Gone Baby Gone by OhMyWord

When we first meet Bella, she’s a journalist with too much curiosity and a too-perfect relationship with a senatorial assistant. Things happen (I don’t want to spoil you too much), and Bella is forced to abandon her entire world in the blink of an eye, just to stay alive. She’s off the grid, living off the dwindling cash roll she carries with her as she travels from town to town.

She stumbles upon Edward who proceeds to buy her a sandwich. This sandwich, so ordinary and nondescript, changes everything. Bella bonds with Edward, tries to run away from him to keep him safe, succumbs to his pleas to stay, and ends up allowing him to take care of her for a time at his beach house in California.

It is because of Edward that Bella finally understands what forced her into hiding, and why there are dangerous people seeking to end her life.

Although GBG is still fairly new, it’s definitely worth getting into early, if only to join in the speculation and theorizing. It’s a satisfying blend of mystery and personal drama without sacrificing a well-laid-out plot and depth of character. And it’s bloody exciting. Here’s a taste of B and E’s first meeting, and it just gets better from there…

[dcs_p]He saw her when he crossed into a more crowded quad area. There were a few groups talking here and there, in no particular hurry. . . And one determined looking girl strode across the grass in a way that made it impossible for Edward not to notice her.[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]In fact, she was all he was paying attention to, not to mention walking straight toward him. He debated it, perhaps she was only going to the building he was standing near, but when it became clear she wasn’t, he froze. Women didn’t approach him ever, for anything. Edward had no precedent for this, so he stood dumbly watching, thinking to himself – just don’t be an idiot, she probably needs directions or something. By the time his thoughts quieted, she was only a few feet away.[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]She glanced over her shoulder, but at what, Edward couldn’t determine. She muttered an expletive under her breath and then grabbed the front of his t-shirt. “Please,” she said.[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]“Wh-,”[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]“Just, please.”[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]And then she swung them around faster than he could react if he’d wanted to, and kissed him.[/dcs_p]

I love this story. I love everything about it–the mystery, Bella, Edward, Demetri, Rosalie (omg best Rosalie ever), the fact that Bella gets to stab James, the sex tape–all of it.

What I can’t tell you is anything about the story. Why? Because I have no fucking clue what’s going on. I love the first interaction that Bella and Edward have together, and the lurverly Wutheringbites quoted that above. I love the way their relationship evolves in a short period of time, and I love that Edward’s reaction to her situation is authentic. He’s a reluctant hero.

No one weaves a mystery like OhMyWord, and ya’ll know that I love The Confidence Man with a fiery passion. Just like that, I think this should be a movie.

[dcs_p]Bella thought again about how she couldn’t love these people. And then she thought about how she already did. She excused herself and walked outside, shutting the door behind her.[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]Edward was leaning over the railing, his chin near his chest. With the curtains drawn inside, it was difficult to see him. Bella reached forward, coming into contact with his arm. He didn’t pull away so she left her hand there.[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]After a pause, he mumbled, “I feel like I’m always on the verge on losing you.”[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]She wanted to say that he wouldn’t, but she didn’t want to say something like that unless she was sure. Instead she tugged on his shirt sleeve until he turned around. He wrapped his arms around her and she pressed in closer. It was a small and perfect moment within the eye of the storm. They held on to each other for a long time.[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]Slowly, like waking up, they relaxed into it. Edward spoke near Bella’s ear. “Your hair smells good.”[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]She laughed into his chest and rose up on her toes.[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]He felt the small slide of her body and inhaled to say the thing he’d been thinking about. “If you’re going to Washington, I’m going with you.”[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]She nodded, knowing it was useless to argue with him.[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]After another minute, they heard the doorknob turn so they let go. Alice poked her head out. “Hey, sorry but, Bella, your phone was ringing. Actually, it just rang twice, and then again…I don’t know, it was weird.” She walked out all the way and handed her the phone, glancing between the two before walking back inside.[/dcs_p]

[dcs_p]Bella punched in Rosalie’s number. She picked up on the first ring. “Tell me I’m a genius.”[/dcs_p]

Seriously. I am not kidding you when I say that this story will grab you and suck you in, from the very beginning. Check it out–you won’t regret it!

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