I Have Lived And I Have Loved: A Charity Romance Collection

by Willow Winters

  “Good morning.” Ian rubbed his hands together before taking the seat across from me.

  “Hello.” Lea smiled, her voice cheery as she took a seat. “We need another chair, right? I thought we were expecting someone.”

  “Yeah.” Ian rested his arm on the back of Lea’s chair. “I thought you were bringing your mystery woman.”

  I gulped, rubbing my palms over my thighs. “I did.” I glanced to Sumner, and she gave me a hesitant smile. It was now or never. “It’s Sumner.”

  Ian leaned forward, gripping the arms of his chair as Lea gaped at us. Sumner linked her fingers with mine beneath the table.

  Ian narrowed his eyes at us and then threw his head back and started laughing. When he finally caught his breath, he said, “You really had me going there for a second.” He swiped at his eyes, but Lea was smiling nervously. “Good one, guys.” He laughed some more, but no one joined him.

  “Dad,” Sumner said, and I could hear the hurt and hesitation in her tone. “It’s not a joke. Jonathan and I are together.”

  Ian immediately sobered, blinking a few times. “What do you mean…together?”

  “Honey,” Lea chided, placing her hand on his forearm. “They’re a couple, right?” She turned to us.

  I nodded.

  “No.” Ian let out a garbled sound, his complexion paling. “I forbid it.”

  “Dad.” Sumner let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m a grown woman, fully capable of making my own decisions.”

  “He’s twice your age. He’s literally old enough to be your father. And you—” He turned to me, his skin practically steaming with anger, ready to explode. “How could you? She’s my daughter! You’re fucking my daughter.”

  “Ian,” Lea hissed, probably noticing that others around us had stopped to stare. I gripped Sumner’s hand tighter, hating that she had to hear such crude words about herself from her father.

  “How long?” Ian’s face was red. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen him this angry. Not even when he’d fought with his ex over the classic Mustang he’d restored. She didn’t give a shit about it, but she knew Ian did. He’d loved that car.

  “Does it really matter?” I asked.

  He banged his fist against the table. “You could have any woman you want. Why her? Why? She’s… No,” Ian sputtered, shaking his head. “She’s barely experienced life. Too young to even know what she wants.”

  “Do you know what she wants? Because you’re talking about her as if she isn’t even here. As if she’s a child incapable of making her own decisions,” I seethed. “I’m not— I fucking love her.”

  Ian stood, throwing his napkin on the table. Lea glanced between all of us, helpless.

  “Dad,” Sumner pleaded, tears in her eyes. This was such a shitshow. “Please. Don’t go. We didn’t mean for this to happen. We didn’t mean to fall in love.”

  He held up his hand and glanced away. “I can’t—I can’t look at you right now.” He shook his head then turned to me. “I thought you were my best friend, but you’ve been lying. Sneaking around behind my back. You’re not the man I thought you were.”

  I stood. “Ian. Wait.”

  “No.” He shook his head. “We’re done. I don’t ever want to speak to you again.”

  He stormed out of the restaurant. Sumner was in tears, and I held her, my body pulsating with rage. I deserved his reaction; she didn’t. And I vowed to find a way to make this right.

  Chapter 5

  Sumner

  Four months later

  * * *

  “Hey, Lea,” I said, tucking the phone between my shoulder and my ear as I stirred the soup on the stove.

  She’d called me every week since the blowup, always checking in on me. Christmas was in less than a week, and my dad still hadn’t spoken to Jonathan or me. I’d expected it would take him time, but I hadn’t realized how painful waiting would be.

  “Hey, girl. How are you? How were finals?”

  “Good.” I smiled. “I worked my butt off, and I’m more than ready for a break.”

  “I bet. I’m sure you aced them, like always.”

  “Thanks. So… I’m hoping you’re calling to tell me that you and Dad are coming for Christmas.”

  We’d invited my dad and Lea to celebrate Christmas with us in Palo Alto, and she’d been cagey for weeks.

  She let out a sigh, and my shoulders slumped as I prepared myself for the bad news. “You aren’t coming,” I said, finally accepting that was the likely outcome.

  “I’m sorry, Sum. I just don’t know if it’s a good time.”

  “I guess I really hoped if Dad saw us together, saw how happy we were—then maybe…”

  “I know, and I’m trying. I’ve been working on him for weeks, but you know how stubborn he can be.”

  I switched the phone to my other ear and wiped down the counter. Maybe love really didn’t conquer all. I’d been naïve to think my dad would accept my relationship with Jonathan.

  “Well, I appreciate it,” I said, tossing the sponge in the sink. “And I’m sorry if you feel caught in the middle.”

  “Thanks. Look—” She was quiet a moment, and then her voice was softer. “Don’t give up yet. I have a few more tricks up my sleeve.”

  I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what her tricks involved, so I left it at, “Thanks, Lea. You’re the best.”

  “I have to run, but I’ll see you on the twenty-second, even if it’s just a girls’ trip.”

  I nodded before remembering she couldn’t see me. “I’d like that.”

  We ended the call, and while I was grateful to have Lea in our corner, that didn’t change the fact that my dad still hadn’t called, hadn’t texted or emailed, hadn’t spoken to Jonathan or me since his birthday. Despite numerous attempts on my part—and Jonathan’s—to reach out, my dad wouldn’t respond. I was beginning to wonder if he ever would.

  When I heard the hum of the air compressor from upstairs, I decided to go investigate. I pushed open the door to the future office and found Jonathan adjusting his safety glasses. I leaned against the doorframe and watched him for a minute before he realized I was standing there.

  He removed his safety glasses and stepped over some boards to kiss my cheek. “Hey. I’m almost done in here.”

  “It’s looking really good,” I said, admiring the built-in shelves he was working on.

  He rested his hands on his hips, surveying his hard work. “It feels good.”

  I grinned, filled with pride for this man. He’d seemed much happier, much lighter since selling the Wolfe Group. And while I knew the situation with my dad pained him, renovating our house helped. It kept him busy, and it made us both happy.

  “I just talked to Lea,” I said. “She doesn’t think they’re going to make it for Christmas.”

  He ran a hand through his hair, which was damp with sweat. “I figured as much.”

  “I just hoped—” I started to tear up, and he pulled me into a hug.

  “I know, baby.”

  “Ew. Gross,” I teased, pushing him away. I didn’t want to cry. Didn’t want to dwell on this.

  “Oh, come on.” He stalked toward me, reaching out for me. “I don’t smell that bad.”

  I laughed, backing my way toward the door. “Um. Yeah, you do. Go shower. Dinner’s almost ready.”

  He grabbed me, pulling me against him with my back to his front. “I’d rather eat you.”

  My core quivered with anticipation. “Mm. I like the sound of that. How about we eat dinner, then you can have me for dessert?”

  “Fine,” he growled, cupping me through my pants. “But I want an appetizer.”

  He slid his hand beneath the waistband of my pants, slipping his finger over my clit, teasing me before sliding it inside me. The added pressure from the material of my pants felt so good, and I moaned his name. A moment later, he withdrew his finger and sucked it between his lips while flashing me a wicked grin.

  I was one lucky woman. I was building a house
, a life, with the man of my dreams. I was pursuing my MBA and excited about the future. But my dad wouldn’t talk to me. He refused to talk to Jonathan. And while I tried not to let my dad’s silence bother me, it did. I hated that we weren’t talking. I knew he was hurt, but I couldn’t understand why he couldn’t just give us a chance.

  A few days later, I was putting the finishing touches on one of Jonathan’s presents when the doorbell rang. I furrowed my brow and headed to answer the door, figuring it was just another delivery. I peered through the peephole and blinked a few times, positive I was hallucinating.

  I looked again. Shook my head. Then I opened the door. “Dad?”

  There was no way he was just “in the area.” Palo Alto was a five-hour-plus drive from LA in good conditions.

  “Hey.” He kept his eyes focused on the doormat, which was red with the word “Merry” printed in a cursive font.

  I stood and gawked at him a moment before finally asking, “Do you want to come in?”

  “Is he…” He glanced around, as if looking for someone. “Are you home alone?”

  I nodded. “Jonathan had to run some errands.” He winced when I said Jonathan’s name. “Come in. I have coffee, tea, cookies, chips…” I rattled off the items, not sure what to do or say.

  “Thanks.” He stepped inside but didn’t move to take off his jacket. “I won’t stay long. But I was in the area for business, and I…” He cleared his throat, toed at the floor. “Nice floors.”

  “Dad,” I sighed, laughing. Leave it to him to comment on the floors when we hadn’t spoken in months. But it broke some of the tension, and I was so overcome with emotion that I leaped at him, giving him a tight squeeze around the middle. “I missed you.”

  He tensed briefly then sighed almost as if with relief and returned my embrace. “I missed you too, Sum.”

  When I pulled away, I had tears in my eyes and hope in my heart. “Come on,” I said, linking my arm with his. “I’ll give you a tour.”

  “I—” He hesitated. “I don’t know.”

  I frowned. “Why not?”

  He swallowed, glancing toward the ceiling. “I’m trying here, really. But I can’t…” He shook his head and blew out a breath. “I’m not ready to see him,” he ground out. “Or the bedroom you share.”

  I nodded. “Of course. Sorry. Um, well, what are you ready for?”

  “I’m ready to talk to my daughter again.”

  I smiled, so incredibly happy and pleased by his words. It was a start. It was a new beginning, and that was all I needed.

  “And I want to apologize for how I spoke to you the morning after my birthday,” he continued. “I was shocked and hurt and… I’m sorry.”

  I nodded. “I’m sorry too. I’m sorry that you feel betrayed. I’m sorry that my decisions caused you pain.”

  He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. “I should’ve been more…understanding. You never judged me for my relationship with Lea, and I never thanked you for being supportive. Even when you had every right to be angry or disappointed with me for ending my marriage with your mom.”

  I nodded, appreciating his words. “Thank you.”

  We were quiet a moment, then he said, “You look good, Sum. Happy.”

  I smiled. “I am.”

  He turned for the door. “I should probably get going.”

  “I know you said you need to take it slow, but we’d love for you to stay for dinner. I know Jonathan misses you too.”

  He hesitated a moment, some emotion passing through his eyes before he said, “Maybe another time.”

  My shoulders slumped, but I reminded myself that this was a good thing. It was a start. My dad had opened the door to communicating, and I only hoped it would get better from here. We hugged, and then he said, “I’m proud of you, Sumner. I’m proud of you for having the guts to go after what you want. To seize happiness and love even in the most unexpected places.”

  My eyes stung as he released me. “Thank you.”

  “Merry Christmas, Sumner.”

  “Thanks, Dad. Merry Christmas to you too.”

  I closed the door behind him and watched as he backed out of the driveway in a rental car. I stared after him, still reeling from the exchange. I was so distracted I didn’t hear the door from the garage open or Jonathan approach. When he placed a hand on my shoulder, I startled.

  “Hey.” He frowned. “Everything okay?”

  I shook my head and turned away from the street. “Yeah.” I smiled. “Everything is going to be okay.”

  He tilted his head. “You seem really…I don’t know. Calm.”

  I laughed. “My dad stopped by.”

  He jerked his head back. “He did?”

  I nodded, fighting a smile. I gave him a quick rundown of our conversation, and with every word, I could see the tension leak out of him. I felt it too. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted.

  “That’s great news.” He smiled, picking me up and spinning me around the living room. He set me down slowly, cupping my cheeks. “I love you, Sumner.”

  “I love you.” I leaned up and pressed my lips to his, knowing with every beat of my heart that we belonged together. No matter the obstacles. No matter the pain. We were inevitable.

  * * *

  Thank you for reading! 100% of the profits from this anthology will be given to the Live A Thousand Lives charity.

  This charity donates audio players - equipped with hundreds of hours of classic stories - to low-to-no mobility patients in nursing facilities and hospitals.

  The Live A Thousand Lives Project has been fueled by prolific Romance writers and unabashed book lovers who appreciate that audiobooks boost mental health, improve memory and stimulate the brain in ways that mirror reading printed text.

  * * *

  * * *

  WAYS TO HELP:

  You can find out more and donate by clicking here!

  Or you can purchase an audio device for yourself - a Brilliant Blue Classic or a Red Hot Romance Audio Player (with over $200 worth of audio books from bestselling authors) by clicking here!

  For every ONE player purchased, Live A Thousand Lives is able to donate TWO Brilliant Blue Classics.

  Afterword

  Note to Readers

  Thank you so much for reading Inevitable. I hope you enjoyed Sumner and Jonathan’s steamy and forbidden story. I am so incredibly honored to be part of this anthology, and I’m so grateful to you for helping support such an amazing charity. It’s been a dream come true for me!

  Not ready to leave the Love in LA world just yet?

  * * *

  Check out Alexis and Preston’s story, Unexpected. It’s a fresh take on the nanny/single parent story that will have you swooning.

  * * *

  Perspective is an age gap, art professor/student romance featuring Kate and Xander. It’s about being brave and taking risks—in art and in life.

  * * *

  Irresistible is a friends-with-benefits romance featuring Lauren and Hunter. Can they follow the rules, or will they break each other’s hearts?

  Unpredictable is an age gap romance featuring a wedding planner and the father of the bride! It’s a story of love after loss, second chances, and hope.

  Unwritten is an opposites-attract romance between a former navy SEAL and a bookworm. It’s a crossover between my Love in LA Series and Corinne Michaels’ best-selling Salvation Series.

  Don’t miss out on any of my upcoming books, giveaways, and important news! Sign up for my biweekly newsletter.

  Sign me up!

  * * *

  Never miss sales & new releases!

  Follow me on

  Bookbub or Amazon

  * * *

  On Facebook, join my reader group to connect with other bibliophiles, talk book boyfriends and chocolate, and just have fun.

  Jenna Hartley’s Hopeful Romantics.

  * * *

  Like on Facebook

  Follow on Instagram or
Goodreads

  White Ribbon

  By Aleatha Romig

  Chapter 1

  My knuckles blanched on the steering wheel as I pumped the brakes of my rental car. Even though I’d been told—more than once—that automatic brakes didn’t require pumping, I couldn’t help myself. The action calmed my nerves, giving me the illusion that I had an ounce of control as the tires slid and scooted upon the ice-covered road and large snowflakes the size of oranges fell from the sky.

  With the sheer quantity of snowflakes hitting the windshield, I knew any sense of control I thought I possessed was nothing more than a figment of my imagination. If circumstances were different, I could relax and see the beauty around me. If instead of driving by myself to an unknown future, I was sipping hot chocolate next to a roaring fire with loved ones, I might be able to appreciate that I had somehow managed to enter a giant snow globe, and that whole world had just been given a strong shake.

  My attention went back and forth between what I believed was the road before me and my GPS. According to the screen, I was still on the pavement; thank God the GPS could differentiate because from my viewpoint, everything between the endless borders of tall pine trees was nothing more than a white ribbon.

  Though I continued forward, my estimated time of arrival continued to grow later and later. That was in no doubt due to my decreased speed. Between the snow-and-ice-covered surface, the lack of defined road, and increased blizzard conditions, including gusty wind, it seemed as if instead of driving, the car was crawling forward. The speedometer varied between fifteen and a whopping twenty-five miles per hour.