Whisper of Surrender

by Melanie Shawn

  “Thanks again for wearing the dress,” Ali said as Jess reached her.

  Ali had texted her this morning and asked if Jess could wear her Dirty Dancing dress because she wanted to take bridal party pictures tonight. She’d asked if she could just wear the dress that she’d worn for the wedding, but Ali said since she had a different dress for the reception she wanted Jess to have a different one too. Since it was her one and only bridezilla moment, Jess had agreed.

  “No problem.” Jess started to look for the photographer when the music stopped and a familiar voice came on over the speakers.

  “Can I have everyone’s attention?” Ethan stood at the end of the pier where they’d cleared a space for the dance floor.

  She turned to her friend to see if she knew what was going on. Ali didn’t look at all confused as to why Ethan had a microphone in his hand and was asking for everyone’s attention instead of just joining them for pictures.

  “Are we doing a group picture?”

  “No.”

  “Are we supposed to do another toast?” She and Ethan had given a toast at the private reception a few nights ago. Hers had gotten more laughs than his, but he’d definitely beat her in the sentimental department.

  “No.” Ali shook her head.

  “Then what’s he doing?”

  Ali shrugged, the universal I-have-no-idea gesture. But Jess knew that she absolutely had an idea.

  “So, first off I want to say a huge congratulations to Kade and Ali.”

  Applause erupted from everyone gathered on the pier.

  When the cheering started to subside, Ethan continued, “When I told them what I wanted to do tonight, they didn’t hesitate in giving me the okay. So thank you, both.”

  The crowd around them all clapped as they looked between Kade and Ali.

  Jess smiled, and spoke through her teeth as she asked, “Ali? What is going on?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Jess was about to demand she spill it when Ethan’s voice once again came over the loud speaker. “So, I’m not sure how many of you know that at the beginning of the summer, Jess and I started dating. And, sadly, we broke up about a month ago.”

  The nerves in Jess’s stomach were full on raving with glow sticks and house music. She had no idea where this was going and she hated it.

  “What some of you might not know is that we weren’t actually dating.”

  The crowd looked at her and then back at Ethan. People looked as confused as she was. She continued smiling.

  Jess squeezed Ali’s arm. “What is he doing?”

  “Just wait.” Ali whispered.

  He continued, “I asked Jess if she would pretend to be my girlfriend because there were certain people that I won’t name to protect the guilty, who were actively trying to set me up and I didn’t want to spend my summer on a dating show that I didn’t sign up for.”

  Waves of whispers spread through the crowd and Jess heard the name “Needlepoint Mafia,” “Mrs. D,” “Mrs. Chen,” “Mrs. Weathersby,” and “matchmaking dons,” all mentioned.

  “I told Jess that the reason I was asking her specifically was because I didn’t want to lead anyone on. But, I have a confession to make. That’s not the reason I asked Jess Myers to pretend to be my girlfriend.”

  “The truth is, I’ve been head-over-heels, madly, crazy in love with her for most of my adult life.”

  A round of “awws” and “how sweets” rippled through the crowd.

  Jess couldn’t believe what Ethan was saying, and that he was saying it in front of the entire town. Her adrenaline was pumping so hard that she felt herself starting to float away. It was the trick that she’d learned when she was younger to avoid pain and stress. Her consciousness would drift away. But now, she pulled that sucker back into herself. She wanted to be one hundred percent present for what was happening.

  “I know what you’re thinking, why didn’t I just tell her how I felt? Well, there were a lot of reasons. One of them being, based on our interactions up until a couple of months ago, I wasn’t sure the feeling was mutual.”

  Everyone laughed and people looked at her like they all knew some inside joke about how Jess had treated Ethan.

  “I wasn’t that bad.” Jess murmured under her breath.

  “Yes, you were,” Ali responded flatly.

  “So, I waited. And waited. And waited. I was always looking for the right angle, the right moment to make my move, and then I found it. My plan was to tell her my dilemma and ask her to play along. And my hope was that once we were in a fake relationship, she might see that we really belonged together. And guess what? For the most part, my plan worked.”

  There were more “awws” and a spattering of applause.

  “But then, life happened, and I won’t get into it, but I messed everything up, starting with the terms of our agreement. She pretended to be my girlfriend but I wasn’t able to fulfill my end of the bargain. So tonight, I thought I would remedy that.”

  A spotlight shone on the “dance floor” and everyone started clapping as Ethan set the mic down and took off his jacket, revealing a black, button-up shirt that looked identical to the one Patrick Swayze wore in the movie. Music started and Jess instantly recognized the song as “(I’ve Had) The Time of my Life.”

  Beside her, Ali was vibrating with excitement. “This is why I told you to wear the dress.”

  Ethan walked over to Jess, who already had tears in her eyes as he whispered a modified version of the famous line. “Nobody puts Jess in a corner.”

  A nervous laugh bubbled up as she placed her hand in his and wrapped her other around his bicep at the exact moment the cue for the first move came. Ethan dipped her back and swooped her in a half circle and when she straightened again he guided her so that her back was to him. She lifted her hand and as he ran his fingers down the inside of her arm she said, “I can’t believe you’re doing this.”

  “A deal’s a deal.” He grinned right before spinning her out.

  She hadn’t practiced the choreography in over a month but it came back to her.

  As they got closer to the big finale, she breathlessly asked, “What about the lift?”

  She knew that his shoulder was better, but better didn’t mean he could lift one hundred and thirty pounds over his head.

  “Just follow my lead.” He winked at her.

  It had been the same note that Miss Penelope was constantly telling her. And Jess relaxed and did just that.

  When it came time, she turned and walked to the other end of the dance floor, like they’d rehearsed. When she turned back, she saw Ethan waiting for her. Their eyes locked and he nodded his head. She took a deep breath and started to run toward him but stopped midway when she saw him get down on one knee as he pulled a small box from his pocket.

  She gasped as the momentum that she already had going propelled her toward him, stopping right in front of him. Her hands flew to her mouth. She was shaking her head in disbelief as she asked, “What are you doing?”

  He smiled up at her. “A wise woman once told me that if I loved you, I should do something about it. So, I’m doing something about it. I’m sorry it took me so long.”

  She felt her hands dampen with tears.

  “I love you, Jess. I don’t know how one person can have so much strength, vulnerability, tenacity, humor, depth, passion, and persistence. It is truly mind-boggling. You are a beautiful contradiction, a perfect puzzle that I want to spend the rest of my life trying to solve.”

  He opened the box and there was a stunning vintage ring with a single stone in the center surrounded by a floral halo of diamonds. It was unique, classic, and totally her.

  “Jessa Nicole Myers will you drive me crazy for the rest of my life?”

  “Yes, yes, yes!” She nodded as he slid the ring on her hand, stood, and pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

  She didn’t even realize that there were people cheering until he broke their kiss. When he did, they were surrounded
by friends and family.

  Kade and Ali were the first to congratulate them.

  “Thanks again for letting me hijack your reception.” Ethan said as he and Kade did the one-arm man hug.

  “Are you kidding me? Seeing you dance was the best wedding gift we got.” He held up his phone to show he’d gotten video of it.

  Ali playfully swatted her husband when Jess felt herself being pulled into another hug.

  “Congratulations, sweetie.” Her mom said as she embraced her.

  Jess teared up even more as she hugged her mom, suddenly very overwhelmed with emotion. “I’m sorry I lied to you about not really being a couple.”

  Her mom pulled back and smiled as she shook her head. “Honey, the only person you were lying to was yourself if you thought that relationship wasn’t real.”

  She smiled and hugged her mom once more before she hugged her dad and half of the population of Whisper Lake.

  Once the excitement had calmed down, the music started playing again and everyone sort of dispersed, leaving Ethan and Jess alone at the end of the pier.

  She looked up at him, and he smiled and cupped her face with his hands.

  “Did you notice where we are?”

  Her forehead creased and it took her a second, but then the realization hit and the tears that she’d managed to control came back in full force. “Our first kiss.”

  He’d asked her to marry him in the exact spot where they’d had their first kiss. He leaned down and his lips brushed against hers. “I love you, Jess.”

  “I love you, too.”

  And then he kissed her and it was better than Jake and Samantha’s kiss in Sixteen Candles, or Claire and John’s in The Breakfast Club, or even Andie and Blane’s in Pretty in Pink.

  Ethan was her real-life hero, and she knew that they were going to have their happily ever after…driving each other crazy, every day, for the rest of their lives.

  The End

  Coming July 2018

  Don’t miss Brynn’s story

  Whisper of Attraction

  A Note From Melanie and Shawna

  Hi, there! Nope, you’re not reading this wrong, there are two of us! We are a sister writing team. We love connecting with our readers so please like our Facebook page and join us in our reader group: Club HEA with Melanie Shawn AKA our happy place where we’re building a community of support, friendship, and share our love of not only books but also movies, music, life hacks, fitness, kids, friendships, love, food, the daily grind, wine and other adult beverages, and hero inspiration in the form of hot guy pics.

  We hope you enjoyed your trip to Whisper Lake. This small town has it all. Haunted castle, check. Meddling friends and family, check. Hot, swoon-worthy heroes, check. Fun, sassy heroines, check. Each visit you’ll meet a new couple and a cast of characters that make their journey to happily-ever-after all the more entertaining.

  Jess and Ethan’s road wasn’t easy, but as Ali said, it sure was fun to watch. Want to know the soundtrack of their story? Check out their playlist below.

  Jess & Ethan’s Playlist:

  When You Say Nothing At All – Ronan Keating

  Get Here – Sam Smith

  Crash – Conor Maynard

  Yours – Russell Dickerson

  Ride – SoMo

  Written in the Sand – Old Dominion

  Kiss Me – Ed Sheeran

  What Ifs – Kane Brown, Lauren Alaina

  All Of Me – John Legend

  In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel

  Amazed – Lonestar

  When A Man Loves A Woman – Percy Sledge

  And to keep up with all our new releases, sales, and general book shenanigans make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

  And as always we wish you love, laughter, and happily ever after!

  Shawna & Melanie

  Psst…did all the Bella, Susan, and Rachel fans find the Easter eggs and blatant shoutouts??? Let us know in Club HEA!

  Psst…psst…there was also a bonus Jill Shalvis, Carly Phillips, and Lori Foster Easter egg. Did you catch it???

  Other Titles by Melanie Shawn

  WHISPER LAKE SERIES

  Whisper of Love – Book 1

  THE CROSSROADS SERIES

  My First – Book 1

  My Last – Book 2

  My Only – Book 3

  My Everything – Book 4

  Tempting Love – Book 5

  Crazy Love – Book 6

  Actually Love – Book 7

  Fairytale Love – Book 8

  My Love – Novella 8.5

  All He Wants – Book 9

  All He Needs – Book 10

  All He Feels – Book 11

  All He Desires – Book 12

  THE HOPE FALLS SERIES

  Sweet Reunion – #1

  Sweet Harmonies – #2

  Sweet Victory – #3

  Home Sweet Home – #4

  One Sweet Day – Novella #4.5

  Snow Angel – #5

  Snow Days – #6

  Snowed In – #7

  Let It Snow – #8

  Perfect Kiss – #9

  Secret Kiss – #10

  Magic Kiss – #11

  Lucky Kiss – #12

  Christmas Wish – Holiday Novella #12.5

  Fire and Love – #13

  Fire and Foreplay – #14

  Fire and Romance – #15

  Fire and Temptation – #16

  WISHING WELL, TEXAS SERIES

  Teasing Destiny – Book 1

  Convincing Cara – Book 2

  Discovering Harmony – Book 3

  Taming Travis – Book 4

  Claiming Colton – Book 5

  Trusting Bryson – Book 6

  Seducing Sawyer – Book 7

  Unwrapping Jade – Book 8

  VALENTINE BAY SERIES

  Protecting My Heart – Book 1

  About the Author

  Melanie Shawn is the writing team of sister duo Melanie and Shawna. Originally from Northern California, they both migrated south and now call So Cal their home.

  Growing up, Melanie constantly had her head in a book and was always working on short stories, manuscripts, plays and poetry. After graduating magna cum laude from Pepperdine University, she went on to teach grades 2nd through 8th for five years. She now spends her days writing and taking care of her furry baby, a Lhasa Apso named Hercules. In her free time, her favorite activity is to curl up on the couch with that stubborn, funny mutt and binge-watch cable TV shows on DVD (preferably of at least eight seasons in length – a girl’s gotta have her standards!).

  Shawna always loved romance in any form – movie, song or literary. If it was a love story with a happy ending, Shawna was all about it! She proudly acknowledges that she is a romanceaholic. Her days are jam-packed with writing, being a wife, mom aka referee of two teens, and indulging in her second passion (dance!) as a Zumba instructor. In the little free time she has, she joins Melanie in marathon-watching DVDs of their favorite TV programs.

  They have joined forces to create a world where True Love and Happily Ever After always has a Sexy Twist!

  You can keep up with all the latest Melanie Shawn news, including new releases and contests, at:

  melanieshawn.com

  and

  facebook.com/melanieshawnbooks