Like Lovers Do
Page 27
The elevator car jerked to a halt. Startled, he looked around. Nic stood next to the panel, her hands on her hips, the emergency stop button flashing an ominous red. In the distance, a muffled bell chimed.
“Will you listen now?”
He shook his head. “You’re going to be la—”
“Ben!” She closed the small distance between them and placed her hands on his cheeks, the beige heels she wore making the feat easier than usual. “I love you.”
Hope fluttered to life in his belly. He stared at her, unable to comprehend what he heard, but desperately wanting it to be true.
Her thumbs stroked his skin. “But—”
His heart sank.
“—I want to be clear so that we’re both on the same page. I’m not giving up my career. I’ve worked too hard for it.”
Lightness flooded his being and lifted his heart. She loved him! She wasn’t taking the words back!
He needed to address what she said, but she was so close and it had been too long since their lips had been acquainted. He leaned forward and tasted her fully, sweeping his tongue into the heat of her mouth, tangling it with hers. When she moaned, he pulled her body to his, reveling in her softness, her scent, everything that was uniquely Nic. Could she feel his heart churning in his chest? Did she know it beat only for her?
Ending their kiss—reluctantly—he placed his forehead against hers. “I would never ask you to give up your career.”
She stared up at him, her lips moist and swollen. “I know. I think I always knew. But I was scared.”
“Why?”
“Because I love you so much. There was a part of me that worried what that love could make me do. Could I be tempted to give it up if you asked me to?”
“Oh baby.”
He hugged her and felt the shudder cascade through her body. He knew what that admission had cost her. He accepted the gift of her vulnerability and swore to treasure it with the care and respect it deserved.
“Doctor Nicole Allen,” he said, using her title, emphasizing it, so she understood the vow he made included all of her, “I love you. I adore you. I know you don’t need me to take care of you. You’re more than capable of providing for yourself. But, if you’ll let me, I want to take care of your heart. Protect it and give it shelter. I promise I’ll never harm or break it. I’ll cherish it always. Do you love me, trust me enough for that?”
Her green eyes shimmered. “You’re my best friend, Ben. I trust you with all that I am. I promise that I’ll always put you first in my heart. And when the time comes to start our family, you won’t be on your own. It may not look the way you imagined, but we’ll do it in a way that works for us.” She took his hand. “You’re going to be a wonderful father.”
“And you’ll be a phenomenal mother.”
Their lips met, sealing their futures together more definitively than any ceremony could ever accomplish.
He straightened and captured one glorious curl, watching it slide through his fingers. “Now that we have that settled, how about we start this elevator again and get to your dinner before management sends the fire department and we miss it entirely?”
“Oh, right.”
She threw her head back and laughed and the sound cradled his heart. How lucky he’d been to fall in love with his best friend. He wouldn’t have to worry about history repeating itself. With her he knew he’d always be a priority. As she would be for him.
“Did everyone fly in for the celebration?” he asked, as the elevator dinged and the doors opened on the first floor.
“Lacey couldn’t make it. It’s just my mom, Ava, and Caila. They should be arriving at the country club any minute now.”
“Why don’t you call Ava and let her know we’re on the way? We don’t want them to worry.”
The last thing he wanted was to have Nic’s entire squad blaming him for her missing this important occasion.
“Good point,” she said, pulling her phone from her purse. “They wanted me to wait and see you after the dinner, but I couldn’t. I needed you there.”
He was glad she hadn’t listened.
But—
“If Ava’s driving,” he said, “it’s against the law for her to answer her phone. Ooh, I know—”
Nic skidded to a stop on the lobby’s marble floors. “Don’t you dare say it . . .”
He grinned, stoked to accept Nic’s challenge, today and every day for the rest of their lives.
“Why don’t you send her a tit pic? From personal experience I know it’s how all the cool kids are communicating with their friends these days.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Six Months Later
To: Ava Taylor
From: Nicole Allen
Date: March 16, 2021
Subject: Vacay 2021
Ladies—
Another year, another vacay. I know this email is later than usual, but it’s been crazy busy finishing up the most important year of my career and traveling between Durham and Baltimore to be with the love of my life.
I have some great news. I accepted a job offer, with a practice just outside of DC, that will start right after my fellowship ends! And my mother finally agreed to leave Covington and move to the DMV! Hallelu!
With all of that said, I can’t wait to see you. I’m so appreciative of your friendship. For years, you’ve stood by me, supported me, and kicked in a little extra because my budget was so limited. You guys kept me going. Your love for me and faith in me were instrumental in getting me through those long years of school and training.
And I want to say thank you.
I know we agreed to let Lacey plan the next trip, but I talked to her and she consented to wait one more year. (Thanks, Lace.) This year, vacay is all on me! No voting to pick places and allocate points (God, why did we ever let Caila start this?!?) Trust me, it’s gonna be lit. We’re going to celebrate my new job, Lacey’s successful tour, Caila’s wedding, and Ava just being fabulous. And it’s going to be fucking amazing.
While there have been a lot of changes the past two years, the one thing that will never change is our love for each other. No matter who we may meet or what new things come into our lives, our time together each year must be protected. We’ll make it work. Always. (And we’ll pinkie promise swear the next time I see all of you.)
Talk soon. To our next vacay, bitches!
Nic
Acknowledgments
When I finished writing this book, I instantly loved it. (And that doesn’t always happen.) It features a very strong heroine and the man who cares for her, nurtures her and loves her. It took a while for me to realize I’d created a version of what I’d needed and received during that time in my life.
For ten weeks, my daughter and I left my husband and two sons behind while she underwent radiation therapy for a brain tumor. Other than her original diagnosis, it was the hardest time of my life. I had to be strong for her and establish a new life and routine to help combat her stress, fear and anxiety, all while I was away from my support system. From the person who calms and balances me.
And, I had to write this book.
While immersing myself in Nic and Ben’s world kept me functioning, you wouldn’t have read their amazing love story or these words, were it not for:
The wonderful people at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who made the process as easy as something like that could be. (So, when you have the opportunity to donate, please do. It’s so worth it.)
Alvenia Scarborough, Cassandra Williams, Dr. Imani Williams-Vaughn and Tanya Smith Evans, the group of women I based this series on. When I told them I was going to miss our annual trip and explained why, they rearranged everything to come and spend time with me in Memphis. It’s easy to write the loving, supportive friendship on the page when it’s modeled for me in real life.
My agent, Nalini Akolekar, and my editor, Tessa Woodward, who are full
of grace and compassion. Having them as my sword and shield allows me to fight harder and go further than I ever thought possible.
Mia Sosa, my soul sister and fellow resident of this place called Romancelandia. Plot holes and imposter syndrome are no challenge for her ingenious mind and sharp tongue. She kept me sane by bringing order to chaos, brightening my spirits and making me laugh.
Claudine Martinez-Padilla, Sharon McGowan, Ashley Motley, Petra Spaulding, Leigh Florio, Chrissy Kuney, Annette Carillo, Alleyne Dickens, Mary Behre, Sarah MacLean, Tif Marcelo, Pris Oliveras, Nina Crespo and Michelle Arris. They called, texted, emailed AND sent loads of goodies and books to Graysie. Seeing her happy made me happy. And their consistent “check ins” made the experience bearable.
The team at Avon publishing: Elle, Kayleigh, Pam, Angela, Beth, Stephanie, Guido (for another amazing cover) and everyone else who worked on this book. Their time and expertise made this a better book and ensured more people would experience Nic and Ben’s story.
My readers, who continue to show up with each new release. Their support humbles me. They keep on making my dreams come true.
Trey & Will, who never complained about their mom and sister being gone even though our absence affected them, too. They’re talented and brilliant and I’m so lucky I get front-row seats to watch them mature into wonderful young men.
Elsie, my mom, who stepped in whenever we needed her, whether it was coming for a visit so I could have a break or driving my car thirteen hours, so I’d have it. Her generosity allowed me moments to breathe.
Graysie, whose smile was created by angels and who shows me every day what it means to push through, persevere and thrive despite what’s thrown at you. She is smart, creative, funny and the best daughter a mother could ask for.
And, finally, James, who held down the fort like the spectacular husband and father he is. No combination of words will ever be able to convey what he means to me. He is, quite simply, the best man I have ever known.
Until the next one,
TL
Sweet Talkin’ Lover
Don’t miss out on the first romance in Tracey Livesay’s wildly fun Girls Trip series
SWEET TALKIN’ LOVER
When everything is on the line, surrendering completely to love is your only choice . . .
Marketing manager Caila Harris knows that the road to success in the beauty industry doesn’t allow for detours. She’s forsaken any trace of a social life, working 24/7 to ensure her next promotion. When grief over her grandfather’s death leads to several catastrophic decisions, Caila gets one final chance to prove herself: shut down an unprofitable factory in a small Southern town. But as soon as she arrives in Bradleton, she meets one outsized problem: the town’s gorgeous mayor.
Wyatt Bradley isn’t thrilled about his nickname, Mayor McHottie. He’s even less happy to learn that his town might be losing its biggest employer. If he has to, he’ll use some sneaky tactics to get Caila on his side. Yet even as he’s hoping she’ll fall for Bradleton, he’s falling too—right into a combustible affair that shakes them both with its intensity.
Two stubborn people, torn between loyalty, ambition, and attraction. But when you’re willing to give it your all, there’s no limit to how far love can take you . . .
On sale now from Avon Books
About the Author
A former criminal defense attorney, TRACEY LIVESAY finds crafting believable happily ever afters slightly more challenging than protecting our constitutional rights, but she’s never regretted following her heart instead of her law degree. She has been featured in Entertainment Weekly, the Washington Post, and CBS This Morning. Tracey lives in Virginia with her husband—who she met on the very first day of law school—and their three children.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
Also by Tracey Livesay
The Girls Trip Series
Sweet Talkin’ Lover
Love on My Mind
Along Came Love
Love Will Always Remember
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
like lovers do. Copyright © 2020 by Tracey Livesay. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins Publishers. For information, address HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.
Digital Edition SEPTEMBER 2020 ISBN: 978-0-06-297957-5
Print Edition ISBN: 978-0-06-297956-8
Cover design by Guido Caroti
Cover illustration by Reginald Polynice
Cover photographs © FS Stock/Shutterstock (couple); © Christian Delbert/Shutterstock (lighthouse); © Marc Lechanteur/Shutterstock (rocks); © KRagona/Shutterstock (ocean); © lechatnoir/iStock/Getty Images (sunset)
Avon, Avon & logo, and Avon Books & logo are registered trademarks of HarperCollins Publishers in the United States of America and other countries.
HarperCollins is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Publishers in the United States of America and other countries.
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