“Besides,” she says, “if you want to marry me, promise to let me love you forever, I wanna lock that shit down before you change your mind.”
I laugh at my beautiful, perfect girl. My girl. She is finally mine. I can’t fucking believe it. Maybe Nate was right: I will be a better husband than him. I will spend every day working at it, making sure of it. I’ll make sure she never regrets taking the chance on the man who didn’t know how to love anyone but himself.
Still laughing at her, I wrap my arms around her and before she can react I flip us over so she’s lying on me. Her head rests on my chest, our legs in a tangled mess. I run my hands soothingly up and down her back.
“So what are you going to do now?” I ask as I continue my caresses.
“Actually,” she says as she looks up at me, her chin resting on my chest. Excitement flashes in her eyes and I know it’s something she’s passionate about, something she really must want. “I was thinking of opening an art gallery. I’ve already looked at a few buildings downtown and spoke to some art dealers.”
“Wow. That’s fantastic, Brooke. I think it’s a great idea.”
“The only thing is,” she says biting that damn bottom lip again. Has she always done that? All I want to do is lean forward and take a bite myself, but I try to focus on what she’s saying. “I think I need a financial brain to help me. Perhaps someone to enter into some kind of business partnership with me.”
“Really?”
“What do you think? Would you happen to know anyone who might fit the bill?”
I dig my fingers into her waist and tickle her. “Okay, okay,” she pants. “Saxon, will you be my new business partner?”
“I’ll go wherever you go,” I tell her seriously.
Brooke kisses me long and hard, and we both know it’s the truth. I’ll go wherever she goes.
Six months later
Lifting the large painting out of the box, I hold it up in front of me, quickly glancing around the blank spots left on the walls as I decide where to hang it. Saxon and I have been working tirelessly to get the gallery up and running. We’re just putting the final touches on before our grand opening in a few weeks.
Saxon has been a wonderful support, and just like it was during our time at Argo, we work seamlessly together. I love seeing him every day and being able to share everything with him. I also enjoy being the top dog this time, being able to boss him around and have him ask my opinion now that we are in my field of expertise. Of course he’s picked it up easily and excels at it like he does everything else, but I don’t tell him that. Plus, bossing him around all the time at work kind of turns me on. Needless to say, there’s been a lot more office sex.
It was sad to say goodbye to Argo, but it was the best thing for both of us. We were both hanging onto Nate in different ways and needed a fresh start.
Bill retired not long after I sold the business, and we have dinner with him and Veronica often. I still catch up with Harper over coffee regularly. Which of course ensures I’m still getting the most up-to-date gossip on what’s happening at the office. I’ve even convinced Saxon to come out on a few double dates every now and then, despite the fact he doesn’t like Harper’s new boyfriend much.
We’ve had a busy six months and even though we spend all day, every day together, we still make an effort to make time for each other with special dinners out, going to the movies, and weekends away.
Walking over to the wall I have decided to hang the painting on, I rest the picture against it and go in search of Saxon.
Passing the front desk, I see Ruth is on the phone, throwing strict instructions down the line. Talking to the catering company, I assume. They advised us this morning they had double-booked us. I don’t know what we would have done without Ruth. Taking her with us was the smartest business decision we made.
Leaving her to deal with the catering situation, I make my way to the back hallway and down to the office. The door is open and I step in to see Saxon standing on a step-ladder. He looks positively edible standing there in his old, soft, light-wash jeans and a white t-shirt stretched over his tight muscles. I sigh, and it must be audible as he turns to face me.
He smiles widely at me, and I feel the blush crawl up my face. How does he still do that to me? He steps down and gestures me over, and I take a step as I look up at the picture hanging on the wall between our desks. I stop mid-step and inhale sharply.
It’s a picture of Saxon, Nate, and me in college. Nate is standing in the middle with one arm around me, holding me close, and his other arm is thrown over Saxon. We all have the biggest grins on our faces, and just remembering that day brings a smile to my face.
“I had lunch with Mark last week, and he gave me this photo. He found it in the basement in one of Nate’s boxes from college. I had it blown up and framed.” Saxon looks at me anxiously.
I step closer to the wall, looking up at the photo. Saxon steps in behind me, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist.
“I hope you like it,” he whispers in my ear. “I thought Nate should be a part of this.”
“It’s perfect,” I whisper as I turn in his arms and wrap my hands around his neck. “You’re perfect.”
Saxon holds me tight against him, and I rest my head on his chest. We stay like this, enjoying the silence, taking it all in.
“How was Mark?” I ask.
“He was good. He said Jeanie is really struggling.” He pauses. “He doesn’t think she’ll come to the opening, Brooke,” he says gently.
I nod, knowing that would be the case. I was hoping Jeanie would eventually come around, but it seems that may never happen. She may never accept us as a couple. Even so, I won’t let go of the hope that she may change her mind before our wedding in six months.
The thing about grief is it takes time to accept it. No one knows exactly how long, each person grieves differently, and no one can force you. It has to come from within and only when you are ready to see it.
People will tell you that you have to let go, move forward, leave the past in the past and go on living. The thing I discovered is I didn’t have to let Nate go. I didn’t have to leave him in the past, and I didn’t have to choose between them. I had to make room.
I can move on with life and take Nate with me. Saxon and I can remember him together, miss him together, and share his memories together. I can keep him in my heart and carry him wherever I will go.
Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed Brooke and Saxon’s story. It would be so greatly appreciated if you could spare a minute to leave a review, good or bad, on the purchasing site. Thanks.
Coming Soon – Whatever You Do
Book 2 in the Try Again Series
Tate and Harper’s Story
To all my family and friends. I know I’ve been the worst friend this year and you haven’t seen much of me. I promise I haven’t been avoiding you; I’ve actually just been working on this secret dream of mine.
To those who have shown unwavering support during this huge step in my life. My baby sister Rachel—for always being there for me, for looking after my girls whenever I asked so Josh and I could have some time together, even coming on holiday with us and travelling economy with Olivia while Josh and I sat in Business Class! Haha. For lining up for hours on your day off to meet my favourite authors who you had never even heard of and for talking to me on the phone for hours about nothing. You are my soul sister, and I love you more than you’ll ever know.
My big sister Louise, my personal techy. Sometimes I feel like I only ever call you for help with my IT issues, but you never make me feel bad about it. Always answering my calls and logging onto my computer from wherever you are, coming straight over after work to fix all my problems. You are the most generous person I know, and I want you to know I would give you the shirt off my back just as I know you would for me.
Rachael, my dear friend. You were the first person I told about my writing adventure and the only person to read my work
as I went. You offered amazing encouragement and support and you are probably the sole reason that I kept going and finished. You then spent countless hours organising and making my swag for nothing. You are a true friend Rach, and I hope you know I’ve got your back as I know you have mine. You deserve nothing but the best things in life, and I can’t wait to share them with you. Love ya babe!
Lauren McKellar, my super magical editor. You did so much more than just my editing, and I hope you know how much it means to me. You made my baby shine. I honestly didn’t believe that there were people out there who were all good, but then I met you. You are good people Lauren and truly a star!
My beautiful beta readers. Some of you loved Brooke and Saxon’s story and some of you didn’t. This story would not be what it is today without all of you. Telling me what wasn’t working and giving me the tools to make it better. Giving me the encouragement and support to keep going and publish this story.
Larissa Johnston, for your love of Sax and all your support. Being awake at all crazy hours like me and helping me with all my middle of the night crises. Tash Drake, (Book Lit Love Blog), for all your random messages of love and support—always when I needed them most. You made me smile daily. Jennifer Tovar, (Gypsy Heart Editing), for all your words of encouragement and praise. Looking over and fixing anything I sent you. Laura Foerstner Hansen—for our late chats about books, our boyfriends, and general nothingness. You always make me laugh, and I’m making it my mission to meet you at one of the many signings you attend. Shawnté Borris, (Author), I have never been so thankful to have my soul crushed. You ripped apart my story and made it what it is and I have learnt so much from you. You told me before I sent you my MS that you were brutal and you definitely were, but something dark and twisted inside me craves it, and I hope you will agree to continue this sick relationship with me. LOL
Denise Fackler Van Plew, Louise Da-Nobrega, Courtney Chebat, Laura Barcenas, Gwendolyn Crute (Gwen The Book Diva), Amanda Wooden, Louise Evans, Kristine Barakat (Glass Paper Ink Book Blog),Roxana Madar, Kristy Love, Justine and Terri. Thank you all for your thoughts and encouragement. I hope you are all happy with Brooke and Saxon’s story and the way it ended up. I can’t wait to give you all Book 2, and I hope this is just the beginning of our journey together.
For everyone who supported me. Offering advice, answering my stupid questions, and even just chatting or having a laugh at Facebook memes and pictures of hot guys. You may not know it, may not even remember our interactions, but they meant something to me. To have someone take the time to talk to you, share with you, offer their knowledge with you. It meant the world to me and just know you have touched my life and I’ll forever be thankful. Aleya Michelle, J L Perry, Penny Rudge, Jenny Carlsrud Sims, Becca Manuel, Eden Summers, and Kathy Bankard for the beautiful pics.
Between The Sheets Promotions and Natalie, for organising my Cover Reveal, Release Day Blitz and Blog Tour. Thank you for answering all my stupid questions and letting me annoy you with emails constantly over the past few months.
To all the readers and bloggers who read, reviewed, shared teasers and links, and sent kind words of encouragement. I don’t have the words for how grateful I am and for how much it means to me.
Bill ‘Swampy’ Marsh. My TAFE SA Creative Writing teacher. I enjoyed your classes so much and can’t tell you enough how informative they were and how much they have enhanced my writing.
Last and most importantly, my wonderful husband. Josh, you are my biggest inspiration. You don’t have dreams, you have goals and you go and achieve every bloody one of them. Your confidence and hard work inspire me to do the same.
When I first started this journey I know you thought it was another whim of mine, but still you handed over the money without question, did the dishes and took the girls out for the day so I could write. Even though you work eighty hour weeks, you did what you could and encouraged me daily.
You didn’t love this storyline and felt like I had killed you off. What you failed to realise is that you were never my Nate. You are my Saxon.
You are my muse and better than any book boyfriend. My very own Christian, Gideon, Travis, and Kellan all rolled into one, and I’ll love you until the end of time!!
Stephanie is a Happily Ever After addict.
Loving mushy romance books, movies and music since she was young. Constantly daydreaming up stories and plots, Stephanie decided to put them on paper.
Living in South Australia with her own alpha male and two princesses, she spends her days reading, writing, and playing with the girls out on their property.
You’ll find Stephanie lurking on all the below forms of social media, even though she hasn’t mastered any.
www.authorstephaniesmith.com.au
www.facebook.com/authorstephsmith
twitter.com/raprox45
Wherever You Will Go Page 27