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My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Chapter 1
After ten takes that lasted throughout the morning and into the afternoon, Lucy Younger heard her stomach growl so loudly that she was pretty sure anyone within a five-mile radius would’ve heard it, too.“Cut!” yelled the director, Jim Stanton. Jim had a swath of silver hair that tended to expand outward as the day progressed. Lucy wondered if it was from the humidity, or if Jim’s hair expanded as he got more irritable with every take that he inevitably hated. It was rather like watching a cat fluff out its fur, arching and hissing at some threat.“That’s a wrap for now,” said Jim. “Go get some lunch.” He shot Lucy a sardonic glance, and she had a feeling he’d heard her stomach growling. Well, if he let them have lunch breaks before three in the afternoon, she wouldn’t be so damn hungry!Lucy had arrived on Hazel Island in the Puget Sound to film The Last Goodbye a week ago. It was her first movie, and although it was a smaller indie one, it was a huge opportunity for her. If she co
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Chapter 2
When Carter’s best friend, Anthony Bertram, had suggested that he work on a movie of all things, Carter had thought he was insane.“I’m a baseball player,” he’d said. “The last thing I wrote was probably some essay in the fifth grade. Also about baseball.”Anthony had waved his hand dismissively. “You won’t have to write a damn thing. You’ll be playing supervisor, making sure things stay on schedule and on budget. Best of all, it’ll give you something to do now that you’re benched for the season. I was going to do it, but I’m too busy here in Seattle with Thea and the business.”Carter had told Anthony to go find someone actually qualified. But Anthony had somehow gotten it into his brain that Carter should do the job, and when he’d told Carter he needed someone he could trust at the helm, Carter had given in. Even though Carter’s interest in the movie business was about as high as his interest in the mating habits of sea anemones.When he’d arrived on Hazel Island yesterday mornin
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Chapter 3
Lucy inhaled the scent of cinnamon rolls and coffee as she came downstairs at the local bed-and-breakfast. Most of the cast had been provided rooms here, and although it was hardly fancy, it was nice and homey and had helped Lucy relax after her stressful day yesterday.She couldn’t help but blush in embarrassment—and anger—as she thought of Carter Roberts. His stupid, grinning, handsome face, and how he seemed to love needling her as much as humanly possible. She had no idea what his deal was, and she was determined to avoid him as much as she could.“Good morning,” said Gwendolyn Parker, the owner of the Hazel Island Bed and Breakfast. Tall and curvaceous, with curly red hair, Gwen was as sweet as apple pie and probably the nicest person Lucy had ever met. It probably helped that she got to live on this beautiful island and not deal with men like Carter Roberts.“Good morning. Those smell amazing,” said Lucy. The first floor of the bed-and-breakfast consisted of the dining room, w
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Chapter 4
Carter was no stranger to people coming up to him and asking for autographs and photos. When he’d first started playing for the Seattle Orcas, he’d always been surprised whenever someone had actually recognized him. But in the years since he’d first been drafted, he’d gotten used to the attention. It came with the territory of being one of the best ballplayers in the league.“Can I take a selfie with you?” a boy who looked maybe ten years old asked. He already had his phone out.“Sure,” said Carter. He draped his arm over the boy’s shoulder, took his phone, and snapped the photo for him. That resulted in the crowd growing larger, with more and more people asking for photos.“When are you going to play again?” a man about Carter’s age asked him. “The team’s playing is shit without you pitching.”Carter’s good mood vanished at the reminder of his injured shoulder. “That’s all the autographs and stuff for today. Thanks, guys.” He waved and stepped around the perimeter of the crowd. Lu
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Chapter 5
Lucy watched as one of the extras—Meredith? Marianne?—slid her hand up Hayden’s arms and batted her fake eyelashes. Not that Lucy had anything against fake eyelashes, but this M-named woman looked so fake overall that the eyelashes were the cherry on top.“If you glare any harder, you’re going to singe a hole in her arm,” said Erin.“I’m not glaring.”“Okay. Staring, gazing upon. Whatever term you wanna use, babe. But don’t be too obvious.”Lucy forced herself to turn her head so she could no longer see what Hayden was doing. She’d thought they were connecting earlier. But then Hayden had gotten distracted. Lucy couldn’t compete against multiple other women vying for his attention, not unless she did something crazy, like flash him.She wasn’t yet so desperate as to show him her breasts in public, thank God. The green snake of jealousy still slithered around inside her, especially when she heard Hayden laugh.“Didn’t you think there’s something between us?” said Lucy. “He was tal
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Chapter 6
“Why did you come here?” said Lucy. “You said you wouldn’t.”“I never made any promise like that.” Hayden looked away, his expression rueful. “Did you think I could stay away from you, Miranda?”It was their first rehearsal together in Hayden’s trailer, and they’d been working on this particular scene all morning. Hayden preferred to play Gabriel as stoic, almost emotionless, but Lucy could feel the brimming emotion underneath. It was a testament to Hayden’s skill that he could imbue every word of the script with such feeling.Lucy/Miranda stepped toward a table. She traced a figure eight on the tabletop before picking up the discarded ring. “I don’t need this anymore,” she whispered.“Wait,” said Hayden, ending the scene. “Shouldn’t Miranda be angrier in this scene? Gabriel did cheat on her, right?”“I think it’s more complicated than that. She is angry with him, but there’s still love there, too. She’s torn between two different emotions. She wants to hate the man she still love
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Chapter 7
That evening, Carter felt antsy. He considered going to a bar, maybe finding a willing woman to return to the bed-and-breakfast with him. There had to be bachelorettes on this godforsaken island, right? Ones who were as cynical about life as he was right now.The thought of taking some stranger back didn’t appeal to him, strangely enough. Normally it would have. Feeling out of sorts, Carter decided he’d wander around the island and see what he found.Hazel Island was only about ten square miles, its one town was named Hazel Town, but nobody called it that. Outside of the town’s center, there were houses scattered throughout the island. Some overlooked the cliffs for which the island was famous.Carter wandered down a street that ran parallel to a large park. It was a few hours before sunset, and families and singles walked up and down the sidewalk. Some turned into the entrance for the park, while others were most likely on their way home.Nobody stopped Carter for an autograph or
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Chapter 8
The moment Carter saw Lucy step out of her room wearing an emerald cocktail dress that hugged her body, he knew he’d made a huge mistake.When he didn’t say anything, Lucy shuffled her feet. “Something wrong?”He was tempted to tell her to go back into her room and find something else to wear. Preferably a burlap sack, because dammit, she was too sexy for her own good, wearing a dress like that. That dress could tempt the pope to forsake his vows. The green fabric left little to the imagination, and the sweetheart neckline put the lovely curves of her breasts and shoulders on display.The dress hit right above the knee, but it certainly showed enough of her legs to tempt a saint. And Carter was no saint to begin with.And neither is Hayden Masterson.Scowling inwardly, he finally said, “Let’s go, before we’re late for our reservation.”When they were seated inside the restaurant—a quaint little Italian place that overlooked the water—Carter felt like he’d gotten a hold of himself
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My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 About the Author
A coffee addict and cat lover, Iris Morland writes sexy and funny contemporary romances. If she's not reading or writing, she enjoys binging on Netflix shows and cooking something delicious.Stay in touch!irismorland.comIris Morland’s MermaidsNewsletter Facebook Twitter BookBub Goodreads Instagram
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Also by Iris Morland
Say You’re MineAll I Ask of YouMake Me YoursHold Me CloseOopsie DaisyHe Loves Me, He Loves Me NotPetal PluckerWar of the RosesincludingThen Came YouTaking a Chance on LoveAll I Want Is YouMy One and OnlyThe Nearness of YouThe Very Thought of YouIf I Can’t Have YouDream a Little Dream of MeSomeone to Watch Over MeTill There Was YouI’ll Be Home for Christmas
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Enjoy this exclusive excerpt
Joy had needed a project. She had a few clients she still wrote for long-distance, but she wanted to sink her teeth into something here in Heron’s Landing. That was why she’d come, wasn’t it? To get to know a new town and new people? The town wasn’t hustling and moving as quickly as Chicago. In fact, it moved about quickly as an elderly turtle swimming through mud. But that didn’t stop her from looking around for stories.Drumming her fingers on the arm of her couch—the movers had finally arrived that morning—Joy brainstormed for a few hours. Perhaps she could interview the owner of Trudy’s? Or maybe Mike in the general store downstairs had something worth writing about? She pursed her lips, thinking.Of course, there was always the vineyard, River’s Bend. It was the jewel of Heron’s Landing, but that seemed cliché. Plus, it was five miles from her apartment, and she really didn’t want to drive that gravel road to get out there. The day had already edged into one-hundred-degree terri
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Epilogue
The day Lucy had woken up feeling tired and sick to her stomach, she’d attributed it to nerves. But her symptoms had continued even after she’d gotten the part in a Silas Martin project, and she’d been so on edge that she’d started crying last night when she’d burned the lasagna. Carter had looked at her like she’d sprouted two heads.It had been three months since that night when Lucy had shown up at Carter’s door, soaked to the skin and bursting with love for him. At the moment, she lived primarily in Seattle with Carter while traveling to LA for auditions when necessary. She’d given up her apartment in LA without hesitation, because who wanted to live in a glorified dump when a girl could live in her boyfriend’s gorgeous and stupidly expensive place in Seattle?Carter had recently decided to start coaching. Lucy had suggested it, because Carter wasn’t the least bit interested in a regular job. He didn’t need a job for money (lucky him), but Lucy could see how bored and restless he
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Chapter 21
After hours of his phone blowing up, Carter finally turned it off. He didn’t need to explain himself to anyone. He didn’t care that his manager was pissed at him or that his now former coach thought he was a complete idiot. This was a press conference to talk about your career, not your fucking love life! he’d bellowed in Carter’s face.Carter didn’t give a shit. He’d never felt freer than when he’d uttered those words on live television. He hadn’t even done it so that Lucy herself would hear them, although a part of him hoped she would. At the very least, he needed to find her and tell her how he felt, even if he took him saying the words until he was blue in the face. He had more than enough time now.It was close to one a.m. when Carter heard a pounding on his front door. Frowning, he wondered if Anthony had come to berate him a second time. Carter threw open the door with angry words on his tongue that promptly died out when he saw it wasn’t Anthony.It was Lucy, wearing a red d
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Chapter 20
Hayden tightened his arm around Lucy’s waist. “At least act like you’re enjoying yourself,” he hissed in her ear.He smiled his golden smile at the photographers, the constant flash of bulbs making Lucy a little dizzy. It could have also been that the multiple layers of shapewear she’d put on to fit into her dress were making her lightheaded. She felt like a stuffed sausage about to explode.She’d decided to wear a backless red dress that showed off the light tan she’d gotten while on Hazel Island, her hair pulled back into a pretty chignon. The dress hadn’t cost more than five hundred dollars, and Lucy had gotten it on sale two years ago. When Hayden had asked her who she was wearing, she’d lied and said it was the latest Versace, trying to bite back a giggle the entire time.“I am enjoying myself,” she hissed back. She pinched him hard on his lower back, and because they were in front of a huge crowd of photographers and fans, Hayden could only keep smiling.This is for your care
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Chapter 19
“Luuuuuucy, dinner is ready!” called Thea from the kitchen. “I made vegan curry!”Lucy bit back a smile at her sister’s enthusiasm for all things vegan. Despite her trepidation, she had to admit that Thea could make damn tasty vegan dishes.At the moment, though, Lucy wasn’t hungry. She hadn’t been hungry much in the last month since she’d broken things off with Carter. She’d inadvertently lost five pounds, which, considering how petite she was already, was enough weight that Thea had commented on it. Lucy had brushed aside her sister’s concerns. The last thing she wanted to talk about was Carter and how he’d stomped all over her heart.Lucy had decided to stay with Thea and Anthony in Seattle for a week. A week turned into two, and now she’d been here for a month. Thea had quietly offered to help Lucy break her lease in Los Angeles if she wanted to move back to Washington, but Lucy had demurred.In all honesty, Lucy had no idea what she wanted to do. She was more lost than she’d e
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Chapter 18
The day that filming wrapped, the cast and crew threw a party at Verity, the same restaurant where Lucy had agreed to her ridiculous bargain with Carter. It felt like years ago instead of weeks.Hayden was all smiles at the party, even going so far as to throw his arm around Lucy’s shoulders. Erin was already on her third martini, and even Jim was tipsy. Lucy had never seen Jim actually smile, so seeing him laughing now was slightly unsettling. She felt like she’d been thrown into Opposite World. Next Carter would show up and tell her he loved her and wanted her in his life.Lucy snorted under her breath. Carter hadn’t responded to her messages, and she knew now that he wouldn’t. She wanted to confront him in person, but how could she when he was probably hiding out in Seattle? She could ask Anthony, but then she’d have to tell him why. That thought alone kept her from saying anything to her sister or to her sister’s boyfriend.Mostly she wanted to kick Carter in his kneecaps. Her d
My One and Only: The Youngers Book 4 Chapter 17
When Carter stepped outside, fans mobbed him within minutes. Although most Seattleites were generally reticent to approach strangers, apparently today they made an exception for Carter. Fans of all ages crowded around him, demanding photos and autographs.“When are you playing again?”“You need to come back next season!”“Were you here to see your doctor? What’s the verdict?”Carter ignored the questions, smiling for the cameras and signing so many autographs that his hand began to cramp. He finally made some excuse and pushed his way through the crowd.He had no destination in mind. It didn’t really matter where he went, because his career was officially over.After multiple tests that included both X-rays and CT scans, Carter’s orthopedic surgeon had declared that his torn rotator cuff hadn’t healed to the extent it had needed to for him to return. I know it’s not what you wanted to hear, he’d said in that calm doctor voice that Carter hated. But it had been a real long shot an
