5. He gives really good presents. – Alex, Rylie
4. He’s willing to watch Barney so I don’t have to. –Nycole
3. He takes really good care of Mom when she’s hurt. – Nycole, Alex
2. Sunday Breakfast Dates!!!! – Alex, Nycole, Kyndall, Rylie
and
1. He reminds me every day that when you’re running on empty, you won’t ever get where you need to be. Both in Life and Love. (And sometimes Suburbans…) – Alex
I remain facing forward for a few minutes letting him take his time to read all the work that the girls and I put into this t-shirt. My heart’s pounding so hard I’m worried I might actually pass out.
I wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Finally, when he doesn’t say anything, all hope leaves my heart. I’ve lost him.
I wait a little longer… nothing.
Still facing the door, I ask him, “Well…what do you think?”
He says nothing, but I can hear his bare feet crossing the floor. Then, I feel him standing directly behind me. The warmth of his body behind mine.
“What do I think?” I wait for another couple of seconds. I almost start to take a step towards the door, when his hand runs all the way up the words on my back. Then he slowly makes his way to my hair and moves it aside.
“I think…”
He slowly places feather light kisses all the way up my neck. My body reacts instantly.
“I think you look good, wearing my future.”
I smile to myself, immediately recognizing the quote. I half expect my children to show up, disappointed that they didn’t keep me from hearing it, but I must say that nothing will ever compare to hearing it come out of Blake Morgan’s mouth. I think he might have actually ruined all of my future viewings of that movie, or just guaranteed that it will forever be my favorite part of any movie.
Ever.
I let out a relieved sigh. I turn to him with tears in my eyes and put my arms around his neck. It might not be the best time, but I take a few seconds to gloat.
“I told you that’s the best line ever and that you might need it one day!” I giggle upon my realization. “I guess that makes me the woman of your dreams.” He nods at me. I watch the corners of his mouth turn up into a sexy smile and I notice the small crinkles around the sides of his eyes. God, I love his eyes.
His words start to settle in my head. “Blake, are you sure you want this future?”
He leans and barely touches my lips with his. “I’ve always wanted this future. I was just waiting on you to catch up.” I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze him tight.
I now understand how truly empty my heart had become. Because right now, in this very moment, my heart is completely filled with my love for this man.
And with that knowledge, I find the courage to open my book and start my second story.
Knowing that I’ve finally found my happy ending.
This book exists because of some pretty great people. I would like to take some time to say a much needed “Thank You” to those who were involved in helping me get my story onto paper.
First and foremost, my husband Dustin – Thank you for believing in me. You have been there every step of the way and I owe you everything. Without you, I wouldn’t have had the courage to keep writing. Your support, your opinions, your advice…well, I couldn’t have done it without you by my side. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you.
Megan, Janie, Alison, and Jena – You have all been my Harlow at some point in my life. Thank you for being there for me no matter what craziness was going on in my life. Girls’ nights out, “Danceparty” at my house, shoulders to cry on, and lots and lots of laughing. These are all things I think about when I think out you. I love each of you dearly. Thank you for showing me the meaning of true friendship.
Jena – A special thank you is needed just for you. Thank you for listening to me talk, and talk, and plan, and talk, and deliberate, and talk about this book. You’re support amazes me. You are my rock. I owe you more than you could possibly imagine.
Amy Burt, Deana Wolstenholme, Jonda Liles, and Jillian Dodd – Thank you for reading my baby and giving it such high praise. I would not have taken the steps to publish if it hadn’t been your belief in my story. Thank you for taking the time to read it and giving me your feedback. Your suggestions helped make my story even better.
Sarah Hansen – Thank you for creating such a beautiful cover. It’s absolutely perfect. You looked at each of my million ideas, found the perfect one, and just ran with it. You’re a freaking genius. I can’t thank you enough for giving me something that represents my book perfectly. You are so talented my friend, in more ways than one. And I am so lucky to have met you.
Jennifer Roberts-Hall – Wow. There is so much I have to say to you, it would be a completely separate book on its own. Thank you. Thank you for not only doing a beautiful job editing my book, but also for taking the time to love my characters as much as I do. Thank you for your never ending patience…You are a saint. Regardless of how many times I wrote you with random questions, told you to stop editing because I made revisions…again, called you when I needed guidance – you were always there for me. Always. And I love you so much for that. I am so glad we met and I am so lucky to have you in my life.
Gail Marino-McHugh – There are just some people you meet in your lifetime that you know you are destined to meet. Those people that you know as soon as you meet them, you have created a lifelong friend. You are one of those people for me. Thank you so much for making me laugh, believing in me, the continuous support, and just being my friend. I love you.
And to my readers – Thank you for taking your time to read my story. I hope you love their journey as much as I loved writing it. And I hope each of you can take something from it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and believing in this book.
L.B. Simmons is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds a degree in Biomedical Science. She has been a practicing Chemist for the last 11 years. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Texas and writes every chance she gets.
Learn more about L.B. Simmons and her books at:
www.facebook.com/lbsimmonsauthor – Facebook
www.lbsimmons.wordpress.com – Blog
www.twitter.com/lbsimmons33– Twitter
lbsimmons33@gmail.com– Email
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Acknowledgments
About the Author