The Do Over (58 page)

The sun was shining bright on this late July afternoon. I shielded my eyes from the glare as I got out of the car. The marina was busy, and the bay's traffic was heavy with boaters returning from a day out on the water. Who could've blamed anyone for being out here today? The day was gorgeous without a cloud in the bright blue sky, and the water looked like aquamarine glass.

I reached in my purse for a hair tie, and then I pulled my hair up on top of my head. Liam crossed his arms, shaking his head, as he laughed. After all, I'd made him wait while I'd blow-dried my hair.

I was slightly offended. "Excuse me, none of that," I said with an eye roll. When I caught his gaze, a smile spread across my face.

"Baby," he said affectionately, reaching for me and pulling me into a warm embrace, "this is how you had your hair the day I met you. I'm still not sure which look I prefer."

I burst into a goofy grin, remembering that first night on the beach.

"I love your smile," he said.

His lips swept over mine as his tongue gently teased my lower lip. Our kiss deepened against the backdrop of the marina.

He rested his forehead against mine. "You're amazing. Now, let's go before it gets late."

I didn't know why he was in such a hurry, but I took the strong hand he extended and laced my fingers with his. We walked down to the
Blazing Fire
and set out on our evening cruise.

As we approached our destination, Liam slowed down and docked on the southeast side of the island. A light breeze from the south cooled down the otherwise hot afternoon. The sun began its slow descent on the early evening sky.

Liam disembarked first. He reached his hand out toward me, and I took it. Hand in hand, we started walking along the dock.

He leaned his head toward me, smiling. "I want to show you something."

We'd never really explored this little island. Typically, we'd spent our time on the beach, which was a short walking distance from the dock. There was a gleam in his eyes and a flicker of excitement in his steps.

"Hmmm, the last time you told me that, you took me from one beach to another. By the looks of it, you're doing the same thing now." I eyed him suspiciously. "Are you taking me to a secret hideaway?"

He stopped abruptly and stood in front of me. With his free hand, he tilted up my chin. His eyes sobered, locking on mine. "That night, I opened my heart to you, and it's been yours ever since. I laid my treasures at your feet."

My heart began to beat wildly at the sincere and deliberate nature of his words. He lowered his mouth over mine and kissed me hungrily, leaving me weak in the knees. He pulled back and steadied his gaze on me. The moment was intense and overwhelming. He curled his lip and winked. "Come on, there's more."

I'm not sure I can handle more. I'm about to go into cardiac arrest.

As we continued along the tree-lined path with our hands laced together, he slowed down as we were nearing the end. The colors of the sky were fading from a brilliant blue to an amber glow.

"I almost didn't bring you here," he said lovingly. "This place is my sanctuary. In fact, nothing that happened that day was supposed to happen. I had a really hard shift, so I wanted to come here. Instead, I covered for a CPR class where this beautiful girl sat in the back, ignoring me because she was reading a book. As quickly as she came into my life, she was gone, and I kicked myself in the ass for letting her slip away. I almost canceled on Chris that night, but he was relentless. And then, in a crowded nightclub, I saw her again and got my do-over."

"It was the best day of my life," I whispered, glancing over at him tenderly.

Liam and I now talked about everything. He had his moments when he was a sap or, as he liked to say, romantic. But this was different, and I felt myself overcome with emotion as my eyes pooled with tears while my heart stammered.

"When my dad died," he said, his voice hitching slightly, "I was angry and hurt. Then, I met my coach and my captain. They've been like fathers to me. It was like my dad made sure that there would be people in my life, not to replace him, but to step in for him. I've never talked about my dad to people who didn't know him…until you." He paused.

I let go of his hand, and my arms reached around him, wrapping him in my embrace.

"I didn't talk about him with Natalie. Obviously, she knew that he had passed, but it was the don't-go-there topic. Then, out of nowhere, there you were under the moonlight, and the words just started coming out. I'm no stranger to loss." He shook his head. "Natalie was my best friend and first love, and her death was devastating. My mom and I bonded over the loss of love. She told me that people come into our lives for a season or a lifetime but always for a reason. I was Natalie's lifetime, but she was my season. When the time was right, my lifetime would come."

His arms tightened around me as tears welled in my eyes. There were so many things I wanted to say to him during his grand declaration. When I looked up at him, his lip curled softly. Taking my hand, he led me out of the path and straight into a burst of orange hues from the now setting sun.

"Dani, you're my lifetime." As he got down on one knee, he pulled out a box from his pocket. "I love you with everything that I am. Let me be your happily ever after. Marry me and be my wife."

I nodded, bringing my hands over my mouth as the tears streamed down my face. "Yes. Yes, I'll be your wife," I cried. "Yes. Yes."

He took my trembling hand and slid the ring on my finger. When I wrapped my arms around his neck, he picked me up and spun me around as I squealed.

"I love you," I said.

For nine months, I had been kissing my prince. He was an amazing man and a loving partner. Neither one of us was perfect, but we were just right for each other. Together, we had a connection that was deep and electric.

After he grabbed the remote and muted the TV, he turned back to me, and our eyes met.

"I plan on giving you the world," he promised.

When his tongue slowly swept along my collarbone, I gasped, and I moaned softly.

"You were made for me, and I was made for you."

My body relaxed at the sound of his words, and a shiver coursed through my body.

"Last night was just the beginning," he said.

Our entire relationship flashed before my eyes, the good and the painful. We had both chosen to fight for each other. We had been unwilling to give up. We loved each other. It wasn't just the Hallmark card gooey love. It was also the real kind that overcame our inadequacies and imperfections.

Relishing the memory of last night, I closed my eyes, pinned under him. He had given me a sunrise and a sunset. He was the love of my life, the man of my dreams, and every one of my book boyfriends wrapped into one.

After I slowly opened my eyes, I stared into his blue ones as I seared this love into my memory. My heart beat wildly in my chest. When I fisted his shirt, I admired my sparkling ring as I brought him closer to me.

"It's just the beginning." I bit my lower lip. "I love you, Liam, always and forever."

I'd like to thank God for not only giving me a vivid imagination, a flare for the dramatic, and occasionally, a way with words but also for the humility to know that writing a novel doesn't happen in solitude. I found myself surrounded by people who I can only refer to as angels. Those angels came in and sometimes out of my journey. They blessed me as they were a source of encouragement and motivation to be the best that I could be. I learned a great deal from every one of them.

Thank you, Crysti Perry and the Kindle Buddies, for a prologue contest—which I lost—for stirring the fire, and for encouraging me to finish what I started.

To Claire Contreras: You pulled out your red pen and gently showed me the way. I will forever be grateful to you for your encouragement, pep talks, and honesty. You're a great writer and friend. Thank you so much.

To Lisa Harley and Megan Hand, THWC: You ladies have been my constant. I appreciate the daily chats, kicks in the butt, laughter, and most of all, your love and support. You ladies totally rock. I am so blessed to call you my friends.

To Daisy Esquenazi, Jennifer Rached, Lily Yanes, and Ana Torres.: You put up with talking about my story every single day at work. I appreciate you for letting me bounce ideas off of you, for sharing in my excitement, and for wallowing in my self-pity with minimal to no eye rolls. You ladies are great! And, of course, to Michelle Machin who was the first person to read the first six chapters.

To TWOTDO—Antoinette, Beth, Chandra, Ciara, Dyann, Elizabeth, Gina, Jaime, Jennifer B, Jennifer D, Judy, Keri, Kimberly, Kristina, Nicki, and Stacy Thank you ladies so much for rolling up your sleeves and reading
The Do Over
. Thank you for your honesty, kindness, and enthusiasm. Words cannot begin to express how grateful I am for each one of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To the ladies of Ain't Nobody Got Time for That: Thank you for welcoming me into your fold and for allowing me to glean from your greatness. I'm honored to be surrounded by such amazing talent from the most hilarious and kind-hearted group of women I know.

To The Indie Chixx: You ladies are the most supportive, loving, and inclusive women I know. Thank you for answering my questions and for going above and beyond with your kindness and generosity. We might be independent, but we don't do it alone!

To The Writer's Block: Thank you for your kindness, support and offering a place to learn the ropes.

To Robin Harper from Wicked by Design: You're an amazingly talented and patient woman. Thank you for answering my never-ending questions and for your flexibility in dealing with my perfectionism.

To Jovana Shirley from Unforeseen Editing: Thank you for taking my baby and making her the best that she can be. I never thought I'd be so happy to see an explosion of purple lines—it looked like a bad case of varicose veins. I loved your notes and comments. They served to both teach and encourage.

To Angela from Fictional Formats: You are a talented artist. Thank you for taking my manuscript and making it a beautiful work of art.

To my readers: Thank you so much for embarking on the journey of
The Do Over
. I hope and trust that you love the characters and their story as much as I do. Thank you.