Fated

by Delisa Lynn

  Amber Nation- My Facebook BFF, thank you so much for all of your support and constant encouragement. You have become a wonderful friend. I wish we lived closer to each other. I can’t wait to hang out with you and take my first Airplane ride with you. Please hold my hand...lol. I love you lady.

  Jessika Harper- My word whore... My friend. You are an amazing person. You’ve helped me so much along this journey. I love you, cheap whore. #weknowashtonisyours

  Savannah Stewart- Thank you for all of your encouragement and daily chats. You are amazing. <3

  Aunt Nece- Thank you so much for all of your words of encouragement and support. I love you very much, it makes my heart smile knowing that you love my books.

  My IndiePendent Girls- Amber Nation, Casey Bond, Cassy Roop, Savannah Stewart, Annalisa Nicole, Tara Paradise, Kay Manis, Rachael Brownell, Alissa Glenn, Ashley Ragsdale and Ashley Johnson. Where do I even began, you ladies are amazing. Our daily chats and cussing sessions. How we can start talking about the weather and it turns into 300 comments about sex. You all are amazing authors, I’m so honored to be a part of this group. I LOVE YOU ALL SO DAMN MUCH. I can’t wait to finally meet all of you. Spork-Sistas for life.

  My Sprint or Die Chicks You Know Who You Are- Y’all are amazing authors, I love sprinting with you all.

  Annalisa Nicole- Thank you for all of your help with teaser and setting up my website. You saved me from buying a new laptop. <3

  The Embracing Ladies, thank you so much for being a part of my street team and loving my characters as much as I do. You ladies ROCK!!

  My PA’s and helpers- Giana Racine, Jessika Harper, Ashley Grimes, Ebbie Lippelman Moresco. Thank you all so much for all that you do. I love you all.

  My family and friends- Thank you all for supporting me and my love of writing. It means a lot to me that you all are so supportive. I love you.

  Robin Harper at Wicked by Design- Thank you so much for making all of my beautiful covers, they are all amazing. I love working with you. Can’t wait to start on the next one.

  Tami Norman with Integrity Formatting- Thank you so much for taking my books on, you have been a blessing to work with. Looking forward to working with you again.

  My Betas- Michelle, Casey, Ebbie, Jessika, Ashley, Amy, Marnie, Hedi, and Shawna, Ashley. Thank you all for reading Fated, giving me your honest opinions and feedback.

  Ena with Enticing Journey- Thank you for hosting Fated’s Cover Reveal.

  Anna and Christina with Two Crazy Bookaholics- Thank you for hosting Fated’s Release Day Blitz. You ladies ROCK!!!

  Last but not least, all of the amazing blogs and bloggers that support all of us Indies and help get our name out there. You all are truly amazing. The Indie community would be lost without you.

  My name is Delisa Lynn, I grew up in Columbus Ohio. I’m currently residing in Western New York, where I work as a Medical Assistant. I love music, all generations, I do have a soft spot for country and 80’s hair bands. My favorite season is fall, I love the weather that time of the year, watching the leaves change and most of all being able to watch football. Go Bucks!! I am also a 49ers fan and New York Yankees fan. My favorite color is pink, not baby pink hot pink. I’m married to my high school sweetheart, we’ve been together going on nineteen years, sometimes I can’t stand him but I wouldn’t trade him for the world. I love you Jay. Our baby is a five year old spoiled Yorki named Sophie and yes she thinks she is human.

  I’ve always had a passion for reading and writing. I have very vivid imagination and have always felt I should express it in writing. But I took a different career path, I worked in retail photography for sixteen years. Then I chose to work in the medical field. Last year, I decided I was going to follow my dream and write a novel. I never imagined it would turn into a series with eight books. I’m so glad it did, because I love it. When I’m not writing you can find me snuggled with my hubby watching a movie, or cuddled in the corner of the couch with my fur baby reading.

  I hope you all enjoy reading my books as much as I did writing them.

  Web: www.authordelisalynn.com

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/authordelisalynn

  Twitter: www.twitter.com/authordelisalyn (@authordelisalyn)

  Email: authordelisalynn@gmail.com

  This is a list of Delisa Lynn’s books and upcoming releases

  (release dates subject to change).

  An Embracing Series

  Embracing Love - Lila and Liam (11/2013)

  Borrowed - Evan’s Story (01/2014)

  Embracing Us - Lila and Liam (03/2014)

  Fated - Zander and Audrey (06/2014)

  Healed - Alyssa and Heath (9/2014)

  Destined - Ashton’s Story (12/2014)

  Loved - Meg and Kade (Winter 2014/2015)

  Embracing Forever - Evan and Tatum’s Journey (Spring 2105)

  Invisible - Coming Summer 2015

  The Oceans Between Us - Fall 2015

  Here is a chapter from

  Healed book five in ‘An Embracing Series’.

  Alyssa

  I can’t believe I let my sister Abby talk me into this. We are going to the beach for the summer. I had always avoided family vacations once I went off to college. Although I graduated a few years ago, my sister thinks I need a break. I definitely need to get away from New York City. Not so sure I needed to go on a family vacation, especially where there are happy couples.

  I’ve never been the relationship type of gal, I actually like it that way. There have only been two men that I’ve ever loved. One left me eight years ago and the other man just informed me he is now engaged to someone else. He and I had been seeing each other on and off the last four or five years. I could trust him, and he was very honest with me and always made it clear that, he just wanted a friendship out of what we had going on. I was completely fine with that, because he was a good in bed that’s for sure.

  Once I realized I had developed stronger feelings for him, it was too late; he was with someone else. Of course, she hurt him just like the others did. And he ran back to my bed, just as he always did. I guess this time the shit is for real, so that’s why I’m here. Summer, sand, sun, water, and drinks should get me out of this Evan funk.

  Abby is picking me up and we are driving to Holden Beach. It’s somewhere in the Carolina’s. This is one road trip I’m not looking forward too. Don’t get me wrong, I love my little sister. But she is meeting her fiancé there and my parents, and aunt and uncle will be joining us, a few days later.

  I’ve packed everything I think I need. I’ve left my neighbor Georgie a key so she can feed my cat. I trust her she’s a sweet older lady, I actually call her the dog lady. She has more dogs than an animal shelter. She offered to my cat Softie at her apartment, but I think he will be more comfortable in his own home.

  Here we go with the damn boyfriend questions. My little sister think’s she is a love doctor. Although she is actually a podiatrist. We’ve been on the road for about an hour and the questions keep rolling out of her pretty little mouth. I should just tell her I have someone so she will leave me alone.

  “Just tell me you will meet him. He is a hunk, and his family owns half of Holden Beach.” She says as she pushes her sunglasses on top of her head. “Alyssa, you need a good man. I know you are tired of taking care of that yourself.” She says as she looks in the direction of my crotch.

  “Seriously, you are going to throw that in there. How do you know that I don’t already have someone taking care of that for me?” I say as roll my eyes at her and look out the window.

  “You can pretend all you want lady, but I can tell you haven’t had those pipes blown out in a while. There is probably two inches of dust in them.”

  “Hahaha! You’re so lucky you’re my little sister and I have to spend the next ten hours in this car with you. Or else I would kick your ass.” Hell she is right, but I would never tell her that. I would love to be held and kissed by a nice strong man. Umm, wake up Alyssa. Yeah that’s not h
appening.

  “Trust me you will like Heath. I’ve met him several times. He’ll actually be at the beach house when we arrive, he has the keys.”

  “So after this long ass trip, I get to meet Mr. Sexy looking like shit?”

  “Well, we can always stop off and make ourselves look presentable love.”

  “So when is your hunk of a man joining us?” I’m not a fan of my sister’s fiancé. Brett is his name and he thinks that they broke the mold when his snooty ass was conceived.

  “He isn’t able to get out of work for a few days. He will only be there the weekend. Which is completely fine, I thought that would give us some time to hang out and shop.”

  “That work’s for me, I don’t think I could handle being around him for a complete week.”

  “He isn’t that bad, why don’t you give him a chance? You know he adores me. I know sometimes he comes off a little bit of a jerk, but he is a great guy.”

  “Keep telling yourself that sister. You know I love you regardless. Can we stop and grab a snack? I need some chocolate if I have to keep listening to you talk about how amazing you douchebag and the rich guy is.”

  “That was wrong Alyssa. Seriously be nice for a change. Trust me when you meet Heath, you will change your mind about everything. Please trust me on this. I know Evan burned you love, but my god, move the hell on.”

  “I was out of line, I’ll only apologize if I can listen to Maroon 5 and have chocolate.” I say as I bat my eyelashes in her direction.

  We’ve been driving for about six hours now, I think I’ve dozed off a few times. Abby hasn’t seemed to mind. She is used to staying away long hours. I’ve heard her talking to Brett a few times. I don’t know what it is about that man but I can’t stand him. I think he uses my sister for one reason. He seems to think that her money is his money.

  In high school, I thought I found the love of my life. But life happened and ruined that for me. Seth was an amazing guy. He actually graduated a year before me and was in college. When the accident happened. My life truly hasn’t been the same since then. So I did what I could to not let my feelings get involved, well that was until I let Evan in.

  Letting him in was never my plan, hell the first night I met him I gave him oral sex at the bar. I was drunk off my ass, in my defense and I knew he was a good guy. I’d seen him several times, at the café I worked at. After sleeping with him twice I was in hooked, his country charm and fine ass body had me wanting more and more of him. Knowing he didn’t want more broke me, I ended up sleeping with all of his friends and making sure that even though he had a girlfriend I was a part of his life. Seeing him with those other girls made me want to stab their eyes out with a rusty spork.

  “Hey you asleep over there?”

  “Nope. Just day dreaming. You know I miss Seth. I know I haven’t talked about him in year’s hell it’s been almost eight years.” I say as I feel a tear slip down my cheek.

  “I know, you loved him more than anything. You want to talk about him?”

  “God did I love him, I thought he was my life. It broke me when I lost him. Going to NYU and just doing whatever and whoever helped me. Did I get over him? No. But it helped heal me. Now is it time to stop for more chocolate and caffeine? I hope there is a Starbucks around here. I’m in need of a Carmel Frappe.”

  “Yes, we need more gas anyways. I also received a text from Heath. He wants to meet us for dinner and then he will show us to the house.”

  “I need to clean up before we see him. Could you imagine his face, if he sees me like this? A successful New York attorney in yoga pants and her hair balled up on top of her head.” I laughed because I knew I looked like hell.

  “You look fine, never think that about yourself. Although, I think he will like you regardless what you have on or how your hair is fixed. We will stop and doll ourselves up in the gas station bathroom. Sound good?”

  “I guess you aren’t a bad sister after all.” I say smiling.

  Releasing Fall 2014

  If you asked me what my life would look like when I was twenty five years old, I would have said happily married to my high school sweetheart, white picket fence, and the standard two point five children. I would have told you about my amazing house and being able to stay at home with my children to be their first influence in life. My husband would be wonderful, charming, caring and a God in the bedroom.

  Instead, I will tell you the truth. My life is not the picturesque fantasy of the image I had in mind. My real life is lonely, desolate and secluded. It is cold, unemotional. My heart and my soul have fallen into a dark, calamitous despair; a despair so deep I fear I may never fight my way back out to the gleaming rays of untainted happiness again. I have betrayed everyone who has loved me. I have ruined a man who had given up everything for me; given up demons that held strongly to his heart, refusing to let him love.

  The only thing true about my fantasy was that I did marry my high school sweetheart. As I look back, I can remember a time when I was fortunate to have happiness and love in my life. Meeting Jared my sophomore year of high school was one of the best moments of my life. I was instantly in love with the herculean athlete that he was. His sandy blonde hair and crystal blue eyes had any girl wanting to fall and worship at his feet. Jared was charming and charismatic with a witty sense of humor, and oh my God, was he ever sexy. I was greedy with a desire to be his girl. When he finally asked me out after several weeks of shameless flirting, I was ecstatic.

  We dated for the remainder of our high school careers, and on the night of our graduation he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I did not hesitate to tell him yes. My parents were more than thrilled. Yes, we were young, but everyone married young in our small country town of Sylva, North Carolina. It was like the Mayberry of North Carolina, small, quaint, and full of southern hospitality. It was every girl’s fantasy to find a husband and start a family. I thought I had all of this when I found Jared. My life could not have been any happier.

  Jared and I were married the summer after our high school graduation. He was accepted to Northwestern University in Chicago, and we moved there just one month later. Since tuition and living expenses were expensive, we decided that, for the time being, my college career would be put on hold while Jared sought to obtain his law degree. I started working odd jobs; sometimes two just for us to make ends meet. It was at one of my odd jobs as a waitress at Clarke's Diner that I met Kelly Harris. With her bouncy red curls and exuberant lively attitude we quickly became friends. With Jared away at school most days or with his study groups, it left me alone quite often. So when I was not at home or working, I was with Kelly.

  The first few years of our marriage were genuinely happy. Although we did not get to spend much time together, the times that we did were that much more enjoyable. Deciding to put off a family, until Jared received his degree, seemed like a logical thing to do. Still, I could not help but feel the pangs of wanting to be a mother.

  Jared finally received his law degree and passed the bar exam about eight months ago. He was lucky to get a job working at Kettleman and Lawson, a very prestigious law firm in Chicago. It was when everything was actually looking up for him, that everything with us began to deflate.

  Being the new guy at the firm, Jared had to work a lot of hours to prove himself to the partners. He began having to work a lot of nights and weekends, and I was certain now that he was established with the firm, I would be able to start focusing on a career of my own. I was tired of working entry level jobs and waitressing. Not that there was anything wrong with those occupations, I just wanted to do something that I loved, and I loved to paint. I had always wanted to be an art teacher. I wanted to help people bring color into our world through their own unique creative expression. When I approached Jared with the idea of starting my career, it ended in a huge fight.

  Everything brought on a fight. He accused me of being ungrateful, unsupportive and jealous of his newfound success. I accused him of being cold and
distant. It had gotten so bad at one point we even resorted to ignoring each other. We could be in the same room, but we might as well have been miles apart. After seven years of marriage, it was what our relationship had resorted to.

  Looking back, I remember how the course of events has changed my life so completely…

  I was sitting at the island in our kitchen while I nursed my cup of coffee. The ringing of my cell phone sent vibrations through the countertop and the cup I held in my hands, bringing me out of my grief over my deteriorating marriage. The name across the screen flashed indicating my best friend was trying to reach me.

  “Hey, Kell,” I said as I answered the call.

  “Ashley, tell me you do not have to work tonight,” she said with excitement in her voice. My dear friend was always a bustling ray of bountiful sunshine. Just talking to her alone would always lift my spirits. She got me; understood me. Most importantly, she was the polar opposite of me. Where she was animated, outgoing, and perky, I was shy, quiet, and tranquil.

  “No, actually I am off tonight. I was hoping to have dinner with Jared so that we could talk. Why?”

  “Trinity and I were both given exclusive invitations from the PR firm to attend the opening of The Celtic Knot. We get to bring a guest, and I wanted you to come with me,” she said. I could feel her bouncing in her seat through the phone. No doubt she was vibrating like a nervous Chihuahua with excitement.

  Kelly went to work at Pinnacle PR after graduating from college. She worked at the diner all the way up to that point. I was so proud of her success and her career, but at the same time I was jealous of the fact that she got to have one. The Celtic Knot was a highly exclusive private membership only club, opening in Chicago that was a client of Kelly’s at the PR firm. It had been ranted and raved about for several months. The only way to get into the club was through invitation only and members were said to be handpicked by the owner personally.