The Suit (28 page)
The next morning, the space next to me in the bed is empty. I panic as I climb out of bed and scurry to my bedroom and grab my robe.
Calm down Edie. He hasn’t left
. As I make my way through the living room, I hear the clinking of pans and the sizzling of bacon frying. I let out a sigh of relief.
He’s here.
He’s making me breakfast.
Life is perfect.
My eye catches sight of the paper he dropped on the sofa last night and I quietly tiptoe over to it. Picking it up, I begin reading.
Johnny knew there was a chance Edie would turn him down, tell him they couldn’t be together. He knew it would hurt like hell too, and it did. Like a bitch. Being rejected by Edie was a hard pill to swallow. But he loved her and he wouldn’t dare leave on a bad note. Instead, he mustered up every bit of self-control he had, put his pride aside, and kissed her long and hard. It was the last real kiss he would ever have. He would love this girl, this beautiful incredible girl for all the days of his life. He would pray for her happiness, even if it wasn’t with him. He would always hope the best for her, because she deserved it. She deserved
everything her heart desired.
Johnny kissed her softly one last time and whispered, “Thank you for all you’ve given me. I’ll never forget it.”
And then he picked up his suitcase and left behind the woman he’d love for the rest of his life.
Why am I crying? Suit was prepared for me to say no? That I wouldn’t agree to be with him? He wrote this just in case. The idea of him walking out of my life feels like a punch to the gut.
“Hey, beautiful,” he whispers as he wraps his arms around me from behind. He sees the paper in my hand and pulls back, turning me to face him. His brow furrows as he takes in the sight of me, red-eyed and crying.
“I’ve got to up my game. You’ve done nothing but cry since I’ve come back.”
“This breaks my heart. Just the idea of it…” I wipe at my nose with the sleeve of my robe.
He smiles softly as he takes the paper from me. “I would’ve left if that’s what you had wanted. Your happiness means more to me than my own.”
Did you see that? I just melted to the floor with his words.
“I’m so happy you came back,” I cry as I press my body to his.
“Why don’t we rip this up and forget it ever existed.”
“No!” I say loudly. “I want to keep it.”
“Why?” he asks confused.
“Because I want to remember how tragic and awful my life could have been if I had said no.”
“Sounds a little morbid, but okay,” he chuckles softly.
I take the paper from him and fold it gently. Suit wrote our own story.
For me.
We have our own crazy love story. I look up at him and sigh. “You know what I love most about these romance novels I read?”
“Aside from the hot, raunchy sex?” he questions.
“Yeah,” I laugh.
“Okay. I’ll bite. What?”
“The happily ever afters.”
He stares at me, biting his lip as if trying not to laugh. His body begins to convulse as laughter tries to break free from his mouth.
I gawk at him and slap his chest. “You’re laughing at me?”
Noting my insulted expression, he finally lets his laughter loose, his face turning red. “With you, baby. Always with you,” he manages to say after a few seconds once he catches his breath.
“It wasn’t that funny, you jerk,” I feign offense.
“Yes it was. And kind of corny, too.”
“Okay, I’m corny and mushy, but it’s true. I like the happily-ever-after part,” I snap and cross my arms. I move to walk away from him, my pride evaporating, but he grabs me quickly and kisses me hard. Gone is my anger as I let my body melt to his.
When he pulls away, he stares into my eyes, all laughter gone, and says, “Now we have our very own happily ever after.”
And then he kisses me again.
Life is perfect.
I’d like to begin with two people who graciously took the time to guide me through exciting avenues of life I was unfamiliar with. In the midst of research, they both shared incredible stories that should be written and shared with the world.
Karen D. Godsey—thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me interrupt your extremely busy life and taking the time to answer my insane amount of questions and for showing me your beautiful horse farm. Your love for your farm, the land, and the training of your horses is truly inspiring. I could sit and watch you work your magic all day long and be completely captivated by it. I’m so thankful for your time. I hope your mom will share her amazing story with the world one day, because it is a story that will stay with me forever.
Jim Driggs—thank you for answering all of my questions and for sharing your touching story. Your ambition and drive to get your law degree and passing the bar amidst such tragedy is truly amazing. I meant it when I said you should write about it. Thank you so much for your time.
Author Meg Collett—you have been so wonderful to work with. I am so lucky to have you as my critique partner and I’m grateful for your honest input and your help in molding this story. You have become a dear friend, one I know who understands what it is to be a self-published author, navigating through this crazy business. Thank you so very much for your time and friendship. I feel extremely lucky to have stumbled across your post that day. I’m glad we’re in our two man wolf pack.
To my cover designer, Kari with Cover to Cover Designs—thank you for the amazing cover and promos. As always, my dear, you are marvelous.
To my editor, Marilyn with Eagle Eye Reads Editing—thank you for your amazing editing. I’m so glad I was referred to you and can’t wait to continue working with you in the future.
To my Smitten Kittens. You girls rock! Thanks for pimping me and my books! I love you all!
To Dreama Boo—thanks for being my beta. I’ve had a blast working with you and look forward to the projects we conquer together in the future.
To the bloggers that have been incredibly supportive of me as a new author— your support has meant the world to me. Thank you to Tiffany with Escape to Bookland, Krystle with The Booknatics, Maria with Maria’s Book Blog, Barbara with T’irla’s Talk, Kaprii and Lorraine with Two Ordinary Girls and their Books, Kawehi with Kawehi Reviews, and Jessica with Romance Novel Releases. Ladies, I am humbled by your support and general assistance in promoting my work. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are all amazing!
To my friends and family—thank you for always supporting me and encouraging me to keep going. I love you all.
And finally, to my husband, Toler—I love you. Thank you for letting me dream big. Your love and support mean more to me than you will ever know. I love you to the moon and back.
Dear Readers,
If you enjoyed The Suit, I hope you will consider leaving a review from the site where you purchased it and/or on Goodreads. Your support means the world to me and I read each and every review.
Thank you so much for your time.
B N Toler
lives in Virginia with her three rowdy children and gearhead husband. She enjoys warm weather, beaches, reading, and music.
EMAIL
FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/pages/B-N-Toler-Author/279007692235640
TWITTER
@BNTOLER
GOODREADS
Don’t miss out on Nikki and Parker’s Story
THE ANCHOR
Part Two in the Holly Springs Series
COMING SPRING 2015
Parker Hayes has just graduated at the top of his class from law school. He has an amazing new job and a killer new bachelor pad. Life is good! It’s damn near perfect. But something is missing. No matter how hard he tries, he hasn’t been able to get Nikki Reese off his mind. The mind-blowing, sex-filled weekend they spent together was more incredible than anything he’s ever experienced. But the brief encounter wasn’t enough, and now Parker finds himself musing over if he’ll ever see Nikki again.
Just one more touch…
Nikki Reese is Holly Spring’s beauty queen. She’s the kind of woman that can smile, taking a man’s breath away, all while flipping him the bird. Pageants are her life and she’s determined to make it to the Miss USA pageant no matter what. No. Matter. What.
But what was supposed to be a fun-filled—no strings attached—weekend together in New York changes all of that.
Months after their fling, Nikki discovers the incredible time they spent together will forever change her life. Two bold pink lines have written a fate she’s not sure how to deal with. When Parker discovers the news, to her surprise, he rushes to Nikki’s side, ready and willing to help in any way he can.
Seeing Nikki again sends Parker’s imagination running wild, but he keeps his cravings in check for the time being. The two agree to work together for the sake of their child, but neither can fight the intense, raw chemistry between them. But when Nikki’s abandonment issues threaten to divide them, brutally sending them drifting apart, Parker must become the one who keeps them grounded and intact.
He must be
The Anchor
.
She may feel like she’s shattered into a million little pieces, but he’s about to show her that letting him go again is not an option.