Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Miranda Liasson | Exclusive Excerpt: THE SWEETHEART DEAL
Author Guest / January 21, 2022

“Come out here,” he said insistently but not unkindly. “I have water.” “I’m fine. Really.” She was not going out there with puffy eyes and streaking mascara looking like Frankenstein’s bride. No. Way. “Tessa?” he said. She heard him pace back and forth in front of the stall. She wanted to answer him, except for some reason she started to cry. Silently, of course. But she couldn’t seem to stop. Then Leo said, “I’m coming in.” She heard the thud of his hands hitting the stall door. At the same time, the bathroom door squeaked open again. “Excuse me, young man,” a woman’s voice said, “but what do you think you’re doing?” Oh no. Who…? “Oh, hi,” Leo said. “I’m just talking to my…fiancee.” “Well, I’m in charge of this restroom, and you need to leave right now.” It was a woman with a gravelly voice, like maybe from smoking cigarettes. “Are you okay in there, honey? If you aren’t, just say the word. The police headquarters is right down the hall.” “No, ma’am, you don’t understand,” Leo said. “It’s just–hey!” A scuffling ensued. Was that the sound of Leo being dragged away? The woman’s voice was more distant now,…