When There's A Tomorrow

By Karyne Norton

Roman can't help falling for the girl next door, even though she forgets who he is... every single day. He'll stop at nothing to figure out the cause of her memory loss if it means there's a chance she might fall for him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: First Light Publishing
• Release date: Feb 13, 2024

Book preview

1

Running down the hill with two blankets, a picnic lunch, and three books in hand wasn’t the wisest choice, but it was better than being late. If Roman didn’t make it to the fence before midday, Sienne wouldn’t be there. His boots skidded along the dirt path, the pine woods on either side of him blurring as he neared the end of his family’s property and the beginning of hers.

By the time he caught a flash of pink between the trees, his breath came in gasps and a stitch tore at his side. Spending a school year training as a physician made him more proficient than most at understanding the body, but far less capable of using it.

He slid to a less-than-distinguished stop a foot from the fence, letting the blankets and books tumble to the earth. The basket dropped with a thud, but his gasps kept him bent over, leaning on the handle for support. Between inhales and exhales, the crack of a slipper on sticks met Roman’s ears.

He glanced up.

Sienne’s green eyes bore into his, her rosebud lips parting in surprise. She leaned against the fence to get a better look at her mysterious visitor.

In return, Roman soaked in every familiar feature. Hair like honey, pulled back in twists that reached her waist. Smooth skin with a dusting of freckles on her cheeks. Eyes that smiled even before her lips could twitch. The pale pink dress that drew his gaze to her curves. Heat flooded his chest and neck, working its way up into his cheeks. At least he was already beet red from the run. He couldn’t embarrass himself more.

Roman preferred the more casual first impression—the exchange of pleasantries that escalated into mild flirting. Those were the days that ended with hope. But he’d been gone for almost a year. And his father had given him the entire year’s chores this first morning back. It was better that he greet Sienne in less than ideal circumstances than miss out on seeing her altogether.

Are you all right? Her tone held more amusement than concern, and she pressed her lips together as though holding back laughter.

Better now.

She stepped closer, wrapping slender fingers around the wooden posts that divided them. Her gaze took in his twisted trousers and sweat-stained shirt, her eyebrows rising when she reached his hair.

Roman smoothed down the wild brown strands that always stood up in the back, then adjusted his waistband and crossed his arms, going for the casual look other boys at the university pulled off.

Her lips broke into the smile that made his heart ache. Were you racing someone? She leaned forward conspiratorially to whisper, Did you win?

He shook his head. Just out for a stroll.

This time she laughed. Your strolls are a bit faster than mine.

The faster pace is better. You should try it sometime. He grinned back at her. Usually he tried not to tease too quickly. He didn’t want to scare her away.

Were you meeting someone? Her smile fell a bit as she took in the basket and blankets, and her gaze flicked to the path behind him.

"Who would I expect to meet