Packets of Sweetness Read online

over and kissed him long and good. Then she whispered, “It’s beautiful.”

  David’s smile was back and his excitement nearly bubbled over. “I’ve carried this ring in my pocket for the past year and a half waiting for the right moment to put it where it belongs.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Put it on her finger already,” June said moving the camera to a different position. “So when’s the blessed event?”

  David looked into Katie’s eyes as he slipped on the ring.

  “I don’t know. Sometime soon,” Katie said enjoying the way the ring, on her left hand, twinkled in the light. “How long did you know about this?” she asked June.

  “All I can say is that David asked me to keep it a surprise and somehow I did. I’m surprised you didn’t figure something out. He spent half the afternoon trying to find a battery for this camera,” June said setting the camera on the table as she pulled up a chair.

  “But how did you...?” Katie returned her attention to David.

  A big grin filled his face. “I told you I’ve been planning this moment for a long time. I knew you wanted to get married, but I also knew you needed to be nudged in the right direction.”

  “He planned the whole thing!” June cut in. “Even what I should say at the coffee shop. Of course he didn’t tell me I should talk about the prom dress color, but he did say to tell you a story that would remind you of your indecisiveness. And there are way too many to choose from, but I thought that one would work best as soon as I saw you wearing pink.”

  Katie felt her mouth drop.

  “Why you...you....” Unable to think of the right words, she grabbed one of the sugar packets on the table and hurled it at David’s chest. He laughed as it bounced off, clearly pleased with himself. And when he reached for her hand she took it without hesitation enjoying the warmth of his skin. A smile of her own crept around the corners of her mouth. She realized this was the sweetest moment in her whole life. She had found a wonderful man, who wanted to marry her, and now she knew this was one of the things she had always wanted.

  As her eyes took in her two best friends laughing over the camera screen, she noticed a young couple being seated behind them. A three year old boy ran around the table and tried to get into his chair without his dad’s help while the mom pulled the highchair closer for the eight month old girl in her arms. The baby laughed and giggled up at her mother’s face.

  Katie let out a small sigh.

  “You wouldn’t by any chance ever consider having a baby one day would you?” David asked looking at her closely.

  “What? No way! Never in a million years!” Katie said but as she took a second peek at the baby she thought she saw David wink at June and June wink back.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Other works by Christina J. Adams

  The White Lilac

  A YA dystopian sci-fi novel

  From the day 15-year-old Caryn Tobin watched her best friend drown, she has carried two weights: an overwhelming fear of water and the responsibilities of the oldest candidate in the Compound. Caryn is determined to live up to her friend’s memory, even if it means forcing herself to train in the water every day, or doing anything to protect the other girls.

  After nearly 3,000 years on the first colonized planet, there is still a deadly toxin in the air poised to wipe out the world’s population and it is the Compound’s purpose to train candidates from birth to gather the underwater cure. All the candidates compete for the chance to save the world, but only one can win and the winner will not survive collecting the cure. Caryn has to win. It is the price she must pay. Not only will she be able to atone for her part in the drowning, but she will also shield the other girls from death.

  Yet moments after sealing her own fate, Caryn is offered an opportunity to see the planet and leave the Compound. In the city she meets Kai, a 16-year-old street kid, who is searching for answers to his past. They form an unlikely friendship and Caryn realizes she has dreams of her own. Now she must choose between her sense of duty and her heart with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Fadeout

  A YA dystopian novel

  Thirteen-year-old Silas is waiting for the day when guards come and remove his memories leaving him an empty shell. He has lived on a human farm his whole life and knows that escape is not possible, but he can’t stop thinking about it. Especially when his older sister Malina fears her time will be coming soon. Ever since he was separated from his parents, Malina has taken care of him and now it’s Silas’ turn. He has to escape and take her with him.

  But when the farm owner comes to visit, things go from bad to worse. The other kids in the farm are unhappy with the way they are treated and rising emotions threaten to ruin all of Silas’ plans. The owner’s son singles Silas out and the extra attention brings Silas under the owner’s microscope. But worst of all, Malina herself isn’t sure she wants to hang on. It is up to Silas to figure the plan out and fast. If he fails, all he cares about will be lost.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  The Stadium

  A futuristic short story

  After weeks of waiting, Dan is finally able to be in the live audience of his favorite show. His seat is near the top of the bleachers, but the huge screens and the atmosphere are worth it. It should be a normal episode, yet as Dan watches the contestants he notices some discrepancies. One girl in particular stands out. Normally he wouldn’t have noticed her, but he becomes convinced that the show plans to kill her. Yet what can he do from way up in the stands and who would listen to him if he tried. The Stadium is slightly futuristic, but has a contemporary feel.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Meet the Author

  Christina J. Adams finds inspiration in the green rolling hills and farmland surrounding her home in Maryland. She loves writing and reading books for teens and adults. She gets more excited about a new book coming out, from one of many favorite authors, that it’s probably not good for her health. Christina J. Adams is the author of YA dystopian novels The White Lilac and Fadeout as well as several short stories. You can connect with her and find out more at:

  Website/Blog

  Facebook

  Twitter

  Goodreads

  Or you can send an e-mail to [email protected]