Table of Contents
Longing For You
Synopsis
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Epilogue
Longing For You
Never Too Late #1
By Mayra Statham
Synopsis
They say first love is the strongest. Some even say it can last a lifetime. Scott Kostas and Jess Logan were one another’s first love. Young and naïve, they didn’t know what they had and let it go, creating separate lives.
Now, over thirty years later, an unexpected encounter brings Jess, Scott, and old memories back together. Older and wiser, both are determined to not make the same mistake twice. For Scott that means showing Jess that he’s the man she can count on. For Jess, she’s determined to not let Scott break her heart a second time.
From the start they realize that the connection they once shared is still there; time has only made it stronger as they get to know the people that they have become after so many years apart. Love and passion refuse to stay buried in the past. Can love bring two souls back together despite life’s many obstacles? Will they finally get their own happily ever after?
A short story reminding us that, no matter what, when it comes to love, it is never too late! 33k words
Acknowledgments
My extremely supportive and amazing husband, I love you more than words, Rob!
My beautiful babies, thank you for being so patient when mom is working!
My street team, you guys are my stars! Your support and kind words keep me going!
My beta readers, thank you for letting me pick your minds and bug you with unfinished stories… Love you!
Tracie, Cindi, Julia, Teeny, Jordan, Brie, Tammie, Yolanda: I feel incredibly blessed to be able to call you friends! I thank my stars for having had our paths cross the way they have! Thank you for lending an ear to talk story line, or just because!
Heather Roller Lunsford: I admire you. The way you are fighting this fight is amazing. You shine like a bright star babe! Glad to call you my friend!
To you, my reader: Thank you for taking a chance on my book and going on this journey with me! Always feel free to email me at [email protected] OR find me on Facebook.
Dedication
It’s never too late—never too late to start over, never too late to be happy.
-Jane Fonda
Chapter One
Jess Logan
She was late.
She hated being late.
Since she’d been a young girl, her dad had ingrained in her the importance of punctuality. Being punctual was, in her opinion, one of her better qualities.
But not today.
Today had been a ripple effect of one thing after another. She'd woken up late and the outfit she'd planned on wearing hadn't dried the night before; she got stuck in traffic, hitting red light after red light on her way; and now, only a few feet from the restaurant she was supposed to be at, she was sitting inside her car, arguing with her ex-husband.
“Look, Kevin, you need…”
“Jess, I'm sorry. I can't make it.”
“It's important,” she reminded him softly, running her fingers through her pale blond hair, staring at her reflection in the visor mirror.
“I know. It's just…” his excuses were getting old. She fought against rolling her eyes as she pushed the visor closed and leaned back against the headrest.
“Yeah. Nancy has a cold.” She knew it came off as sarcastic, but she didn't care. Today was important to their son and after the morning she’d had, she couldn’t bring herself to care about Nancy’s ‘cold’.
She heard him sigh and shuffle around. She imagined he was walking out of whatever room he'd been in and headed to his study. Everyone left him alone when he was in his study.
“He'll understand,” Kevin sighed.
“Drew is counting on you. You know this is important to him,” Jess reminded him, looking over at the cute little restaurant.
“I'll make it up to him,” he promised in a tone she knew all too well. “I'll have Chloe and her parents come to my place for a BBQ.” They were supposed to be meeting their son’s girlfriend’s parents today. Though divorced, she had wanted to look somewhat normal, showing a united front in supporting their son and his beautiful girlfriend. Sometimes she wished she didn’t know her ex like the back of her hand. But she could tell he was nervous about sharing his ‘solution’ with her.
Of course Kevin would do that.
That way it'd be their son Drew, Chloe, her parents, Kevin, and his new wife Nancy. Jess would be excluded, because Nancy felt threatened by her.
She shouldn't have.
When it came to Jess and Kevin, Nancy had nothing to worry about. Zip. Zilch, Zero. Nada! Jess and Kevin had ended a long time ago, even before their divorce had been finalized.
They had ended their marriage amicably when they figured out they were better as friends than husband and wife. Jess had sincerely been happy for Kevin when he had told her he'd met someone only two months after the divorce was finalized. But women were women, and she knew Nancy felt threatened by the friendship they still shared, something she hadn't been shy to voice many times, especially in the last two years. A surge of uneasiness swept over her at the thought of everything she’d endured these past two years, reminding her of her upcoming doctor’s appointment. She shook her head and stepped out of her small hybrid car.
"Fine, Kevin. Don't come. Do whatever you want...."
"Jess..." Kevin sighed.
"I'll let Drew know, but you still need to call him later."
"I will. I promise. I'll make it okay...."
"Yeah," she murmured, looking both ways to cross the street.
"Let me know what they're like?" he asked and she rolled her eyes.
"I will. You know this means he's planning on..."
"I know," Kevin said, sounding as proud as she felt.
"We did good with him," she whispered as she walked toward the restaurant. So many thoughts about her son and his future were running through her mind.
"You did good....” he started, but she cut him off.
"Don't…” she interrupted him. “Look, I have to go." She tried very hard to shake off her nerves and frustration.
"Okay. Have fun."
"Will do. Hope Nancy feels better," Jess said, only half meaning it, before hanging up and tossing the cell into her purse. She opened the heavy wooden door to the restaurant Chloe and Drew had been raving about. They'd been trying to get her to test it out for the last month.
She walked to the hostess area, where a petite bottle-blonde with a genuine smile welcomed her, “Hi! Can I help you?”
“I think my party is already here. Malone for…”
“Mom?” The familiar deep voice said behind her. She turned to look at her handsome son.
“Hey, honey,” she said softly into h
is strong chest as he hugged her.
“What happened? Are you okay? You're never late!” The concern was clear on her son’s face, so she smiled as best as she could and shook her head, trying to make the worry in his eyes disappear.
“I know. I'm sorry. I'll explain later. Everyone else here?”
“Yeah, Chloe's dad is here. Her mom isn't coming. She can't stand her dad. We thought she'd put that behind her for this, but we were wrong. Dad isn’t here yet,” he muttered. She gave him a sad smile.
“Dad isn't coming, honey. He just called me. He apologizes and says he’ll make it up to you and Chloe. Maybe have her parents over for a BBQ,” she explained quickly and watched her son’s square jaw clench. A muscle twitched under his blue eyes, reminding her of Kevin. He shook his head as he took a deep breath. He was disappointed and she hated that he'd been let down by his father.
“If we do that, you won't be there…” Drew started to point out, but she stopped him.
"It's okay."
Before he could say another word, Jess put her arm around her son’s narrow waist and looked up at him, wondering like she often did when standing like this with her firstborn, When had he grown up? Where had the time gone? He was such a great kid, a man now; even though in her eyes he’d always be a kid. Something in her chest clenched as she thought about time and how precious every moment was, how quickly it fluttered by. A sense of unease fell over her, but she tried to shoo it away; to ignore the quiet fear that had been lingering in the back of her mind since her last exam, knowing she’d have to return for the dreaded appointment to receive the results in a few days. She pushed the negative thoughts aside, focusing on her son and this moment.
“Come on, let's go meet your future father-in-law,” she smirked. Drew looked at her, shaking his head. His face softened, making him even more handsome. He didn't deny her suspicions, and that alone made her smile widen.
They walked toward the table where Chloe was standing smiling brightly at them. Tall, lean, with long reddish-brown hair that fell cascading down her back. She had pretty, light golden-brown eyes and a button nose. Chloe was beautiful.
From the moment Jess had met Chloe, she'd loved her like her own. She was sweet, kind, and most importantly, she made Jess' usually very serious son smile. A lot. In Jess' opinion, Chloe was worth her weight in gold. She was exactly what her son needed and she was glad he had her. Jess was happy to know her son recognized what he had with Chloe and was planning on making it official.
“Hey, Ms...I mean Jess,” Chloe’s face flushed, making Jess smile at her.
“Hey, honey.” She pulled Chloe in for a hug, impatient for this girl to be her daughter-in-law.
“Where's your dad?” Drew’s deep voice asked, but before Jess was able to turn around, a velvety, rich, and masculine voice answered. A voice that sent shivers of recognition down her spine.
"I'm here." Jess’ heart skipped a beat, feeling as if her feet had been nailed to the floor. She couldn’t get herself to turn around.
Two words, that voice… made her heart stutter.
Gathering courage, she managed to unglue her feet and turn around. Her eyes locked onto the man behind her and she blinked, hardly believing her eyes.
Chapter Two
Jess
"Mr. Kostas," was the only thing her poor brain could comprehend, and it came out of her son’s mouth. Everything else was muted, except for a weird buzzing noise that filled her ears. Kostas? But Chloe was a Malone, how...
"Mom, this is Chloe's dad, Scott Kostas."
Her eyes took in the very solid, very broad chest that stood before her. A chest she knew all too well. He was wearing a deep blue dress shirt, and she knew exactly how well the color suited him without looking up. She wasn't particularly short, especially for a woman, but she wasn't supremely tall either. At five seven, she had to look up to look at his six-foot stature. Her stomach dropped to her toes as her eyes registered the familiar face. One she hadn't seen in over thirty years. A face marred with years of change she would have still recognized. A face she's dreamt of often, even to this day.
The years had changed him. His once boyish face filled with nothing but the cockiness of youth was mature, older, reminding her of how much time had passed. His skin was slightly darker, his tan more permanent than before, his body had filled out, and from the looks of it, he still took care of himself. But he carried a bulk that made her think it was from working with his hands rather than spending long hours at the gym.
"Mom?" Her son’s worried tone made her shake off her momentary freak-out, as her daughter Chrissy would have called it.
"Hello, Mr. Kostas, pleasure to meet you." She smiled, her eyes not really reaching his warm chocolate gaze.
"Ms."
"Call her Jess. Right, Mom?" She looked over at her well-meaning son and kept a smile on her face while she desperately tried to keep herself together.
"Right. I'm sorry, where are my manners? Please call me Jess," she said and to her surprise, he reached his hand out toward hers.
Time stood still for a brief moment before his rugged hand enveloped hers. His touch was familiar but not quite the same, and her heartbeat picked up like it had always done when they’d touched. His hands were the same: warm, tan skin, and long, beautiful, thick fingers. She'd always thought it had been a shame he'd never played piano. And even though they showed the story of time written all over them, they were no less magnificent than she remembered.
"Call me Scott," his deep voice vibrated and this time, her eyes met his head-on. She couldn’t help but soak him up. He had laugh lines on the outside of his dark brown eyes, eyes that were currently concentrating intensely on hers. Her breath hitched. He’d always been able to take her breath away.
What was she going to do?
Did he recognize her too?
****
Brunch went well. Pleasant even.
Thankfully, Chloe and Drew had taken over most of the conversation. Even Scott had done an amazing job keeping the flow of conversation going. When Drew mentioned an upcoming beach trip he and Chloe would be taking, Jess wondered if that was when Drew would officially pop the question.
She’d tried her hardest to focus and try to be a part of the conversation but felt that the entire time she’d either been staring at him, unable to believe that life would throw them back together in such an awkward and un-humorous manner, or had been fighting the urge to look at him.
When brunch was finally over, she breathed a sigh of relief, hugged Chloe closely, and waved goodbye politely to Scott. Her son insisted on walking her to the car.
"Everything okay, Mom?"
"What? Yeah. Of course," she answered, trying to calm her nerves, her mind stuck in the past. A past she had tried not to remember, only giving in to the memories in her dreams.
"You seemed distracted," Drew noted, and she shook her head, smiling up at him.
"I'm sorry, honey. I just have, you know, stuff on my mind." She shrugged, silently cursing herself when worry flashed in her firstborn’s eyes.
"What stuff?" He frowned.
"Nothing to get that look about. Just things at work. The shop has a big flower order for a wedding, your dad not coming..." she trailed off, not completely lying.
"Don't worry about Dad. You were here..."
"I know, but I don't want you upset with him. You know he loves you," she said and meant it.
Kevin adored his kids. Chrissy and Drew had been the light of his life, and now he shared that feeling with his new children. Not that he didn't care and love all his children equally. Her son stayed silent. She narrowed her eyes on him.
"He'll meet Chloe's parents. He promised. He and Nancy will do something nice. It'll be okay... Just don't be angry with him, honey." With a loud exhale and sigh, he shook his head.
"Okay, Mom."
"Answer your phone when he calls."
"Okay," he told her, but she knew he was just placating her.
"Promise,
Andrew."
"I promise," he mumbled and she smiled at him, proud as ever at the man he'd grown to be.
"Good. I'll talk to you later," she said, kissing his cheek and giving him a squeeze before getting in her car and getting the hell out of there.
Scott Kostas
Scott sat in his black truck, pretending to be on his phone as he watched his daughter's boyfriend, the young man he’d met countless times, walk his mother to her car.
Drew’s mom.
His hands slightly trembled with nervous energy.
Jess Logan. His Jess.
He’d always thought that maybe, just maybe, he’d remembered her through rose-colored glasses, brighter and more beautiful than she’d actually been. He’d always thought of her as the one who got away, so maybe his memories had been tweaked to keep her above all other women. But he’d been wrong. She was every bit as beautiful as he remembered if not more.
Something in his chest tightened, harder and stronger than during those rare moments he would allow himself to relive his memories of her, as he watched her interact with her son.
Sure, she was different.
Thirty-plus years would do that to anyone. Her honey-blond hair was lighter, wavier than it had once been, and she wore it shorter than she used to. He watched her tuck a stray lock behind her ear, her hair touching the back of her neck.
Memories of her doing that same simple motion years ago flooded his mind. He watched her smile up at Drew. Her eyes had laugh lines, telling him she liked to laugh and did it often. He’d wanted that for her. He’d wanted her to smile and laugh a lot. His chest clenched, because he had wanted to be the one to make her laugh.
Time and motherhood had given her a curvier and softer body, but that didn’t deter from her beauty or the incredulous way his body naturally reacted to her. He shifted in his seat, trying to ignore the way his cock strained against the zipper of his jeans.
Longing For You (Never Too Late Book 1) Page 1