by Harloe Rae
Forget You Not
Copyright © 2017 by Harloe Rae
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and the publisher listed above, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or purely coincidental.
Cover Design:
Talia’s Book Covers
Editing:
Ace Gray
Interior Design & Formatting:
Christine Borgford, Type A Formatting
Contents
FORGET YOU NOT
Dedication
Prologue ~ Lark
One ~ Lark
Two ~ Rowen
Three ~ Lark
Four ~ Rowen
Five ~ Lark
Six ~ Rowen
Seven ~ Lark
Eight ~ Rowen
Nine ~ Lark
Ten ~ Rowen
Eleven ~ Lark
Twelve ~ Rowen
Thirteen ~ Lark
Fourteen ~ Rowen
Fifteen ~ Lark
Sixteen ~ Rowen
Seventeen ~ Lark
Eighteen ~ Rowen
Nineteen ~ Lark
Twenty ~ Rowen
Twenty-One ~ Lark
Twenty-Two ~ Rowen
Twenty-Three ~ Lark
Twenty-Four ~ Rowen
Twenty-Five ~ Lark
Twenty-Six ~ Rowen
Twenty-Seven ~ Lark
Epilogue ~ Lark
Acknowledgements
About The Author
Excerpt of Redefining Us
This book is dedicated to my very own Prince Charming.
My husband restored my faith and belief in happily ever after
and all the other love-fest, gooey goodness. He’s the one!
Lark is close to my heart and her story is very special to me.
I hope she speaks to you as well. Plus, Rowen is magical. You’ll see . . .
Lark
Seven years earlier . . .
Working at a restaurant sucks sometimes. Like right now.
Why is it so slow?
Usually Friday afternoons bring in a decent lunch crowd but that’s definitely not the case today. The other host got cut an hour ago after we finished rolling two full bins of silverware. I’ve been stuck at the front alone ever since, trying to keep myself preoccupied by doodling in my notepad while desperately hoping a customer strolls in. I’d even accept the overly chatty manager from the bank across the street at this rate.
Just as I’m starting to draw another cartoon heart, the outer door swings open and a relieved sigh whooshes from me. I toss my pen aside and slide the decorated paper into my apron. When my focus returns to the person coming in, my breath stalls in my lungs.
I’d usually have a polite smile plastered across my face as I rushed forward to greet the guests but my entire body is frozen solid due to the stunning sight before me. Tingles erupt along my skin as my heart takes off in a sprint, but I still can’t move.
The most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen is only a few feet away and my stomach nervously tangles in a complicated twist. He’s tall and broad, easily over six feet, which swallows up my petite frame. Probably a few years older than me, this guy still has a hint of youth lighting up his smooth features. My pulse skyrockets as I get trapped in his swirling ocean irises that remind me of a tropical paradise. I remain suspended in my paralyzed state as he approaches the host stand with a confident stride.
Wow, he’s beautiful.
My cheeks heat with that thought and I dip my head to hide the flush covering my face. I attempt a sneaky peek by glancing up at him through my lowered lashes. When my gaze connects with his, I notice a sexy smirk lifting his lips and it tightens my chest further.
Crap, I’m totally busted.
I clear my parched throat so I can properly greet him before getting fired for gawking, but he beats me to it.
“Hey.” He pauses with an audible swallow and I watch his Adam’s apple bob. A soft chuckle rises from him as he rubs over his left pec. “Wow, you’re really beautiful. Is that weird for me to say? Shit.” His feet shuffle nervously as his gaze lowers to the floor before quickly focusing on me again. “I feel really creepy blurting it out but that’s the truth. Sorry if I’m being super awkward. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Tell me to stop talking.” He laughs again before sucking in a deep breath. “What’s your name?” His voice is like melted chocolate filling my hungry stomach. His extremely good looks match the silky-smooth timbre that’s thrumming my bones. He seems anxious, which makes my heart race even faster.
As I continue silently staring at him, I determine he’s my every teenage fantasy come to life and reminds me of Ryan Gosling from The Notebook. All striking blue eyes and dark-blond hair that’s the perfect length to run your fingers through. That’s what I’m talking about.
I do my best to collect my stray thoughts before wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans. I lock my wobbling knees and stand up straight, then raise my chin to meet his burning stare.
“Umm, hello. Thanks for coming to Brack’s Box. My name is Lark and I’ll be showing you to a table. How many are in your party? Oh, I should have asked if you were dining in or carrying out. Will you be eating here?” I feel like a total idiot as my speech fumbles and bumbles. My tone is shaking worse than my trembling hands. At least he appears flustered too.
The sexy stranger moves closer until he’s hovering on the edge of my personal space. His chest seems to shudder as he reaches out and traces a jagged line from my temple to my jaw with a coarse finger. Electric shocks spark along the skin he touched and a small gasp escapes me. I’ve never had this type of reaction before and it has a hoard of love-struck butterflies taking flight in my belly.
“You’re blushing, Lark. Are you nervous too?” His whispered words rush across the small space between us and I shudder in response.
Could I be more embarrassed?
I roll my shoulders back in an effort to infuse my body with strength.
“What? No. No way. Why would you think that? That’s just silly.” I toss out a lame chuckle—as if he has no effect on me—before taking a step away from him. If my boss came out here and saw me standing so close to a customer, I’d be in serious crap.
This handsome man tilts his head and continues his slow perusal of my face. He lifts a curious brow as a mouth-watering grin stretches his pillowy lips. I’m not sure what to do with myself as his golden glow graces my presence. Everything is a scattered jumble in my brain and I’m not sure what the right move is at the moment. I settle on getting back to work and the task at hand.
“So, do you want a table or are you ordering out?” The line slips out easily enough. Awkward tension skims down my spine as he keeps up with the intense eye contact.
A loud clap of laughter booms out of him.
“Are you trying to get rid of me, Sweetheart?” His white teeth gleam in the overhead lights as a wide smile lifts his cheeks. “I can’t seem to stop thinking about how gorgeous your amber eyes are.” His breathy pause finds me lost in the kaleidoscope of blue hues that make up his enchanting stare. “My name is Rowen, but all my friends call me Row. It’s my pleasure to meet you.” He holds out a steady hand for me to shake and I immediately slip my clammy palm into his.
When our sk
in makes contact again, a blast of fire rushes up my arms until the heat reaches my core. I bite my tongue to trap the moan desperate to escape. His basic touch is lighting me up and shock surges through me. I’ve read about this type of reaction in romance novels, but this is actually happening.
Why does this man have such a powerful impact on my body?
He’s turning me into a giggling pile of mush with simple physical connection. My mind is lost to him as well if I’m being totally honest. His expressive gaze appears bottomless and speaks to the lonely spirit within me. The insecurities usually plaguing my mind are forgotten under his attention. My pasty legs and nonexistent curves don’t matter to him based off the frantic pulse in his neck.
A low hum yanks me back to reality and I realize Rowen is the one making that delicious noise. Before I can react, he pulls me into his hard body and murmurs close to my ear, “Do you believe in destiny? What about soul mates?”
I can only nod since my mouth feels like desert sand. Could Rowen possibly understand the chaos buzzing in my blood?
His jaw works back and forth. “It seems like I was meant to come in here today. Does that sound crazy, Lark? I don’t know how to describe what’s happening to me but you’re mixing me all up. This was supposed to be a quick stop but now I never want to leave. Can we sit down, Sweetheart? Maybe eat lunch?”
When a little squeak pushes past my lips and puffs against his neck, a rumble shakes his wide chest that has me leaning further into him.
Unfiltered excitement and overwhelming joy causes my entire body to bloom with intoxicating warmth. This beautiful guy wants to know more about me. Shockwaves travel down my spine as my brain whirls in contemplation. I settle on being ambitious and impulsive as my body sways along his.
Screw the consequences.
Rowen’s grip tightens slightly and I swear his hands wobble. “I knew you could feel it. Let’s go outside where we’ll get some privacy.” His tone soaks into my thirsty heart but when his request registers into my foggy brain, it seems like a cold bucket of water has been dumped over my head.
What am I doing?!
I suddenly remember where we are, which effectively snaps me out of my romantic haze. I can’t believe I’m behaving this way at work. This is definitely not normal—let alone acceptable—and the significant hold this guy already has on me is becoming more obvious.
Breaking contact with him is like ripping off a layer of flesh but it’s necessary for now. I’m at my freaking job and need to start acting like it. Once I’ve placed a few feet between us, air finally travels freely through my lungs and brings fresh clarity to this crazy situation.
The chemistry between us is so powerful that my soul already seems bonded to him, which makes me sound like a whacky person. My fingers comb through my messy brown hair while I try to get a freaking grip on my sanity.
“Alright, pump the brakes for a moment. I can’t go anywhere with you now because I’m working. If I don’t get back to my job, I won’t have one for much longer and I really need the money. How about I find you a nice table outside to eat your lunch and I’ll join you once my shift is over. Deal?” I try my best to inject my voice with confidence but I can hear the quiver.
If Rowen notices my fumbling, he’s kind enough not to point it out. There is a moment of silence as his stunning ocean eyes sweep along my body from head to toe. Color rises on his flawless face and his fingers fidget nervously.
When his gaze returns to my face, my legs tremble at the raw hunger that’s being directed at me. What sounds like a groan pushes past his clenched jaw before he seems to regain control and realizes I’m waiting for confirmation.
“Whatever works for you, Lark. I’ll patiently wait hours for even a moment of your time.” Rowen sweeps his arm toward the patio door before saying, “Ladies first.” I quickly move ahead of him after grabbing a menu.
Once I have him seated and comfortable, I turn to leave but look back for another glimpse at all his yummy sexiness. Rowen shoots me a wink that has me second guessing the devotion to my job.
I’ll be off soon enough.
I make my way back inside with an extra spring in my step. Happiness churns in my stomach like gooey caramel. I’m sure this guy is the one I’ve been waiting for, my rapid heartbeat and clinging urges tell me so. It’s never, ever been this way. I might be desperate for love but I’m not going to fall for just anyone. Rowen seems to understand too. His sweeping stare reflected something that reminds me of forever and I’m ready to get lost in his blue waves. He didn’t want to leave and I’m sure he never will. I can’t wait to share my deepest desires with him.
After a dreadfully dull thirty minutes crawl by, I manage to make my way toward the patio to check on Rowen. As I pass the glass doors and find his table empty, I assume he’s in the bathroom or left to grab something real quick.
When a few minutes blend into fifteen and he’s still gone, dread begins to spread throughout me like a poison and a weight settles onto my chest.
I try to remain positive and convince myself of his eventual return. Tears blur my vision as a lump forms in my throat but I don’t let the sorrow drag me down. At least not yet.
Rowen will be back.
He said there was something special between us.
We’re meant to be together.
But we really aren’t anything at all.
I never saw Rowen again and the longer he stayed away, the further my fragile heart cracked, until one day there was nothing left to salvage.
Lark
Now . . .
Want to hear something weird? I’m having a wicked case of Déjà vu.
The type where I can sense I’ve been in a very specific situation before because it’s so freaking familiar. As a tinge of awareness prickles along my scalp and shivers race down my spine, I’m certain something serious is about to go down.
One minute I’m fine, calm as a cucumber as I celebrate Willow and Xander’s engagement with a room full of familiar faces. The next, I’m gasping for breath as panic threatens to strangle me.
Are you fucking kidding me right now?!
The illusive man I’ve been obsessing over since I was seventeen just strolled into the bar. He’s been haunting me for seven years and I don’t even know his freaking last name. I’m certain of plenty facts though.
I was a girl who believed in finding true love but that vanished up in smoke shortly after this jackass stomped on my naïve heart. Rowen is responsible for starting the downward spiral that caused me to spin out of control while I was desperately trying to find a boy to care about me.
I sound like a complete whack-job.
I’m really not that crazy but my mind is currently a jumble of confusion and frustration as everything tilts wildly around me. My knees threaten to buckle and I can’t seem to catch my breath. Wayward glances might be directed my way. If these people saw the turmoil that’s currently destroying my brain, they’d probably run the other way. Lucky for them, it’s all in my head and I’m used to suffering in silence.
There are a few important points to make before this epic disaster unravels any further . . .
I’m well aware of my downfalls, the biggest being my struggle with men. I’ll be the first to admit that I have “Daddy-issues”. I didn’t need my expensive degree in psychology to figure that out.
I grew up without a male role model since my jackass father unexpectedly walked out of my life. He was the first man to rip my heart out and stomp on my overly sensitive feelings. Ever since that catastrophe, I’d been a tad vulnerable when it came to men. At the same time, I became eager to fill the gaping hole his absence created. A desperate girl searching for love never works out well. There were a long line of Prince Charming imposters and huge let downs in my wake.
And the largest one is currently chatting it up with my best friend’s fiancé.
What is so wrong with wanting a man to love, honor, and cherish you?
It leads to continuous disappo
intment and regret.
I was too clingy.
Too demanding.
Too damaged.
Eventually I became too fucking fed up.
My own dad didn’t love me enough to stick around so I shouldn’t have been surprised when other guys ran off scared whenever commitment was brought up. Men are a bunch of chicken shits and should come with a fucking warning label.
Don’t even bother wasting the time.
I digress . . . Let’s return to the original reason I’m melting down and figure out why the fuck Rowen is here. An overwhelming urge to slap his ridiculously handsome face jolts through me as my gaze focuses on him across the room. Repressed fury continues to rise within me until my skin tickles with heat.
The memory of that one seemingly special afternoon crosses my mind occasionally but it’s become almost second nature to immediately shove those thoughts away. The ink on my wrist suddenly itches, like the needle is piercing into me all over again. I suppose there will always be a reminder of my foolish heart—at least until I cover it up permanently.
I’ve convinced myself over the years that Rowen wasn’t the one. But after meeting him, I became even more determined to find the right guy for me. Looking back on it now, there are a lot of similarities between his vanishing act and when my father abandoned me. Perhaps that’s why I took Rowen’s disappearance so hard back then. More recently, I’ve let the idea of him, and all that other fluffy love shit, lose potency. I’d been determined to move on with my life and forget about the ridiculous pipe dream I once held onto so tightly. The significance of what Rowen represented faded further with each passing season.
I’d almost tricked myself into believing he’d been a figment of my imagination, but seeing Rowen again—right in front of my effing face—I know he’s freaking real. My erratic heartbeat and other uncontrollable physical reactions are evidence enough. The exponential spike in my pulse is like a high-voltage shock from the fences meant to keep horses corralled.
So yeah, there’s really no denying it. Even after all this time, and the differences in his appearance, I recognize Rowen immediately.