One Holiday Kiss: A Shattered Cove Romance Short Story: Shattered Cove Shorts

By A. M. Kusi

Amara Evans is an outgoing social butterfly, but no one ever really gets close enough to know the real her—no one but her best friend Lyric that is.

Lyric Graham is the opposite of Amara in almost every way. He's shy, and because of his speech impediment, he doesn't like to talk much.

Good thing Amara has no trouble speaking for both of them.

After an innocent game of spin the bottle with friends turns into a sinful night of pleasure in a winter cabin, can Lyric find the words to tell his best friend he's been in love with her all this time?

Or will one holiday kiss have lasting damage?

If you like a swoony protective hero who doesn't say much, but means what he says and takes charge in the bedroom, you'll love this Shattered Cove friends to lovers short story.

Download and start reading One Holiday Kiss right now!

***No cheating. HEA guaranteed.***

• Language: English
• Publisher: Our Peaceful Family
• Release date: Apr 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393900337

Book preview

One Holiday Kiss

A Shattered Cove Romance Short Story

A. M. Kusi

This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, organizations, events, and incidents are either products of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental. Any trademarks, product names, service marks, and named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are only used for references.

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Copyright © 2021 by A. M. Kusi.

All rights reserved.

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No part of this book or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified, distributed, stored, transmitted in any form or by any means, or adapted without the prior written consent of the authors and publisher.

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Published by A. M. Kusi 2021

[e-mail]

Visit our website at www.amkusi.com

Editor: Kelly of CREATING ink

Sensitivity Edit: Renita McKinney of A Book A Day

Proofreader: Judy’s Proofreading

Cover Design: Regina Wamba of ReginaWamba.com

Other Books by A. M. Kusi

A Fallen Star (eBook FREE on all retailers)

(Shattered Cove Series Book 1)

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Glass Secrets

(Shattered Cove Series Book 2)

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Defying Gravity

(Shattered Cove Series Book 3)

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The Lighthouse Inn

(Shattered Cove Series Book 4)

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His True North

(Shattered Cove Series Book 5)

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The Orchard Inn (eBook FREE on all retailers)

(Book 1 in The Orchard Inn Romance Series)

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Conflict of Interest

(Book 2 in The Orchard Inn Romance Series)

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Her Perfect Storm

(Book 3 in The Orchard Inn Romance Series)

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For a complete list of all our books, visit:

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www.amkusi.com/books

Table of Contents

Get a FREE Short Novel

1. Amara

2. Lyric

3. Amara

4. Amara

5. Lyric

6. Amara

7. Amara

8. Lyric

Sneak Peek of Defying Gravity

Thank You

About A. M Kusi

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1

Amara

Amara squeezed the bag with all her might, managing to pull the zipper closed at the same time. You never knew what you’d need for two nights in an isolated cabin in the mountains. She was better off packing a little of everything.

Knock. Knock.

She turned toward her bedroom door just as Belle walked in. Hey, Mom.

Belle’s red lips turned up into a warm smile before she surveyed the room. Amara’s clothes were strewn all over the bed, and even the floor. It looked as if a hurricane had swept through. A sliver of panic flit through Amara before it disappeared. She wasn’t back in any of the twenty-nine foster homes she’d stayed at before finally settling at Belle and Bently’s at age seventeen. Because if she were at any of those dreadful places, she’d have reason to feel panicked. Nobody wanted a dark-skinned teenager with kinky hair. She didn’t fit into their cookie-cutter family. As soon as they’d soaked up the attention from their communities as being the brave, caring saints they pretended to be, she was shipped off to the next home for being too troubled. Here she was safe. She was allowed to be messy and let her guard down. This was the first and only home she’d ever known.

Belle chuckled and lifted a sweater off the corner of Amara’s bed before she sat down. I see four years of college hasn’t made you more organized.

Amara hefted the suitcase onto the floor. Almost four, still have one semester left.

And then you will have your degree and get to apply at the Shattered Cove hospital with me. Belle tucked a dark curl behind her ear.

Amara shrugged. Maybe. Although, Boston has a great children’s hospital.

Is that what you want? Belle asked, giving her a kind smile. That’s one of the things that helped Amara trust Belle so quickly; Belle truly wanted her foster kids to be happy and to chase their dreams.

I don’t know. Still thinking it over.

Bently peeked his head into the room, his eyes lighting up when they landed on his wife. Hey, you. I was just about to leave for my shift. He walked in, eyes widening at Amara’s suitcase. Aren’t you only going for two days?

She and Belle laughed.

A girl has to be prepared. Belle winked.

He gave Amara a hug and a kiss on the temple, his utility belt pressing into her side.

Reviews for One Holiday Kiss

[Butterbean · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The transition from friends to lovers was hot, but I wish that the shake-up wasn't from a miscommunication. They were supposed to be such good friends that Amara should have known what would be out of character of Lyric and just asked questions. I wish that the author went another route to shake things up.