Say Nothing... (The Speak Series Book 2) (42 page)
"That's awesome. Tell him Vonne said congratulations." He looks at me quizzically for a moment before nodding.
I have a small addiction to online shopping. Pat is here at least every other week with a new box. We're now on a first name basis, so he'll know exactly which Vonne, Hottie Mchottieson out there is referring to.
I kick the door shut behind me and head back to the couch. The return address on the box doesn't offer a name, and I could only hope whoever sent this also included a card. I use my car keys to cut through the tape. Ah-ha. A small note card sits on top of the tissue paper.
Vonne,
I tried calling you, but you’re not answering your damn phone. What if there was an emergency and someone needed to get a hold of you. What if I were dying? I'm not, of course; I don't need you worrying before taking this exam. BUT WHAT IF I WERE. I love you; stop worrying, and TAKE A DAMN SHOWER. I can smell you from here.
Xoxo Ari
Ari and her damn shouty capitals.
I dig through a mountain of pink tissue paper and find a wine bag. This girl knows the way to my heart. As I slide out Ari's favorite brand of sangria, I notice it's covered in bling and another card hangs around the neck.
It reads:
As I prepare for the day to become Ben's bride.
There is no other person I would rather have than you sipping by my side.
Will you be my maid of honor?
Tears stream down my face. We've been like sisters growing up, and I'm completely honored that she even considered me for the position. I'm reaching for my cell when a thought occurs to me. If I'm maid of honor, then that means Ben asked
Eli.
His name hasn’t passed my lips in months. I drop my head to the back of the couch.
This should be fun.
TO MY AMAZING HUSBAND FOR
your patience and unwavering support throughout this project, I love you. Thank you for restocking my Starbucks Caramel Macchiato and making sure I at least had a blanket when I fell asleep on the recliner. To my babies, thank you for having patience with mom when she’s trying to help you with homework and work out plot holes. I love you both.
Writing is a solitary process but it takes a village to get it ready to publish and I’m glad that the following people are part of mine:
KF Germaine, you were an incredible help with my first book and I can’t thank you enough for your help the second time around. I miss our messenger bitch fests.
Angie Brashears, your friendship these last few months has meant the world to me. Thank you for talking me off the ledge and giving me a swift kick in the ass when I needed it. Words could never express how grateful I am for your help. Your brutal honesty has turned this book into something I could be proud of.
Amanda Merchant, for being just as crazy OCD as I am and finding mistakes that seven other people couldn’t. Poor Andrew would still be referred to as Adam if it wasn’t for you. #teamMaria
Jenny Sims at Editing for Indies, I know I tested your patience on this project. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement and for turning this around on such short notice.
Christine Borgford at Perfectly Publishable, Thank you for your patience with all of my date changes and for making the inside of both of my books amazing.
Hang Le at By Hang Le, Thank you for turning my vision into an amazing cover.
To my Salon Cheval family, you have been my biggest cheerleaders this year. There were days I wanted to quit and your kind words and encouragement kept me going. I am forever grateful to have you in my corner.
Last but certainly not least, to all of my readers. It has been awesome getting to know you, thank you for your patience and support.
Meghan Trainor (feat. John Legend)—“Like I’m Gonna Lose You”
Poncho Sanchez—“Yumbambe”
Usher—“Good Kisser”
Haley Reinhart—“Creep”
Jonas Brothers—“Lovebug”
Ingredients:
1 large bottle of Carlo Rossi Sangria
1 bottle of Orange Juice
1 Green Apple, Red Apple, Orange, Lime, and Pineapple
1 Bag of Ice
Directions:
Pour the entire contents of the sangria into your desired container. Add about 3 cups of orange juice. The apples and pineapple should be chopped into small cubes. The orange and lime should be thinly sliced. Add ice and fruit to a glass, pour in your mixture and enjoy.
T.A. Roth is a wife and mother. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. When she’s not beautifying clients as a stylist/make-up artist at her day job you can find her reading, fangirling her favorite authors, or singing along to the radio. After getting the opportunity to read the debut novel of one of her client’s something clicked. Her “what the hell” attitude kicked in and two years later, here we are.
Say Nothing . . . A new adult romance is her second book in the Speak Series.
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