Hoping to dodge a scandal that could destroy her personal life and her career, Alex fled grad school for a summer job in tiny Potterville, West Virginia. She didn’t expect the town cupids to orchestrate a “chance” meeting with Marc—a sexy, brooding rock star who appreciates her love of poetry. But Alex doubts he’ll want anything more if he discovers the indiscretion she can’t forgive herself for…

Marc came to Potterville to get some space from his band and clear his head. But before he knows it, he’s intrigued with the waitress at the local diner. Alex is not only smart and beautiful, she’s inspiring his songwriting and taking it to the next level. Soon he’s falling for her—and then she runs away. For the first time, Marc is chasing after a woman—and giving both himself and Alex a chance to heal past hurts and take a chance on the future…

Excerpt:

“I think you’re nuts,” Marc said, pulling the car into park in front of Angela and Finn’s.

“I might be, but I have the opening shift and I can’t let Ida and Paul down.”

“So put in your notice tomorrow. Tell them you have a full-time job being in love with me.” He pulled her hand to his lips.

Alex shivered. He’d promised and meant it. At least, he meant it now. But Marc, something about the way he stammered over his words, made it seem too true for speech. It reminded her of the Mathew Arnold poem that said something about love being too weak to unlock the heart and let it speak. “I made a commitment, and I want to keep it.”

“Okay, but I think you’re going to regret every minute you’re not with me.” He drew a deep breath with his eyes fixed on hers. “I know I’m going to regret every minute you’re not with me.”

“No wonder you’re such a successful songwriter.”

He chuckled and released her hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow bright and early.”

“No. Don’t you dare come in until the end of my shift, or I’ll never get any work done. Ida will kill you.”

“Fine. I’ll be there tomorrow, and we can start planning that big trip to Italy you always dreamed of.”

Italy. Last night when he had suggested delaying her master’s for a semester to travel to Italy with him, it had taken all of ten seconds for her to agree. He loved her. Three months traveling through Italy with Marc and away from Roger. The master’s program would be there when she was ready, and by that time, maybe Roger would have gotten himself together so she wouldn’t have to worry about the two of them bumping into one another. The loans would have to be dealt with when the time came. She leaned in and pecked him on the cheek before jumping out of the car. Anymore than that, and she might never get into the house. “Bye.”

“See you tomorrow.”

He waited on the street until she closed the front door behind her. She leaned on it, sighing, listening to the car pull away. Angela and Finn both turned away from tonight’s crime dramedy to look at her.

“Well?” Angela asked.
“He wants me to move in with him. He’s taking me to Italy.”
Finn snorted and turned back to the TV, but Angela jumped up.

“Really? Italy? What about school?”
“I’m going to delay it. He said they’re not going into the studio for a while so we can spend the time together. I might even transfer to UCLA to finish up. If I finish at all.”

“If? You’d quit?”
“He mentioned marriage.”
“Marriage!” Angela threw her arms around Alex. “I knew it. I just knew it. You two are perfect for each other.”
“I guess so.” Alex pulled away and rubbed her face. “I have to clean up and get to bed. I open in the morning. Good night.”
After a quick shower, she opened her e-mail. The first one was from the university congratulating her on finishing her master’s thesis, and if she had any questions “do not reply to this e-mail address, but contact your advisor.” Master’s thesis, she hadn’t… The time on the e-mail said it had arrived about an hour and a half after she and Marc had left the diner. She opened her sent e-mail. About the time Marc was declaring his undying devotion, she had snuck home and submitted a master’s thesis and had been back in time to sink sobbing into Marc’s arms.

Roger. That bastard.

Yanking on a T-shirt and a pair of jeans, she ran out to the living room where Angela and Finn were still planted in front of the television. “I need to borrow your car.”

Waiting For a Girl Like You is available now!