Keep Tuscany, page 32
“I love your mother’s books. And you’re a hell of a political writer like your dad.” The name is familiar but not. “Thank you. I’m moving into more global writing, um, different, uh. Sorry. I’m so nervous, ma’am.” He looks for someone to save him, but Maggie’s got him boxed in. I stand and grin over her shoulder, intrigued by this situation.
“You want to be on my good side? Drop the ma’am stuff. It’s Maggie, and there’s really no reason for nerves.”
“Yes, Maggie, ma’am.” He shakes his head. Why the hell is this guy so nervous?
“Stop making me feel like a grandma.” Maggie lets out and huge laugh and turns toward me. But I’m focused on how wide this Jasper’s eyes just got, and his desperate searching the room for something.
And then Maggie sees it too. All heads snap to Daisy as she drops a clattering tray of saucers. Some skitter on the tile and out to the street onto the cobblestones. I bend down to grab the smashed plate pieces.
Sloane appears from the connecting door to our wine bar. She runs the tasting room and the little wine door selections are always unique and totally her. She’s finally found a subject that hasn’t exhausted her. She just finds different wine regions to be obsessed with.
She pops her hip and gathers her hair into a messy bun on her head. “Oh, so you told them. Hey, Jasper.” He sheepishly puts his hand up. Sloane yells for her fiancé, “Ernesto, get out here, you’re gonna want to see this”
The boy comes running as he always has where Sloane is involved. “Did they tell them?” he asks.
I place my hand on Maggie’s shoulder as she slaps her hand over her mouth. Pipi laughs from the table.
Sloane quickly taps out something on her phone, then stares at me smugly. I give her some side eye as my phone lights up, and I cross the restaurant to grab it.
Maggie is now holding Daisy’s hand and a tear is running down her face. For once she’s understanding something long before I can figure out what’s happening.
Sloane says, “I’d check your phone.” In a panic, I pick it up thinking something is terribly wrong.
Law: Sloane said you’re not taking it well.
Dax: Congrats PopPop!
Hayden: And you all said Jena would be first. Fuck. I lost like 3k on that one.
Tony: I mean Daze is the oldest of the next gen.
Robbie: What the fuck is up? How much did I lose in the GP pool? Seriously, I thought Jena was a lock. She was the first married, though.
Colt: How the fuck does everyone know something I don’t?
I glare at my family and now Maggie is full on crying and holding that Jasper kid’s hand. I mean they’re not kids, they’re twenty-eight, but still.
My daughter approaches me, and I see her very serene but determined face. Daisy takes my hand and places it on her stomach. She smiles at me, and I swear she looks like she’s four years old.
My heart melts as she says, “It’s a happy accident, Dad. A very happy accident.”
The End.
These two. It took a lot of time and words to bring their full story to life and I adore them. Thank you so much for reading. You can review this book where ever you want and I’d be most grateful if you did!
If you missed any of the Brothers’ stories you can grab them here. Or just sip a limoncello for a second and contemplate life.
Click here for Hayden & Lizzie’s story
KEEP PARIS
Enemies to Lovers, Workplace, Second Chance French twist
Click here for a Claire & Robbie’s story
KEEP PHILLY
Newsletter exclusive story. Just click the title and you can grab it for FREE. Hockey, soulmates, marriage in crisis, installs
For Tony & Makenzie’s story
KEEP VEGAS
A billion dollars can buy a lot, except love. That you have to gamble on.
Wrong side of the tracks, Billionaire, it’s always been you
Dax & Monica
KEEP RUGGED (Novella)
Sometimes you have to really lost to be found.
(Coming to KU soon!)
Colt & Maggie
KEEP TUSCANY
When life gives you lemons, make limoncello - A star crossed Italian do -over
Law & Tilly
KEEP BOSTON
Coming 2025 - pre-order live
He’s about to lose the bet of a lifetime and gain everything in the process.
acknowledgments
Thank you to Stanley Tucci and his Italy series, which keeps me obsessed with picking up and moving to that magic and pasta. (And wine doors)
I had the book of folktales when I was little, and I remember thinking about all the things Maggie does in this book. And a quick nod to the OG of Tuscany romances, Frances Mayes, Under The Tuscan Sky. Even though it was non fiction. I didn't reread or rewatch while writing, fearing I'd take too much from it. My book is a love letter to the idea of starting over, that there's no place in your life that you can't begin again. And to her book.
Readers. Grazie Mille! For supporting me, championing me, lifting me up, hugging me on occasion and, in general, just being kick ass. Thank you for the gift of getting to do what I love.
Maggie is based on a friend of mine—not her story or her own happily ever after, but her. She's a combination of a couple of people, but that sunshine, steely determination, humor, caring and unflappable, fierce faith and loyalty—that's her. The ability to turn someone's day or life around—that's her, too. She also loses the thread of conversations. And she taught me how to say Nevada correctly. (it's Neh-VA-DA not Ne-VAH-DA) Thank you, Christy. xo
I've told this story before, but Keep Paris was supposed to be a standalone, so I tossed in some side characters based on dear friends. Then, flipping, Julia Jarrett, my friend, beta reader, advice guru and author, said, "You have to tell the Brothers' other stories." Corie turned into Mak, and Christy into Maggie.
You can both thank Julia for becoming Main Characters. I often do.
I thank you all for being in my life.
And I've told this story too, but it's worth repeating - There was a room 666 in Paris, with girls having a buzzed dance party in high school when the phone rang and we were asked if we were possessed. There was a Kris and a Tony and the rest of them. And all the girls really did hook up with all the guys. We paired up almost immediately. In my mind, they are real and suspended in time in Paris, in high school. They never age, and I get to revisit those memories with each one of these books. And somewhere in the world, I hope my Xavier Prep (name has been changed) high school hookup remembers kissing a girl in the rain in Paris near a brown garden. Thanks for doing that.
When writers say they're in the cave, they're not as alone as you think. There are group threads, and Facetime chats with bad hair, lots of wine, and people to give advice or crack a joke. Thank you to the HEA babes, Eve, Tori, Carolyn and Tori, for always being there with an answer.
Sandie C, graphics, commentary, Beta reading, and simply being there for me, thank you so much. I am forever grateful you picked up Side Piece.
Carolina O, you are invaluable from moving my world around to be more efficient to reminding me to add some depth to their story. Thank you for being my friend, beta reader, tech guru etc.
Also in the cave, Kait Miller, the intrepid PA. Thank you, Kait, for keeping me on track and being my eyes, posts and ears when I'm buried under so many words.
Speaking of words, this time, there were a lot of them. And Aimee Walker, my editor, was unprepared for the sheer volume of words. And I'm grateful to her for shaping them and guiding them. Thanks for loving Colt and Maggie as much as I do.
And oh, my beautiful friend, Leah Francic. How you proofread all those damn words astounds me. Thank you so much.
Linda, your unwavering support, your boat snacklebox, your supply of cute ribbons and the nutty marriage carpet story are all things I’ve leaned on and borrowed from for this book. Thank you.
Thank you to the Librarians for letting me steal your personalities for the main characters (Corie, Christy, - Nancy, and Sarah your time is coming) and for being there for me. I love us.
Ali K is the best damn sister in the world. Fight me. I dare you to present a more supportive, fiery and extremely fun sister. She's read every word I've written in the past decade, long before I published. And she has vowed to be my assistant at more signings, so you'll get to meet her, and then you'll know I'm not lying. Love you more.
My mom reads it all, but not all-all of it. She skims over certain parts, and I'm grateful for that. Thanks for everything you do and for being so supportive.
Eric, the husband, is dictating this as I write. I swear. "Eric, your buns of steel while you make breakfast are a thing of beauty. Your wit is matched only by your masculine jaw line. Your love for babies and puppies and your vow to fight the patriarchy while remaining a cross between Steve Carrell and a lumberjack complete me in ways I didn't know they could. You unlocked all my dormant parts and I'm a more complete and amazing woman because of you. Do you know if we have any more eggs?"
The 13-year-old is still asleep, or I'd also let him dictate his acknowledgment. But I am grateful to him for being the best kind of kid—one who's difficult, funny, strong-willed and kind. I learn something from him daily, whether or not I want to. Thanks, Charlie. Love you.
Quick note - I'm terrified of bats, so I thought it would be funny to include them. I'm not kidding; they freak me out, and research was hell. Did you know they can't eat lemons?
hey, kel, what else can i read?
All books can be found in Kindle Unlimited*
A workaholics standalone romance.
SIDE PIECE - CURRENT FREEBIE
A hot, hilarious, angsty Instant Connection- A story about cheating on their jobs not each other.
SONOMA SERIES
Five Families Vineyard Romances
Interconnected standalone small town series exploring the lives and loves of five winery families.
LaChappelle/Whittier Vineyard Trilogy
(Josh & Elle)
Crushing, Rootstock & Uncorked
Stafýlia Cellars Duet
(Tabi & Bax)
Over A Barrel & Under The Bus
Gelbert Family Winery
(Nat & David)
Meritage: An Unexpected Blend
(Becca & Brick)
Residual Sugar
Pietro Family
(Poppy & Sal)
Bottled Up
Coming 2024
Langerford Cellars
(Sam & Sammy)
Complex Finish - Pre-Order
The end no one saw coming. An epic second chance
Prohibition Winery
Grand Cru - Pre-order live (Holiday Book)
A series epilogue nine books in the making. You’re invited to a wedding that probably should have happened five babies ago.
BOSTON BROTHERS: A second chance series
Standalone stories featuring six friends and the women were lucky enough to find. And then find again.
Keep Paris
Keep Philly - a newsletter exclusive novella FREE
Keep Vegas
Keep Tuscany-
Keep Rugged (novella)
Sometimes you have to get lost in the woods to find love.
Coming 2025
Pre-order live
Keep Boston
The youngest brother might just have the most interesting story
CHITOWN LOVE STORIES
Shock Mount & Crossfade
Rockstar duet
Present Tense
Carriage House Chronicles
Hilarious spin-off novellas
Follow Me
Rockstar, Second Chance, Forced Proximity
Sound Off
Grumpy Sunshine, Enemies to Lovers
For the Rest of Us
Holiday M/M , Marriage in Crisis
Something Good
Nanny, Single Rockstar Dad
EVIE & KELLY’S HOLIDAY DISASTERS vol 1*
With Evie Alexander
VOLUME ONE
Cupid Calamity
Cookout Carnage
Christmas Chaos
(*Not available in Kindle Unlimited but at all retail outlets)
Reading orders available www.kellykayromance.com
about the author
Growing up my best friend and I would write “dreams.” We'd each pick a boy we liked, then we'd write a meet-cute that always ended with a happily ever after. Now I dream every day, although now it's a little steamier. I’m married to a writer, mom of a creative dynamo of an thirteen-year-old boy and currently a little sleepy. I'm a klutz and goofball and love lipstick as much as my Chuck Taylors. Odds are I have a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in my hand right now.
Feel Free to Follow Me in the following places!
Kelly Kay, Keep Tuscany
