Stalemate

by Lisa Suzanne

  I have one more call to make. Before I pull out of my parking spot, I dial his number and listen to the sound of the phone ringing through the speakers in my car. I set my phone in the cup holder and back out.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi Dad. It’s Emme.”

  “Hey.”

  “Hey. How are you?”

  “Good. You?”

  “Fine. Are you in town?”

  “Until tomorrow night, yes. I fly the redeye out to Cleveland.”

  I go for broke. “I’m, uh…I’m getting married.”

  “Oh. Wow. Well, congratulations.” I detect more than a hint of surprise in his voice.

  “Thank you. I’d love for you to be there, maybe even walk me down the aisle.”

  “I’d be honored. When is the wedding? I’ll get it on the schedule and make sure I’m in town for it.”

  I metaphorically roll the dice. “Tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?” he gasps.

  I giggle. “Yeah.”

  “Why so fast?”

  “Lots of reasons, but mostly because we’re in love.”

  “Love? When did you get engaged?”

  “Um…two days ago.”

  “Two days ago?”

  I giggle. “It’s a surprise wedding. People think they’re coming to celebrate our engagement, and there’s more.”

  “I figured.”

  I wanted to do this in person, but the conversation is just sort of naturally leading me there. “You’re going to be a grandpa.”

  He lets out a breath. “Oh, wow.”

  “Yeah.”

  “It was my first thought when you said tomorrow, but to actually hear you say it out loud…”

  “I know. It’s a lot to take in.”

  “Okay. Text me the address and time and I’ll be there. Of course I’ll be there.”

  “Thanks Dad.”

  “You let me know if you need anything, okay?”

  “I will.”

  Axel’s not home when I get there, so I take a minute to lie down on the couch. I don’t even realize until that moment that I didn’t get my usual four o’clock “morning” sickness today. There are still about a hundred details we need to figure out, but my eyes are heavy after a very emotional and taxing day. I put Axel in charge of getting his own tux, so I assume that’s what he’s off doing.

  I close my eyes for just a minute.

  “Babe.” I feel my arm moving, but I’m out of it. “Babe.” More movement.

  I open my eyes, squinting in the light, and Axel is sitting beside me. “What time is it?”

  “A little after four. Let’s get to bed.”

  “A little after four, as in four in the morning?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Are you just getting in?”

  He nods and chuckles.

  “We can’t go to sleep. We’ve got too much to do.”

  “We need sleep, babe.”

  “But there’s the rings, and the decorations, and the songs, and the vows, and the—”

  He cuts me off by holding up his hand. “I took care of it.”

  “Of what?”

  He smiles. “Everything.”

  “Everything?”

  “Yeah. Let’s go to bed, and let’s get married tomorrow.”

  I look at him in awe. This is why I’m marrying this guy.

  CHAPTER 35

  EMME

  I walk in through the back doors of The Port with my wedding dress gathered in my arms. I chose a blue dress (since I’m sure I’m carrying a boy) for the arrival of our guests, but after the party gets started, I’ll slip away and change into my gown to surprise our guests with our wedding.

  “Hey babe,” Axel says, knocking on the trim around my door.

  “Don’t look!” I panic as I hang my dress on the back of the door he’s about to walk through. “You can’t see the dress.”

  He chuckles. “I’m not technically supposed to see you, either, but I’m not sure how we’ll do this party if I don’t.”

  I peek around the door at him. “I guess the way we’re doing this isn’t very conventional.”

  “Did you see the sign out front?”

  I shake my head. “No, I parked out back and just came in now.”

  “Go walk around to the front and then come in the front doors.”

  “No peeking at my dress.” I step past him to walk out my office door, but he catches me at the last minute and pulls me into his arms. His mouth moves down to mine.

  I relax. His mouth on mine is everything, and as his tongue pushes past the seam of my lips and butterflies take flight in my stomach, I’m reminded of just one of the reasons why I love this man so much.

  He lets me go abruptly, and I hold on to his shoulder for a minute to steady myself.

  “God, a girl could get used to that,” I murmur.

  “Good, because you’re stuck with it for the rest of your life.”

  I grin, and then I walk out the back door and around to the front of the building.

  The Port is closed for a private party and will reopen tonight at eight. Sorry for any inconvenience. I stare at the sign that stands in front of the doors as my heart races.

  Yesterday, I just went through the motions. The Jeep carried us to the county office for our marriage license. My car carried me to the bridal store for a dress. I didn’t really think—there was so much to do.

  But this sign, right here in front of me, makes it real.

  I step past the sign and open the door, and what I see before me simply takes my breath away.

  The Port has been completely transformed. The décor trends toward darker tones with stained woods and black tables, but today everything is white. The tables have white tablecloths. The chairs have white coverings with bows. The bar is filled with candles and bouquets made up of white flowers. The small stage where the bands typically play is also covered with candles and bouquets arranged to create the space where Axel and I will exchange our vows.

  My mouth is hanging open while I take it all in, and then I see Axel as he leans against the wall near the kitchen. I take a few steps toward him.

  “Axel, this… Wow. This is amazing.” I look around again, as if it might all disappear if I close my eyes or stop looking for even a minute. “How did you do all this?”

  He grins. “I had a lot of help.”

  Olivia and Ben are scurrying around lighting candles and smoothing out tablecloths, and a few other bartenders and waitresses are there helping, too. Actually, now that I take a good look, the majority of the staff of The Port is running around doing something.

  Noticeably missing is Kasey, and I’m fine with that. Today is a day for celebrating us, and even though a tiny part of me would love to rub her face in the fact that I’m marrying him after she tried to kiss him, I know there will be hiccups along our path. Axel is a handsome man. He’s sexual and attractive, and I’m sure Kasey won’t be the last woman to hit on him. I’ve even met some women who only go after guys with rings on their fingers. It’s disgusting, but it’s reality.

  I trust that Axel will fend off the cougars and come home to me—to me and our baby.

  People start arriving right around five. Deanna arrives first with two kids and a man I assume is her husband; he’s younger than her and very good-looking. Karoline and Carlton, Carter’s parents, are with them, and as some of our friends show up, I start to get a little nervous. The only people I really need here—Courtney and my dad—haven’t arrived yet.

  I sip from a glass of water as I look around at the people gathering. I’m chatting with Julie and Kate when my dad walks through the doors. Even though we’re not close, it feels good to see him. I excuse myself from Julie’s boasting about her minor-league-baseball-player boyfriend to greet my dad.

  Not long after, I finally see Courtney step through the doors with Carter. She exudes radiance, and she’s wearing a royal blue dress that we’ll both always remember as her bridesmaid gown.

 
I rush over to Axel. “They’re here.”

  He grins, because he knows I can’t keep this secret a second longer. The two of us make a beeline for our best friends.

  “Wow,” Courtney says, looking around after she squeezes me in a quick hug. “You guys did a great job.”

  “Axel did all of it.”

  She raises her brows at him. “I’m impressed.”

  “I’m glad,” he says. He glances at me. “Can we talk to you in the back for a minute?”

  They follow us past our guests and into the back room.

  “What’s going on?” Carter asks.

  Axel and I lock eyes for a beat.

  “We’re getting married,” I squeal with a grin.

  “Right, that’s why we’re here today—engagement party,” Carter says.

  I shake my head. “We’re getting married today, here, and we want you both to stand up with us.”

  Carter looks confused and Courtney’s mouth drops open.

  “Today?” Courtney asks.

  I nod. “It’s a surprise wedding.”

  She pulls me into a hug while Axel and Carter do their own bro-hug thing. “Are you sure this is what you want?” she whispers.

  I pull back and smile at her. “I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.”

  Her concern morphs into a grin, and then she looks over at Carter before looking back at me. “We’d love to stand with you.”

  “Congratulations,” Carter says, and then he hugs me.

  Courtney and I will inherit a share of this bar through our marriages, and the four of us will meet back here on countless occasions. Someday our children will play together in this back room, and maybe someday they’ll even work here, too.

  This is where it all begins.

  THE END

  Are Axel and Emme having a boy or a girl?

  Find out June 1 in Carson King’s story, Outwait.

  PRE-ORDER HERE

  From the outside, Carson King looks like he has it all. He’s next in line to be CEO of King Communications, he’s hot and single, and he’s at the center of the New York social scene. He has a different woman on his arm every night, and he wouldn’t change a single thing about his life…until Sylvie Baker storms into his boardroom.

  Sylvie Baker actually does have it all. She balances a successful career with the perfect boyfriend—a man she plans to marry someday. She wouldn’t change a single thing about her life…until Carson King challenges everything with one simple confession.

  Sylvie is intent on fighting her feelings. Carson’s convinced it’s just a waiting game.

  But how long is he willing to wait for her?

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  Thanks for reading!

  XOXO

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Big, huge THANK YOUs to the following people:

  To my boys, Matt and Mason: Thank you for the love, the hugs, the smiles, the support, the kisses, and the encouragement.

  To Emily Smith-Kidman from Social Butterfly PR: Thank you for being there, for answering questions, for coming up with new ideas, and for being the kind of publicist that makes me feel like I can write and trust that you’re taking care of the rest.

  To Caitlin from Editing by C. Marie: Thank you for your hard work to polish my manuscript. Your comments make me smile and your edits are on point.

  To Kelly Meintel Werner: Thanks for the texts that gave me more relief than I can ever explain.

  To Jen Wildner: Thanks for the feedback and for always being there for me.

  To my beta readers: Kelly, Diane, Jessica, Lisa, Tiffani, Karen, Wendy, Alissa, and Jennifer. Thank you for giving me honest feedback and helping me feel like this story is one of the best I’ve written.

  To my ARC Review Team and my Reader Group: Thank you for your support, your excitement, your encouragement, your eye candy, and for reading and reviewing my books.

  To my author friends and besties, the vampy and daywalking sprinters, and the 101ers: You’re an inspiration and your help and guidance on this journey is treasured.

  To all the amazing bloggers who work endlessly to promote, share, and review: Thank you for taking time out of your life to help authors like me. You’re more appreciated than you know.

  Finally thank YOU for reading my book and spending time with my characters. If you enjoyed the time you spent, I’d love if you left a review.

  XOXO,

  Lisa Suzanne

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Lisa Suzanne is a romance author who resides in Arizona with her husband and baby boy. She’s a former high school English teacher and college composition instructor. When she’s not cuddling baby Mason, she can be found working on her latest book or watching reruns of Friends.

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  BOOKS BY LISA SUZANNE

  CLICKBAIT

  STALEMATE

  OUTWAIT

  CONFLICTED

  NOT JUST ANOTHER ROMANCE NOVEL

  THE VINTAGE SERIES BOX SET

  VINTAGE VOLUME ONE

  VINTAGE VOLUME TWO

  THE HE FEELS TRILOGY BOX SET

  HOW HE REALLY FEELS (HE FEELS, BOOK 1)

  WHAT HE REALLY FEELS (HE FEELS, BOOK 2)

  SINCE HE REALLY FEELS (HE FEELS, BOOK 3)

  THE LOVE SICK SERIES BOX SET

  SEPARATION ANXIETY

  SIDE EFFECTS

  SECOND OPINION

  Flip the page for a preview of Conflicted, Lisa Suzanne’s forbidden contemporary romance.

  PREVIEW: CONFLICTED

  CONFLICTED

  © 2016 Lisa Suzanne

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the brand new CEO of Benson Industries, my son and one hell of a man, Mr. Cole Benson.”

  The man who was about to become my new boss stepped up to the podium. “Thank you, Dad, and congratulations on your retirement.” He smiled at his father, and then he turned toward the crowd of employees who had gathered in the lecture room. “I’m thrilled to take over the role of CEO from my father, who built Benson Industries on a dime and a dream, as he always says. Together, we will continue to drive products from design to market.”

  He started outlining some four-point plan, but my mind drifted. I couldn’t help it.

  I’d never met Cole in person. He’d been running the New York office, but he was relocating to Los Angeles to take on his new role.

  I was sad to see Jack retire. He’d been a fair and kind boss, really like a second father to me. But as sad as I was to see him go, looking at his son was certainly much better than dear old dad.

  I was sitting near the back of the lecture room, so my view was partially obstructed. I couldn’t wait to get a good, clean look at him. I knew he was attractive—I’d been in the office as his father Skyped him, and I’d spoken to him on the phone several times.

  I thought back to just about a month earlier when Jack had shown me some photos from a family trip to Hawaii. Cole Benson wearing just swim trunks had taken my breath away. The man was chiseled everywhere, and I just wished I’d had the chance to forward a picture to myself so I could really give it a good inspection. I Facebook stalked him—justifying my actions in my mind with the fact that he was my boss’s son—but all his public photos were from business events.

  I didn’t know what to expect other than the daily temptation I’d f
ace working for a man whose face rivaled a model and whose body rivaled a Greek god.

  After Cole’s speech ended and I realized that I hadn’t heard a word aside from his first three sentences, I returned to my desk with the hope I’d meet the man I’d be assistant to. Unfortunately, though, Jack ushered him out to lunch to introduce him to some clients, and they didn’t return by the time the clock struck five.

  I glanced at my husband as the alarm clock sounded the next morning. He was snoring away. I couldn’t help the feeling of resentment that came with the fact that he’d gotten home after I’d already gone to bed the night before. Sometimes I felt like he loved his job more than me.

  I shook it off. Non-communication with John was nothing new, but what awaited me at work that morning was. I wanted to make the very best impression I could on Cole, so I woke up early and put a little extra effort into my morning routine.

  I chose a professional fitted navy shift dress and matching heels. I dried and straightened my hair and polished off the look with a chunky necklace and matching earrings. I felt pretty and ready to meet my new boss.

  Until I stepped outside.

  Cole’s first official day was a rare rainy Tuesday morning in LA.

  I cursed the rain that turned my sleek hair into a frizzy mess. I ran across the apartment parking lot to our assigned space that was nowhere near where we lived as I wished for the umbrella that was stored in—you guessed it—my car.

  I barely sidestepped a muddy puddle and patted down my hair. Normally, the apartment I shared with John was only a ten minute drive from work, fifteen if there was traffic. Unfortunately, though, with rain came accidents. So my fifteen minute drive turned into thirty.

  It was five after nine when I finally arrived at my desk.

  The man I’d drooled over in photos towered imposingly over my desk. Irritation glazed his handsome face as he turned toward me, and I froze for one brief moment as our eyes met.

  The photos hadn’t done him justice.

  This man flew right past handsome on the hunk meter with his black hair and dark eyes that were fixated on me. A perfectly manicured scruff outlined his strong jaw, and my eyes stopped for the briefest of moments on his full, ripe lips.

  He was pulled together, professional, and effortless, and I couldn’t remember another time when just looking at a man had actually taken my breath away.