All That and a Bag of Chips Page 18

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.” His gaze shot down my body. “It’s over a hundred degrees out there. And you’re hot enough as it is.” He winked

  Rolling my eyes, I said, “That’s pretty cheesy.”

  “But is it working?” He cocked an eyebrow, his face nearing mine.

  Giggling, I shoved away from him and swam under water. I almost got to the end when Nick’s hand clamped around my ankle, yanking me toward him. Feeling weightless and free, my body easily slid toward his.

  Our heads bobbed up above the water just as Nick’s hands tickled my stomach. Squealing, I kicked and flailed.

  “Stop it. I hate to be tickled.”

  “Oh, come on. You know you love it.”

  “I…do…not,” I panted between giggles.

  “Then why do you sound so happy?” He grinned, continuing to tickle me.

  “This…is…not….a….happy…laugh.” I finally broke free from his grip, and I swam as fast as I could to the other side of the pool. Grasping the edge, I took deep breaths.

  “Seriously, you two,” Ava laughed. “Get a room.”

  “You get a room,” Nick retorted, but thankfully he stopped tickling me.

  I caught my breath and jokingly punched him in the shoulder. “Nice comeback,” I said sarcastically.

  “Oh, really?” The gleam in his eyes told me I shouldn’t have said that.

  Shrieking, I dove back under and swam swiftly away from him. But this time when his fingers brushed my leg, I whirled around and latched onto his hand. He smiled at me underwater, bubbles escaping through his lips. We stayed there for a moment, suspended in the water, our fingers lightly connecting and disconnecting.

  When we came up for air, Nick curved his hands around my waist, his fingers digging into my flesh. Moving close to him, I wrapped my legs around his torso. Our bodies bobbed in the gentle waves.

  Behind me, Ava and Sam giggled and chatted. My insides warmed so much they almost matched the hundred-degree heat outside. I loved summer days like this when we were all together.

  “Have you talked to your sister? Do you know how it’s going this weekend?” I asked.

  Smiling, Nick nodded. “Yeah. Stacey says they’re having a lot of fun. Dad’s being cool, and they’ve had some good talks.”

  “That’s awesome.” I nestled into Nick’s chest, the scent of sunblock wafting under my nose.

  “Yeah, it is,” he agreed, holding me tighter. “How has it been having your dad home?”

  I peered up at him. “So great.” Dad had only been home for a couple of days, but he was here for the entire summer.

  Nick tilted his face downward. I scooted up, pressing my lips to his. My hands slid down his bare, muscular chest. The one I used to daydream about touching. He moaned softly as our tongues slid together. When our lips parted, his gaze collided with mine.

  “I love you,” he murmured.

  “I love you too,” I said back, delicious goosebumps arising all over my skin.

  I had no idea what would happen at the end of the summer. Would we stay together through college and beyond? I hoped so. But I wouldn’t worry about it right now. At this moment, we were together and in love, and for me that was enough.

  Traveling back in time had taught me one important thing: Live for today. Make the most of every moment.

  You never know what will happen when you wake up tomorrow.

  THE END

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  AUTHOR’S NOTE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I went into high school in 1992. My teen years were filled with note passing, talking on my phone in my room, and listening to CDs on my Discman. But now I’m the mom of two teenagers. They listen to iTunes on their phones and Bluetooth speakers, they’re constantly on their cell phones, and they’ve never passed a note in their life. I find myself saying to them often, “You have no idea how different my high school experience was.”

  One day I was thinking about how weird it would be for a teenager alive now to suddenly wake up in the nineties. How would they survive without their phones and internet? Would things be better for them or worse?

  I honestly didn’t love high school. Sometimes I think about how grateful I am that we didn’t have phones and social media. It might have made things worse for me. But other times I think it might have made it better for someone like me. I sing, I play music, I write, I believe in myself, and I’m not afraid to put myself out there. For someone like me, maybe having outlets online for all of those things would’ve helped make my teen years better. Who knows?

  And that’s how ALL THAT AND A BAG OF CHIPS came about. I wanted to explore this thought. To see how it would play out.

  I loved writing this story in two parts. I actually thought the nineties portion would be easier for me, but it wasn’t. When Remy was in 1993, I kept writing dialogue that was heavy in today’s teen slang. So I had to pull up a tab of nineties slang and keep it open on my computer while writing. I guess I’m more relevant than I thought! Haha

  But Remy came easily. Her voice. Her thoughts. Her wants. Her desires. And I liked her right off the bat.

  Nick was also so fun to write. I felt him distinctly from the beginning. He was a great guy, but also multi-faceted. There were a lot of layers to him, and a definite struggle to find himself. I appreciated the realness of him.

  My daughter helped me with some of the plot points, so if you liked the scene at the end where Remy storms homecoming, then you can thank Kayleen.

  I hope you enjoyed this story. And I hope you fell in love with Nick right along with Remy.

  As always, I have many people to thank:

  My amazing editor Lisa Richardson.

  My bomb graphic artist Emily Wittig.

  My writing besties – Cambria Hebert, Cameo Renae and Megan Squires.

  My fan club!

  My husband, son and daughter.

  To all my readers, I love you.

  And, as always, to god. Everything I do is for you!

  Until next time, happy reading,

  Amber

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Amber Garza writes romantic fiction in many forms - contemporary, suspense, mystery, young adult, and new adult. Her desire is to write clean romances that sweep you off your feet, and make you believe in true love. She has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they're real people. She currently lives in California with her amazing husband, and two hilarious children who provide her with enough material to keep her writing for years.