Cover

Praise

Praise for Cara Bastone’s
Just a Heartbeat Away

“An utterly satisfying and delicious read. One for the keeper shelf!”

—Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author

“Emotionally intense and real, Just a Heartbeat Away touches the soft place in your soul. Cara Bastone’s debut novel will warm you from the inside out and stay with you long after you finish the book.”

—Christie Craig, New York Times bestselling author

“Gorgeous, brilliant, with characters so unique and real they leap right off the page. It’s a master class in achy breaky yearning. Don’t start this one late at night unless you don’t need to do anything the next day except for pre-ordering the next one.”

—Sarina Bowen, USA TODAY bestselling author of the True North series

“Just a Heartbeat Away is a beautiful slow burn romance. The chemistry between Sebastian and Via absolutely stole my heart!”

—Molly O’Keefe, award-winning author of the Riverview Inn series

Booklist

Also by Cara Bastone

Forever Yours

When We First Met (prequel ebook novella)
Just a Heartbeat Away
Can’t Help Falling
Flirting with Forever

Dedication

For Ginia and Carolyn

CHAPTER ONE

MARY TRACE WAS one of those freaks of nature who actually loved first dates. She knew she was an anomaly, should maybe even be studied by scientists, but she couldn’t help herself. She loved the mystery, the anticipation. She always did her blond hair in big, loose curls and—no matter what she wore—imagined herself as Eva Marie Saint in North by Northwest, mysterious, inexplicably dripping in jewels and along for whatever adventure the night had in store. Besides, it had been a while since she’d actually been on a first date, so this one was especially exciting.

“I was expecting someone...younger.”

Reality miffed out Mary’s candle. The surly-faced blind date sitting across from her in this perfectly lovely restaurant had just called her old. About four seconds after she’d sat down.

Sure, this apparent prince wasn’t exactly her type either, with his dark hair neatly parted on one side, the perfect knot in his midnight blue tie, the judgmental look in his eye. But she’d planned to at least be polite to him. She’d had some great dates with men who weren’t her physical ideal. She certainly didn’t point out their flaws to them literally the second after saying hello.

“Younger,” Mary repeated, blinking.

The man blinked back. “Right. You must be, what, in your late thirties?”

Mary watched as his frown intensified, his shockingly blue eyes narrowing in their appraisal of her, a cruel sort of humor tipping his mouth down.

A nice boy, Estrella had said when she’d arranged the date. You’ll see, Mary. John is a rare find in a city like this. He’s got a good job. He’s handsome, he’s sweet. He just needs to find the right girl.