“Sure.” Lauren stood up and saw Keegan give her a thumbs-up.
He held the door open and she slid past him into the hallway.
“How are you holding up?” he asked.
“Ok—I’m sure I’ll feel better after a good night of sleep.”
“I mean about Tristen.”
“Oh.” Lauren paused. “He got what he deserved.”
They walked out the double door into the brisk evening. “I hope I wasn’t too forward earlier.”
Lauren stopped and turned towards him. “What did that kiss mean?”
“I’ve had feelings for you for a long time, Lauren. You’re amazing.”
Heat rose to her cheeks. “So where do we go from here?”
“Are you free on Saturday? We can take it slow. I don’t want to pressure you.”
She took a step forward, tilting up her head. Galen dropped his hand down the side of her throat and around the back of her neck. He leaned down and pressed his lips softly against hers, sending butterflies to her stomach.
Acknowledgments
Thank you so much to my editors, Rosanne Catalano and Claire Teter, as well as my beta readers.
Another big thank you to Stephanie Mooney for the perfect cover.
Lots of appreciation to Heather Adkins for beta reading, formatting, and her incredible insight.
As always, my family is so supportive of my writing.
And mostly, I would like to thank the fans of Keegan’s Chronicles.
New From Julia Crane
Freak of Nature
Donate Body to Science. Check.
When seventeen-year-old Kaitlyn checked the box, she never suspected she’d have her life—and her body—stolen from her. She awakens one day in a secret laboratory to discover that her body is now half-robot and is forced to hide her own secret: that she still has human emotions and a human mind. If the scientists who made her find out, they’ll erase what remains of who she was.
Kaitlyn finds an unlikely ally in Lucas, a handsome, brilliant scientist who can’t get over the guilt he feels knowing she was once a vibrant, beautiful young woman. He never expected a science project to affect him the way she does. As he tries to help her rediscover her past, he finds himself falling for the brave girl struggling to find her place and acceptance between the human and computer worlds.
*For mature teens due to some sexual content.
Available at Amazon US
Also by Julia Crane
Coexist, Book 1 in Keegan’s Chronicles
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Conflicted, Book 2 in Keegan’s Chronicles
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Consumed, Book 3 in Keegan’s Chronicles
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Anna, a spin-off from Keegan’s Chronicles
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Mesmerized, co-written with Talia Jager
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Dark Promise, co-written with Talia Jager
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Eternal Youth, co-written with Nolia McCarty
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Julia Crane is the author of the YA paranormal fiction novels: Keegan’s Chronicles, Mesmerized, and Eternal Youth. Julia was greatly encouraged by her mother to read and use her imagination, and she’s believed in magical creatures since the day her grandmother first told her an Irish tale. Julia has traveled far and wide to all the places her grandmother told her about, gaining inspiration from her journeys to places like Nepal, Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Italy, France and many more. And who knows? Maybe the magical creatures she writes about are people she met along the way.
Julia has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Although she’s spent most of her life on the US east coast, she currently lives in Dubai with her husband and three children.
Find Julia online at juliacraneauthor.com
Interested in receiving updates on Julia’s books? Join her mailing list! She’ll only email about her books and will never share your information with anyone.
Word-of-mouth is crucial for any author to succeed. If you enjoyed Lauren, please consider leaving a review where you purchased it. It would be greatly appreciated!
Table of Contents
Title Page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Acknowledgments
New From Julia Crane
Also by Julia Crane
About the Author