When the guy slipped out a back door into the alley, I only stopped for a second to think about it. I was mesmerized by the thought of actually running into Dallas and it didn’t matter how unsafe I was. I pushed open the back door and stepped out into the alley, the door locking closed behind me with an audible click.
The alley was lit up by at least a thousand tiny candles. In the center of a circle of light was a table set for two and Dallas. He stood there, looking as gorgeous as I remembered, holding a bouquet of roses.
“What’s this?” I asked, not fully understanding exactly what I’d walked into.
He took a deep breath and walked to me, handing me the flowers. “I should have been here a long time ago, Nic.”
I was confused. “Why are you here?” The closer he got, the better I could smell him, his delicious cologne did amazing things to me.
“I’m here to apologize,” he said.
“Oh.” I looked at my feet. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear, but I guessed it was that or nothing at all.
He moved his hand to lift my chin with his fingers until I looked at him. “I’m sorry.” Those eyes got me every time. I sucked in a breath, unable to speak. “I love you, Nicole.”
My eyes widened and I almost passed out. I didn’t understand; I shook my head.
He smiled down at me. “It’s true. I’ve loved you for a while, now and I was terrified of admitting it. These past few years, I convinced myself that truly loving someone meant giving them all the power, all the control. But really, I was just running from anything that was real. But I couldn’t run away from you, Nic. Everywhere I looked while we were separated, I’d see you. I was reminded of you every single day. And I’m sick of running.”
I cleared my throat. “I don’t know what to say.”
He looked sad, but kept up his smile. “I don’t expect anything. I just needed you to know how I felt before we parted ways for good. When you told me to leave you alone, I was so angry. But then I realized how stupid I was for letting you go. And I’m done being stupid. I want you in my life. I’m not suggesting we get married or anything. I just want a chance to be in a relationship with you, because you’re the only person on this planet I want to be with. I’ve missed you more than you’ll ever know and I don’t want to just walk away.”
His words were sweet, but even I knew how quickly feelings could change. “I want to trust you,” I told him. “But it’s not easy. I’m in love with you, too, Dallas, but I don’t know how to move forward.”
Tears welled in his eyes. “All I’m asking for is a chance, just to see where it goes.”
“Okay. We’ll try,” I agreed.
He wrapped his arms around me, tightening his hold until I thought I might explode. As afraid as I was, I wanted to be with him. I wanted to take a chance on him.
Epilogue
Dallas
Healing wasn’t easy. It didn’t happen overnight and Nicole and I spent the first two weeks of our relationship struggling. But we both made a sincere effort. She finally made up her mind about the job Leanne offered her and we’d been working side-by-side for six months. We were in love and even though we weren’t perfect, our love was.
She loved the job, loved me, and we spent our time laughing and truly getting to know one another. We were inseparable and she was my best friend. I trusted her with my heart and she trusted me with hers. We spent weeks at a time in the jungle, getting a variety of photos and enjoying each other’s company.
The pictures she’d taken of the leopard family were picked up by an international animal magazine, and they even wrote an article about Nicole, telling her life story and showing the world that even though overcoming obstacles is difficult, it could be done. I was so proud of her.
I glanced at the tent we slept in the night before. She was still sleeping in our sleeping bag. In the middle of the jungle, we were completely alone. I grinned at her sleeping form, thinking about the dinner I had planned for the night. It was going to be vegetables, mostly, but afterwards, I was going to ask her to be my wife.
Acknowledgements
Writing acknowledgements is hard. I had a very rough summer and getting this book completed was a large task. So I’m sitting here, thinking about everything that happened in Wild Dreams, and I’m not sure I can accurately thank every single person who helped me along the way. But I’m going to try.
To Dusty James, cover model extraordinaire! I’m in love with this cover and couldn’t be happier that you agreed to be my model.
To AB Artistry, for creating yet another cover image I fell in love with – THANK YOU!!
To Sharp Designs, for another cover I’m proud to call mine! You rock girl!
To my street team, Dawn’s Dames, who are an amazing group of women! You girls keep me going. I love you all!
To my Sprints team, Toni, Chelle, Jaime, and Ferris – without you girls always pushing me to do sprints, there’s no way in hell this book would be done. <3
To Sarah Ashley Jones, my soul mate. I literally wouldn’t have made it through this treacherous summer without you. Our crazy antics in Myrtle Beach, and the memories we made will never, ever be something I can forget. I love you hard, girl. SO HARD. I can be my ridiculous self with you, and I couldn’t be happier about it. There are people who come into our lives, leave an impression, and then walk away, talking our hearts and a piece of our soul with them, but you’ll never leave me… Cause I’d find you!
To Dawn Robertson, who kept me smiling, even on days when I hated everyone and everything; you are a bitch, but you’re my bitch, my Mini-Me, and I adore you.
To Rachael Duncan, who turned into one of my best friends this summer, someone I can trust implicitly, and a badass who understands me: I <3 you.
To my husband, who deals with my random squirrel! moments and tolerates me when I stay up until all hours of the night, hitting the keyboard.
To my amazing PR rep, Damaris, who understand that I’m a nutcase and loves me anyway. You are amazing and this book wouldn’t be a success without you!!
To Felicia Lynn, who took me in over the summer while I was traveling, who hugged me when I cried while dealing with a horrible situation, and who loves me for me. You are a true friend, one I never ever want to lose.
To my readers, every single one who enjoyed Crazy Dreams and then took a chance on Wild Dreams – I adore each and every one of you! Thank you for supporting this indie author!! <3
More from Dawn Pendleton
Broken Series
Broken Promises
Broken Dreams
Broken Pieces
Broken Valentine
Best Friends Forever Series
Dreams Series
Crazy Dreams
Wild Dreams
Unbroken Dreams
Callahan Brothers Series (releasing 2015)
(order subject to change)
Roman
Riley
Reece
Ryan
Ryder
About the Author
Dawn Pendleton spends her time between Maine and somewhere warm for the winter, dragging her husband and pup wherever she goes. A lover of travel, an avid reader, and a softie at heart, Dawn writes romance novels that face the dark reality of life, which is that not everyone gets a happily ever after right away.
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