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Category: Young Adult/Romance
Description: It's tough out there for a girl with body issues. Especially when the guy who's always ranked on the Hot-List likes to make jokes about your physique. Liv is pretty sure she hates him, but when she sees him endure something no person ever should, their relationship is changed forever. She has known Connor for years, but it in one heart-stopping moment, she realizes she never really knew him at all. Suddenly, he's in her life, every day, in ways she'd never imagined, and all the complicated feelings she felt with him, become something she is forced to deal with. From junior to senior year, Liv grows in both body and mind as she faces the harsher realities of life. From changing friendships to burgeoning relationships, one thing stays the same: trying to understand the confusing behavior of a guy who is so much more than just a casual friend.
eBook Publisher: Uncial Press, 2012
eBookwise Release Date: November 2012

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [284 KB]
Words: 61149
Reading time: 174-244 min.

"This is the best story I have read in a long time. The characters came alive on the page and I was so immersed in the story, I couldn't put it down. I loved it!" Lily Sibley

Liv raced out the door. She paused only slightly as Connor got out of his new black truck before she threw herself into his arms. He was practically shouting his joy. He twirled her around before depositing her on her feet.

"Man Liv, you weigh so little I almost forgot I was holding you."

She scowled at him. "Jerk."

Connor grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the pickup. "C'mon. Look how sweet this is." He opened the driver's side door and nudged her until she sat. Then he put his hand on her leg and side and slid her over until she was in the passenger seat. "Souped up stereo," he said as he got behind the wheel, "four wheel drive, six cylinders--"

Liv tuned him out while he rattled off the truck's specs. She was enjoying just being in the moment, reveling in his enthusiasm, so pleased that in some small way she had helped to make this possible.

Then what he was saying fully registered. "...gonna ask Ana out now."

A roaring sound filled her ears. "What?"

Connor grinned. "She's called me a few times since school got out. Totally has the hots for me. Now that I've got my ride, I'm pimpin' it with the ladies."

Liv swallowed and wondered how she could instantly feel like crying.

Connor frowned. "What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"

She reached for the stereo and fiddled with the buttons. "No...um..." She cleared her throat. "No, Connor, I think it's great. I'm happy for you." She did her best to look happy, but knew she'd failed. "Maybe you two could be the Most Sexually Desirable Couple."

He huffed and looked frustrated as he said, "What is it with you and that stupid list?"

"Nothing!" She startled herself with how forcefully she spoke.

"Is it because you aren't on it?"

Heat climbed her cheeks and she blinked rapidly to hide the tears that instantly filled her eyes.

"Oh, shit." Connor groaned. "I'm sorry, Liv. I didn't mean--" He wrapped his arm behind her neck and pulled her against his chest. "Look, I..." After a moment he doggedly plowed on, "You are really pretty. It's just in a different way, you know? You've got a really pretty face, and your hair is, you know, hot. Long and blond and shiny. I've noticed it a lot."

Liv sat silently in his embrace. She'd held back the tears, but she couldn't stop the stupid trembling that she knew he could feel. She didn't want to pull away though. She marveled at the feeling of being in his arms, marveled at how good he smelled. She also wanted to hear more.

"It's just, you know, all about the body," he continued, "And all the girls on that list have really hot bodies."

Maybe hearing more wasn't such a good idea. Liv gave a tortured moan and pulled out of his arms. "And clearly I don't."

Connor rubbed a calloused hand along the back of his neck and muttered what sounded like a curse. "No, it's not like that. You're just...you know...you're like those models who wear clothes and stuff. Not like the Victoria's Secret models, or anything like that. But you know, the ones that...walk and look pissed off all the time. Seriously, you could be a model."