro—thank you for helping me shape Audre and Bash’s story into rom-com deliciousness. I’m forever grateful for your instincts! And endless gratitude to Andi Porretta for her stunning cover illustration. How did you manage to perfectly capture what Audre and Bash looked like in my mind? And to my superstar book doula, dear friend, and literary agent, Cherise Fisher—“we the you-know-whats.” Without you, ma’am? I’m just ideas and vibes.
As always, the biggest thank-you is reserved for my family, near and far. Especially my love/rock/cheerleader/husband, Francesco. And our perfect, brand-new baby boy, Aksel. But most notably, there’d be no Audre without my iconic, one-and-only daughter, Lina. Thank you for being my muse, my in-house romance expert, and my plot-brainstormer. (Aunt Devon’s right, you should be a comedy writer.) I love you to the ends of the earth, ladybug. Finally, you’re allowed to read one of my books!