February Lover (7 page)
He saw what was about to happen in slow motion like he had the day the school had been blown up with the children in it. A green sedan sped through a red light and plowed right into the left side of Stacey’s car.
Screeching tires and shattering glass overtook every other sound in the universe. Aidan stood frozen. His ears began to ring.
He called out and her name and rushed into the street before the other vehicles had even come to a stop. Eerie silence met his scream, like the birds didn’t even dare chirp.
She had to be okay. The other driver was out on the pavement, muttering something. Aidan didn’t hear him. Nothing would be okay until he saw Stacey’s face. A month ago he’d thought never to see it again. Now he couldn’t imagine a day without her. How could he have thought he was leaving?
New Orleans was where Stacey lived. And where Stacey lived was where he had to be. Screw his memories. He’d make new ones.
Her door swung open, and she stepped out on wobbly feet. “Did you see what happened, Aidan? That car came out of nowhere.”
He caught her before she hit the ground.
“Where do you hurt? What did you hit?”
“What?” She rubbed her eyes. “Nothing, I don’t think. The seat belt dug into my shoulder and the air bag deployed. I might have some burns. I don’t know.”
He turned back to the other driver. “Dial 911.”
Stacy bit down on her lip. “I’m sure it’s not necessary.”
“It is. We’re having you checked out. You don’t get to argue about this.” He could have lost her. She seemed relatively okay but he knew how deceiving post-accident behavior could be. Trauma could be held off by adrenaline. He’d seen it a million times.
“I certainly know how to make an exit. I should have stayed home and let you come to me.” She sighed loudly, her shoulders slumping.
“Hey, look at me.” He needed to make her understand how he felt, how he would never leave her. How everything had changed a few seconds earlier, and now the world made sense again. Aidan was meant to be with Stacey. But he didn’t know if he could make her understand.
“What?” She regarded him with remote eyes.
“Stacey Castle.”
“Aidan?” He could hear the sirens blowing in the distance. The ambulance would be there soon. He’d make sure he went with her. No way would he be leaving her side. No way. No how.
“Stacey, I want you to photograph me for the calendar. But it better be good. Because I want to hang the picture up at our wedding.”
Her smile brought sunshine down on the street. “I didn’t think I hit my head but maybe I did.”
“No.” He pulled her in for a kiss before the paramedics told him to back up. “I’m afraid I’m not going anywhere. You’re going to be stuck with me in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December—and January, too.”
As a teenager, Rebecca Royce would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes, these days, that her parents think it was well worth it.
Rebecca is the mother of three adorable boys and is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.
She's in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She's been told she's a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. Rebecca loves to write series because she loves to see characters develop over time and it always makes her happy to see her favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.
In Rebecca Royce's world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.
You can visit Rebecca at:
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