Everybody's After Love (25 page)

Bentley looks up proudly as he announces, “To the Arch.”

Bri’s eyes shoot up and get wide. “Seriously?”

Paulie slaps Bentley’s back. “I’m glad you finally got her to conquer that fear.”

It took some convincing, but she says she’s ready to try it again.”

I shrug as all eyes turn to me. I walk over to my brother who pulls me into a hug. I rest my head on his chest, whispering, “I’m proud of you, Paulie.” He beams like the proud father that he is. Pinching his side, I tease, “You didn’t screw me up too bad so I’m sure you’ll do fine with Cal.”

“Hey!” Paulie objects and we all laugh.

Glancing around the room at Bri, Bentley, Paulie, and baby Callum, I smile. Never in a million years did I dream this would be the picture of my family, but it is, along with my two other “brothers,” Doug and Smitty. Ever since my parents died, I’d tried to avoid love. My thought process was if I didn’t fall in love, I’d never get married, never have kids, and never risk leaving them alone like my parents did.

Doug was the first to get married, then Paulie. Smitty got engaged just this past month after a whirlwind relationship and I’m pretty sure my future husband is sitting across the room holding my nephew. I couldn’t have been further off course with my thinking. Turns out, everybody’s after love.

***

J.P. walks us out to the hallway where my parents greet us. Emmy wraps herself around Jules and the two most important women in my life embrace each other. With both of them distracted, I turn to J.P. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

He nods and we take a few steps away from the crowd. Digging in my pocket, I pull out a small square box and open it for J.P. to see. His eyes get bigger at the sight of the marquise cut diamond surrounded by both aquamarine and emerald stones which are Julianna’s and Emmy’s birthstones. The jewels are held together in a filigree setting and gives it a unique, antique look.

I stare at the ring even though I have it memorized. I’ve been holding on to it for over three months, pulling it out every now and then and waiting for the right moment to give it to her. My eyes move to my daughter and my girlfriend, beaming at the two of them, I tell J.P. “I’m in love. Julianna made my heart whole again, my daughter loves her, she makes both of our worlds brighter. We need her, J.P. Emmy and I need her to complete our family.”

As I finish speaking, I look at him and he nods. “If you’re asking for my blessing to marry my sister, you have it.”

My mouth forms a grin as J.P. and I shake hands then I pull him to me for a hug. Soon enough, we’ll be brother-in-laws for a second time. Walking over to Julianna, I take her hand prepared to ask her to be my wife six hundred and thirty feet above the ground and knowing she won’t be scared of either because we’re in love, everybody’s in love.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First off, I have to thank my husband for the being the good ‘ole country boy he is and the inspiration for Bentley. I still may not be as brave as Jules and refuse to touch a fish, but I’ve enjoyed spending time with you around the pond since before we were married and even now when you show our daughter how it’s done.

This book is another result of Rachelle Ayala’s Romance in a Month “support group.” Thank you Rachelle for leading the class and for beta reading for me. Also, I want to thank Michele Shriver for beta reading for me although I think I have forever ruined Florida Georgia Line for, but they’re just so charming! And thanks to my writing bestie, K.S. Thomas, for beta reading and convincing me that country boys are just as sexy as firemen and baseball players.

To the wonderful,
Melissa Keir
, thank you for your amazing formatting skills. To Tami Adams of
Magic of Books Promotions
, thank you for proofreading and putting together my release day blitz. And to
Kelly Walker
, thank you for the gorgeous cover. I only hope that Bentley and Jules do it justice.

To my lovers of Lyssa Layne-THANK YOU for your continued support! This is your first read of mine not in the Burning Lovesick series so I hope you enjoy while getting to know my hometown through Jules and Bentley. Happy reading!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lyssa Layne is first, and foremost, the proud momma to her precious daughter, AR. In addition to working full-time and being a mommy to AR, she is also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, a runner, blogger, and an infertility survivor.

Having watched one too many medical dramas and being inspired by author
Rachelle Ayala
, who introduced her to the world of indie writing, Lyssa decided to try her hand at writing a romance story. Her attempt turned into the
Burning Lovesick
series. You can find Lyssa’s own interests throughout her stories although all stories are fictional.

Contact Her

Blog:         
http://lyssalayne.wordpress.com/

Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/lyssalayne

Twitter:      
https://twitter.com/layne_lyssa

Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/authorlyssalayn/

Amazon:    
http://www.amazon.com/Lyssa-Layne/e/B00KP1Y5BY

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8280977.Lyssa_Layne

Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/lyssa-layne

One year after Jacob "Smitty" Smith is stood up at the altar, his good friend Jules Ladner encourages him to redeem his honeymoon package before it expires. Reluctantly, he does so and finds himself sitting beside free spirit Sloan Talbott who is attending her sister's destination wedding at the same resort he’s staying at. Both have been hurt in the past. Neither are looking for love. Will one week in paradise be a fling to remember or lead to something more?

“Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn your house down, you can never tell.”

-Joan Crawford

Dr. Katy Malone has sworn off love after losing those she loves most in her life including her father, a member of the FDNY. She has decided to spend her time focusing on her medical research. Her ex-fiancée, and fellow doctor, isn’t ready to give up on loving her though.

Firefighter Nick Garrity is on a search for the future Mrs. Garrity. As he pushes thirty, with no prospects in sight, he’s afraid he’ll never find her. A devoted member of FDNY, he loves the thrill of his job and the satisfaction it brings him. He strives to teach the proby firefighter the ropes and pass on his passion to him.

When the proby tries to impress the guys on the crew, he ends up in the care of Dr. Katy Malone. One look at Dr. Malone and Nick knows he’s found his future wife, but can he convince her to love again?

Love is a Fire
is available for purchase on
Amazon
and
Barnes & Noble
. Be sure to add
Love is a Fire
to your bookshelf on
Goodreads
.

“Life will always throw you curves, just keep fouling them off ... the right pitch will come, but when it does, be prepared to run the bases.”

-Rick Maksian

Colie Adger is trying to make it in the big leagues as an athletic trainer. Working in a man's world isn't easy but Colie has the help of Grant Adamson, a veteran pitcher on her team that has her back through the good, the bad, and the oh-so-ugly times.

Colie's elated when big time pitcher Jace Richards, her former crush, comes back into her life. This time, he wants it all, with Colie front and center.

Grant thinks Jace is too good to be true and doesn’t trust his rival with the heart of his trainer. Voicing his opinion, Grant steps to the side and lets Colie follow her own path. Colie is torn between Jace's lavish attention and the common sense of a solid friend.

Throughout the season, Colie must figure out how to make the best decisions for all the men in her life—both on and off the field. As good as she is at making decisions for others, can Colie figure out her own heart and hit a homerun off the right pitch?

The Right Pitch
 is available for purchase on
Amazon
. Be sure to add
The Right Pitch
to your bookshelf on
Goodreads
.

Shortstop Tate James has been traded from the all-American town of Milwaukee to the L.A. Stags. Pink hair, manscaping, dogs in purses... not his thing. This ball player is less than excited about his new hometown until he crosses paths with Mia Tomko. She lets him know that not all L.A. women are just after fame and fortune. Tate and Mia have someone in their past in common. Will this person tear them apart or make them closer?