Showing posts with label Book Blitz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Blitz. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Someday Beach - BOOK BLITZ!

Hosted by...
This book blitz is for...

Someday Beach by Jill Sanders 
(Grayton Series #2)
Publication date: May 19th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Goodreads

Synopsis:
Shelly has always dreamed of going back to Surf Breeze. When she finally sets out on her own and buys a run down building along the popular boardwalk, she hires a sexy, but annoying contractor to help her turn it into her dream boutique. What she hadn’t counted on was finding herself slowly changing with her surroundings. Fighting against an overbearing family, she’ll learn to not only follow her own dreams, but stand up for something she believes in.

Marcus has been waiting his whole life for a woman who could see through the horrors he’d been through as a child, and the humor he uses to mask it all. Now that he found her, he’s not quite sure what comes next.

JOIN THE FACEBOOK BOOK PARTY TODAY FROM 9-5 EST!
Click HERE!

Purchase Links: Amazon /// Barnes & Noble

EXCERPT:

“I… I guess we can’t deny what’s between us,” she said with her eyes glued to his lips. His eyes went to hers in response.

He shook his head no. “Why are we even trying?”

She stepped back and took a deep breath. She shoved her hands into her pockets and shrugged her shoulders. “I guess there’s no real reason.” She looked up at him again.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Kinda Maybe - BOOK BLITZ!

Hosted by...

This book blitz is for...

Kinda Maybe by Elise Daniels 
Publication date: May 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Goodreads

Synopsis:
Determined to live out a lifelong dream, Kat Hilliard moves cross country after college to New York City to chase her destiny. Knocking out 140 character tweets for a financial firm by day and engaging in all the sexy options New York has to offer by night, Kat is not prepared when New York’s most eligible bachelor, Reese Tremaine, bumps into her on a downtown train. Her simple life will never be the same.

Swept into the hideaways and haunts of the extremely rich and decadent, burdened by an unwanted celebrity, Kat fights to remain true to herself as great sex, a heated political campaign and the dark secrets of a soldier returned home push her toward the one mistake that could keep her from living out her New York fairytale.

Purchase link: Amazon /// Amazon UK

Friday, May 8, 2015

Parting Chances - BOOK BLITZ!

Hosted by...
This book blitz is for...

Parting Chances by Caylie Marcoe 
(Fighting Chance #1)
Publication date: November 13th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Goodreads

Synopsis:
The road of Haley Cavanaugh’s life has been filled with cracks, potholes and detour signs. Her mom’s cancer forced her to grow up too fast and her brother has moved across the country instead of sticking around when she needs him most. Now, her parents are forcing her to move out. They say she needs to follow through with the plans she’s set for herself, but Haley is torn between her dreams and her family’s reality. The only thing she has to look forward to is living with her best friend, Kyler.

What she doesn’t need right now? Eli Park. Haley remembers him as Kyler’s boyfriend’s geeky roommate, but he’s anything but geeky now. Now, he’s downright hot. And Haley cannot get him out of her head.

It would be easier if they didn’t have class together five days a week. Or have weekly study dates. And if she didn’t spend way too much time with Kyler at Eli’s house. But, the closer he gets and the harder she falls, the more Haley pulls away. Her heart is too fragile to end up broken on the side of the road. She thinks she’s got it under control until Eli brings home another girl and Haley realizes what she has to lose.

As Haley’s life is turned further upside down, will she be left to pick up the pieces of her heart alone?

Purchase links: Amazon /// Barnes & Noble


“Do you need any more help?” I stepped out of Kyler’s grasp and glanced around the kitchen. It looked like chaos…but organized chaos.

“Nope. Everything is settled in here.” She hooked her arm through mine and led me out of the kitchen. Noah and Eli were sitting on the couch when we entered the living room. She nudged my arm, gave me a wink and turned to the guys. “Eli, would you mind running with Haley to get the pizzas?”

“I can get them myself.” Eli stood and headed for the door. I stared after him, hurt that he didn’t even want to be alone with me. Was he still just trying to give me space? Or did he finally realize that I was more trouble than he wanted?

“Well, I know you could. But I need Haley to stop at the store…I forgot something.” Kyler nudged my arm again, tilting her head slightly in the direction of the door.

I’m fluent in Kyler non-verbal gestures, and clearly, she was telling me to get out that front door. But my feet paused at the look Eli flashed Kyler. His eyes shone uncertainly. His gaze flicked to me quickly, but I caught the softness in them before they darted back to Kyler.

“What is it? I can pick that up too.” He plucked his keys from the table and propped himself up against the doorframe, waiting for Kyler to finish.

“Oh, well…I um forgot… I um…need some tampons.” She blurted out. I swear every single face in the room turned red.

Noah looked Kyler up and down before opening his mouth. “But I thought…” Kyler held up a hand to stop him and gave him a short glare before turning back to Eli.

“So did you want to pick those up? I’d have to write it down. Haley knows what kind I use, so it’d be easy for her to just grab them. But if you want to go at it alone—”

Eli interrupted her. “No, that’s okay. I could use Haley’s help.” He rushed out the door before Kyler could continue on about her feminine needs.

“Didn’t you just have your period?” My question hit Kyler’s smirk. I didn’t even need her to reply since I knew the answer. We were roommates after all.

         Kyler winked at me again, before she pushed me toward the door. “You’re welcome!” I heard her say as I exited the house.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Halfway Perfect - BOOK BLITZ!

Hosted by...
This book blitz is for...

Halfway Perfect by Julie Cross and Mark Perini 
Published by: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication date: May 5th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Goodreads

Synopsis:
Bestselling author Julie Cross teams up with Ford model Mark Perini to pen a poignant and gritty YA novel about love and the dark side of modeling and the fashion industry.

Eve’s time as a fashion model nearly destroyed her-now she’s determined to build a career behind the camera lens. But landing a coveted photography internship brings her face to face with her dark past-and her ex.

While Eve is snapping pictures, up-and-coming male model Alex is launching his career-which, for him, involves maintaining a fake relationship with his (secretly) underage co-star, Elana.

But Alex is falling for Eve, and Eve won’t let herself get hurt again. If Alex can pull off a fake love with Elana, can he convince Eve to risk a secret affair with him?

Purchase links: Amazon /// Barnes & Noble

*NOTE: Whatever Life Throws At You by Julie Cross is on-sale for 0.99c for your Kindle! 
(I've read this one and LOVED it!)

************

Five Facts About HALFWAY PERFECT 

1) Co-author, Mark Perini, was the model who portrayed the main character on Julie Cross’ Tempest series books. He’s also been on many other YA covers --> Goodreads

2) In the book, main character, Alex books a big job modeling for Calvin Klein. CK is one of the few big designers/labels Mark hasn’t worked with (yet). Both authors are big CK fans 

3) co-author, Julie Cross, started out writing Eve’s chapters, and Mark writing Alex’s, but plot elements and scenes required occasional swapping 

4) Mark wrote parts of Halfway Perfect while in Milan, Italy for Fashion Week

5) Julie has never met a model in real life, not even Mark.

************

Top 5 Places to Spot a Model in NYC

1) Polo Bar:
1 E 55th St
If you're on the hunt for a model sighting look no further than  Ralph Lauren's Great Gatsby themed Polo Bar. We’re told there’s at least a one-month wait. This may be because it's one of the hottest spots in town for Models & A-listers alike.

2) The Boom Boom Room at the Top of the Standard:
848 Washington St
If you're looking to dance the night away in one of NYC’s most decadent and hard to get into clubs look no further than the Boom Boom Room. Come after Fashion Week and you're almost guaranteed to rub elbows with fashion elite. 

3) Sisley-Paris Boutique
343 Bleecker Street
Is a secret weapon for the top catwalkers who want glowing skin before major shows. Models no longer need to travel to Paris for Sisley's award winning skin treatments. 

4) Equinox
421 Hudson Street
If you're going to be a successful model you've got to eat-sleep and dream of the gym. So it goes without saying that the best places to spot one is at a gymnasium. Equinox is grounded in the idea of high-performance living, empowering our members to be bold, be risk takers and push their limits, inside and outside of the club. Perfect future everest rock-climbing models of all shapes and sizes.

5) Books of Wonder
18 W 18th St
Want to guarantee you'll run into a model? Head to Books of Wonder for the launch of event May 8th 6-8 PM international model Mark Perini will be signing copies of co-authored Halfway Perfect with Julie Cross.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Wash Me Away - BOOK BLITZ!

Hosted by...
This book blitz is for...

Wash Me Away by Wendy Owens
Publication date: April 27th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Goodreads

Synopsis:
Monsters have a way of following you.

Immersed in a new world at boarding school, Addy Buckley learns she’s not the only one with secrets. While trying to navigate the minefield of painful lies that seem to be rattling around her family’s past, she meets soft on the eyes and heavy on the heart, Napoleon Blake.

When faced with the darkness, Addy must decide to cling to her new life and friends or let the monster carry her away. The choice is hers, sink or swim.

Purchase links: Amazon /// Barnes & Noble

Monday, April 6, 2015

For All to See - BOOK BLITZ!

Hosted by...
This book blitz is for...

For All to See by Megan Mitcham
(Bureau #1)
Publication date: April 1st 2015
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense
Goodreads

Synopsis:
Pristine waters and purified evil.

Two by two, dark-haired beauties vanish only to reappear as hanging, plundered corpses. The Virgin Islands boast diamond-white beaches, lush green mountains, a rich cultural heritage—and a brutal killer.

Three years on the “Field-Dresser” case and Special Agent Nathan Brewer is days away from catching the bastard—if he can convince a certain brunette to trust him. Only the woman is more likely to take a casual stroll on the surface of the sun.

After fleeing her troubles in the United States for the quiet life of a school teacher on the island of Tortola, Madelyn Garrett never imagined she’d be fixated upon by pure evil.

In a fight for her life—with a dwindling number of friends—she must rely on her cunning and Nathan’s skills for survival.

Purchase links: Amazon /// Barnes & Noble /// iBooks /// Kobo /// Google Play /// All Romance

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Royal Date - BOOK BLITZ!

Hosted by...

This book blitz is for...

Royal Date by Sariah Wilson
Publication date: March 3rd 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Goodreads

Synopsis:
This Cinderella didn’t plan on a prince . . .

Kat MacTaggart is a girl who has a plan for everything—including her holiday ski trip to Monterra with her best friend. Everything is going according to plan until she finds herself careening out of control down a mountainside and being rescued by a guy who looks like Superman’s hotter Italian cousin.

HRH Prince Nico is intrigued by the woman he saved on the slopes and her refusal to date him. He offers Kat a deal—let him show her his country and he’ll pay her to write articles that will help Monterra’s tourism industry. Kat agrees, but given her past and lingering distrust of men, she has one condition—absolutely no kissing.

Thanks to the claims of a jealous British noblewoman and the schemes of a meddling paparazzo, Kat’s rule doesn’t seem to be a problem at first. But the more Kat gets to know Nico and the people around him, the harder it is to remember her keep-your-distance plan. Should she stick to it or risk everything for a chance at happily ever after?

Purchase links: Amazon
(NOTE: The book is currently 50% off with the discount code ScoutOne!)

Friday, March 20, 2015

The Uninvited - BOOK BLITZ!

Hosted by...

This book blitz is for...

The Uninvited by J.A. Templeton 
(The MacKinnon Legacy #1)
Publication date: March 17th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal Romance
Goodreads

Synopsis:
For readers who loved the international best-selling YA paranormal romance series, The MacKinnon Curse, here is a new spin-off series!

Madison Sinclair has a secret. She can see, hear and feel the dead.

At seventeen, Madison travels to Edinburgh to study and discovers that university is not the only adventure to be found there. The historic Scots city is a hotbed of paranormal activity and Madison’s talents and empathy are tested when she meets the spirit of a missing teen, Jaime.

Madison befriends Shane, a fellow student and very human charmer from her home town, who also knows a thing or two about ghosts and their ways.

Madison’s spirit friend, Jaime, has a flesh-and-blood brother. Haven is a sexy, tattooed bad boy with a dangerous reputation, but is drawn to Madison because of the enticing truth she could give him about his little sister.

Shane and Haven help Madison use her gifts to uncover the secrets surrounding Jaime’s disappearance, which puts Madison in danger from more than wayward spirits. The psychopath that killed Jaime now has Madison in his cross-hairs, and he has no intention of letting her reveal the truth.

THE UNINVITED is book one in The MacKinnon Legacy series and is intended for readers over 17+ due to language, sexual situations, and violence.

Purchase links: Amazon /// KOBO /// iTunes

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Numbers Game - BOOK BLITZ!

Hosted by...
This book blitz is for...

Numbers Game by Rebecca Rode
Publication date: March 16th 2015
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult
Goodreads

Synopsis:
Treena can’t wait for Rating Day. Her high score will mean a life of luxury, showing the world that she’s a valuable member of society, not a pathetic waste of space. It won’t hurt her chances with her top-Rated boyfriend, either. But when the big day arrives, her true number shocks everyone.

To get her life—and boyfriend—back, she must go undercover and expose a military spy. Doesn’t sound too hard, except that someone seems to want her dead. And then there’s the mysterious soldier with a haunted past and beautiful brown eyes. Together, they discover a dark numbers conspiracy, one that shatters the nation’s future. They must band together if they are to survive the dangerous game of numbers—and the terrible war that rages within Treena’s heart.

Purchase links: Amazon


Thursday, March 12, 2015

Motocross Me - Book Blitz + GIVEAWAY

Hosted by...


This week's book blitz is for...

Motocross Me by Cheyanne Young 
Publication date: June 4th 2013
Genres: Romance, Young Adult
Goodreads

Synopsis:
When Hana Fisher moves to the small town of Mixon, Texas to live with her dad, she dreads having to work at the boring pile of dirt he fondly calls a motocross track. But when she gets there, she finds the rinky-dink dirt bike track from her childhood has grown into the most respected racing track in the state.

Now popular by association, Hana endures the pain and sweat of working in the summer heat in order to fit in with a sport she’s growing to love. She gets a real family, a best friend and not just one, but two of the fastest racers trying to win her heart.

When Hana abuses her status as the track owner’s daughter to help the gorgeous Ryan Russo cheat in the biggest race of the year, she risks more than just losing her job. Every good thing in her life is at stake now- her friends, her dad’s trust, and Ash Carter- the kind-hearted racer who may not be as alluring as Ryan, but is proof that nice guys don’t always finish last.

Purchase links: Amazon /// Barnes & Noble

GIVEAWAY TIME!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

The Designed - Book Blitz

Hosted by....

This weeks book blitz is for...


The Designed by Kate Tailor
Publication date: January 26th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Science Fiction
Goodreads

Synopsis:
What if the next new drug was you? Raleigh’s body produces a drug that could define the future of medicine if the dangerous world surrounding it doesn’t kill her first.

Eighteen-year old Raleigh Groves can sense disease in others and is suffering from her own unexplained illness as well. After years and dozens of doctor visits, she has given up hope of ever finding a cure, let alone a diagnosis. Then she meets a man who explains that her talent and curse are linked. Her body produces a drug, Lucidin, which allows her to sense others. She’s rare, and the drug she makes is coveted.

Rho has spent the last few years on the run. The Lucidin that is racing through his system makes him a target. Surrounded by addicts and dealers on one side and scientists and doctors on the other, he has to rely on his wits and his team to stay one step ahead. So far he has stayed afloat, but some of his brothers haven’t been as lucky.

As Rho and Raleigh collide they must face the perilous world of Lucidin together. Nothing is black-and-white and Raleigh must decide where her alliances lie. Sometimes the hardest heart to sense is your own.

Purchase links: Amazon /// Barnes & Noble


GIVEAWAY TIME!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, December 5, 2014

Crashing Prom - Book Blitz + Giveaway!

Hosted by....


This week's book blitz is for...



Crashing Prom by Milda Harris
Publication date: November 7th 2014
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Goodreads



Synopsis:
Avery Rylee never went to her high school prom. It is one of her biggest life regrets. Now, at the age of twenty-four, Avery has many more regrets. She is stuck in a rut with her career and she has just been dumped by her fiance. After a night of cheap wine and hitting rock bottom, all Avery wants to do is lie in bed at home with a gallon of ice cream, but her three best friends have other ideas. They have planned a cross country road trip to a prom to help Avery start over. Step one is an Ex-Bachelorette Party in Vegas to help Avery try and forget her ex-fiance. Instead of forgetting him, though Avery finds herself the star of her own web series. As a result, she goes on a filmed hunt across America to find a prom dress, a hot date, and a pair of amazing shoes. Will Avery be able to heal her heartbreak, survive internet reality show fame, and have the perfect prom?

Purchase Links: Amazon // Barnes and Noble

Giveaway Time!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Another Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, October 4, 2013

Adrenaline Rush - Book Blitz!

Hosted by...
todays book blitz is for...
Adrenaline Rush by Cindy M. Hogan
Publication date: October 2013
Genres: Suspense, Young Adult

Synopsis:
A madman with a mission is kidnapping groups of thrill-seeking high school seniors across the country, and it’s up to Christy to stop him.

To do so, she must take on a fearless alter ego and infiltrate a group of adrenaline junkies bent on pushing life to the limit. Death-defying stunts are only the beginning: two groups fit the profile, and Christy must discover the real target before it’s too late.

If she chooses the wrong group, more people will disappear. But choosing right puts her as the prime target—with no guarantee that she’ll get out alive.
Goodreads

Pre-order: Amazon

Thursday, October 3, 2013

The Road to You - Book Blitz!

Hosted by...
todays book blitz is for...
The Road to You by Marilyn Brant
Publication date: October 3rd 2013
Genres: Mystery, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:
Sometimes the only road to the truth...is one you’ve never taken.

Until I found Gideon’s journal in the tool shed — locked in the cedar box where I’d once hidden my old diary — I’d been led to believe my brother was dead. But the contents of his journal changed all that.

The Road to Discovery...
Two years ago, Aurora Gray’s world turned upside down when her big brother Gideon and his best friend Jeremy disappeared. Now, during the summer of her 18th birthday, she unexpectedly finds her brother’s journal and sees that it’s been written in again. Recently. By him.

The Road to Danger...
There are secret messages coded within the journal’s pages. Aurora, who’s unusually perceptive and a natural puzzle solver, is hell bent on following where they lead, no matter what the cost. She confides in the only person she feels can help her interpret the clues: Donovan McCafferty, Jeremy’s older brother and a guy she’s always been drawn to — even against her better judgment.

The Road to You...
Reluctantly, Donovan agrees to go with her and, together, they set out on a road trip of discovery and danger, hoping to find their lost brothers and the answers to questions they’ve never dared to ask aloud.

In that expectant space between silence and melody, our trip began...

Purchase: Amazon

Monday, September 30, 2013

Choosing You - Book Blitz!

Hosted by...
my second book blitz is for...

Choosing You by Allie Everhart (The Jade Series #1) 
Publication date: September 23rd, 2013 
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance 
Goodreads

Synopsis:
When Jade is given a scholarship to an elite private college in Connecticut, she sees it as a chance to finally escape her painful past and get a fresh start. She’s determined to succeed and that means keeping her focus on school and not guys. But her plan falls apart her first day on campus when Garret, a rich prep school boy with swimmer abs and a perfect smile, offers to help her move in.

Jade tries to push him away, but she can’t deny her attraction to him and Garret won’t let her. Things quickly heat up between them, but then come to a sudden halt when reality hits and Jade realizes that a relationship with Garret may never be possible. He comes from a world of wealth where there are rules, including rules about who he can date. And not following those rules has consequences.

As the two of them try to overcome the obstacles working to keep them apart, Jade is confronted with another challenge. On her 19th birthday, she receives a letter that her now deceased mother wrote years ago. In it are revelations that explain her traumatic childhood but also make her question the past she’s been running from.

Purchase: Amazon

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Leap of Faith - Book Blitz!

Hosted by...
my first book blitz is for...
Leap of Faith by Jamie Blair
Published by: Simon & Schuster BfYR
Publication date: September 3rd 2013
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Goodreads 
Synopsis:Can true love be built on lies? A teen on the run seeks relief and redemption in this gripping, romantic read.
Leah Kurtz has finally found a place to call home, a town where she and baby Addy can live in peace, far from the drug-infested place she grew up. Chris is one of the best parts of her new life, the only person who’s ever made her feel safe. And now that she’s found him, there’s no way she can tell the truth:
Her real name is Faith, not Leah. She’s seventeen, not nineteen. And the baby isn’t hers—Faith kidnapped her.
Faith’s history catches up with her when a cop starts asking questions and Chris’s aunt spots her picture in the newspaper. She knows it’s time to run again, but if Faith leaves, she’ll lose Chris. If Chris is in love with a lie, though, did Faith ever really have him in the first place?
Purchase: Amazon /// Barnes & Noble

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

This Much Is True - Book Blitz!

Hosted by...
This weeks book blitz is for...
This Much Is True by Katherine Owen 
Publication date: August 11th 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Goodreads
Synopsis:
Fate brings them together
Fame & lies keep them apart
One truth remains…
She’s become the Paly High girl with the most tragic story…
At 17, Tally Landon just wants to graduate and leave for New York to pursue ballet. Her best friend Marla convinces her to attend one last party—a college party—where she can be among strangers and evade the whisperings about her heartbreaking loss of her twin that follows her everywhere she goes. She meets Lincoln Presley, Stanford’s famous baseball wonder and has a little fun at his expense—when she lies about her age and who she really is—intent on being someone else for the night and escaping her tragic story.
His only focus is baseball, but he can’t forget the girl he saved on Valentine’s Day…
At 22, Lincoln Presley’s star is on the rise—about to finish at Stanford and expected to be taken early in Major League Baseball’s upcoming draft—his cousin’s party serves as a welcome distraction. But then, he sees the girl from Valentine’s Day that he saved from that horrific car accident and can’t quite hide his disappointment when she appears to look right through him and not remember him at all. He vows to learn her name at least before he leaves. What’s the harm in getting to know this girl? What’s the worst that can happen?
They share this incredible connection, but fate soon tests these star-crossed lovers in all kinds of ways…
And yet, despite the lies being told to protect the other, and the trappings of fame that continually separate them, and in lieu of the deception by those they’ve come to trust the most; one truth remains.
This much is true.

I just had to post the picture from the back as well. I love the world of dance and that dancer looks so beautiful! Also check out the playlist that Katherine Owen created for the book HERE! Lots of good songs from Ke$ha, Kelly Clarkson and more!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Sia - Book Blitz!

Hosted by...
This weeks book blitz is for...
Sia by Josh Grayson 
Publication date: November 20th 2013 
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Goodreads
Synopsis:
When seventeen-year-old Sia wakes up on a park bench, she has no idea who or where she is. Yet after a week of being homeless, she’s reunited with her family. At school, she’s powerful and popular. At home, she’s wealthy beyond her dreams. But she quickly realizes her perfect life is a lie. Her family is falling apart and her friends are snobby, cruel and plastic. Worse yet, she discovers she was the cruelest one. Mortified by her past, she embarks on a journey of redemption and falls for Kyle, the “geek” she once tormented. Yet all the time she wonders if, when her memories return, she’ll become the bully she was before…and if she’ll lose Kyle.
Here is an excerpt!

While I wait for my driver, I sit on a step outside the school. I watch the kids go by. No one stops to say hello to me, and I'm starting to understand why. Then I see Kyle trudging out of the school, shaking his thick brown hair back from his brow. I decide to go talk to him. But he changes direction when he sees me approaching.
“Wait! Kyle? Is that your name? Kyle?”
He stops, but doesn't turn around.
Undaunted, I run up from behind. “Listen, I just wanted to apologize for Duke in the cafeteria today.”
“Why? Can’t he take care of that himself?”
“I guess he can, but I don’t think manners are his strong point.”
Kyle squints at me, trying to read my expression, so I keep my eyes wide open. If he's looking for dishonesty or cruelty, I'm determined he won't find any there.
“I don’t get it,” he says skeptically. “Why would you apologize to me?”
I shrug. “Because it was wrong of him to be like that.”
“If you're gonna apologize on behalf of Duke, you should apologize to Ben, not me.”
“Um…okay, I will.”
After a moment of quiet, Kyle says, “Okay. Thanks.” He sniffs and looks at the ground, obviously uncomfortable. “As long as we’re apologizing, I guess I owe you one, too.” He runs his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry about yelling at you at the soup kitchen. That was you, right?”
I nod.
“So I guess it was my yelling that made you run into the street, wasn’t it?”
I nod again.
“Well, I’m really sorry. About all that. I had no idea.”
“Of course you didn't. Don’t worry about it.” I look down the street, past Kyle, but I can't see John and the car yet. I glance down at my nails, still torn and ratty from living homeless. “What were you doing there, anyway?” I ask.
He shrugs. “I volunteer there sometimes.”
“Oh.”
“My parents own a bakery nearby. I work there almost every afternoon. When we have day-old bread and stuff, I take it over to them.”
“You…Oh!” I suddenly recall the slice of bread I'd enjoyed just before Kyle yelled at me that day. Soft, homemade, and unforgettable  It brings a smile to my face. “Well, I know from personal experience that they really appreciate that. It’s very generous of you and your family.”
“It’s the least we can do.” He hesitates. “So you’d been eating there?”
“Yup. All week. With my friend Carol.”
“Carol? That older lady? I know her. She’s sweet. Helps a lot of the kids out. I guess she’s kind of a teacher for lost souls, huh?”
“You could say that,” I agree, remembering my wise friend fondly.
A dark car pulls up to the curb.
I smile with apology. “Sorry, but I have to go. That’s John, here to pick me up. So are we okay?”
“We?”
“Yeah. You and me.”
After a second, he returns my smile and holds out a hand. “Sure.”
I step closer so I can shake it, and while I'm there I purposefully inhale the smell Amber had so detested. She's right. He smells like bread. Banana bread, I think. And cinnamon. Not unpleasant at all.