Naughty Neighbor - Lauren Runow Page 0,85
there’s still one thing missing.” He pauses, and I look into his eyes as he continues to recite the lines from the book, “Do you know what’s missing?”
“Me taking your name,” I respond. Although, in the book, it actually says, You taking my name, but I wanted to change it up for us.
He shakes his head. “Nope. What’s missing are the ones we love.”
I take a sharp inhale, questioning everything and wondering what’s going on in that head of his.
He opens the car door and nudges me to sit down and pull my feet in.
“Are you trying to torture me?” I finally ask. “Because if you are, you’re succeeding.”
He laughs, kissing me again. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Jake winks, and I let out a huff, crossing my arms over my chest. He closes the door, and when he enters on his side, he starts it and then grabs my hand to hold as he drives to our next destination.
A sign on the road reads, McKinley Beach. When we get out, I see a group of people close to the water, and as we approach them, I realize who’s all here.
Everyone we love.
His entire family is here along with my mom, Charisse, and Melody. Sweet Aubrey runs to me when she sees us from afar.
“Auntie,” she yells as I pick her up.
“Hello, my sweet baby girl. What’s going on here?” I ask as I tickle her tummy and try to get some info out of her.
“Oh no, you don’t,” Charisse says. “She has strict orders not to say anything to you but hello. We knew you’d try to trick her.”
I laugh as I hug Charisse and then Melody.
“Have you guys been here the entire time?” I ask Melody.
She shrugs. “We had fun at the hotel pool while you guys were at the signing yesterday.”
I say hello to everyone, giving them all hugs and loving the feeling of family I get from every single person here. When I get to Bobbi, her eyes are brimmed with tears, and they only make me fight back my own.
When I turn back to Jake, it’s to him on his knee, holding out a gorgeous diamond ring.
“Lacey, I’ve read your stories of hopeless people finding love and of people who fought off ideas of ever finding the one. I’ve loved being your muse, but nothing is as good as being by your side. You write some pretty amazing couples, but they will never beat us. Because your heroines will never be you. They’ll never have your charm, your drive, or your love. I’ve enjoyed every second I’ve been with you since the moment you kissed me for a damn TikTok challenge. I knew right then that you were different and exactly what I wanted in my life. So, Lacey Wampo, will you marry me?”
I leap over to him, almost tackling him to the ground, screaming, “Yes!”
Everyone cheers as he stands us up and hugs me tightly.
“I love you, Lacey,” he whispers into my ear as he runs his hand through my hair, holding me tighter to him.
“I love you more,” I say as tears fall down my face. “Thank you for breaking my writer’s block and making my life complete.”
He pulls back and smiles big at me before kissing my lips in front of everyone we love. They hoot and holler in celebration with us for finding each other and a love that will last a lifetime.
Before You Go…
Do you want to keep up with Jeannine and Lauren as well as sign up for a chance to receive a zodiac themed surprise care package in the mail? Sign up below to be entered!
The next book in the Falling for the Stars series, CHARMING COWORKER (FALLING FOR A SAGITTARIUS), releases November 23, 2020. Preorder your copy now!
Ready to read the books Lacey was writing in Naughty Neighbor? Check out THE SEXTON BROTHERS SERIES—AUSTIN, BRYCE AND TANNER—by Jeannine and Lauren that are out now as a box set and in KU!
Acknowledgments
When we were writing the last book in the Sexton Brothers series, Tanner, Lauren became obsessed with the song Him and I by G-Easy & Halsey, especially because of the music video and how much it reminded her of Tanner and Harper.
In the song there’s a lyric that says, Only one who gets me, I’m a crazy fuckin’ Gemini.
That’s when the idea hit us. Whether you believe it or not, everyone knows their zodiac sign and celebrates their unique characteristics because of it. The idea for twelve books was born and, after we finished the Sexton Brothers and some solo projects, we jumped in, ready to write the books together.
Such a series is quite the undertaking, but we knew we could do it with the help of our wonderful PA, Autumn Gantz with Wordsmith Publicity. We can’t thank you enough for guiding us through and making sure we were on track while we had our heads in each book.
A huge thank you to Wilmari Carrasquillo-Delgado and Chelle Lagoski Northcutt for being our beta readers.
Our books wouldn’t be what they are today without the help of Jovana Shirley with Unforeseen Editing. It blows our minds the things she’s able to spot and make sure the book flows for consistency. We’re so grateful for Allisia Wysong also for helping us with a quick proofread!
And of course, we can never thank our readers enough. Without you guys we wouldn’t be able to follow our dreams and have our daily conversations from different sides of the United States. We found our friendship through books, and get to continue due to your support.
Thank you!
About the Authors
Jeannine Colette
Jeannine Colette is the author of the Abandon Collection – a series of stand-alone novels featuring dynamic heroines who have to abandon their reality in order to discover themselves . . . and love along the way. Each book features a new couple, exciting new city and a rose of a different color.
A graduate of Wagner College and the New York Film Academy, Jeannine went on to become a Segment Producer for television shows on CBS and NBC. She left the television industry to focus on her children and pursue a full-time writing career. She lives in New York with her husband, the three tiny people she adores more than life itself, and a rescue pup named Wrigley.
Want to hear about new releases and get exciting emails from me? Sign up for my monthly newsletter!
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Lauren Runow
Lauren Runow is the author of multiple Adult Contemporary Romance novels, some more dirty than others. When Lauren isn't writing, you'll find her listening to music, at her local CrossFit, reading, or at the baseball field with her boys. Her only vice is coffee, and she swears it makes her a better mom!
Lauren is a graduate from the Academy of Art in San Francisco and is the founder and co-owner of the community magazine she and her husband publish. She is a proud Rotarian, helps run a local non-profit kids science museum, and was awarded Woman of the Year from Congressman Garamendi. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons.
You can also stay in touch through the social media links below.
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Join her reader group: Lauren’s Law Breakers