Be with Me (48 page)

The three of us.

So much had changed for us in a little over four months. Back in August, I never thought I’d be here on Christmas Eve, with my lips still tingling from Jase’s sweet kisses. Our future together wasn’t something any of us planned. I’d always thought I’d be a dancer. Jase always believed he’d never let himself fall in love again. None of this was expected, but I wouldn’t give any of this up to dance again.

My dream had been shattered, but then re-created, fashioned into something with more meaning and becoming more precious.

Holding the game high, Jack whooped as he smiled up at Jase. One day, he would know the truth about his father and his mother and I knew deep in my soul, I’d be standing next to Jase when that day came, there for the both of them.

I slid my hands down Jase’s arms, coming to where his hands were nestled just below my belly button. I spread my fingers over his, and he flipped his up, threading our hands together.

“Do you want to play the next round?” Jack asked with hope in his beautiful gray eyes as he looked up at me.

“I’d love to.”

Appeased, Jack returned his attention to the game, and Jase pressed a kiss to my temple, and then, against my skin, he mouthed the words I’d never grow tired of or used to hearing.

He whispered
I love you
.

Acknowledgments

F
irst and foremost a big thank you to Kevan Lyon and the team at Marsal Lyon Literary and Taryn Fagerness Agency. Tessa Woodward—I’m so glad you love these characters as much as I do and your editorial hand is priceless. Thank you to Jessie, Abigail, Jen, Molly, and Pam—you’re the peeps beyond the scenes, getting the word out and making my job as an author a hell of a lot easier.

Jen Fisher—thank you for letting me turn you and your cupcakes into a fictional character. You’re the bomb and so are your cupcakes.
Be with Me
would’ve never happened without Stacey Morgan. Not only is she a great friend and assistant, she’s the poor soul who has to read the first drafts of these books. Another big shout-out to the ladies (in and out of writing) who rock: Laura Kaye, Sophie Jordan, Molly McAdams, Cora Carmack, and Lisa Desrochers.

Last and most important, a huge thank-you to all the readers and reviewers out there. Books wouldn’t be possible without you guys. You’re the most integral part in all of this and THANK YOU from the bottom of my little heart.

About the Author

JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT
, also known as J. Lynn, is the #1
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of
Wait for You
. Her dream of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories . . . which explains her dismal grades in math. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell terrier, Loki, at home in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

www.jenniferarmentrout.com/j-lynn

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As J. Lynn

Wait for You

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G
AMBLE
B
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ERIES

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Tempting the Player

As Jennifer L. Armentrout

Cursed

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C
OVENANT
S
ERIES

Daimon

Half-Blood

Pure

Deity

Elixer

Apollyon

Sentinel

T
HE
L
UX
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ERIES

Shadows

Obsidian

Onyx

Opal

Origin

Credits