Leon's Way (33 page)

BOOK: Leon's Way

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“Make them double!” Mica backs me up, and I high-five her in agreement. Thankfully, Shannon is still with us—as in, for now she hasn’t Libra’d out of consent. To be on the safe side, though, I add, “And peanuts—and four diet Cokes.”

We appropriate a tall, round bar table by the dance floor, and my world just became perfect. I sway to the music, rocking the barstool with me as we comment on the clientele. Yes. Shannon was right. Lots of hot seniors.

Christian, the bartender, drops by to exchange our shots for new doubles. “From that table,” he says, snapping his fingers toward a couple of hipsters covered in beards over by the exit. Mica waves at them, and one of them winks in acknowledgment.

This, right here, is the first day of the rest of my life. Hell yes.

Fuck, I’m so tired. I’ve worked nonstop since school let out in June, and I won’t be working any less once my last year in college starts up either. Two more days until that happens.

As a future physiotherapist, I’m lucky to get any job in this shithole, but sometimes the odd hours at the spa drive me nuts. I need the money, though. The owner and my benefactor, Miss Geraldine from Hyde Park, London, has incredible business talent. Three months ago, she decided to branch out and specialize in cheap, after-hours massage for worn-out workaholics. Since then, we’ve been swamped every damn day between five and eleven p.m.

The missus likes me. And whenever she wants me to, I like her right back. Usually against the fridge or the table in the kitchenette of the Elysium Spa. She prefers young, handsome guys, she says, and she likes it raw. I tell her that’s fine, because I like women.

Tonight we were too busy to play. A new hire left us hanging, so the three of us who showed up had to service all. When this happens, we compensate by working our clients harder and cutting down each session by a few minutes. If you leave them dazed enough, they don’t keep track of time.

It’s one a.m., and I’m done loosening my own tense muscles at Nonstop Fitness. Thank God it’s Saturday tomorrow; I’ve got the day off, and now I’m ready for a beer. No, I’m
craving
a beer. I’m about to pass the entrance to Jones Street on my way home, but an entwined couple stumbles out of Smother, leaving the music to burst out freely. Haven’t seen Christian in a while. I think I’ll grab that drink inside.

This is my fourth novel.

Unbelievable.

If it weren’t for Cheryl McIntyre’s encouragement, Leon’s Way would have been released way into 2015 and not six weeks after its companion novel, Pandora Wild Child. It’s been a wild ride, as in: Super-late nights. Way-to-early mornings. Cutting sleep down to five hours a pop. Then, there’s the “VILLAGE” that rallied with timely support, constructive criticism, and honesty. Every piece was in place for me to accomplish this, and I am so happy!

First of all, thank you to my patient family: Michael, Nicolas, and Alexandra. I love you so much, and you never complain when I’m deep inside my stories at the most inopportune of moments.

My author besties are my besties for a reason. I’m so thankful to have met all of you already during my first book, Shattering Halos, and I’m blessed to continue our friendship and the slaughtering of each other’s manuscripts in the name of quality. The mere thought of not having you in my life makes me anxious.

My thanks below are listed not alphabetically, but in the order you read the drafts of Leon’s Way.

D Nichole King. You plunged into this crazy manuscript without fear. You made it bleed, and I adore you for it. For the time you’ve put into Leon, I can never thank you enough. I wish critique partners like you upon every author! Our online work dates and daily exchanges of inappropriate jokes (okay, fine—that’s mostly me) as well as joys and grievances mean the world to me. I’m so grateful for your swift replies, recommendations, and logical solutions when I struggle—for your friendship.

Laura Thalassa. Here I go again. I’m so blessed to have you along on this crazy journey. Your honesty, your enthusiasm, and your incredible eye; I need you like air and water—and like my Mac. You busy author-lady, always with a nutty deadline to hit with your publisher, you still took the time to slash this baby. Just like you did with the former one… and the one before… and the first one!

Cheryl McIntyre. Ah, okay, here I am, all gooey inside just thinking of you. Your friendship, your input, your mentorship from before I released my first. It’s no secret that your books are among my all-time favorites, and I’m so grateful that you find my novels worthy of enthusiasm. Your eye is uncanny, and like with everything I write, Leon’s Way deepened and changed because of you. Thank you for finding poetry in my words, for seeing the message, for calling it your favorite.

Dawn Decker. I told you once what an incredible editor I saw in Cheryl’s books. I feel so fortunate to have you read and suggest edits to mine! You find issues no one else discovers. You, Dawn, hoist my work that extra step up. Thank you for always being there for me.

Angela McPherson. We’ve known each other for a while, and we finally, finally took that final step and swapped manuscripts. Thank you for finding edits no editor in my former three books have found and for loving Leon’s Way.

Renee McMillan. You have betaed every one of my books. I adore you for your excitement and feedback, for your text messages flashing over my screen:
Why you do this to me?!?
Me:
LOL! What did I do?
Renee:
I’m crying at work … This book!!!
I am so lucky to have you with me on this adventure. I am upset that I could not be there to see your reaction during lunch breaks while you read it. You have the most expressive face.

Rachel Spurlock. I’m thrilled to have you as my beta reader and excited that Leon’s Way is your favorite so far. Thank you for all of your encouragement!

The social media brings authors to the readers, but it also brings authors together. So many have made an impact on me, of whom a couple of sweet ladies stand out:

SC Stephens. Thank you for being a big inspiration, for the chats, for attending Pandora Wild Child’s release party—and I will never forget our book swap.

Penelope Ward. Thank you for all of your advice, for your support, and for never ceasing to be a friend even when your own schedule turned hectic.

Sunniva’s Angels: oh, my sweet group of loving ladies who patiently listen to my rants and my euphorias. Your feedback on Leon’s Way made me so happy. Some of you have your names as side characters in this novel— and there are more to come in upcoming manuscripts. To My Angel Bethanie. Thank you for everything you shared with me. I’m relieved that you loved Leon’s Way. In all honesty, I was worried.

To my readers: I bow my head to you. It is for you—
you
—that I write. Thank you.

xoxo

I’m originally from Norway and moved to the United States in 2001. I have a Master’s degree in languages and taught Spanish at college level before settling in as an adviser at an art college in the South.

I write New Adult fiction with soul and purpose. Sometimes it’s with a paranormal twist—like in “Shattering Halos” and in ”Stargazer” published by The Wild Rose Press, but mostly it’s contemporary New Adult like in “Pandora Wild Child” and “Leon’s Way.”

I adore writing impulsive heroines, bad-boys, and good-boys running amok. Intense love, physical and emotional attraction beyond what the brain can rationalize—sensory overload for the reader as well as for the characters. Like in real life, I hope to keep you on your toes until the end of each story.

At this time, in December 2014, I have three projects in the works. Ingela’s story, Katsu’s story, and a secret, non-related project you can look out for in May 2015. I don’t have the release dates for Ingela’s or Katsu’s stories yet, but by signing up for the newsletter below, you’ll find out as soon as I know.