She remembered the exact moment in the dim hallway of the St. Regis hotel when she realized who he was. It was as if she had won the male jackpot when he asked her to breakfast and then to his sister Catherine’s wedding. The way he looked at her and had the innate ability to make her feel like she was the only one in the entire world who held his attention was something she would never forget. The billboard advertisement in Times Square of him smiling proved it. He was smiling—at her. His proper British cadence and his intense, gorgeous eyes; his attention to detail and his chivalrous manners were all anything and everything a girl could ever want in a lifetime partner.
But she was scared. Could she ever adapt to his crazy lifestyle? Would she ever feel safe during the times when he wasn’t by her side? She knew she would always be judged by his many adoring fans. She got that and she could probably find a way to accept it over time. If this was going to work, she was definitely going to need a stable home with him somewhere—a place for the two of them to call their own. A haven, away from the public eye and the scrutiny of the fashion world. Was that even possible?
Perhaps the easiest thing to do would be to walk away. She could go back to her small, unassuming world, away from the glitz and glam and live her life in peace. She could look for a full-time teaching position—maybe even move back to Valdosta to be near her family and work at the college? But that life would not include true love. She was in love with David Randle. It was real and all-consuming, life-changing, passionate and romantic. The type of love one could only hope for in a lifetime.
The realization hit her in that moment—she could never walk away. She was forever changed and couldn’t possibly live without him. She would rather die.
Lauren knelt in front of David and looked up into his face, fighting the urge to stroke his scruffy cheeks with her fingertips. He must have sensed her nearness because he woke with a start and blinked several times, looking at her in the dim light. He kept his hands gripped on the sides of the chair.
“Are you all right?” he whispered hoarsely. His brow pinched with unease.
She nodded and swallowed, feeling the warm tears already falling from her eyes. David took his thumb and gently brushed it against her cheek.
“Please don’t cry, my love. It cuts me to the quick.”
“My answer is ‘yes.’” She managed to utter.
His chest heaved, and he closed his eyes for a brief second as if relieved by her answer. When he leaned into her, he cupped her chin with his hand. “Are you certain?”
She nodded again before laying her head across his lap, a sense of relief rushing through her body. His hands stroked the back of her hair as she clung to him in the dark. They didn’t have to say anything else.
Three months later…
The delicate sea breeze caressed Lauren’s cheeks, blowing her honey-hair gently over her shoulders. She raised her face into the morning sun, inhaling the scent of bougainvillea dripping from the walls of the salmon-colored Hotel Punta Tragrara and listened to the orchestra of gulls. The famous hotel was perched on a cliff hanging over the sea and away from prying eyes on the Island of Capri. It was tranquil and serene, ancient and luxurious, with sweeping views of a trio of craggy pinnacles known as the Faraglioni rocks rising from the turquoise water. She could see several super-yachts bobbing against the endless horizon in the silence of the blue skies.
They’d made the journey the day before on a British Airways flight over the Alps to Naples, Italy. A private yacht took them to the small island which rose up from the deep blue sea in an explosion of color. The scent of rosemary, oleander, jasmine and orange blossoms were pungent as their entourage made their way to the hotel. Lauren’s entire family was here. Catherine, Brian and her roommate, Jordan also made the trip. She was marrying the love of her life, David Randle on the magnificent fifth floor terrace of the penthouse suite they had rented for the next week.
Lauren recovered from her miscarriage, with David by her side. They had reached an understanding, and she accepted his second proposal, both of them realizing they couldn’t live without each other. The next few months were a whirlwind full of making plans, packing and traveling, with David near her side, always. She put in her two-week notice at her teaching gig, and sadly said good-bye to her long-time duo partner, Miles, promising that if they decided to settle down in Atlanta, he would be the first to know. She didn’t mind giving up her small life to join David in his. The most important thing was being together, and she was determined to love and support him wherever they went.
They followed Catherine and Brian to London and settled into David’s flat for several weeks. Being a part of the Brady’s second wedding with all of their English family and friends was priceless. Lauren was thrilled to meet Mr. and Mrs. Randle and their bond was immediate. David’s London flat immediately felt like home to her too. It was spacious and expertly decorated and she got to know the lay of the land pretty quickly, settling into her new role as his partner. The only thing she was having a hard time getting used to was the paparazzi. She adapted, slowly, mirroring what David did. She wore dark sunglasses and kept her head low, not saying a word. If she was with David, she clung to him and he protected her. When he wasn’t with her, there was always a driver or bodyguard she could count on. Life as she knew it was over.
When the news hit in New York that David Randle’s fiancé suffered a miscarriage and the paparazzi may have been involved, it didn’t take long for one of the scumbags to nark on the guy who had followed her. He apologized profusely in an open letter to her and David in the New York Times, implicating Sabrina Watson as the hiring source. David came unglued and Sabrina was immediately fired, her long history with the world’s most successful, male supermodel coming to a bitter end. Their story made national headlines and for a short time, they were the talk of the town. Drive sales went through the roof, catapulting David’s career into the stratosphere. With Lauren by his side, he hired a new team of assistants who were at their beck and call, eager to please and careful to stay out of their personal life. When everything finally settled down, it was a blissful time for the happy couple.
The wedding plans came along quickly and easily. David suggested Capri, Italy and Lauren didn’t hesitate to agree. He’d been on the island many times doing photo shoots for a well-known Italian designer and was thrilled to share the famous seascape with her in all of its colorful romance. Lauren’s family was excited to make the journey, her father ecstatic they would have some extra time after the nuptials to explore Rome which was a mere four hours away.
Jordan applied her vacation days from her hospital job to make the trip-of-a-lifetime. When they met up at the airport, Lauren was humored her roommate had dyed her hair a beautiful golden-brown with the exception of her bangs which were a shade of blue similar to the colors of the Blue Grotto—her nod to the famous Italian sea cave flooded with natural, brilliant, blue light.
By late afternoon, Lauren was alone in the penthouse suite, waiting on her female entourage to come and help her get ready for the big event. Several staff had been in and out all day, preparing the terrace for their nuptials high above the sea. She decided to forego a glam squad and do her own hair and makeup in the company of her favorite women.
Everyone was wearing white for the ceremony. Lauren thought the contrast against the color of the sea would be dramatic in the pictures taken by a world-renowned photographer David had hired. Her long, white, Grecian wedding gown floated in the breeze coming from the open doors and windows as it hung dramatically on a hanger in the door frame.
Lauren couldn’t help but reflect on the words of the song she dedicated to David on that first night they met many moons ago. It wasn’t his sweet conversation that brought about the sensations triggering something unique inside of her. When she held him closely in her arms, she knew with all her heart, all her wildest dreams could come true. She didn’t need soft light or romance to enchant her, she only needed to feel David in the night; to feel th
e nearness of him.
***
David stood at the edge of the penthouse terrace next to the priest, overlooking the water. His white linen pants and loose white shirt billowed in the evening breeze against the tapestry of colors from the setting sun. He looked over at his sister who seemed to glow, her baby bump protruding from her long, flowing white dress. Brian had his arm around her and one hand on her belly, pure contentment emulating from his sunburned face. The Rose family sat all in a row, smiling and nodding as a lone guitar player strummed an Italian love song.
When Lauren appeared in the arched doorway to make her way down the makeshift aisle, David’s breath caught in his chest. She was stunning in her white Grecian gown. Her makeup was natural and her golden hair hung in natural waves down her shoulders. His steady gaze fixated on her beautiful face as she came to him on the arm of her father, Dr. Rose, who kissed her lightly on the cheek before releasing her to him.
His chest heaved with love and his own hands trembled as he lost himself in her beauty. She was the love of his life. To be near her was a gift. As they said their vows against the backdrop of the dramatic sea and sky, surrounded by the lights of the Gulf of Naples and the shining faces of their closest family and friends, David couldn’t help but believe it really was pure luck that Lauren Rose had come into his life. Nothing could have prepared him for the excitement and the thrill of true love.
When the priest announced they were husband and wife in his thick, Italian accent, David leaned his forehead against Lauren’s and stared into her eyes before kissing her slowly and passionately on lips. Their family and the staff clapped and screeched with delight. He pulled her into his chest and whispered, “We’re officially bonded, my love.”
She nodded against his neck and kissed his jawline.
“What more can I give to you? Whatever you want. I’ll even fly you to the moon if you should ask…”
She smiled looking up into his face, the last, beautiful colors of sunset illuminating her radiant expression. “I only ask for one thing.”
“What is it my love?”
“The nearness of you… always.”
The End
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Lauren & David’s Playlist
The story of Lauren and David was heavily influenced by music from days gone by. These are a few of my favorite versions, many of these songs featured in my cabaret act, “The Novel Romantic.”
(https://www.kgfletcherauthor.com/audiovideo.html)
Where or When – Harry Connick, Jr.
The Nearness of You – Norah Jones
If I Were a Bell – from the musical, Guys & Dolls
Claire de Lune - Debussy
Fly Me to the Moon – Tony Bennett
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy – The Andrew Sisters
The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
Stand By Me – Ben E. King
At Last – Etta James
Don’t Rain on My Parade – Barbara Streisand
Sleepwalk – The Brian Setzer Orchestra
New York-New York – Frank Sinatra
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It is remarkably hard when I come to this point of reflection and try my best to acknowledge all who have contributed to the process. First and foremost, this book would not have been possible if I didn’t have a huge crush on real-life, British supermodel, David James Gandy. David, (yes, I’m talking directly to you) your gorgeous photographs and YouTube videos definitely inspired me as I created my leading man, David Henry Randle. Thank you for being my muse and giving me so much pleasure during the writing process.
Thank you to the songwriting team of Hoagy Carmichael and Ned Washington for creating the 1940’s jazz classic, The Nearness of You for which this book is titled. My favorite rendition is performed by Norah Jones on her Come Away With Me album. I highly recommend you take a listen.
I also want to thank my critique partner and friend, author C.B. Deem who is without a doubt a creative force to be reckoned with. Her unique perspective and gentle encouragement as we went back and forth, chapter by chapter were instrumental in creating the finished work you have in your hands.
Many thanks to my friend and fellow author, GiGi Blume and her services at Sodasac Author Services for the incredible new cover! Your friendship and expertise in this biz means the world to me! To my editor, Vicky Burkholder – I can confidently say to the world that I adore you! Sincerest thanks to my former publisher, Melissa Keir at Inkspell Publishing for believing in this project the first go around, and making it happen so quickly. You and all of my Inkspell brothers and sisters will always be family.
For my readers – you ROCK! Every book club gathering, every review, every like and share on social media, every encouraging post you leave for me never goes unseen. I am thrilled you’re on this journey with me and I hope to one day meet some of you on my singing and book signing travels.
To my family and friends, especially my cabana-boy-husband and gorgeous sons, I love you and appreciate your unwavering support more than you’ll ever know.
Cheers to spicy romance and happily ever after!
KG
xoxo
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dubbed, “The Singing Author,” KG Fletcher lives in her very own frat house in Atlanta, GA with her husband Ladd and three sons. As a singer/songwriter in Nashville, TN, she became a recipient of the “Airplay International Award” for “Best New Artist” showcasing original songs at The Bluebird Café. She earned her BFA in theater at Valdosta State University, and has traveled the world professionally as a singer/actress. She currently gets to play rock star as a backup singer in the National Tour, “Remember When Rock Was Young – the Elton John Tribute,” www.almosteltonjohn.com She is also a summer artist-in-residence at her alma mater performing roles in musicals for the Peachstate Summer Theatre program, her favorite roles to date being Donna in Mamma Mia!, and Marmee in Little Women the Musical.
KG is a hopeless romantic continuing her work on her original cabaret act called, “The Novel Romantic – an unexpected evening of sweet & spicy love” to help promote her romance novels. As a full-time indie-artist, a particularly thrilling moment was when her Amazon best-selling romance novel, Georgia Pine became a 2019 Maggie Award of Excellence Finalist. KG loves to interact with readers on social media, and is a conference speaker sharing how music can enhance a writer’s experience. For more info about tour dates (and FREE concert tickets), go to www.kgfletcherauthor.com/contact.html
Georgia Clay
(excerpt)
Book One in the Southern Promises Series
(Now available in a Box Set!)
“Stace? Who is that guy over there?” She pointed toward the entryway and watched the handsome man throw his head back and laugh among the group surrounding him.
Stacey swiveled her body effortlessly to look over her shoulder to where Katie was pointing, recognition immediately crossing her flushed face. She turned back with an eyebrow raised. “Don’t you remember the guy everyone used to call, ‘Cowboy’? That’s him. He’s some big wig in Nashville now or something. You oughta go over and say ‘hey.’ He’s kinda cute, don’t you think?”
Katie proppe
d her head onto her hand and leaned on the table. “That’s ‘Cowboy?’ You mean, Clay Watkins, right? The new kid who came our senior year?”
“Cowboy, Clay, whatever,” Stacey replied. Brent was back at their table handing out drinks, diverting her attention once again.
With her best friend preoccupied, Katie studied Clay from afar. He was a lot taller than she remembered, his lean physique fitting perfectly in black denim. His dark hair was longer than most guys, curling around his ears and neck. His muscles bulged in the tight tee he wore as he shoved his hands into his pockets. She vaguely remembered him from their Senior Variety Show. He was tall and gangly back then; a shy boy who had moved to Atlanta the summer before their senior year. She had felt sorry for him. He kept mostly to himself and it was only during that last week of school where people really took notice of him. The brave boy got up on stage the night of the show with an acoustic guitar and sang a song he had written. It was very John Mayer-ish, and the audience went wild when he finished. She remembered feeling something back then when he performed—something like a premonition that he was going to go far with his amazing talent.
She looked to her right and noticed Brent and Stacey smiling back at her. Brent had his arm stretched across the top of Stacey’s chair. The flashbacks of them as a couple in high school were uncanny.
“What?”
“He’s single, and he’s very successful,” Brent announced with a devilish grin.
Perplexed, Katie leaned back into her chair taking a hefty sip of her drink. “So?”
The Nearness of You: A British celebrity, standalone love-at-first-sight romance Page 22