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  He stiffened at first, no doubt from shock, but then he pressed me tighter to his chest and gently kissed me back, and it was how I imagined our first kiss would feel—sweet and tender—our lips moving to the steady rhythm until he pulled back.

  “Are you sure?” He blinked, unbelieving. “Are you ready?”

  I nodded, biting my bottom lip. “Yes. But we need to take things slow. I think I fell for you the moment you asked me to join your study group. If Lucas had not been in my life, I would have wanted to be together from the start.”

  Grayson’s eyes heated and darkened lustfully. “I think I fell in love with you when you stared at my ass when I walked away.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “I didn’t stare at your butt.”

  He cocked an eyebrow, forcing me to think again.

  “Okay, but Gus stared at your ass first. You have a nice ass. I’d like to squeeze it soon.”

  Grayson let out a snort. “I like to squeeze, too. We make a perfect couple. But no more talking. I need to declare you’re mine. Forget the movie.” With one swift movement, he had me in his lap, and then he kissed me like there was no tomorrow.

  After the movie, he walked me to my place. Leah was seated on the sofa watching an episode of Friends.

  “How was the movie?” she narrowed her eyes at me as if to tell me she knew something was up.

  “Good. Better than I had anticipated.” My body warmed and my cheeks heated from the memory of our kiss.

  Grayson cleared his throat.

  I gave him a pointed look.

  “I should get going. See ya later, Leah.” Grayson walked backward toward the door, never taking his eyes off me. “I’ll call you later tonight.” He twisted the doorknob, but then he paused. He took three long strides to me, cupped my cheeks, and kissed me with all of him. When he let go he said, “Dream of us. I have been every night since the day I met you.”

  He left, leaving me breathless and my heart soaring to the sky.

  “Holy cow, Cammy. I’m so happy for you. He’s the smartest choice you’ve ever made,” Leah burst out excitedly.

  I scowled playfully, but just before I was going to tell Leah the details of how our date went, the doorbell chimed. Thinking it was Grayson, I opened the door—and froze. My smile faded and my heart hammered into overdrive.

  What the hell does he want?

  I wasn’t in the mood to fight, and I wasn’t going to let him ruin my special night. He wasn’t going to take away this joyful sensation I finally found again.

  “What do you want?” I hissed.

  “I just want to talk. Will you come with me?”

  I shot a glance to Leah. Her frown was bigger than mine. I took a step and shut the door behind me. “We can talk here.”

  Lucas rubbed the nape of his neck and exhaled a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry, Cammy. It’s not the way it should have ended between us. You did mean the world to me, and I hate that you hate me.”

  I crossed my arms and leaned into the building structure to give me support. Not all of his words were present tense, so I let him continue.

  “You were an amazing girlfriend. You’ve always been there for me. You deserve someone who will treat you the way you should be treated. I realized I’m not the guy for you. I’m spoiled. I get what I want. I’m not ready to settle down. I should have said something to you about two months ago, but I couldn’t let you go. You are special and one of kind. One day, when I’m ready, I hope to find someone like you. I will always have a special place for you in my heart.”

  Tears streamed down my face, not because I was hurt or wanted Lucas back, but because he cared enough to let me know how he felt, he knew he was in the wrong, and that our one year together did mean something to him. Many times I wondered if it was something I had done, but he erased my doubt.

  I nodded and wiped my tears. There were no words for me to express. I had said some horrible things when we fought, and I humiliated him in front of his friends and acted childishly. In two months, we would graduate and I might never see him again. Now, knowing Lucas was not the one I wanted forever with, letting go seemed easier.

  “Thank you, Lucas. You will have a special place in my heart, too.”

  When Lucas reached for my hand, I let him. Tears glistened in his eyes. “Be happy, Cammy. I wish you only the best.” He kissed the top of my forehead. “You will always be my baby. I will always love you.”

  “I wish you well, too.” I meant every word.

  My heart was a tangle of emotion. The ending of one relationship and a beginning of a new one. I was glad Lucas had come to see me, and though we had been a mess toward the end, this confession between us helped give me closure.

  Lucas’s words began to sew me back up, but Grayson’s love would heal the wound and ensure there were no scars.

  After I watched Lucas disappear into the elevator, I went inside and sat next to Leah.

  “What did the douchebag want?” Leah offered me a spoon. She held a tub of ice cream.

  I took a spoonful of chocolate and savored the cool taste in my mouth. Then I told her everything. In the middle of me telling her what Lucas had said, my pager went off.

  Grayson’s number popped up and the numbers one-one flashed on the screen. I gave the same message back.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Swoon Worthy

  Cammy

  The Spice Girls echoed through the food court. The lunch crowd was heavy today, especially with the special I had suggested to Gus. Buy two tacos and get one free.

  I couldn’t remember ever being so busy like this, but it was good for business, even if I had to work my ass off. We were even shorthanded and I had to do double shifts. Sometimes I had to cook, and sometimes I was the cashier.

  It had been a few days since Grayson and I agreed to be more than friends. The pain in my heart had ceased to exist. Leah had been right. Once I found the one meant for me, nothing else mattered. Leah was over the moon when I told her. Not only had she squealed, but she had thrown in, “I told you so.”

  It felt strange to cut Lucas off completely as if I never knew him. I supposed it was better so that both of us could heal. Regardless of what Lucas had done, I knew he was hurting, too. He did care for me, though I wasn’t sure how deeply he loved me. Not enough, judging from the way he flirted with other girls. And how many times had he cheated behind my back? I didn’t want to know. The past was the past.

  “I thought the line would never end.” Tracy wiped beads of sweat from her forehead.

  Gus dropped his shoulders from exhaustion but held a smile as he swiped the damp cloth over the counter. “We need to have a special again. Did you see how long our line was compared to others?”

  I tossed my hands up in the air, rolling my eyes. “No. I didn’t notice. We were drowning with customers. Next time, make sure to staff appropriately.”

  Gus shook his hair back and shrugged. “So grouchy. You don’t have a boyfriend. Have you lost Grayson’s friendship, too?” He placed his hand-held cloth over his heart in devastation when he mentioned Grayson.

  As if on cue, a tall, sculpted god with a cap backward on his head swaggered toward me. Girls waved, called out his name in greeting, and tried to get his attention, but his eyes were rooted on me. A lion to his lioness filled with hunger and want.

  “Holy shit.” Gus fanned his face. “It’s too hot in here.”

  I wasn’t sure what Gus had said as I, too, took in Grayson’s sexy stride, his dimples deepening and his smile widening the closer he got to me.

  “Hi.” He planted his hands on the counter.

  “Hi.” My lips curled wide, my heart and stomach fluttering with joy and nerves.

  “You get out at five, right?”

  “Yes,” I breathed.

  “It’s almost five. I made it just in time. I have dinner waiting for us back at my place.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “You cooked for me? Your place?” my voice escaped teasingly.

  “
I won, remember? I think it’s time to pay up.”

  I recalled that bet over the test when he said the sweetest thing. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  Grayson’s eyelashes lowered for only a second to check his watch. “Gus,” he called, his eyes still pinned on me as if he was afraid I would disappear.

  Gus lightly bumped shoulders with me. “What do you need, Grayson?”

  With his eyes never leaving mine, he said with that irresistible grin, “You have no customers. Tell Cams she’s free to go.”

  “But it’s not five yet,” Gus challenged.

  Grayson ever so slowly craned his neck to Gus with lips straight as a pencil. “Cams worked her ass off for you today. Don’t dock her pay.” He turned to me with that signature Grayson-dimpled grin. “I’m taking my girl home.”

  Grayson swung over the counter, cradled me in his arms, and took me out with people gawking at us.

  Chapter Nineteen

  My Sister’s Graduation

  Cammy

  Two Months Later

  “Mom. Dad. Casey.” I waved at them. Holding Grayson’s hand, I led him toward my family in the sea of people. After the introduction and hugs, Casey linked my arm and pulled me to the side.

  “He seems like a nice guy, and he’s really cute.” Her eyes darted to Grayson and back to me.

  Grayson was talking away with my parents. He glanced my way, winked, and continued the conversation.

  “Yeah. He’s wonderful. I’m so lucky he’s mine.”

  “He’s lucky to have you, big sis.”

  I blinked at Casey’s words and smiled. “Thank you, little sis. You look beautiful, and I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thank you. That means a lot to me coming from you. Go find your seats. I have to go now.” Casey gave me a hug and went to be with the other graduates.

  “Grayson seems like a great guy. He’s good to you?” Mom leaned in to whisper once we were seated.

  Mom knew the details of why Lucas and I had broken up. She felt sad for me, but she also told me it was better to know now than later.

  “He is, Mom. He’s everything I want.”

  “I’m happy for you.” Mom kissed my cheek and stroked my hair.

  When the music began, Grayson placed his arm around my shoulder and held my hand with his free hand.

  “Thank you.” I kissed his lips.

  “For what?”

  “For being wonderful. For being in my life. For waiting for me. For being my best friend.”

  Grayson tenderly kissed my forehead. So much love and devotion showed in that kiss. “You’re mine and I’m yours.” He kissed me again. “Next week, I want to take you to my parents’. They’re going to love you.”

  “Sure. I can’t wait.”

  As he stared into my eyes, his blue eyes like the sky above and his dimples defined, I inhaled a deep breath, feeling my heart expanding, and realized what love truly felt like.

  Lucas used to tell me I would always be his baby, but I never believed him, never felt it. But with Grayson...

  “You’ll always be my baby,” I whispered into his ear. It was too soon to say such intimate words, but he made it easy.

  Grayson’s eyes darkened. “And you’ll always be mine. I can’t wait to take you home.” He planted a kiss, and as he tugged my bottom lip with his teeth, he released an animalistic possessive growl.

  Quivering, I took his hand into mine and we watched the ceremony together.

  I can’t wait for you to read:

  WHEN THE WIND CHIMES

  Pub date: November 10, 2020

  Kaitlyn Summers is heartbroken.

  When she receives an invitation to spend Christmas with her family on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, she feels it may be the perfect medicine.

  She throws herself into helping her sister’s struggling art gallery, even taking a temporary job for extra money by looking after a little girl from her nephew’s school. She also begins to paint again, something she’s been unable to do since her breakup. It’s tempting to stay on Kauai, but she has obligations back in Los Angeles.

  Life gets more complicated when circumstances keep putting her close to Leonardo Medici. Not only is he drop-dead gorgeous, he’s a local celebrity. But Kaitlyn can’t shake the feeling he’s hiding something.

  Should she believe the rumors that he’s romancing half the island’s single women?

  Or is the random sound of wind chimes when he’s close-by a sign that an angel is near and the secret to her happily ever after?

  International Bestselling, Award-Winning Author Mary Ting writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the imagination and captivate readers all over the world. Her books run a wide range of genres: science fiction, fantasy, and swoon worthy stories. Her storytelling talents have won her a devoted legion of fans and garnered critical praise.

  Mary was born in Seoul Korea and resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two dogs—Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Becoming an author was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, she retired from teaching after twenty years.

  www.tangledtalesofting.com

  Other Books by Mary Ting

  Rosewind Books

  When The Wind Chimes 11/10/20

  From Vesuvian Books

  ISAN - International Sensory Assassin Network

  Helix (Book 2 of ISAN)

  GENES (Book 3 of ISAN)

  Jaclyn and the Beanstalk

  The Crossroads Saga

  Crossroads

  Between

  Beyond

  Eternity

  Halo City (Novella)

  Descendant Prophecies Series

  From Gods

  From Deities

  From Origins

  From Titans

  Secret Knights Series

  The Angel Knights (Novella)

  The Chosen Knights

  The Blessed Knights

  The Sacred Knights

  Watcher Series

  Book of Watchers

  Book of Enchantresses

  Novella Romance

  Always Be My Baby