by Liwen Ho
“Sorry, sis, what were you saying?”
She tore her eyes away from Noah’s and faced the phone screen. Gabe was finally a little more alert. She took a deep breath and began her spiel. “I was saying, big brother, that you don’t have to worry anymore about me wasting my life and money away. I figured out a lot of things since we last talked.”
“All right. I like the sound of that. Do enlighten me.”
“I spent the last month reevaluating my priorities like you suggested, and I’ve decided to return to my first love.”
“You’re going back to teaching?”
She shook her head. “No, but close. I want to start a nonprofit to provide technical resources to students, specifically computers, tablets, and smartboards. I’ve already reached out to my old school and others in the same district. They’ve expressed a lot of interest. I’ll need your help though to find the right people to connect with to get this off the ground.”
Gabe nodded thoughtfully as he listened. “That sounds like a great plan. I’d be happy to help. I’ve got a few connections in Silicon Valley who would be great with this.”
“I’ll help, too, Laurene,” Seraphina chimed in beside him. “It’s wonderful how you’re able to tie in your passion with this project.”
“Thank you, Sera. As much as I love teaching, I hope to reach even more kids and make a greater impact this way.”
“Say, is Noah around?” Gabe asked. “He’d be a good person to start with. He’s my go-to tech guy. I’m sure he knows which gadgets are worth checking out.”
Laurene grinned and slid across the couch to Noah. She aimed the phone in his direction. “As a matter of fact, he is. He helped me do some brainstorming last night.”
Gabe’s brows drew together. “Did he now?”
“Hey, Gabe. Good to see you again, Sera,” Noah greeted them with a nervous chuckle.
“Is there something I need to know?” Gabe asked in an almost ominous tone. “What else did the two of you do yesterday?”
“Nothing that you and Sera wouldn’t do,” Laurene quipped. “In fact, we may have gotten some inspiration from you guys. You know, what the two of you were doing the last time we saw you together.”
Seraphina laughed. “Oh, she got you good, Gabe.”
“We did a lot of talking, Gabe,” Noah insisted earnestly. “Just talking. Well, also another activity that required our mouths—”
“I got it,” Gabe cut in with a pained expression. “That’s quite enough information, thank you.” His gaze flitted from Laurene’s face to Noah’s and back again. “My little sister and my best friend. I had a feeling this day would come. I suppose if I had to pick a guy for you, Laurene, it would be Noah. He’s as tried and true as they come. Just do me a favor and keep the details of your—” he grimaced “—activities to yourselves.”
“Of course, big brother.” Laurene gave Gabe a cheeky smile and reached over for Noah’s hand. “On that note, we’re going to sign off here and do something that you’re not going to want to hear about.”
“You guys have fun. I’ll be sure to keep your brother distracted and out of your hair,” Sera added with a wink.
Laurene laughed. “Thanks. We’ll talk to you guys later. Bye.”
Noah placed an arm around her and pulled her close. “That went better than I expected.”
“All thanks to the power of love.” Laurene snuggled into his side and leaned her head on his firm chest. Being this close to Noah, with his masculine scent filling her senses, made her giddy. “It’s definitely more powerful than money. But it doesn’t hurt to have both.”
“I suppose not.” Noah placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. “But I’d take love over money any day.”
“I know.” She believed Noah meant every word. That was the kind of guy he was—genuine, down-to-earth, and sweet—and exactly why she had fallen for him. “That’s why I love you.”
Noah’s chest rose as he inhaled quickly. “Did you say you love me?”
Laurene glanced up, her cheeks flushing under his intense gaze. “I did, didn’t I? I just meant that’s something I love about you.”
“There’s no need to explain.” Noah smiled tenderly as he tipped her chin up. “I love you, too, Laurene. You’re the best thing to happen to me.”
That was all she needed to hear as she took his face with both hands and brought her mouth to his. She’d never get enough of Noah’s kisses. He poured so much of himself into each touch, capturing her heart more and more.
Who needed retail therapy anymore? Not her. Not when she now had more passion and purpose in her life. And it was all because of this man who had offered her what money couldn’t buy—the love of a lifetime.
Afterword
Thank you so much for reading this story! I hope you enjoyed Laurene and Noah’s evolving relationship. The friends-to-lovers trope is my favorite because of the unspoken tension and longing between two people. This kind of romance is even better when you throw in an overprotective big brother, which Gabe played perfectly. ;)
I often get inspiration for my books from other romantic movies and books. In this particular story, I came up with the pool scene after watching the hot tub scene in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
I loved how this story came together, especially when Kylie showed up unexpectedly in the food court scene and I knew she would be the perfect match for Devon. Speaking of which … be sure to check out Crushing on the Billionaire, book 3 in the Billionaires with Heart series! And please leave your review for this story and let me know what you thought.
He’s a billionaire entrepreneur. She’s his childhood crush. A secret she’s hiding threatens to destroy their chances of a future together.
Devon Brooks has everything he could buy, except for love. When he bumps into his ex while on vacation, he realizes she holds the key to filling the void in his heart. He only needs to convince her it’s hers for the taking.
Kylie Martin is low on cash and hope. Seeing her old boyfriend gives her a glimmer of the life she could have had, if only she had treated him better in the past. She doesn’t deserve his kindness, but she can’t help but be drawn to is charm.
Second chances and stolen glances are all it takes for two former lovers to find love again.
Continue your tropical getaway with Crushing on the Billionaire on Amazon.com!
Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank the following people who blessed me in the making of this book:
My fabulous critique partners, Jocelyn Fitch and Kristen Iten, for encouraging me in my writing and for sending me virtual chocolate when I needed it.
My Early Bird Launch Team for their unwavering support with each book I release.
My editor, Heather Hayden, for always doing a wonderful job with my manuscripts.
My fellow authors in the Word War Room Facebook group who help me crank out the words for my stories.
My cover designer, Victorine Lieske, for being so easy to work with and for her quality work.
More Books by Liwen Y. Ho
The Spark Brothers Series
A Single Spark
A Sudden Spark
Taking Chances on Love Series
Taking a Chance on the Heartbreaker
Taking a Chance on Mr. Wrong
Taking a Chance on the Enemy
Seasons of Love Series
The More the Merrier
A Spoonful of Spice
Of Buds and Blossoms
On Waves of Wanderlust
Tropical Kiss Series
Tropical Kiss or Miss
Tropical Kiss and Tell
Welcome to Romance Series
Chasing Romance
Romantically Ever After
Holding Onto Love in Romance
Non-Series Books
Puppy Dog Tales
The Love Clause
Love’s Choice
The Time Rift (co-authored with David H. Ho)
Contact I
nformation
Liwen Y. Ho can be found at:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/liwenho
Blog: http://www.2square2behip.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2square2behip
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author.liwenho/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/2square2behip
About the Author
Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and referee by day (AKA being a stay-at-home mom) and an
author by night. She writes sweet and inspirational contemporary romance infused with heart,
humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).
In her pre-author life, she received a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from
Western Seminary, and she loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind.
She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children, and she blogs about her adventures as a recovering perfectionist at http://www.2square2behip.com/.
Sign up for Liwen’s newsletter to receive an exclusive free book, news about her upcoming
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