5 years later….

It’s been five years since I last wrote on here. Book 3 of the Mirror series–HOME, Library of the Forgotten, and Cortherstone have been published.

It seems weird to just casually talk about publishing those books like they weren’t HUGE moments in my life. I got a little nostalgic today and was reading through first drafts of all my books. Some parts were PAINFUL to read and I was so happy it didn’t make the final cut. Others made me smile as I remembered writing them.

I thought it would be fun, once a week, to post some outtakes/scenes that never made it into the final version.

First is from HOME. This is at the end at the last ball after Grace comes back for Myles (If you haven’t read this part–STOP READING!!!!!)

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“Are you enjoying yourself?” I ask.

“Yes,” Reaper replies.

“You dance really well,” I try again.

Nod.

“How do you know the Denleys?”

“Friends.”

After that I just stop trying. He turns me to my other partner for this dance, and my eyes scan the audience looking for Miles.

“I’m offended you’re looking for another man when I went to all this trouble picking out the perfect waistcoat for this evening,” a familiar voice says.

I stop dancing, but the hand in mine pulls me into step again. Somehow it feels like my head suddenly detached from my body. I turn my head anyway and look at my partner.

“By the look on your face it seems I have succeeded in blinding people with my good looks.”

I want to laugh, or cry, or maybe faint. “James?”

“In the flesh.” James smiles, then winks before turning me back to Reaper. It’s incredibly rude, but I watch

James for the rest of the dance. I watch his partner blush whenever he talks to her, and the other women dancing with other partners stare at him.

The dance ends, and I’m instantly by his side pulling him away. Right off the dance floor, I throw my arms around him.

“Your reputation is dwindling quickly. First your roguish dance with Mr. Denley, and now hugging another man,” he teases, but holds me just as tight.

“What are you doing here?” I push back so I can see him. He looks just like he did the first time I saw him – happy and carefree, arrogant and charming.

“Dad told me to come. He said you needed reminding that he isn’t hopeless.” He grins, looking so much like Miles, then turns me around so my back is to everyone. “You better stop crying, or the women here will eat you alive.”

“I don’t care what they think,” I snap, trying to clear my eyes.
“I know, but it’ll be easier for your transition if you had some friends.”
“What transition?”
He only smirks. “Dad said you should ask him for the last dance.”
“Ask him? Are you serious? Women from here don’t ask men to dance.”
“I know, but you aren’t a woman from here. Not yet anyway.” He takes a step back, and his grin expands. “I can’t stay, and that’s unfortunate for the party as I’m quite the catch.” He tugs on his lapels and flashes that smile I love so much.

“You don’t want to dance with me?” I ask, a little afraid for him to leave.

“There’s only one dance left after this one, and Dad wants you to ask him for the last. He also said to tell you that he doesn’t want to wait in line, so don’t make him. Whatever that means.” He hugs me again, and then laughs at something I can’t see. “Dad is sending me the death glare right now. Oh no, he’s coming over. Okay, act natural. I wasn’t supposed to talk to him. He told me not to. Oh no. Hello, Mr. Denley,” he says, taking a step away from me.

“Hello.” Miles looks like he wants to glare, but is too fascinated with James.
“Mr. Denley, this is my . . . cousin. Mr. Gentry.” Close enough.
“Cousin.” Miles shoulders seem to relax. “It is a pleasure.” He shakes James’ hand, and I know I have to act fast or else James is going to combust with suppressed laughter.

“I’ll see you later, cousin.” I feel stupid saying it.

“Yes, you will,” James says it like a promise, smiles and pats my shoulder. I watch him strut through the ballroom, leaving sighs behind him.

“Your cousin is . . . very familiar,” Miles says.

“Yes, will you excuse me? I forgot to tell him something.” I nod to Miles, and run after James. Just before James starts up the stairs, I grab his hand.

“Miss me already?” He flashes his teeth.

I drop his hand only to find my own. “You tell Miles that if he’s teasing me I swear I’ll smack him in front of everyone here.”

James laughs that loud throaty laugh and walks up the stairs. The dance is still going, so I have time to find Miles. I go back over to where I left him, but he isn’t there. I frantically look around the room trying to find my partner that is no where in sight.

The song ends, and suddenly I don’t want to find Miles anymore. James came, which means Miles and I end up together. I don’t need to ask him.

The dancers leave the middle of the dance floor, and as they part, there’s Miles. Across the room, he’s talking to a few other men, but he’s looking at me. That anxiety from earlier? It turns into a full fledge hysterical panic. How am I supposed to ask him to dance around other men?

The more I think about it the more it irritates me. Miles knows this was how I’m feeling and that’s why he sent James back. He wants me to feel like this. Even a few decades away he’s still teasing me.

Miles takes a sip of his drink, his eyes staying on me over the rim of his cup. I can actually feel his look all over my skin. It’s weird, and tingly, and . . . great. The men he’s with follow his gaze, and then the other three smile, turning back to Miles to talk. He excuses himself, sets down his drink, and starts walking toward me. I’m going to throw up.

I’m going to kill Miles one day for this.