I don’t know about you, but the world seems to be getting pretty (insert your favorite colorful word here) intense. While I like to stay informed, I also like to laugh to deal with stress. And, I need some chuckles these days.

Today, the wonderful M. Ullrich is here to help us laugh with an embarrassing story. Also, M is giving away 1 ecopy of What the Heart Remembers Most. Below the guest post, you’ll find more details about the giveaway.

Take it away, M.

Peanut M&Ms Will Always Be a Little Naughty to Me

We’ve all had those moments in life. The ones that leave us thinking, “did that really just happen?” Here’s one of mine I’d like to share, and maybe it’ll make you smile.

There’s this girl (isn’t there always?) and at the start of our relationship we had to meet up anyplace we could and make the most of our short moments together. A frequently visited spot was a rest stop on the Garden State Parkway. So there we are, just the two of us sitting in my car with only one other car in the area, unfortunately parked right next to us but it was empty.

We were chatting about life and all its crazy things. I was nervous because that’s what this girl did to me, which meant I was definitely rambling about something when she reached over, grabbed the back of my neck, and pulled me into a scorcher of a kiss. I mean OH. EM. GEE. I’m sure you can all use your imagination for what happened during the next fifteen minutes or so…

Everything was great. I was on cloud nine, being kissed senseless and giving it back as good as I was getting. Until the gentleman who was parked next to me had to get into his car. He walked past the front of my car, along the side and closer to his driver’s side door, and then he paused. I watched from the corner of my eye.

He stopped dead in his tracks and grinned.

When I turned away from my date (reluctantly) to look at this stranger, he kept smiling and held up his hands in a gesture of apology. He didn’t move.

Then came the thumbs up.

At this point we started laughing because what else can you do? I couldn’t drive away because I’d probably hit the guy during my escape. So we waited for him to get into his car.

Except he didn’t.

Mr. Smiles signaled for me to roll down my window. I considered my options and figured maybe he’d leave us alone if I did so.

(Author note: I know this wasn’t the smartest decision but let’s move on.)

“What are you doing?” my date asked in a panic.

I knew I was crazy but I rolled down the window about two inches and the gentleman was laughing.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” he said with a hint of shyness just visible through his obvious amusement. “But good for you! I’m so happy for you two.” He extended his hands as if physically handing us his well wishes. “I’m jealous! My wife has never kissed me like that!”

Unsure of how to process that information, I cut him off with a thank you, a smile, and told him good night. I rolled up the window as he climbed into his car. Once he drove away we fell into a fit of hysterical laughter.

Who does that?

Who does that happen to?

We repeated these questions until our laughter subsided enough for the kissing to continue. No reason to stop, right? The fog on the windows decreased a bit during the strange exchange, but it built up again very quickly. Ten minutes later that layer of fog did little to block the shine of headlights as a very familiar car approached. Our friend was back.

This time he brought snacks.

“I just thought you may need these for energy,” he said, handing us a small shopping bag through the window. “I’m so happy for you both. Really. And so jealous! Goodnight.”

In that bag was exactly what anyone would need to keep their energy up during a hot and heavy make out session:

Spicy tortilla chips

Peanut M&Ms

Two Rocket Pop popsicles

He drove away and we were left speechless. Because after months of temptation and waiting, this was our very first kiss. A memorable one to say the least. I’ll never pass that rest stop without smiling, and peanut M&Ms will always be a little naughty to me.

GIVEAWAY

WHAT THE HEART REMEMBERS MOST

by M. Ullrich

Fate will find a way to intervene when it’s least expected.

Jax Levine and Gretchen Mills fell madly in love in college and never looked back. They built a great life together, but careers, a baby, and years of mounting tension later, they are living separate lives and their once grand love is forgotten.

After an accident, Gretchen suffers a brain injury that erases years of her memories. She wakes in the hospital with Jax at her side and everything seems normal…except Jax won’t look her in the eye and their baby boy is now a rambunctious toddler. Every line drawn between Jax and Gretchen starts to blur while Gretchen fights to figure out which of her most haunting recollections are real, and which are fake.

Is it possible for this accident to be the second chance neither Jax nor Gretchen knew they wanted?

MEET THE AUTHOR

M. Ullrich has released nine novels with Bold Strokes Books. She spends most of her free time writing, but works a full time job to pay those pesky bills. Expressing her creative side keeps her nearly as happy as breakfast foods do, and she can always be found dancing along to any tune playing. M. Ullrich’s latest release, What the Heart Remembers Most, came out this past April.

CONNECT WITH M. ULLRICH

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Thanks so much for stopping by today.