by Lisa Shelby
Copyright © 2016 Lisa Shelby Books, LLC
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.
Except for the original material written by the author, all songs, song titles, and lyrics mentioned in the novel You & Me are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders.
Cover Design by:
Anita B. Carroll
Interior Design & Formatting by:
Christine Borgford, Perfectly Publishable
Editor:
Laura Allison
Table of Contents
You & Me
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Epilogue
You & Me Playlist
About The Author
Acknowledgements
To my amazing husband.
The love of my life.
Thank you for making all of my dreams,
that I never knew I had, come true.
You will always be my more.
“Love yourself the way I love you . . . relentlessly”
~ Sean Stephenson
Take Your Time
Emily ~ 2010
Remember, I tell myself, this week is about fun, sun, and quality time with the girls.
We’ve been here about an hour and I’m already failing at the mission at hand. As great as the mission sounds, this is the last place I want to be. I just can’t seem to find a way to be here, in the moment, not in my head.
My head is so not a fun place to be right now. My life is complete and utter shit and I would rather be home alone in our tiny little apartment wallowing in my self-induced misery. But I’m here, in San Clemente, for Cami. She’s more than just my BFF. She’s my sister from another mister. We’ve been there for each other through the good and the bad and I’m closer to this fiery little redhead than anyone in my life. I know how much this week means to her, so how could I say no?
I haven’t been able to say no to her since we met on the first day of the 4th grade. She decided that day we would be best friends and we were. Now, here we are at the same college, living as roommates, and of course we’re still best friends. Cami is one of the only people in my life that will tell me the truth even if it hurts. More importantly, she exudes the true meaning of unconditional love. The least I can do is go on vacation with her. I mean that’s what a true friend would do, so here I am. I should be happier to be here, and I feel like such a jerk because I’m not. Who wouldn’t want to be spending a week on the beach in Southern California with her girlfriends? And for free! It’s not like it’s a real sacrifice, now is it?
Snap out of it, you damn Debbie Downer! I yell inside my head.
Besides, we had these plans long before my life took its recent turn. Our good friends, Samantha and Stephanie Crosby, invited us on this trip shortly after the holidays when Steph’s mom and dad, also Sam’s aunt and uncle, gave them a weeklong stay at the Pier Side Inn, here in San Clemente. It’s a two-bedroom suite and instead of them each having their own room they invited the two of us to come along for the ride. Cousins in one room and sisters in the other. It really is perfect. Although, Sam and Steph have no idea what’s going on in my world, so I have to remind myself to fake it and act like everything is just peachy.
I have to admit, this first bar we stopped at is pretty great. It’s comfortable and cool all at the same time. The ceilings are covered with surf boards and NFL banners and the barstools are filled with regulars. Everything about the place, from the wooden Indian statue that greets you at the front door to the old school photos on the walls, just makes the place cool. We had been told that Ole’s Tavern was a fave with the locals and that Taco Tuesdays were a must! It’s Saturday not Tuesday, but we thought we’d start our weeklong adventure with a local stand-out. So far so good and I have a feeling we’ll be back for Taco Tuesday. We lucked out and got the first table on the right near the entrance. The big table looks almost like a kitchen island and the best part is the window seat. The big open seat, that easily fits the four of us, is cushioned and full of throw pillows while the other side of the table has bar stools.
I lucked out and got a seat in the corner of the window. It’s here that I find myself staring out at the beautiful blue sky, hugging my knees to my chest and resting my chin on one of my knees.
What do I do with the mess that is my life?
Watching all of the happy, sun-glassed, tan people driving by in their convertibles or casually walking by in their flip-flops seeming to not have a care in the world is distracting me. I try to forget about my life and sit and wonder where they’re all going. What is it about their lives that has them all looking so damn happy?
I’m so busy playing my own private game of fantasyland that I haven’t been paying attention to all the fun being had around me. I realize this when Cami snaps her fingers in front of my face to get my attention. It’s then that I notice that the other girls are very distracted with the new source of entertainment taking place right next to our table.
When we first walked in, I had heard the whooping and hollering of fun being had in the back of the bar where the pool tables were, but was too deep in my own head to notice that same fun had moved to the foosball table next to us. All that fun comes in the form of three unnaturally hot guys.
I knew with a quick glance that all three were attractive but I couldn’t take my eyes off the one with the dimples. And that laugh! There was something infectious about his laugh that just makes you smile and want to laugh too. Our entire table seems memorized by it. I’m sure to anybody in the bar, looking in our direction, we look like four little school girls about to take their first pony ride.
This man is magnificent.
I finally remember to breathe, but I continue staring at him with a smile on my face while taking inventory of him. I had already noticed the dimples from his side profile but when he looks right at me with those adorable little indents in his cheeks, that perfect smile and holy shit those eyes, I. Am. A. Goner. I wouldn’t say it was the color of his eyes it was just everything about them. Were they green or hazel? I have no idea? I wouldn’t know, because I’m not sure I would know any of the colors of the rainbow at this moment. He is simply beautiful. He must be a little over six feet tall, with short dark brown hair, an olive complexion, the most beautiful pair of lips I have ever seen, and those eyes! He has long, dark eyelashes that any woman would pay good money for and he was just born with them. He is the epitome of tall, dark and handsome.
But there was something different at work here and not just an attraction. There was something familiar about him. I know that I’ve never seen him before, because I would remember him. But there was a connection that shot right through me the moment those magnificent eyes locked on to mine.
Suddenly, I realize he isn’t just looking back at me, but he’s staring at me like we are the only two people in the bar and with a huge smile on his face. Well, shit! Look at me, just sitting here smiling back at him. I know right then and there that he is trouble with a capital T!
Knowing I need to take a moment to break the spell he has me under, I yell over to the girls. “Guys, I’ll be right back.”
“And where do you think you’re going, chica?” Cami asks like she can’t believe I would want to miss any of the show happening in front of us.
“Just the little girls room. I’ll be right back. Promise.”
When I leave the comfort of my throw pillows and window seat, I make a point of not making eye contact with Dimples as I scurry past the foosball table. Once in the bathroom, I turn on the faucet and put my wrists under the flow of the ice cold water to help calm the heat that overtook me the instant he looked at me. I wet a paper towel with cold water and dab it on the back of my neck. Better.
What is wrong with me?
Instant connection and flirting with hot guys is not in my plan. With the crazy that is my life, there is no room for relationships, innocent flirting or a wretched one-night stand. That is not what this week’s about.
After taking a moment to remind myself that flirting isn’t an option, I feel cooled down enough to head back out. But when I pull open the bathroom door, something seems different. It’s quiet. Thank goodness. This must mean Dimples and his crew of hotties have left. Thank God for small miracles.
Making my way back to the table I’m convinced that there are no such things as small miracles. Dimples and his hotties were not only still here, but had pulled up stools and were at our table.
You have got to be kidding me!
So, much for our prime seating and my comfy window seat. This just keeps getting better. Any other time in my life I might have felt differently, but this was the last thing I needed. Shit!
As I approach the table, Dimples immediately stands up and makes way for me to take back my seat in the window. As I scoot by him it’s like there’s a heat coming off of him that I can feel without even touching him, and my stomach flips with excitement. As I sit down he reaches his hand out and says, “Hi, I’m Jonathan. It’s really nice to meet you.”
“Emily, nice to meet you too,” I say taking his hand in mine.
I try to ignore the warmth of his hand and the heat that it sent crashing through my body, but it’s impossible. This doesn’t happen in real life though. This happens in the romance novels I am addicted to. Even with my crazy class schedule, and my belief that there is no such thing as a happily ever after, I just can’t fight my addiction to novels full of love and passion. But I need to remind myself that this is not a romance novel. This is real life and this could not be happening.
“Emily, these are my brothers, Shell, but you can call him Matt and D but you can call him Devon.” It’s obvious that they aren’t really brothers but clearly they’re very close.
His deep voice is just as enthralling as his laugh, only sexier. Well, double shit. That’s just freaking great!
With a raise of my hand I give them a small smile and a wave. Shell, but you can call him Matt, did the same and Devon reached across the table and shook my hand. “Nice to meet you, Emily.”
“So, now that introductions are finished, can I get you a drink, Emily?” Jonathan asked.
“Nope. I’m fine, thank you.”
“Well, we’re getting your friends here some fresh beers but wanted to wait to see what you might like. Are you sure we can’t get you something?”
Not wanting to be the odd man out I say, “An iced tea would be great, thanks.”
“You sure you don’t want a beer?”
“I’m not much of a drinker, Jonathan, and I’m the DD for the week so an iced tea would be fantastic.”
His reply is to put those dimples to work one more time and he and the guys leave to get the drinks.
“I thought this was a girls trip!” I yell-whisper to the other girls.
“Oh, come on Em, lighten up and have some fun,” Cami lectures. “This is a girls’ trip, but who says that some boys and some fun can’t be a part of that? You have to admit those are some fine specimens and Jonathan sure seems to have his eye on you.”
“He does not! And besides you know that with everything going on a guy with his eye on me is not on the agenda!” I say hysterically.
“Too late, chica. His eye is most certainly on you,” she sasses with a wave of her hand that says I don’t know what I’m talking about.
“He’s on his way back from the bar and why would what’s going on with you make you unable to have a little fun with some cute boys?” Steph chimes in while fixing her pony tail one last time before the guys are back at our table with drinks in hand. Luckily she’s distracted by the guys and doesn’t notice that I never answer her question.
“So, who wants next game?” Devon asks with a beer in one hand and a foosball in the other.
Jonathan smacks the table with the palm of his hand and says, “Guys against girls. Who’s brave enough to challenge us?”
Is there a hint of a southern accent there?
I can tell by the way he’s staring at me that he wants me to play but before I can refuse Sam and Steph come to my rescue and jump up. Thank God! Jonathan starts to open his mouth to say something, but then drops his shoulders with a pout and turns towards the game table. As he walks away he looks over his shoulder with a smile and a wink and then turns back to Sam & Steph.
“Ladies, challenge accepted. Don’t think D and I will go easy on you either. We’re Marines and we always give everything our all.” He says this last bit with his eyes right on me. Why do I get the feeling that last statement had two different meanings?
Matt looks like he doesn’t know what to do with himself as he sits here with just Cami and I. Poor guy. He seems so shy. Cami tries to combat the awkward silence and asks, “So Matt, why does Jonathan call you Shell?”
“My last name is Shellenberg,” he replies.
“So, the three of you are Marines then?”
“Yes, ma’am. The three of us met here in California where we’re stationed at Camp Pendleton. Jonathan’s our Squad Leader, Devon is his right hand and I’m in motors. I do the driving and make sure that our vehicles are functioning and get us where we need to go. We’re on the last week of our two week leave before we take off for nine months in Afghanistan. Jonathan just went home to see his mom in Georgia for a week and Devon was back home in Portland. My parents are coming here to visit in a few days so, I’m hanging with the guys while I can before they get here.”
I look up and see that Jonathan’s watching us. As soon as he sees me notice, he gives me another wink and I just roll my eyes at him. He lets out another one of his amazing laughs and I can’t help but giggle back at him as the warmth from his laughter engulfs me. That laugh and
that smile . . . they can really wreak havoc on a girl. He is most certainly Trouble.
Trying to distract myself, I continue the conversation that Cami had started with Matt. She’s currently distracted by a text so I take over. “Devon is from Portland? So are we.” I still can’t seem to take my eyes off of Jonathan though. I really need to get my head straight.
Before Matt can answer, there’s a rumble of celebration a few feet away and I turn in time to see Jonathan and Devon high five. As Jonathan reaches across the table to shake the hands of Sam and Steph I hear him say, “It was a pleasure, ladies. Better luck next time.” With that he turns and within a few steps has planted himself back on the stool at the end of the table next to my spot in the window. He’s just staring at me with a small smile on his face. A smile that I have a feeling has gotten him far in life, at least with the ladies.
Cami is up and headed to the bar and asks if anybody needs anything. She takes an order from Sam and Steph and heads on her way, leaving me with Jonathan, who is just a little too much in my space . . . but oh does he smell so good. I couldn’t tell you what it is exactly. He smells fresh and clean, but there is something else there that I can’t seem to put my finger on.
“Hey D, Emily here is from Portland.” Matt tells his friend and redirects my attention from the amazing scent that is Jonathan over to Devon.
“Really? Well, then it is really nice to meet you, PDX.” Devon says this as he reaches out to shake my hand again. There is just something about him that makes you feel comfortable and at ease. I like Devon and the nickname he’s given me immediately. PDX is the airport code for the Portland International Airport and a common nickname for our hometown. It feels good to be around somebody from home.
“Yep, Cami and I are actually both from Portland but we’re down here going to school at San Diego State.”
“I knew I liked you guys! What a small world,” he says with a smile.
“Why is it a small world?” Cami asks as she returns with drinks.
After talking about food carts, restaurants, bars, bikes, hiking trails, The Saturday Market, Voo Doo Donut’s (The verdict is still out to as to whether or not it’s just a cool place to say you’ve been or if the donuts are really that good), and all of our other favorite things about Portland, I realize that the three of us were having our own little conversation. In fact, we’re so into our conversation that I didn’t even realize we were ignoring everybody else. Matt seems just fine talking with Sam and Steph, but nobody is talking to Jonathan. I turn to say something to him, so he feels included, and he seems just fine. He has his elbow on the table and is leaning on his hand and staring Right. At. Me.
