by T. K. Leigh
When I went over to Drew’s earlier this evening, I thought I had everything figured out. I’m engaged to a wonderful man, a man who will do anything to make me happy, even if it means staying up here in Boston instead of returning to Atlanta and running his company from there. We’re just weeks away from being married. But now the secret I’ve been keeping for years is out there. I’ve spent years dreaming of the day Drew would notice me. If he never overheard me tell Molly the truth of that night, if I weren’t about to marry another man, would he have come over here and poured his heart out?
Feeling like the walls of my house are suffocating me with memories of both Drew and Wes, I grab my purse and keys, then dash out the door. I jump into my car and crank the engine, reversing out of the driveway.
As I approach the stoplight at the on-ramp for I-93, I’m at a crossroads. Do I go south to Cambridge to see Wes, or head west to Drew’s house in Needham? I can’t help but feel this one decision will change everything. Do I settle for the safety of what I know to be a loveless marriage? Or take a risk, knowing Drew has the power to destroy me?
My heart pounds in my chest as my eyes glance between the on-ramp and the road ahead of me. Then, as if the universe is playing a cruel trick on me, Dave Matthews’ voice singing the familiar first words of “Crash Into Me” fills the car. I’m instantly transported back to that night at Brody Carmichael’s party before Drew went to college. The night I gave him my first kiss. The night we became something other than the friends we’ve been fooling ourselves into believing we are.
When the light turns red, I know where I need to go.
Thank you for reading COMMITMENT! Find out how Drew and Brooklyn’s story ends in REDEMPTION, releasing SEPTEMBER 23, 2018! Pre-order your copy here.
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If you enjoyed these characters and want to know more about Molly, check out WRITING MR. RIGHT, a fun, sexy poignant tale about a romance author who doesn't believe real love is real life.
If you’re looking for something a little more gritty, check out INFERNO. NOW FREE!
A runaway bride who escapes to Rome. A handsome, mysterious Italian man. A proposition for one night of passion. Will one night be enough? Find out today!
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Keep reading for an excerpt from WRITING MR. RIGHT.
Playlist
Miss Invisible - Marie Digby
The Scientist - Coldplay
Crash Into Me - Dave Matthews Band
Smallest Light - Ingrid Michaelson
Already Gone - Sleeping At Last
Loved - Lucy Hale
Just Breathe - Pearl Jam
I Don’t Wanna See You With Her - Maria Mena
Amnesia - Gavin Mikhail
Black and Blue Bird - Dave Matthews Band
Times Move Quickly - Noah Gundersen
Old Days - Ingrid Michaelson
I’m Lying to you Cause I’m Lost - The Paper Kites
Bitter Pill - Gavin James
The One That Got Away - The Civil Wars
We Can Never Go Back - Joy Williams
Can’t You See - Matthew and the Atlas
Over and Over Again - Nathan Sykes
Horizon - Rachael Yamagata
In The Silence - JP Cooper
Killing Me - Luke Sital-Singh
Bumper Cars - Alex & Sierra
All You Never Say - Birdy
Heartfelt Lies - Ron Pope
I Won’t Give Up - Jason Mraz
Breathe Me - Sia
Writing Mr. Right
Grab your copy here!
“You look great, Molly,” Brooklyn exclaimed when I reentered my living area.
“Not like it matters. This whole thing is a joke.”
“Molly,” she cautioned. “At least give it a chance. You never know who you’ll meet.”
I grabbed my coat out of the entryway closet and headed toward the door, my brother and Brooklyn following. “I could be wrong, but I highly doubt I’ll meet anyone at speed dating who will make my stomach flutter.”
“Maybe. Maybe not,” Drew added, nudging me.
I continued down the stairs of my building, exiting onto the street. He was probably just as skeptical about the whole thing as I was. Not to mention people actually knew who he was. He’d already had his heart broken by a hockey groupie. I hated the thought that he’d never meet anyone who wanted to be with him for him, hated that all anyone would see when they looked at him was the hockey celebrity.
“At least this might be some good material for your column.”
“You’re right about that. I wonder how many guys would be desperate enough to date an escaped mental patient.” I gave them a crazed look. Drew laughed. Brooklyn shot daggers at me.
“Play nice, Molly. There are still some people out there who believe in the idea of love. Maybe three minutes is all you need to know if they’re the one.”
I rolled my eyes as we trudged down the narrow streets of the North End, the smell of garlic, tomatoes, and spices filling the air. Tourists roamed the sidewalks, debating which restaurant to try for dinner. They couldn’t go wrong. No matter which spot they chose, they’d be treated to an authentic Italian meal unlike anything they’d ever had. It was a miracle I didn’t weigh three hundred pounds living in an area surrounded by all this amazing food.
“You’ve been reading too many of my books lately, Brooklyn.” I pulled my jacket closer, a subtle wind blowing between my legs, chilling me in the cool April evening. A dress probably wasn’t the best idea, but I had shaved my legs earlier this morning. I couldn’t waste the opportunity. “No one looks into someone’s eyes and knows, at that moment, they want to spend the rest of their life with them.”
“It could be real,” she offered in a quiet voice. “My dad always told me he fell in love with my mother before she even said a single word. Between classes, she worked at the library on campus. He would go there every day just to see her. It took him months to finally work up the courage to talk to her. When he finally did, well… The rest is history.” She looked down. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe love at first sight doesn’t exist.” Her eyes met mine before briefly floating over toward Drew. “But maybe people believe it does because it gives them hope they won’t be alone forever.”
“What’s so bad about being alone?” I asked when we reached the Haymarket T station. “Why does society put so much emphasis on getting married and having a family? It’s not for everyone. Some people value their independence and don’t want to give that up.”
“You don’t have to give up your independence to be in a relationship,” she argued, parroting what Drew had told me earlier in the day.
“Relationships change people, and usually not for the better.” There was no way anyone would convince me otherwise. I’d been in my fair share of semi-relationships. There was still a little give and take involved, even in the casual arrangements I had. “I’m not willing to give up who I am just to make someone else happy.” We scanned our passes at the turnstiles and headed down the stairs, the sound of metal on metal screeching in the distance. I turned to face Drew and Brooklyn as we waited for the train.
“Listen, I know you two always bring this up because you care about me and want me to be happy. I am happy. One day, I may find someone who’s just as crazy as I am. Maybe we’ll fall madly in love and have lots of crazy sex and babies. But today’s not that day. The only reason I even agreed to this is because I have a deadline and am in desperate need of a muse. A professional young man who looks great in a suit.”
Acknowledgm
ents
Book number fifteen. Holy crap. I honestly never thought I’d write ONE book, let alone FIFTEEN? This is absolutely crazy to me.
For those of you new to my work, this story is a spin-off of my romantic comedy, Writing Mr. Right. When I was writing that, I had no intention of working in a budding romance between Molly’s brother and best friend. It just kind of happened. I don’t really ever plot my books. I let the characters tell the story the way they think it should be told. Apparently, Drew and Brooklyn knew something I didn’t. This was just supposed to be a stand-alone contemporary romance. Again, they knew something I didn’t. Their story is filled with pain, heartache, and misunderstanding, but also hope.
None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of my husband Stan. He’s been my biggest cheerleader since I told him I wrote a book back in 2013. Fifteen books later, he’s still at my side. And I know he will be through the next fifteen, as well.
On that same note, thanks to my wonderful nannies, Sharon and Brooke, for taking care of Miss Harper Leigh so I have lots of time to write!
There’s only one woman I ever trust with my book babies, and that’s Kim Young. She’s edited all fifteen books. Her keen eye and flexibility is invaluable. I can’t wait to work on the next fifteen books with her, as well.
Thanks to my wonderful admin team who help me manage my social media presence — Melissa, Joelle, Vicky, Lea. And to my fabulous beta readers - Stacy, Lin, Melissa, Joelle, Vicky, Sylvia. #BurnhamBitches4Life
Thanks to Emily from Social Butterfly PR for dealing with all my craziness, especially when I tell her less than a month before release that I’m writing a prequel novella as well. No matter what my brain comes up with she’s on board, often adjusting our original plan. You make this author job a lot less stressful for me, and I’ll forever be grateful.
A special shout out to my street team. Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to help promote me! And to my lovely reader group! Thanks for giving me a place to be myself, horrible jokes and tasteless memes and all!
Last but not least, thanks to YOU! Without readers, I’d have no one to write for, so thanks for taking a chance on my books! Redemption is coming soon!
Peace & Love,
~ T.K.
Books by T.K. Leigh
The Beautiful Mess Series
A Beautiful Mess
A Tragic Wreck
Gorgeous Chaos
The Deception Duet
Chasing The Dragon
Slaying The Dragon
The Vault
Inferno
The Redemption Series
Promise
Commitment
Redemption
Stand Alone Titles
Heart Of Light
Heart Of Marley
The Other Side Of Someday
Vanished
Writing Mr. Right
For more information on any of these titles and upcoming releases, please visit T.K.’s website:
www.tkleighauthor.com
About the Author
T.K. Leigh, otherwise known as Tracy Leigh Kellam, is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Beautiful Mess series, in addition to several other works. Originally from New England, she now resides in sunny Southern California with her husband, beautiful daughter, and three cats. When she’s not planted in front of her computer, writing away, she can be found training for her next marathon (of which she has run over twenty fulls and far too many halfs to recall) or chasing her daughter around the house.
T.K. Leigh is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management. All publishing inquiries, including audio, foreign, and film rights, should be directed to her.
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