Part 25 (2/2)

”We're not running now.”

”Well, it definitely covers more than your swimsuit.”

”We're also not swimming now.” I glared at that quirked-smile-face. ”And, are you saying my bathing suit is too skimpy?”

His ears flushed pink. If I was going to blush, he might as well too.

”No.” He drew the word out like he wasn't sure what the next one should be.

”Then turn around.”

Yeah, I know. One thing didn't equate to the other, but it helped to force the issue while he was fl.u.s.tered. I was learning. Rachel would be so proud.

”Okay,” I said, after pulling a clean tee on.

He turned back to face me, his ears back to normal beige-tan, and hoisted my gym bag over his shoulder. ”Ready?”

I nodded and threaded my fingers with his, palm to palm. At the truck, Luke opened my door and waited, as always, for me to climb in so he could close it.

The day was so comfortable, so happy. I knew I was being all Introspection Girl, but I couldn't help but really love my life today. My life and what it was now.

I had my dad and the perfect boyfriend and the best girlfriend and two Coaches who were pushy and overwhelming. I had running and art. I may not have been invisible any more, but the important people saw me for who I really was. And I wasn't afraid of being seen by everyone else anyway. Which was good since the whole invisible thing didn't seem to be working out so hot.

It was the perfect day to just- ”Luke, you just pa.s.sed my street.” I must not have been the only one zoning out.

”I know.” He gave my hand a quick squeeze, but kept driving. Right to his house. Where there were a suspicious number of cars in the driveway.

”What's going on?”

”A Celebration Barbeque.”

He pulled me around the side of the house to where the Parkers and Rachel and the Coaches all lounged on the deck while Mr. Parker and my Dad worked the grill.

”What the heck is going on?” I whispered before they noticed us, some of my old panic flaring up for just a moment.

Luke leaned down to whisper back, holding us apart for just a few needed heartbeats. ”Your dad. He wanted to do something for your first race, but didn't know what. So my mom kind of planned a barbeque. You know my mom.”

I glanced back at the group, again worried about... everything.

Luke squeezed my hand and grinned. ”You're lucky she didn't have a marching band or something.”

Oh. Dear. Thank goodness for small blessings.

”I'm kidding, Amy.”

Luke pulled me toward the porch, the warm smell of barbeque and the cool scent of autumn mixing in the perfect Indian summer kind of way. Everyone cheered and the two Coaches didn't even scowl as we joined them.

My dad, my really wonderful dad, wrapped me in a hug, his voice coming low enough for just me. ”Amy, you were awesome.”

I really did not want to cry. But, they were all being so nice, and my dad being there, being proud of me. I know a lot of girls would hate it, hate having their parents hanging around. But me, I'd take it.

It wasn't like things were happy-happy perfect. Dad and I still had rough moments. He'd really embraced this parent thing and couldn't seem to grasp that I wasn't ready to go back to being eleven so he could catch up. Curfew was a new idea.

Mrs. Parker came to the rescue on that too, and he agreed to match mine to Luke's.

And then there were his weekly meetings. He'd joined a group for widows and widowers. Some nights I still heard him pacing the house, but he was there, at home, with me.

He made me go to a couple meetings too, but I wasn't in the same place the kids were who were dealing with it fresh. And that was okay too.

When the dad-hugging was over, Luke wrapped his arm around my shoulder in a reclaiming way that told me he wasn't going to give up the hug-zone again anytime soon.

I looked at everyone lounging around the Parker's deck and said exactly what I felt. ”I'm the luckiest person I know.”

And I was.

Thanks for reading Secret Girlfriend. I hope you enjoyed it! If you'd like to get updates on more of my books, you can join my New Release mailing list HERE or find me atand on twitter @briaquinlan. I've been really lucky to have people review my books at Goodreads. You can find my author page HERE.

What's Next.

SECRET LIFE.

Rachel Wells is a liar a big time. No one outside her family knows about the panic attacks or meds, the weekly therapy drive-bys or the ”safe” outfit. If she could hide it all from her string of ex-boyfriends and her best friend Amy, then why should anything change? But, when the one guy as messed up as she is blackmails her into helping him, Rachel's life goes from closely controlled to out of control. Sometimes choosing between sanity and love is the craziest thing of all.

About Bria.

Golden Heart finalist Bria Quinlan writes Romantic Comedies for teens that take hard topics and make you laugh through your tears. Her stories remind you that life is an adventure not to be ignored. You can contact her find her atOR on twitter @briaquinlan.

She also writes sweet & sa.s.sy Contemporary Romances as Caitie Quinn.

Both personalities are represented by the awesomely amazing Laird Lauren Macleod of the Clan.... Oh, wait. Of Strothman Agency.

Check out her books and join the conversations at Goodreads.

Acknowledgements.

Secret Girlfriend has been in the works for a long time. It was my first contemporary YA after working my but off on the fantasy. Lots of people have had a hand in making it something I'm proud to put on paper.

First off, to The Laird, my agent Lauren Macleod a She took a chance on this book not once, but twice.

Gwen Hayes, who, no matter how much she hated Chris in this book, still managed to handle the story with love. Jeannie Lin a remember those first reads we did for each other? The ones that scared other people? They-you-made me better.

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