Something More

by Jenna Tyler

  “Coming!” I yell back. I throw my hair up into a ponytail as quick as I can and run to answer the door, still not quite ready and a bit out of breath now. When I finally answer the door, he's leaning up against the frame just as he was the first time...in my dream. Those gorgeous blue eyes are piercing into mine.

  “Good morning, Rebecca,” he says and I think my panties disintegrate. The heat and magnetic pull to him is still there and it's fierce. “What took you so long to answer the door?”

  “I...I'm not quite ready to go. Something happened and I lost track of time.” Shit, ain't that the damn truth.

  “Are you alright?” he asks with genuine concern in his voice.

  “Yes...yes, I'm alright. Please, come in.” I huff and move out of the way so he can step inside. “Do you mind waiting a few more minutes for me to get ready?”

  “Not at all, but you look perfect.” His compliment throws my heart into a tailspin and I blush. Maybe my dream was a premonition? God, I freaking hope so. I want to jump into his arms right now and make him mine all over again— or for the first time, I guess. This dream is going to fuck with my head for a while.

  “I'll just be a couple minutes. Make yourself at home.” I go back to the bedroom and call Charlie to see if she's okay. Thankfully, she picks up quickly and assures me that nothing has happened to her and all is well. Thank goodness! Let's hope that's not part of a premonition. I tell her I will explain my weird questions later and let her know I'm okay…I think.

  Going back into the bathroom, I check myself again. I really don't look so bad for being casual and frazzled beyond belief. Jeans, Gators tee, tennis shoes. Hair could be better, but a ponytail will work for today. Putting on a little eyeliner and mascara, I spray a little perfume on and I'm done.

  Everything starts happening almost exactly like it did in my dream. Same conversations, same responses, same touches, same places. His car is different than in the dream. He has a black Range Rover instead of the black Hummer.

  While everything is going about the same, over our fancy dinner in his hotel, I tell him about my dream. “So, in your dream, you had agreed to move in with me, marry me, and didn't want more kids?”

  I smile. “Yes, but you hadn't officially asked me to marry you yet.” I hold up the back of my left hand to him, wiggling my fingers. He laughs, catching my drift. “And I'm hoping not all of my dream comes true. I'd like my daughter to stay safe and not have to go through what she did in my dream.”

  “Yes, I agree. That wouldn't be good. But I will have my plane on standby, just in case.” My mouth falls open and he reaches over to close it, but I snap it shut before he gets there.

  “You have a plane?”

  “Yes.” Seriously? This is too much.

  “Well, isn't that something? How much of my dream will actually come true? This is all unbelievable.”

  “It's looking like everything that has to do with me will come true.” He winks and takes a sip of his wine.

  Epilogue

  Months later

  Drew was right. Everything has played out almost exactly like it did in my dream. Charlie's accident didn't happen, thankfully, but we did go visit her. Drew did tell me he loves me while at a park there, just not the one at the hospital. Every time something happened in real life that happened in my dream, I would get a silly smirk and Drew grew to know the look. He would smile or giggle at me and kiss the back of my hand.

  He really didn't like Charlie's living arrangements when we visited and got her moved out of her apartment, but no new car for her. When I told Charlie of my dream and what all had happened, she couldn't believe it was all really happening. I can't even believe it myself. It is a whirlwind romance all over again and I love living through it even more the second time around, amazed at all of the similarities between reality and fantasy.

  I've never been happier than these past few months. I still work for Dr. Thompson, but I cut my hours. It didn't take me long to get his office running smoothly so I just go in for a couple hours a day to maintain my desk and keep the girls, and the doctor, on task. I spend the rest of my time volunteering at an animal shelter and at a women's shelter. I've felt more fulfilled in the last couple months than I have in all the years prior.

  After telling Drew about my dream on our real first date, little things started popping up that I had forgotten to tell him and subjects that needed to be discussed. One was about kids. In the dream, I didn't want any more kids and he had lied and said he did when he was just trying to appease me. When I tell him I don’t want any, he is so relieved. It is a little comical to watch his reactions. In reality, the discussion went a smidge better since I had broken the ice with the dream scenario. We both still don't want any more children.

  Another thing that I wish would've played out like it did in my dream is the whole Marcus part. I really enjoyed seeing my man stand up for me and even better was Marcus getting knocked out. There's still time for that, though. Marcus and Drew have yet to meet. Maybe when they do, I will get to see Marcus act a fool like he always does and get what he deserves. I don’t want him to be really harmed, but a nice message to put him in his place after all these years of him running his mouth and being an asshole would be nice.

  A couple weeks after I woke from my dream, Drew took me on an extended weekend getaway to Turks and Caicos where he proposed. It was an amazingly romantic proposal on the beach at sunset, with island music playing in the distance, barely anyone around us, and he dropped to one knee. “Becca, you're everything I never knew I wanted and all I could ever ask for. Will you marry me?” Of course, I cried and accepted, and then he slid a gorgeous cushion-cut diamond ring onto my finger. The boy did good.

  We are still living in my little apartment while having a weekend house built on the outskirts of town, a little closer to the beach. We're also renovating a penthouse apartment in a building close to Drew's work, where we will be living during the weekdays. His old penthouse wasn't what appeared in my dream, but he thought it would be best if we had a place that was just ours. Drew has been very considerate of my feelings, even if they were dreamt feelings. I swear he has a handbook somewhere on how to treat a woman. He seems to know just what to do and say to make me feel comfortable and loved.

  Planning our wedding has been fun and costly, but Drew insists on having it on a tropical island which means flying out not only us, but Charlie, Alyssa, and everyone else we chose to invite. Not too many people, though. Just close friends and relatives; a small, intimate gathering of the people we love. It's happening in a little over two months and I don't even have a dress yet.

  Drew walks in the front door, coming home from work. “You looked deep in thought. What were you thinking about?” He walks over to where I’m sitting on the sofa, leaning down to give me a kiss. He takes off his jacket and throws it over the arm of the sofa, then loosens his tie to unfasten a couple buttons.

  Looking up at him, I show “the smirk” and he laughs, causing me to shove him. I don’t even make him wobble. “I can’t help it. My dream literally played out before me and my life-long fantasy is still playing. It’s inconceivable.” Drew sits down beside me, grabs my ankles, and pulls my legs over into his lap.

  “I will pinch you every so often just so you will know I’m really here.”

  He runs his hand up my leg, over my belly, and across my breast, stopping at my nipple. He pinches it through my shirt and bra, making me yelp. “Yoww! You didn’t need to pinch me there. That only feels good at certain times.”

  “Just trying to make sure you’re awake.” He winks at me and stands up, my legs falling to the floor. He offers his hand to me, pulling me up off the couch and into his arms.

  A few months ago, I moved across the country to find something so rare that I've only read about it in romance novels or watched in a movie. I don't know if I really ever thought I'd find it, but I was determined to try. It was definitely a shot in the dark. Then I saw him…the man of my dreams. My sexy, sta
lking, tall glass of water. Now he's all mine and I plan to happily drink him in for the rest of my life.

  All these years, people have made fun of me for holding out for something more. Something more than what I had. Something more than what I've read...or watched or witnessed. Now that I've finally found it, I plan on showing everyone that it exists, not just in movies or books, but in real life. Something more is out there for everyone.

  The End

  Acknowledgements

  This has been a long, exciting journey and I’ve enjoyed almost every single minute of it. I’ve learned a lot throughout this experience and a lot about the indie book community.

  First and foremost, I want to thank my family, especially my oldest daughter. Without your insistent persistence to read the Twilight series, I would not be the avid reader I am today. This leads me to MJ Abraham who was my inspiration to start writing (I don’t think she knows this). Thank you for opening my eyes to the indie book world, but mainly for your encouragement, friendship, and help.

  To Kim Young (Kim’s Editing Services) – Thank you for putting up with my whining and negativity. Your patience is truly amazing. You’ve answered all of my stupid questions and encouraged me throughout this whole experience. You have mad editing skills and I look forward to working with you again…if you’ll have me.

  To Robin Harper (Wicked by Design) – Putting up with all of my changes would’ve driven anyone into an early grave. I know I was a pain in the ass and you took it all in stride. You’re the best and I thank you for all that you’ve done for me!

  To Michelle Fussell – My dear, sweet Fussell. I love you more than words can say. You’ve tried to keep me out of trouble. Although not always successful, you were always there for me. Thank you for always being my friend. I can’t wait to sit on the beach with you again and watch “Barry Gibb”.

  To Lisa Sabin – We’ve known each other since the ripe ol’ age of 5. We’ve done some crazy things, had our ups and downs, and you always seem to follow me around the country. Near or far, we’ll be “blood sisters” forever.

  To Elizabeth Eichelberger – You’ve been keeping me laughing since junior high and never tire of my endless bitching. You’re one of my biggest supporters. Keep pushing me and I’ll keep pushing you. Thank you for everything. Good luck on your new endeavor.

  To Laurelin Paige – For all of your guidance and all of our chats, I thank you. You were one of the first authors I talked to and you’ve been so kind to me when you could’ve blown me off. Now, it is my life’s mission to break your ice. I’m happy to call you my friend.

  To Trish Baylor – My twin from another gen. Words cannot express how happy I am that we met or how much I LOURVE YOU. We support each other, probably not in the healthiest of ways, but it’s our way…and we’re funny. *pound it* I wish you every happiness and success. Phern derd. Terlet.

  To Angie McLain – Oh, Ang. I love you and your crazy muppet arms. Thank you for all you do for me and with me. You’ve become a great friend and, one day, we will cause some trouble somewhere (hopefully not attracting sharks).

  To all of my betas – Mia Michelle, Melissa Gill, Joni Clines (kinda), Elizabeth Eichelberger, Angie McLain, and Lisa Sabin. Thank you for your time, encouragement and, most importantly, your friendship. I love you all to pieces.

  To all of the bloggers – So many of you have made this endeavor incredible for me, especially Joni and Meli at Feisty Girls Book Blog, Angie at Fan Girl Book Blog, and Tyeesha Webb at Momma’s Secret Book Obsession. You’ve all supported me, promoted me when I had nothing to promote, and helped me out along the way. It’s been a long and winding road, and I’m glad you were on this trip with me. You all are rock stars! Mwah!

  To the friends, authors, & bloggers I’ve met on this amazing trek— Trish, Mia, Joni, Meli, Angie, Kym, Jenny Roush, Laurelin Paige, TA Anderson, Riley Rhea, KS Smith, Nola Lightman, TK Rapp, and Sexxa Kohl. I consider you my friends and, kind of, my sisters. You all have a special place in my heart.

  To the readers, I thank you for taking a chance on me and my work. I’ve truly enjoyed every step of this adventure with you, even though I was scared shitless half of the time. I’m so happy that you helped make it all happen. Thank you for supporting the indie community the way that you do. Without you, there would be no us.

  To anyone I may have missed, and I’m sure I did and I’m sorry, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

  This book started out as something totally different and morphed into what it is. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I wish you luck in finding your Something More.

  About the Author

  Jenna Tyler was born and raised in South/Central Florida. Currently residing in Texas, she loves spending time with her fur-baby, Roxy…and sometimes her kids (when they behave). She enjoyed writing poems as a teenager, but didn’t become an avid reader until…Twilight. She became obsessed and her passion for reading led to stories and characters nagging at her. Then a friend suggested she write it out and is now releasing her debut novel.

  Contact Jenna

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennatyler13

  Twitter: @jenna_tyler13

  Website: jennatyler.blogspot.com

  Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/jennatyler