by Layla Hagen
We take two glasses for ourselves, then welcome every guest. We finish the greeting round by clinking glasses with Pippa and Summer.
“No more weddings to organize now,” Summer says wistfully.
“What are you talking about?” Pippa asks. “We have more single cousins than I can count. Look at all those Connors. And there’s you, of course.”
“Of course. I’m sure the right one’s out there somewhere. He just needs a map to find me. Or a compass. Better yet, a GPS. Mine’s definitely not working. Keeps sending me into dead ends.”
Boy, do I love Summer’s optimism and energy.
“By the way, you have five minutes until your dance begins,” she informs Daniel and me. Right, for all her sweetness, she does bossy well.
“Yes, boss,” I say, trying to swallow my anxiety at the thought of dancing in front of everyone. Dan and I decided we’re just going to dance to one of our favorite slow songs, without any fancy choreography.
By the time Daniel pulls me onto the dance floor, I’ve worked myself into a frenzy. But as soon as the song starts and he wraps an arm around my waist, taking my hand in his, some of that tension bleeds away. Dear God, how he holds me, how he looks at me, as if I’m the most precious thing in the world.
“I love you, Dan,” I whisper.
He smiles, kissing the corner of my lips. “I love you too.”
I melt against him, feeling safe and loved in his arms. Once the song is over, others join us on the dance floor.
The very best thing about the wedding dress? It’s so long and voluminous, no one can see my feet. As long as I manage not to step on my own toes, I’m golden.
Between the food and the dancing, the night is a hit. The most memorable parts are the speeches. They start out humorous and relatively safe while our dads hold the mic, but the whole affair quickly spirals into wild and inappropriate when Blake’s turn comes.
By the time the party is over, part of me wishes we could go on, even though I also desperately want our wedding night to begin.
After the last of the guests leave, and the family is carrying our presents to the car, Jenna hugs us both goodbye.
“Any words of wisdom?” I ask as I pull away from her arms. She looks from Dan to me, beaming.
“Laugh often. Don’t go to bed mad. Learn to let go. Things are never as bad as they look like. Don’t say hurtful things. You don’t mean them, and you can’t take them back. Don’t forget to say ‘I love you,’ even after many years pass. Always look for the best in each other. Always love each other. And when there’s a lot of love, you can work everything else out. Together.”
Epilogue
Daniel
Two months later
“Caroline?” I set my keys in the yellow, fish-shaped bowl in the foyer, my hand shaking slightly around the envelope. I was supposed to be home in two hours, but once I got the news, I couldn’t resist. She isn’t in the living room. Upstairs, then.
I jog up the flight of stairs and smile. She added even more books to the bookcase on the upper floor of our house.
Martin’s store is doing just fine since he and Caroline are arranging readings and games with nearby schools almost every second day. She also seems to be returning with new books almost weekly.
We moved into the new house three weeks ago. Four bedrooms is too much space for the two of us. But soon, it won’t be just the two of us.
She’s singing in the bathroom. Through the cracked door, I see her lying in the tub, bubbly water up to her chest.
Her hair is piled up in a bun, and pedicured toes peek out from the edge of the tub. The smell of vanilla assaults my senses. Any day now, I’ll man up and jump in with her even if she’s using one of those sickly sweet bath bombs. Approaching the edge of the tub, I notice the headphones, and the phone lying on the floor next to the tub. As gently as I can, I pull out an earbud. She startles anyway, splashing water and foam everywhere.
“So sorry,” she mumbles, clearing the foam that landed on my shirt. She stops moving when I hold up the envelope. “Is this what I think it is?”
I nod, emotion clogging my throat. “Arrived at my office half an hour ago. I couldn’t wait.”
“Can you take the papers out so I can see them? My hands are wet.”
I waste no time pulling the papers out. There it is, black on white. We are now officially the parents of seven-year-old Hugo and his sister, three-year-old Elisabeth. We had to wait until after the business with Justin Hamel was sorted because having an open case with the courts wouldn’t have worked in our favor with the adoption agency. We decided to settle out of court, and he won’t be bothering anyone I love ever again. Caroline and I filed our adoption petition the next day.
When our social worker told us that older children who are already in the system have less chance of being adopted because couples always want babies, Caroline and I decided on the spot to opt for such cases. One month later, she told us about Hugo and Elisabeth, and we said yes and filed all the papers.
Caroline stands on her knees on the floor of the tub, reading the words again and again.
“We can pick them up in two weeks. Our kids. They’re ours, Dan.”
“Yeah, they are.” I set the papers aside on a dry spot, then cup her face, kissing her cheek, her temple. She’s trembling slightly in my arms, emotion pouring off her. “And we’re going to love them so much. So much.”
She rises to her feet, reaching out for a towel. I get it for her, drying her off, then lift her in my arms, carrying her to our bedroom, kissing her the entire way.
When I lay her on our bed, she looks up at me with so much tenderness and adoration, she brings me to my knees.
“Promise me you’ll always kiss me like this,” I say. “That you’ll always look at me like this, as if I’m everything to you.”
“I promise. I don’t know how to love you any other way, Dan.”
“Good, because I will love you more every day.”
Dear Reader,
This is the end of Daniel and Caroline’s story. Summer’s book will be released in early 2018. Please sign up HERE to my newsletter be notified about the release date for the book (you will also receive a FREE copy of my full-length romance Found in Us if you sign up. The retail price is $3.99).
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Other Books by Layla Hagen
The Bennett Family Series
Catch up with the Bennetts:
Book 1: Your Irresistible Love (Sebastian & Ava)
Book 2: Your Captivating Love (Logan & Nadine)
Book 3: Your Forever Love (Pippa & Eric)
Book 4: Your Inescapable Love (Max & Emilia)
Book 5: Your Tempting Love (Christopher & Victoria)
Book 6: Your Alluring Love (Alice & Nate)
Book 7: Your Fierce Love (Blake & Clara)
Book 1 in the Series: Your Irresistible Love
Sebastian Bennett is a determined man. It’s the secret behind the business empire he built from scratch. Under his rule, Bennett Enterprises dominates the jewelry industry. Despite being ruthless in his work, family comes first for him, and he’d do anything for his parents and eight siblings—even if they drive him crazy sometimes. . . like when they keep nagging him to get married already.
Sebastian doesn’t believe in love, until he brings in external marketing consultant Ava to oversee the next collection launch. She’s beautiful, funny, and just as stubborn as he is. Not only is he obsessed with her delicious curves, but he also finds himself willing to do anything to make her smile.
He’s determined to have Ava, even if she’s completely off limits.
Ava Lindt has one job to do at Bennett Enterprises: make the next collection laun
ch unforgettable. Daydreaming about the hot CEO is definitely not on her to-do list. Neither is doing said CEO. The consultancy she works for has a strict policy—no fraternizing with clients. She won’t risk her job. Besides, Ava knows better than to trust men with her heart.
But their sizzling chemistry spirals into a deep connection that takes both of them by surprise. Sebastian blows through her defenses one sweet kiss and sinful touch at a time. When Ava’s time as a consultant in his company comes to an end, will Sebastian fight for the woman he loves or will he end up losing her?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
Book 2 in the Series: Your Captivating Love
Logan Bennett knows his priorities. He is loyal to his family and his company. He has no time for love, and no desire for it. Not after a disastrous engagement left him brokenhearted. When Nadine enters his life, she turns everything upside down.
She’s sexy, funny, and utterly captivating. She’s also more stubborn than anyone he’s met...including himself.
Nadine Hawthorne is finally pursuing her dream: opening her own clothing shop. After working so hard to get here, she needs to concentrate on her new business, and can’t afford distractions. Not even if they come in the form of Logan Bennett.
He’s handsome, charming, and doesn’t take no for an answer. After bitter disappointments, Nadine doesn’t believe in love. But being around Logan is addicting. It doesn’t help that Logan’s family is scheming to bring them together at every turn.
Their attraction is sizzling, their connection undeniable. Slowly, Logan wins her over. What starts out as a fling, soon spirals into much more than they are prepared for.
When a mistake threatens to tear them apart, will they have the strength to hold on to each other?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
Book 3 in the Series: Your Forever Love
Eric Callahan is a powerful man, and his sharp business sense has earned him the nickname ‘the shark.’ Yet under the strict façade is a man who loves his daughter and would do anything for her. When he and his daughter move to San Francisco for three months, he has one thing in mind: expanding his business on the West Coast. As a widower, Eric is not looking for love. He focuses on his company, and his daughter.
Until he meets Pippa Bennett. She captivates him from the moment he sets eyes on her, and what starts as unintentional flirting soon spirals into something neither of them can control.
Pippa Bennett knows she should stay away from Eric Callahan. After going through a rough divorce, she doesn’t trust men anymore. But something about Eric just draws her in. He has a body made for sin and a sense of humor that matches hers. Not to mention that seeing how adorable he is with his daughter melts Pippa’s walls one by one.
The chemistry between them is undeniable, but the connection that grows deeper every day that has both of them wondering if love might be within their reach.
When it’s time for Eric and his daughter to head back home, will he give up on the woman who has captured his heart, or will he do everything in his power to remain by her side?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
Book 4 in the series: Your Inescapable Love
*A steamy and swoony friends-to-lovers romance*
Max Bennett is a successful man. His analytical mind has taken his family’s company to the next level. Outside the office, Max transforms from the serious business man into someone who is carefree and fun. Max is happy with his life and doesn’t intend to change it, even though his mother keeps asking for more grandchildren. Max loves being an uncle, and plans to spoil his nieces rotten.
But when a chance encounter reunites him with Emilia, his childhood best friend, he starts questioning everything. The girl he last saw years ago has grown into a sensual woman with a smile he can’t get out of his mind.
Emilia Campbell has a lot on her plate, taking care of her sick grandmother. Still, she faces everything with a positive attitude. When the childhood friend she hero-worshipped steps into her physical therapy clinic, she is over the moon. Max is every bit the troublemaker she remembers, only now he has a body to drool over and a smile to melt her panties. Not that she intends to do the former, or let the latter happen.
They are both determined not to cross the boundaries of friendship...at first. But as they spend more time together, they form an undeniable bond and their flirty banter spirals out of control.
Max knows Emilia is off-limits, but that only makes her all the more tempting. Besides, Max was never one to back away from a challenge.
When their chemistry becomes too much to resist and they inevitably give in to temptation, will they risk losing their friendship or will Max and Emilia find true love?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
Book 5 in the series: Your Tempting Love
Christopher Bennett is a persuasive man. With his magnetic charm and undeniable wit, he plays a key role in the international success of his family’s company.
Christopher adores his family, even if they can be too meddling sometimes... like when they attempt to set him up with Victoria, by recommending him to employ her decorating services. Christopher isn’t looking to settle down, but meeting Victoria turns his world upside down. Her laughter is contagious, and her beautiful lips and curves are too tempting.
Victoria Hensley is determined not to fall under Christopher’s spell, even though the man is hotter than sin, and his flirty banter makes her toes curl. But as her client, Christopher is off limits. After her parents’ death, Victoria is focusing on raising her much younger siblings, and she can’t afford any mistakes. . .
But Victoria and Christopher’s chemistry is not just the sparks-flying kind. . .It’s the downright explosive kind. Before she knows it, Christopher is training her brother Lucas for soccer tryouts and reading bedtime stories to her sister Chloe.
Victoria wants to resist him, but Christopher is determined, stubborn, and oh-so-persuasive.
When their attraction and connection both spiral out of control, will they be able to risk it all for a love that is far too tempting?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
Book 6 in the series: Your Alluring Love
Alice Bennett has been holding a torch for her older brother’s best friend, Nate, for more than a decade. He’s a hotshot TV producer who travels the world, never staying in San Francisco for too long. But now he’s in town and just as tempting as ever... with a bossy streak that makes her weak in the knees and a smile that melts her defenses.
As a successful restaurant owner, Alice is happy with her life. She loves her business and her family, yet after watching her siblings find their happy ever after, she can’t help feeling lonely sometimes—but that’s only for her to know.
Nate has always had a soft spot for Alice. Despite considering the Bennetts his family, he never could look at her as just his friend’s little sister. She’s a spitfire, and Nate just can’t stay away. He loves making her laugh... and blush.
Their attraction is irresistible, and between stolen kisses and wicked-hot nights, they form a deep bond that has them both yearning for more.
But when the chance of a lifetime comes knocking at his door, will Nate chase success even if it means losing Alice, or will he choose her?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
Book 7 in the series: Your Fierce Love
The strong and sexy Blake Bennett is downright irresistible. And Clara Abernathy is doing everything she can to resist his charm.
After spending her life in group homes, Clara yearns for the love and warmth of a true family. With the Bennetts treating her like their own, she can’t possibly fall for Blake. That would be crossing a line...
But when Clara needs a temporary place to live, and she accepts Blake’s offer to move next door to him, things escalate. Suddenly, she’s not only supposed to
resist the man who’s hell-bent on having her, but the TV station she works for is determined to dig up some dirt on the Bennett family.
Blake knows family friends are off-limits, and Clara is more off-limits than anyone. But Clara’s sweetness and sass fill a hole in him he wasn’t even aware of. Soon, he finds himself gravitating toward her, willing to do anything to make her happy.
Blake enjoys bending the rules—much more than following them, but will bending this one be taking it too far?
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
The Lost Series
Novella Lost
Lost is a FREE is a prequel novella to Lost in Us and can be read before or after.
Whatever might help him forget his past and numb the pain, James has tried it all: booze, car races, fights, and then some. Especially women. College offers plenty of opportunities for everything. . . Especially when you have a trust fund to spend.
Serena spirals deeper and deeper into a hurricane of pain. But no matter how far she falls, there’s no redemption from the overwhelming guilt. Two souls consumed by their pasts fight to learn how to survive. But all hope seems to be lost. Until they meet each other.
AVAILABLE AS A FREE DOWNLOAD. You can find the links to all retailers HERE.
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Lost in Us: The story of James and Serena
There are three reasons tequila is my new favorite drink.
• One: my ex-boyfriend hates it.
• Two: downing a shot looks way sexier than sipping my usual Sprite.
• Three: it might give me the courage to do something my ex-boyfriend would hate even more than tequila—getting myself a rebound
The night I swap my usual Sprite with tequila, I meet James Cohen. The encounter is breathtaking. Electrifying. And best not repeated.
