EXCERPT: AN ENDLESS MEMORY by Marie Johnston is coming August 15!
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1CMT8R
“What if…” The only thing that would buy me time was Linda thinking I’d be getting married real soon. I never told her I didn’t have a boyfriend. I could buy myself some time. Tomorrow, I’d call the same rental properties I’d talked to earlier and accept the first opening.
“What if what, Lily?” Linda peered at me, a spark of hope in her eyes. She didn’t want to be the bad guy. Yet she would be. I could save us both with a little fib.
“What if I have someone?”
She lifted her chin, interest in her eyes. My hopes rose. Would this work, if only for a weekend? I didn’t know what the time would buy me, but I had to try.
“You have someone?” she asked, dubious.
“Yes.” I drew out the word. “I didn’t want to rush him. I mean, I never thought I’d fall in love again.” I spoke slowly, like I was reading about mammal reproduction for the first time.
“And you’re getting married?”
I nodded and forced myself to hold her gaze. I just needed the weekend. I could secure the animals, get myself and the kids settled in a motel, and put money down for a rental deposit. After I borrowed it from my parents.
Her eyes narrowed. The stench of my lie was rising up. Either that or my deodorant couldn’t stand up to new-mom stress. “What’s his name?”
What should I say?
The only name that popped into my head spilled out of my mouth. “Eliot.”
“Eliot who?”
“Eliot…Knight.” I should’ve made up a last name.
“At your service,” Eliot said from the doorway.
I gasped and spun around. Kellan was throwing his head around on Eliot’s shoulder. He let out a cry. Three seconds ago, he’d been as silent as the man holding him.
“Eliot.” All my dismay poured into that one word. My heart clawed into my throat. I could vomit everything I’d eaten for the last month. If I thought I was humiliated before, this was nothing.
“Oh.” Linda’s voice perked up. “This is him?”
Why didn’t I make up a name? Why did I name him? It was not wishful thinking. It wasn’t. I just didn’t know any other single men.
“Eliot Knight?” Linda prompted again.
“Yes,” I squeaked.
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