Synopsis

Sometimes, believing the lies we tell ourselves is easier than dealing with the truth.

Once, I wanted to die. That was the night I met Guy.

The strange man with flowers stepped from the shadows and saved my life.

Guy. Dimpled smile. Body of a surf god. Smart and funny. Running out of time.

We became travelling companions through life, ticking off items on our bucket lists.

I’d hidden from happiness for years and kept my life under strict control. Guy showed me how to step into the world and experience more,

he brought light into the shadows and helped me through the darkness.

I became Phe again. I lived.

There’s just one problem.

We fell in love and this wasn’t part of our plans.

I thought we could face the future together, but Guy has a secret which changes everything.

Excerpt

We share a relaxed smile, surprised by how easily our text message based relationship has translated into face to face. As he clears the plates away, I watch Guy’s lithe movements. The muscles move in Guy’s back against his t-shirt as he stacks plates in the dishwasher, and the thought of touching him creeps in again. This isn’t helped when he sits back down close to me, placing his arms on the kitchen counter. His hands are slender, blue paint stuck beneath his nails.

The awareness of Guy as a man, not the random stranger who hangs around cliff tops with bunches of flowers confuses me. This is a friendship. Travelling companions. Nothing more. He just proved that by talking to me about asking another person on a date.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I look into the eyes that remind me of the water that almost drowned me, at the concern set in his brow. His dimples are childish marks that are at odds with his very grown-up aura. “Do you have a girlfriend?” I ask.

He arches a brow. “Why? Are you volunteering?”

Something new passes between us, clarifying the situation. Guy feels this too, the pull between us. I swallow. “No. I’m not looking for a boyfriend. Not at the moment.”

“Falling in love is on my list, too, if I had a girlfriend that one would be ticked off. I guess I need to find somebody.”

“You can have a girlfriend and not be in love.”

“What would be the point in that?”

“Men often have girlfriends and aren’t in love.”

The amused curve appears on his lips again. “And girls don’t?”

“Not as much, I think they expect a great love.”

“Do you?”

“Not really.”

Guy swirls the wine remaining in his glass then drinks. “Don’t wait your whole life for a Prince Charming to bring you a happy ever after, find your own.”

“I intend to.”

“Good. The only person who can make you complete is yourself.”

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About Lisa Swallow

Lisa is an author of new adult romance and writes both paranormal and contemporary, including the best selling Blue Phoenix rock romance series. In between running a business, looking after her family and writing, Lisa sometimes finds spare time to do other things. This often involves swapping her book worlds for gaming worlds. Lisa is originally from the UK but moved to Australia in 2001 and now lives in Perth in Western Australia with her husband, three children and dog.

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