There were things in Maddie’s life. Dark secrets she’d never shared. If and when she did, her friends would be there to listen.

Clare opened the screen door and walked out into the sunlight. “I see you’ve just about gotten that dog whipped into shape,” she said.

Sebastian put his hands on his hips and looked up at her. “Your mutt is worthless.”

She bent and scooped up the dog. “No, he’s not. He’s very good at barking at the mailman.”

Sebastian took the mug from her and dropped his arm around her shoulders. “And imaginary cats.” He took a drink of coffee, then said, “Dad and I are fishing Saturday. Wanna come along?”

“No thanks.” She’d fished with the two of them once. Once was enough. Worms and fish guts were something they would never compromise on or work out.

One of the biggest surprises about Sebastian, besides his attempts at being romantic, was his relationship with her mother. He didn’t take Joyce’s frosty, dictatorial nature personally, nor did he take any crap from her, and the two got along wonderfully. Better than Clare would have ever imagined.

“Once the dog does his business, let’s go take a shower.” Sebastian handed her back the coffee and added, “I’m in the mood to get you soapy.”

She set Westley on the ground and rose. “I am feeling a little dirty.” She pressed her lips to his bare shoulder and smiled. He was always in the mood, which worked out beautifully because she was always in the mood for him.

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my gratitude to those who took the time to answer my questions when writing this book. Journalism teacher at Texas at Arlington and Time reporter, Adam Pitluk. Gerri Hershey, contributing editor to Vanity Fair, GQ, and the New York Times Magazine. And a huge thank you to Claudia Cross, at Sterling Lord Literistic, for going above and beyond the call and providing me with names and contacts.

About the Author

Rachel Gibson lives in Idaho with her husband, three kids, two cats and a dog of mysterious origin. She began her fiction career at age 16, when she ran her car into the side of a hill, retrieved the bumper, and drove to a parking lot, where she strategically scattered the car’s broken glass all about. She told her parents she’d been the victim of a hit and run and they believed her. She’s been making up stories ever since, although she gets paid better for them nowadays.