Without You (47 page)

I took a deep breath and turned to face him. “Hey, Luke.”

His smile was forced. Something was on his mind, like something was on mine.

“Do you think Will’s popped the question yet?”

I gave him a weak smile in return. “Yeah, probably.”

I started walking along the beach, and Luke followed. My phone beeped in my pocket, and I pulled it out. It was Zack.

Luke let out a laugh, and I looked over at him. He was walking next to me but looking ahead.

“Do you remember the time we put salt in your mom’s sugar container and Alex put three huge scoops in her oatmeal?”

Luke somehow always talked me into doing his crazy pranks with him.

I smiled and nodded my head as I said, “Yeah, I remember.”

Luke started talking about how he’d gotten grounded for that prank as I opened up Zack’s text.

Zack: Libby, I’m so glad to hear from you. Baby, I understand you were confused, but I’m here. I’m waiting for you if you want to make this work.

I quickly hit the Home button on my phone and pushed it back into my back pocket. My heart was pounding.

Shit. I shouldn’t have texted Zack.

No, I did the right thing. Didn’t I?

My head was spinning, and Luke was talking about damn pranks.

I stopped walking and turned to him. I shook my head. “I really need to be alone right now, Luke. I have to think, and I can’t think with you living in the past.”

His smile dropped, and he nodded his head. I turned and started walking again.

The moment his hand touched my arm, I felt the most amazing rush sweep through my body. I almost wanted to whimper with the way his touch affected me. Zack’s touch never did this to me.

I looked up into Luke’s eyes. He had the most beautiful green eyes. I could see why women melted when he looked at them. I quickly looked away.

I can’t do this anymore. I can’t.

“Luke, I can’t stand here and pretend like nothing is wrong. Everything is wrong, and I…I need to move on with my life, and I can’t with—”

He held up his hand and shook his head. I stopped talking. His eyes searched my face and then moved to my lips. I instinctively licked them, and he snapped his eyes back up to mine where he searched them intently.

I held my breath and waited for what he was about to say.

“Libby, I have something I need to tell you.”

Look for SAVING YOU Coming Early 2015

First and foremost, I have to thank God. If it weren’t for his blessings, none of this would even be possible.

Darrin and Lauren—I think you both know how much I love you. Thank you for being so supportive. It means more to me than you will ever know.

To my readers/friends—Without you, none of this would be possible. I wake up every day, and I’m stunned that I have such incredible people in my life. Thank you for the words of encouragement. Thank you for buying and sharing my books. Thank you for leaving reviews. Thank you for telling your friends and family about my books. Thank you for lifting me up when I need it most. I’m so blessed to be able to follow a dream that I’ve had since I was sixteen. To be able to share the crazy stories floating around in my head is just amazing. I love you all, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your support.

Mom—I miss you.

Kip Moore “Young Love”—Will and Alex in the Prologue.

Kris Allen “Out Alive”—Gunner talks to Will.

Love and Theft “She’s Amazing”—Will tells Gunner about his feelings for Alex.

Gloriana “Best Night Ever”—Will and Alex dance at a party.

Dan + Shay “First Time Feeling”— Will and Alex make love for the first time.

Hunter Hayes “Still Fallin’”—Will and Alex dance at the river party.

Sam Hunt “Raised on It”—Everyone is dancing at the field party.

Miranda Lambert “Automatic”—Alex and Gunner ride horses together.

DJ Snake and Lil Jon “Turn Down for What”—Grace dances at Blake’s birthday party.

Jason Derulo “Wiggle”—Grace and Blake dance at Blake’s birthday party.

Jason Derulo “Stupid Love”—Alex and Blake dance at Blake’s birthday party.

Lean Turner “Pull Me Back”—Alex pushes Will away.

Brad Paisley “Then”—At the pond, Will tells Alex he wants to marry her.

Dan + Shay “19 You + Me”—Will and Alex make love on the beach.

Colbie Cailliat “Stay with Me”—Will has a picnic at the clubhouse.

Hunter Hayes “Still Fallin’”—Will and Alex dance before he tries to make love to her, and she panics.

Dustin Lynch “Where It’s At”—Will dances with his cousin at the barn dance.

Nat King Cole “Send for Me”—Will and Alex dance at the barn dance.

One Direction “You & I”—Will and Alex are at the barn dance.

Keith Urban “Without You”—Will asks Alex to marry him.

Cascada “What Hurts the Most”—Libby and Luke in the Epilogue.