Show Me How to Love (Caldwell Family Book 1)
Page 26
“Angelica?”
He wiped away a tear that slipped from the corner of her eye. “I didn’t answer her calls or listen to her voice mail. I haven’t talked to her since that day she called me weeks ago. I’m so sorry my dad did that to you. I want to start over. I want the two of us to be together. Away from my family and the craziness they pull into our lives. I want to become that good guy you thought I was.”
“What if I don’t want to live in North Carolina?”
He winced, and the pain in his eyes pulled at her heart. He nodded and seemed to force himself to accept it. “I found out Charity is stealing from your Uncle. If you don’t want me, you can have your job back.”
“You got my job back, even though you hated me working for them.”
“I only want you to be happy. If you can’t move past this, at least I know I tried all I could to get you back.”
“Will that satisfy you?”
The hand on her arm tightened its hold. “No, but I’d learn to live with it.”
The war over what to do was over. He had her the moment she heard his voice in Rowdy’s. Still, she took a second to search deep in her heart. To make sure that she was ready to try and trust him again. She stepped closer to him and grabbed the front of his shirt. “Don’t lie to me ever again. Because I love you, Andre.” His body sagged with relief. “I forgave you the second you stepped on that stage. I missed you from the moment I hung up the phone. I only want you.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. Then his eyes stirred with something else. Heat and love filled her. She’d missed him.
“I’ll never lie to you again. I love you too much to risk losing you.”
She stared at him. “This wasn’t supposed to last.”
“No, they said it wouldn’t last. But we both knew from the start that no matter how unlikely it should be, there is something real between us. I need you, Mikayla. You showed me how to love. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you.”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He lowered his head and kissed her. A crowd of Rowdy’s patrons spilled out the bar, watched and cheered. Mikayla barely heard the cheers. She pulled Andre closer.
Acknowledgements
First I’d like to thank my fantastic beta readers who helped me massage this story into what it is today: Danita, Natoya, Kwana, and Liv. I truly appreciate your feedback and the time you took to read over Andre and Mikayla’s story. Many thanks to Delaney Diamond, Sharon Cooper, Candace Shaw and K.M. Jackson for your recommendations and advice as I navigated this self-publishing journey. A shout out to my cousin Sharon for sending me little bits of encouragement over the past few years. Thanks so much for looking out with books and contacts who’ve given me ideas and support. Finally, thank you to my wonderful husband Eric. You’ve cheered me on during this process better than anyone.
About the Author
Synithia Williams has loved romance novels since reading her first one at the age of 13. It was only natural that she would begin penning her own romances soon after. It wasn’t until 2010 that she began to actively pursue her publishing dreams. When she isn’t writing, Synithia is working hard on water quality issues in the Midlands of South Carolina and taking care of her supportive husband and two sons. You can learn more about Synithia by visiting her website, www.synithiawilliams.com, where she blogs about writing, life and relationships.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/synithiarwilliams
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@SynithiaW
Books by Synithia Williams
You Can’t Plan Love
Worth the Wait
A Heart to Heal
Just My Type
Love’s Replay