What the Lightning Sees: Part One

by Louise Bay

  “Okay, I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”

  “You too.”

  I got into work early on Monday to grab a few minutes with Haven before the meeting. But she wasn’t at her desk.

  I wandered across the office to say hello to Robert

  “Morning, Harry,” Robert said as I walked in.

  “Hey. I need to talk to you about timing. Things have started to ramp up with Elemental Energy.”

  “Okay, let me catch up with Human Resources on where we are with the new guy. How was Paris?”

  “It was good. Really good.” I couldn’t help the shit-eating grin stamped across my face.

  “And the Haven and Sandy dynamic worked?” he asked.

  I nodded. “It did, I think because they are so different, completely opposite really.”

  Robert laughed and I lent him a tight smile. “I knew it. You were right, we needed someone challenged in the looks department. Sandy could never have seen Haven as any kind of rival or threat.”

  Robert was a good friend but at the moment I couldn’t think of him as anything other than a total douche. I ignored my instinct to defend Haven. She and I hadn’t discussed how public she wanted to be with what was going on between us, and I knew she was fiercely private at work. Hell, we hadn’t discussed anything. My heart started to speed up. If I defended Haven, I was sure to give away my feelings for her, and I didn’t want her to be mad for telling her boss about an intra-office relationship so I just rolled my eyes and tried to ignore his comments about the woman I saw my future with.

  Haven

  I stumbled from outside Robert’s office into the nearest meeting room and collapsed onto the chair. My heart was beating so quickly I thought I was going to throw up. My vision blurred so I closed my eyes and placed my head in my hands. What had I just heard? I had wanted to catch Robert before our meeting, but when I got to his office, Jake was already in there, the door ajar. I hesitated, not knowing whether I should interrupt, and overheard them talking about Sandy and me. Replaying it in my head created a fresh wave of nausea and I clasped my stomach, willing myself not to throw up. I’d had about all the humiliation I could take for one day.

  I’d opened myself up to Jake completely. Had it all been a game to him? Was I just a conquest? And apparently, not a particularly attractive one. Had he wanted Sandy all along? None of it made sense. Sharp pain twisted through the center of me. I wanted to run and hide. I needed my people, I needed Luke and Ash.

  One thing was clear—I should have never let him so close.

  U and ur Hand

  P!nk

  Through the Barricades

  Spandau Ballet

  Anticipation

  Carly Simon

  Magic

  Coldplay

  Beauty Has Her Way

  Mummy Calls

  You’ll think of me

  Keith Urban

  Into the Woods

  Taylor Swift

  Here comes the Rain Again

  Eurythmics

  I Miss You So

  Diana Krall

  I Won’t Give Up

  Jason Mraz

  There You’ll Be

  Faith Hill

  Turn my World Around

  Gloriana

  My thank you list is as long as this book itself. The more I’m in this world of writers, readers and bloggers, the more generosity and kindness I see. To each one of you who have helped me in my journey, thank you, thank you, thank you.

  A series of three novellas

  Part One: A Week in New York

  Part Two: Autumn in London

  Part Three: New Year in Manhattan

  Anna Kirby is sick of dating. She's tired of heartbreak. Despite being smart, sexy, and funny, she's a magnet for men who don't deserve her.

  A week's vacation in New York is the ultimate distraction from her most recent break-up, as well as a great place to meet a stranger and have some summer fun. But to protect her still-bruised heart, fun comes with rules. There will be no sharing stories, no swapping numbers, and no real names. Just one night of uncomplicated fun.

  Super-successful serial seducer Ethan Scott has some rules of his own. He doesn't date, he doesn't stay the night, and he doesn't make any promises.

  It should be a match made in heaven. But rules are made to be broken.

  Praise for The Empire State Series

  “An unforgettable first book in the series. It will leave you wanting more, but not frustrated. It was sexy and erotic, but felt authentic. I can’t wait for the next two coming. I highly recommend it!!” Books and Beyond Fifty Shades

  “The writing is excellent and you’ll be hooked from the very beginning. I am definitely looking forward to the next instalment of the series. I was a fan of Ms. Bay’s after reading her novel Hopeful earlier in the year and A Week in New York has only helped to make me a bigger fan.” Love Between the Sheets

  “Louise has done it again and created a fantastic read. This deserves every one of the five stars rewarded and more. Louise certainly can tell a story.” Kindle Friends Forever

  “5 “I don’t Bullshit” Stars! If you haven’t started this series, you need to now!! It’s an easy, quick, and smooth read that you are sure to enjoy.” Book Bitches Blog

  “I’ve become a total Louise Bay junkie. Love everything I’ve read by her.” Bare Naked Words

  “I would give it 6,7,8,or 9 stars if I could.” Obsessed with Books

  “The Empire State Trilogy is one of the not only good ones, but GREAT ones. I am so in love with Ethan and Anna. Book Briefs

  “It is INCREDIBLE!!! I give this book 5 stars with 5 hands down the pants. I CANNOT wait for the next book, hurry up Ms. Bay!!” Beautifully RED

  Guys like Joel Wentworth weren't supposed to fall in love with girls like me. He could have had his pick of the girls on campus, but somehow the laws of nature were defied and we fell crazy in love.

  After graduation, Joel left for New York. And, despite him wanting me to go with him, I'd refused, unwilling to disappoint my parents and risk the judgment of my friends. I hadn’t seen him again. Never even spoke to him.

  I've spent the last eight years working hard to put my career front and center in my life, dodging any personal complications. I have a strict no-dating policy. I've managed to piece together a reality that works for me.

  Until now.

  Now, Joel's coming back to London.

  And I need to get over him before he gets over here.

  Hopeful is a stand-alone novel.

  Praise for Hopeful

  “Louise skillfully combines humour and heartbreak with copious amounts anticipation to make this book one of the great finds of 2014. I loved every word, every feeling and every tear. ” Agents of Romance

  “It gave me the good ache! This is a true love story and I couldn't put it down! I highly recommend!” Gwen the Book Diva

  “I really loved this story and this couple.” Slick Reads – Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

  “This book contains hot sex, angst and you are so desperate to know what happens next.” Kindle Friends Forever

  “If done right, all you need are amazing characters...check...enthralling storyline to keep you wanting more...check...and sizzling hot chemistry...double check! This book hooked me right from beginning to end and I sunk right into the turbulent depths of their journey.” Page Turning Book-Junkies

  “It was amazing.” Summer’s Book Blog

  “Hopeful was simply amazing and soul consuming.” Just One More Page

  “This intriguing book is written and played out beautifully! I've had tears and I've had tingles - I've laughed too. A romance can't give us much more than that.” Cariad - Sizzling Pages

  Leah Thompson’s life in London is everything she's supposed to want: a successful career, the best girlfriends a bottle of sauvignon blanc can buy, and a wealthy boyfriend who has just proposed. But something doesn't feel right. Is it simply a case of ‘be careful what you wish
for’?

  Uncertain about her future, Leah looks to her past, where she finds her high school crush, Daniel Armitage, online. Daniel is one of London's most eligible bachelors. He knows what and who he wants, and he wants Leah. Leah resists Daniel’s advances as she concentrates on being the perfect fiancé.

  She soon finds that she should have trusted her instincts when she realises she's been betrayed by the men and women in her life.

  Leah's heart has been crushed. Will ever be able to trust again? And will Daniel be there when she is?

  Faithful is a stand-alone novel.

  Praise for Faithful

  “I felt the emotions coming from the page over and over. I laughed at various points (Her friend is fab) and trust me we have some serious hot naughty bits to keep us warm.” Fun, Fab and Tantalising Reads

  “The heat level on this book is off the charts.” Kelly’s Kindle Confessions

  “An emotional roller coaster ride from start to finish, this book has a realism to it that made it easy to get into and impossible to put down.” Slick Reads for Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

  “I truly enjoyed this book. What I enjoyed most is the fact that this book could truly happen.” Books and Beyond Fifty Shades

  Wowza...this book was jam packed with a hot, steamy, unadulterated sexual feast. I was frantically fanning myself throughout the majority of this book. I was completely hooked from the beginning. Page Turning Book Junkies

  “Such a wonderful story of finding that one true love.” Book Happiness

  If you enjoyed What the Lightning Sees, please leave a review. Good reviews really help indie authors!

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