Kiss To Forget (Blairwood University #2) - Anna B. Doe Page 0,129
their shoulder pushes against mine as I walk by in the hallways. As I said, I’m in their way.
Why were they even still in the hallways? The bell is about to ring any second now.
“Thanks again for the ride.” I try smiling, but it feels forced, even to myself. Max turns around and looks at me with his brows raised. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
I try to pass around him, but he catches my hand and makes me stop. “Not so fast. What do you have first period?”
“Homeroom, Mrs. Rayan.”
“Great, me too.” He gives me a wide smile, one filled with mischief. This guy was born up to no good. “You can pay me back for saving your ass this morning by showing me how to get there. My personal guide for the day. What do you say, Freckles?”
We look at each other. It feels like an eternity, but I know it’s a matter of seconds. Every time he calls me that my stomach begins tumbling and a sour taste erupts in my mouth. I lick my suddenly dry lips before answering. “Okay,” I agree. “But you have to stop calling me that.”
His smile falls. “Why would I do that?”
“I…” I bite into my lower lip, almost making it bleed, and slowly shake my head. “Just don’t.”
Insightful, gray eyes look at me for a few long seconds before he finally nods his head, even if reluctantly, in agreement. “What do I call you then?”
“Lia. My friend calls me Lia.”
The bell starts ringing loudly, startling me. People around us break from whatever spell they were under and hurry to their own classes, although I see a few curious faces giving us a backward glance.
“This, Lia, is your clue to start leading the way.” He throws his hand around my shoulders, tugging me into his side. He towers over me, and I can feel the heat radiating off his body. Masculine scent surrounds me. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I want to burrow my nose in his neck and inhale him in. But I don’t because it would be extra creepy. “I didn’t break a few laws so that you’d end up late for class.”
A giggle escapes my lips. It’s soft, almost inaudible. I don’t know who is more surprised to hear it—me or Max.
“Come on. It’s this way.”
I walk, thinking he’ll move his hand off my shoulders and follow me, but he surprises me, as he did from the moment I met him. His hand stays firmly in place as he follows next to me, taking smaller steps to accommodate my pace.
I don’t know what to make of him. One moment he’s teasing me like he enjoys mocking me and seeing me blush, but in other situations, he’s really nice and considerate.
“We’re here,” I say, stopping in front of homeroom.
Mrs. Rayan’s voice is calling names from the other side of the door, a door that leads to a classroom full of students who will turn around and stare when I open it.
Max is standing behind me, his hand on the doorknob. “Come on. It’s nothing serious,” he assures me, his relaxed and composed voice calming my rapidly beating heart. “Everyone’s late every once in a while.”
He turns the knob and softly pushes me inside. Everyone turns around just as I knew they would, looking at me, looking at us standing at the door.
“Miss Campbell.” Mrs. Rayan voice is impassive. “I’m glad you could join us. Go in and take your seat.”
Grab your copy of Lines!
Acknowledgments
I’m not sure how this happens, but I always forget about this part of the book, then I’m formatting and the lightbulb turns on. Oh well, better late than never, right?
It’s not a secret that I don’t usually cry while writing my books, but this one brought me to my knees more than once. You’d think it wouldn’t affect me after the first time. Well, you’d be wrong. Writing, rewriting and editing this story was like seeing a train wreck, knowing it’s coming but being unable to stop it. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve turned into a sobbing mess while working on Kiss To Forget. I’ve written many stories so far, some of them angstier than others, but this one cut deep.
As many of my stories, this one was inspired by a song. I remember hearing it for the first time and knowing one day I’d write a story based on it.
I knew what would happen before I wrote the first word. I knew things Nixon is dealing with and I knew it’ll be hard to go through it, but life if hard. Life is unfair. And it throws you a curveball when you least expect it. Bad things happen to good people every day, it’s not fair, but it’s life and that’s why I believe you have to live it to the fullest, enjoying every single moment like it might be your last.
My heart still aches for these three (yes, I’m counting Jade too!), and I can only hope I did their story justice.
As for thank yous… A special shoutout to my betas team. I know I say it always, but you girls are what’s keeping me sane when everything stops making sense. Thank you so much for your patience and love for my words.
Thank you to my behind-the-scenes team for helping me bring the best version possible of my stories out into the world.
And thank you, my readers, for coming back for more of my words and for loving my characters the way you do!
Please, if you have a moment, consider leaving a short review for Kiss To Forget. Reviews help other readers and authors.
Until the next book.
Love,
Anna
Playlist
The Weekend - Shameless (Sofia Karlberg cover)
We Three - Heaven’s Not Too Far
We Three - Lifeline
Kelly Clarkson - Piece by Piece
Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes - Senorita
Selena Gomez - She
Faouzia - Tears Of Gold
Faouzia - Wake Me When It’s Over
Faouzia - How It All Works Out
Ruelle feat. Fleurie - Carry You
JoJo - Too Little Too Late
Chris Young - Drowning
Fleurie - Breathe
Welshly Arms - Sanctuary
Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko - Stay
Beyoncé - I Was Here
Shawn Mendes - Fallin’ For You
UNSECRET feat. Ruelle - Hang On A Little Longer
Other Books By Anna B. Doe
New York Knights Series
NA/adult sports romance
#1 Lost & Found
#2 Until
#3 Forever
Greyford High Series
YA/NA sports romance
#1 Lines
#2 Habits
#3 Rules
#4 The Penalty Box
#5 The Stand-In Boyfriend
#6 The Hotshot Player (coming 2021)
#7 The Safety Net (coming 2021)
Blairwood University Series
College sports romance
#1 Kiss To Conquer
#2 Kiss To Forget
#3 Kiss To… (Zane’s story, coming 2021)
Standalone novels
Underwater: Modern Fairytale
About the Author
Anna B. Doe is a young adult and new adult contemporary romance author. She writes real-life romance that is equal parts sweet and sexy. She’s a coffee and chocolate addict. Like her characters, she loves those two things dark, sweet and with little extra spice.
When she’s not working for a living or writing her newest book you can find her reading books or binge-watching TV shows. Originally from Croatia, she is always planning her next trip because wanderlust is in her blood.
She is currently working on various projects. Some more secret than others.