It was early. Too early. The sun hadn’t even risen. The beer took the edge off but I still had a sick pit in my stomach. I’d have to face her at some point today.
What would I say?
I didn’t have to say anything. She knew who I was—what I was. I didn’t owe her an explanation.
Where is she? I couldn’t help but wonder.
Probably doing the same thing as me—staring out of a window wondering where we both went wrong.
No matter how much I wanted it, I knew we were poison to each other. She was fuel to my fire and I was the tipping point to her insanity.
I knew how to make her explode, and worse than that, I did it on purpose. I pushed her buttons because I wanted to see those eyes darken. When that fire spewed from her mouth, not a woman on earth could compete.
She got under my skin.
Worse than her passion was her smile. On the rare occasion that I did something right, she’d gift me with it, and it was all I could do not to fall on my knees in front of her.
I sighed, rubbing a hand through my hair. I smelled like cigarettes and sex. The beer was done and I tossed it in the trash can with a clank.
The redhead stirred.
“Baby,” she purred. “Come back to bed.”
I’d rather eat glass.
“I’m getting in the shower,” I told her, not even bothering to turn around. “When I get out, you better be gone. Call a cab. Walk. I don’t care.”
She was silent, but I didn’t flinch when one of her shoes hit me in the back.
“You’re a piece of shit, Fontenot!” she yelled.
“Yeah, I know.”
The End
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I wrote the first draft of this book, let a few people read it, and then realized I hated it. Almost all of it. So I set about re-writing it to my liking and ended up trashing nearly half the book. The original version of this story is vastly different. This version is better. This is the version Paul and Mia were meant to have and I’m so glad I get the chance to share it with you.
I’ve learned so much about myself since releasing my first book and I know that I still have so much more to learn. If you’ve been a fan from the beginning, I can’t thank you enough. I’m grateful to you, so grateful. If you’re new to me, thank you for taking a chance on this starving writer.
Kristen, has it really been 9 years since we bonded over mutual hatred in a parking lot? You’ve known and loved me through the most important parts of my life. You’ve seen me grow. You’ve seen me struggle. You’ve seen me cry and laugh. I love you. Thank you for being there. Thank you for reading my stories and telling me exactly what you think. Thank you for listening to me. Thank you for introducing me to the Dark Hunters and BDB and Doctor Who and Supernatural and a million other things. You bring light and laughter to my life.
Cassandra Carpio or @thebookishcrypt, first, I love your pictures. You have a beautiful way of seeing the world. Thank you for loving my books and sharing them with your followers. Receiving your messages always made my day.
Shelley Ruffin Collum, thank you for your kindness, for loving my words, telling others about them and being my biggest fan. I hope Paul and Mia made you proud. You were the first person to read about them and were there from the beginning. Thank you so much.
The world needs more Yessi Smiths. She is kind, genuine, and inspiring. Yessi, you have held my hand through all of this, given me excellent advice and been a positive light when all I wanted to do was drown in darkness. You have such a beautiful soul. Thank you for sharing it with the rest of us.
Daniel Lee, your friendship is so essential. Thank you for believing in me when it felt like no one else did. I’m grateful for all that you are.
Molly, you are such a beautiful human. Thank you for all the love, for texting me to make sure that I’m okay, for reminding me that I have people who are in my corner. You’re a wonderful sister. I love you.
Shia LaBeouf, I don’t care if the rest of the world thinks you’re crazy. I will always have your back and love you.
Paige Barnes-Lightfoot sent me a message on Facebook nearly a year ago. Among other things in the message the words, “I believe in you,” stuck out the most. This was a person who didn’t know me, but was offering these touching words of encouragement. Thank you, Paige. Such a simple act of kindness meant so much.
My coworkers are some of my biggest fans, and I’m lucky to have them in my life. Michelle, Melissa, Terri, Jane, Ginny McBride (I know you’re elsewhere now, but you still count!). Thank all of you for reading my books and supporting me. You are the best.
My daughter, Iris, is amazing. She is perfect in every way and I’m a better person for having her in my life. I love you, Iris. You are beautiful and smart and will grow up to be an abundant force in this world.
Have you read this far? That’s awesome. I didn’t expect you to. One more book will be released with these characters and then I am putting them away. Fontenot will be a challenge, but I am so up to it. I hope you are too.
Write. Read. Daydream.
-Makenzie Smith: July 20, 2016 3:59 p.m.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mia Found is the third novel from Makenzie Smith, an independent writer residing in Louisiana. She is obsessed with books, fantasy, and her daughter. If she isn’t indulging in one of her infatuations, she is daydreaming. Contact her. She’d love to hear from you.
OTHER BOOKS
STARTING FIRES
FREE FALLING
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Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-Two
Chapter Fifty-Three
Chapter Fifty-Four
Chapter Fifty-Five
Chapter Fifty-Six
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
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