I’ve never written a second chances book, or the one that got away, or anything like that. It was a challenge for me to make sure Alyssa and Jake could have a second chance that made sense. He was hurt and mad, she was ashamed and felt like she didn’t deserve him. But they couldn’t just walk away.

Excerpt from Never A Bridesmaid, Always A Bride

Alyssa shrugged. “I made some shitty choices. Jake got caught in the middle. It wouldn’t be fair of me to expect him to wait this long for me.”

Sean examined her closely. “He may not have remained celibate, but I do think he’s been waiting for you. Maybe I shouldn’t tell you this either, but he hasn’t had a serious relationship since you left. I think a part of him still loves you, Alyssa. Even if he doesn’t want to.”

Tears stung her eyes and blurred her vision. She didn’t know if they were happy tears or sad ones. Maybe just angry tears. Angry that she’d stolen their happiness from them. If she could go back to her eighteen year old self, she’d slap herself silly. She threw away the best thing that had ever happened to her and regretted it ever since.

“I’m sorry, Sean. I need to go.”

Alyssa pushed away from the table, leaving her half-eaten lunch and her cousin behind. Sean called after her, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t stop. She just ran. Through the vines toward the water. To the only place she ever felt like she could be herself.

She just hoped she would be alone.

***

Jake saw Alyssa tear across the vineyard toward the tree and had to force himself not to follow her. He didn’t want to know what was wrong.

Except he did.

It fucking gutted him to see her crying.

He looked back up toward the inn and saw Sean standing just off the deck, watching Alyssa run. Jake had to know what he said to upset her so badly. She’d had enough shit from Andie. She didn’t need it from Sean, too.

He stormed toward The Drunken Grape and was in Sean’s face before he even had a chance to sit back down.

“What the fuck did you say to her?”

Sean didn’t back down. They stood toe to toe, Sean close enough to Jake’s 6’2” that they could look each other in the eye.

“You need to back off, Jake. You have no idea what you’re accusing me of.”

Jake remembered for a second that Sean was technically one of his bosses, but he didn’t give a shit. He’d hurt Alyssa. And that was all that mattered.

“What did you say to her?”

“I told her I think you still love her. That I think you’ve been waiting for her all this time. And that you haven’t had a relationship since she left.”

All the anger in Jake deflated faster than a popped balloon. He sunk into a chair and dropped his head into his hands.

“I’m guessing I was right based on your reaction. You still love her, don’t you?”

Preorder Today!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

[mailerlite_form form_id=3]