Always been you, p.22
Always Been You,
p.22
It was a warm Spring day, one of the first of the season and I found myself getting hot under my sweater that my mother made me promise not to take off. I pulled at it, wishing I had the courage to disobey just this once, and sighed.
Mark Erickson, this stupid bully that my mother told me only picked on me because he was sweet on me, ran past me, knocking me over and breaking my line of sight with my new love. I hit the mulch, but I didn’t get up. I just stared up at this beautiful man willing him to look at me. He looked like Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid, with jet black hair and tanned skin. I couldn’t see his eyes, but I bet they were blue just like his. I cocked my head to the side briefly wondering what it would be like to be part of his world.
The second time was later that week. He entered my math class just as we began a test. I set down my pencil, watching him move towards the front to quietly talk to my teacher. I tried to angle my ear towards them just to hear his voice. What did he sound like? I got up and moved towards the sharpener as it was in the front of the room. My heart pounded with every step, knowing that I’d get to hear his voice any second now. And I did.
Soft. Smooth. Rich.
I imagined it was what my father would sound like, if I had one.
The third, and perhaps the most pertinent time, he spoke to me. He told me he liked my pink overalls that I begged my mother not to make me wear. He gave me a grin, baring all his teeth and I almost melted. My heart slammed against my little ribcage and I couldn’t help but feel like I was floating.
The beautiful man noticed me.
Maybe he’d love me one day.
Maybe he’d kiss me like they do at the end of the movies.
But I was wrong.
So, fucking wrong.
Because although I saw him first and told myself at the young age of ten that I was madly in love with this beautiful man, said beautiful man fell in love with someone else.
My mother.
I was ten years old when I fell in love.
Two years later, I fell in hate.
Get Love Unexpected here
This book wouldn’t… couldn’t have happened without some pretty fabulous people. Your input, your love, your support is invaluable to me. As I, (and Carrie Bradshaw) have said probably a million times—sometimes family is the one you’re born into, and sometimes it’s the one you make for yourself.
First and foremost, to the readers: it’s been a minute since I released a book. (I know!) Thank you for sticking with me through it all. For constantly posting and sharing and sliding in my DMs. For sharing your love for my books and giving me the inspiration and at times the kick in the ass I need. I love you guys and Q.B. would be nothing without you and your support. Thanks for being on this ride with me, let’s never get off, k?
Carmel Rhodes, Erica Marselas, Kelsey Cheyenne and Harlow Layne: thank you for being my sounding board, my safe space, my cheerleaders and sprinting buddies (even when we’re not really sprinting.) I love you ladies and I can’t wait until we’re all together again!
Danielle James and Emily Witting: Thank you for the gorgeous covers you designed for this book! Your talent never ceases to amaze me. Thank you for making my pretties!
Stacy Blake & Kristen Portillo: Thank you for always making my books sparkle and shine and putting up with me being last minute (and slightly disorganized) for everything!
Ariadna Basulto: I love you! You changed my life in the blink of an eye. Thank you for getting me together, I’d be so lost without you.
To Q.B.’s Hive: It’s crazy to think that some of you guys have been with me for like seven years now? Thank you for being my ride or dies! I love you!
To some of the instagrammers, Tik-Tokers, book tubers that became so much more to me over the last year. Thank you for not only shouting about my books but being there for me in some of the biggest ways. I’m so thankful for each and every one of you and how much joy you brought to my life. I love you big.
Tanya (babygyalreadit), Salma (salmaslibrary_), Chelé (4 the love of books), Rachel (fitteacherrachel), Jess (peacelovebooksxo), Julia (entirelybonkerz): When I think of you guys, I think of the saying that every badass woman needs a group of equally badass women cheering her on. Thank you for being those women. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for going above and beyond for me. I’ve got so much love for you.
Q.B.’s Street Team Queens and my ARC team: Thank you for all of your edits, reviews, posts and feedback. Thank you for reading and loving my books and sharing them everywhere!
Pang Thao: Thank you for always making me the most stunning graphics! The ones for this book were so gorgeous.
To the authors in the Twisted Christmas anthology, specifically Sara Cate for putting it together and getting my ass in gear to write a book in 2021: Thank you for being so unbelievably chill and lovely to work with! You guys set the bar high for me for anthologies.
There are so many insanely talented and wonderful authors in this community that I adore! 2021 was a tough year all around, and I want to thank you all for helping me in so many ways. For the chats about books or about life or just checking in! Giana Darling, Anne Malcolm, Nyla K, Sarah E. Green, S.E. Rose, Brittainy Cherry, B. Celeste, Lucia Franco, Marley Valentine, Dylan Allen, and Mel Walker, you guys are rockstars and I’m so happy to know you.
And finally, to the guy that made me believe that love can be even more beautiful than the ones I write about. I already dedicated this book to you so I won’t get too sentimental, but just know you’re stuck with me now. I love you.
STANDALONES
My Best Friend’s Sister
Unconditional
Forget Me Not
Bittersweet Love
BITTERSWEET UNIVERSE
Bittersweet Surrender
Bittersweet Addiction
Bittersweet Love
CAMPUS TALES SERIES
First Semester
Second Semester
Spring Semester
Available through the Read Me Romance Audio Podcast
Fantasy with a Felon
Hailing from the Nation’s Capital, Q.B. Tyler spends her days constructing her “happily ever afters” with a twist, featuring sassy heroines and the heroes that worship them. But most importantly the love story that develops despite inconvenient circumstances.
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Q. B. Tyler, Always Been You
