Book Boyfriend Reviews: Exclusive Excerpt for M. Leighton's The Beautiful Now

EXCLUSIVE

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(15 YEARS OLD)

“Do you ever think about kissing me, Dane James?”

I asked the question impulsively, and the instant the words were out, I could’ve just crawled into a hole to die. I was the stepdaughter of one of the wealthiest and most influential men in town, I was friend to all the most popular people in school, yet I felt as insecure as I’d ever been a day in my life. And all because I was asking a worker’s son if he ever thought about kissing me.

Maybe it was because I knew he was better than me.

He was better than all of us.

His answer was soft, but it hit me hard. “All the time.”

“Then where have you been these last three years?”

“Right here. Where I’ve always been. Where I always will be.”

“Always will be? I thought you had dreams bigger than this town.”

“They’re just dreams, Brinkley. Reality is a whole different story.”

“You could leave, you know. When you graduate high school.”

“I could,” he agreed noncommittally.

“But you won’t.”

He shrugged again. This time that shrug made me feel sad. “I can try.”

“Dane,” I said and then stopped.

I didn’t have anything to say. At least nothing that I was brave enough to say. I had no more questions that had pat answers, no more observations that I could make. I had nothing but the desire that danced through my veins.

I wanted him to look at me. And I wanted to look at him. Just for a little while.

When I didn’t continue, Dane James turned to face me, his autumn eyes flashing onyx in the dark. At night they were different. He was different. We were different. And so was the world.

“If we do this, it won’t change anything.” Rational, mature words from a rational, mature guy.

I knew it.

He knew it.

But it still made my chest ache to acknowledge it.

I nodded. “I know. So why did you come to my window?”

His chin rested on his deltoid, his eyes still glued to mine. “I couldn’t not come.”

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COMING SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

ADD TO GR: http://smarturl.it/TheBeautifulNowGR

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Dane James worked my stepfather’s fields. He was the boy next door.

Strong.

Hardworking.

Forbidden.

From the moment we met, we were star-crossed lovers—always wanting, never having. We loved each other for most of our lives, but right from the beginning destiny had other plans. She knew we would fall in love. She knew we would fall apart. Over and over again, like the curse of a recurring nightmare. Or the hope of a familiar dream.

Our past was tumultuous. Our future was bleak. But the one thing we always had was the beautiful now.

Until that was taken from us, too.

Bio: New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a rarely ever comfortable speaking about herself in the third person, but here goes. Michelle is a former nurse who has always harbored a passion for the written word, a weakness for alpha males, and a profound love of all things romantic. Never in her wildest dreams did this Yankee-turned-Southerner imagine her life as it is today. She has the best job in the world, a husband who treats her like a princess, and a dog that's so smart she may one day write a novel, too. You can often find Michelle hidden away in her cave, crafting a new story, or out in the sunshine enjoying some quiet time with her man. Movies, wine, and good food are frequently thrown into the mix, and exercise on days that start with Q. She loves laughter, chocolate, the color red, and you can find out more about her at www.mleightonbooks.com. Sign up for her newsletter here: http://smarturl.it/MLeightonNews She promises not to spam your inbox:)

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Books by M. Leighton

All the Pretty Lies ** All the Pretty Poses

All Things Pretty

Down to You ** Up to Me

Everything for Us ** Always with You

Levi’s Blue

Pocketful of Sand

The Empty Jar

Dashing Through the Snow

Strong Enough ** Tough Enough

Brave Enough

The Wild Ones ** Wild Child