I Want It That Way, стр. 63
“It’s okay, but...in that case, I won’t be completing my sentence.”
I swore. Hell if I’d punk out before she did, even if this made me look incredibly lame. “You drive a hard bargain. Okay. I want to design churches.” To cover my awkwardness, I took a sip of the cooling tea. “I doubt I’ll be able to right away. I’ll probably end up doing offices or condos to start, but eventually? I would desperately love to design a church someday, see it built from each individual stone to stained glass panels so I can stand inside it and marvel.”
“Why?”
“So I can thank God personally for Sam.” The truth slipped out before I could stop it.
This girl is straight-up dangerous.
I waited for her to say something, anything, but the silence just stretched on and on. Damn. I should’ve known she wouldn’t get it. Right now her biggest commitment is midterms.
So I pretended it didn’t matter and paved it over. “That probably sounds dumb. Or pretentious. I can’t believe I—”
“No. Not at all. It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard. Sam is so lucky to have you, Ty.” Her voice sounded soft, unsteady.
“I’m the lucky one. I just wish I could remember it for more than five minutes at a time.” I hesitated, tilting my head, and she tried to hide her face in the shadows, but as she shifted, I caught the glint of tears on her cheek.
“Are you crying?” One heartbeat, two, I had no idea how to react, how I should feel.
She sniffed audibly. “Maybe a little. Shut up. It’s just...so very sweet.”
Confusion resolved into a fierce ache. I had the sense that she got me. Most of the time, I lived in a dark fucking hole with Sam as the torch guttering against the endless tide of exhaustion. My life was one night after another, treading water until that was all I remembered how to do. Maybe it was crazy, but her dangling that basket tonight seemed symbolic, like the lowering of a lifeline.
It was hard to speak past the sudden tightness in my throat. “I’m glad I told you.”
“Me, too.”
Somehow I shoved back from the visceral impulses flooding me. In that moment, I wanted to charge up the stairs and bust down her door. Fuck my plans, fuck the rules. She was gorgeous in the moonlight, haunting even. But then I remembered Sam, always Sam. So I kept my ass in the chair.
“But we had a deal, remember? No backing out.” The stakes hadn’t changed, and I’d survived confessing a sentimental secret.
“I wouldn’t.” She paused, heightening the suspense. “Not that you aren’t also...hot as hell, completely irresistible in every conceivable way.”
The satisfaction of hearing that from Nadia stole my breath. But before I could respond, she bolted, leaving me with a lukewarm cup of tea and a savage erection.
Christ. I want her so much it hurts.
* * * * *
PLAYLIST FOR
I WANT IT THAT WAY
F**kin’ Perfect—P!nk
Afraid of Everyone—The National
Out of Mind—Tove Lo
No Below—Speedy Ortiz
Let Her Go—Passenger
I Need My Girl—The National
Story of My Life—One Direction
Ways to Go—Grouplove
Burn—Ellie Goulding
Try—P!nk
Impossible—James Arthur
Some Nights—Fun
Just Give Me a Reason—P!nk featuring Nate Ruess
Just Say Yes—Snow Patrol
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Thank you!
I’m so glad you read I Want It That Way. I hope you enjoyed it.
Would you like to know when my next book will be available or keep up with my news? Visit my website at annaguirre.com/contact and sign up for my newsletter. You can also follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/msannaguirre, or “like” my Facebook fan page at facebook.com/ann.aguirre for excerpts and contests.
Reviews help other readers, so please consider writing one. I appreciate your time and your support.
I Want It That Way is the first book in a new adult romance series. The other books are As Long as You Love Me and The Shape of My Heart.
Again, thanks for your readership; it means the world to me.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks first to Laura Bradford, who still shines after all these years.
Much appreciation to Margo Lipschultz for loving this book as much as I do. Really, that gratitude extends to the whole team at Harlequin for moving mountains so readers could enjoy this story as fast as possible. They’ve done a phenomenal job under incredible pressure, so I tip my hat to all departments that contributed to the project’s success.
Thanks to Michael G., for patiently answering my questions about teaching special education. Any mistakes or liberties are my own.
No list is complete without the wonderful friends and colleagues who help me in so many ways. Thanks to Lauren Dane, Megan Hart, Bree Bridges, Donna J. Herren, HelenKay Dimon, Vivian Arend, Tessa Dare, Rae Carson, Amie Kaufman, Robin LaFevers, Yasmine Galenorn, Myke Cole and Jenn Bennett. So many hugs to Courtney Milan, Karen Alderman and Majda ?Colak, who believed in this book and encouraged me before I started typing. If not for your certainty and support, it’s possible I never would’ve written this. Thank you all so much.
Big love to the loops that must not be named. You cheer; you listen. You keep me sane. Your achievements make me proud and push me to work harder. Before I joined your number, I never truly understood the importance of sisterhood. Thank you for teaching me.
Thanks to my family. I couldn’t do this without you. Your patience, generosity and understanding make it possible for me to soar ever higher. Love you all.
Finally, thanks to my readers for following where I lead. I hope you all travel as I have, stumbling over rocks, falling into sunlight with a few scratches, but none the worse for an unexpected tumble. May the world always surprise you with its hidden beauty, and may there always be new books on your shelves.