****
During college I picked up yoga and became obsessed with it. Emilia studied physical therapy at school and tried to get me into it in the past, so she was more than pleased when I caught the yoga bug. I loved what it did for my health and figure, keeping me lean but feminine, and I excelled so quickly, I became an instructor at my school’s gym. Once I moved back in with my parents, I taught it locally in order to save money for my own house. After graduating, Emilia applied for a loan and opened her own studio. She always had this idea of owning her own place where people could come to not only exercise, but to recover from physical ailments that had bothered them over time.
Naturally, she’d asked me to work there when I could get away from the hospital, and since she was seven months pregnant, I took charge of a few of her courses. Teaching yoga and working forty hours a week as a hospital nutritionist kept me busy. I had always wanted to study the way food works with or against our bodies, and I liked how yoga complimented my work for a patient’s well being. In fact, I tried to give monthly seminars at the studio to inspire others’ eating habits. With Emilia close to popping, I taught yoga Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 pm, and Saturdays at 11:00 am. It kept me busy and gave me a little extra money to put into my house and bank account.
After my Saturday class I went on my routine errand run before heading home. I’d overheard some of the clients discussing a new farmer’s market nearby and decided to stop there first. The market was small, about twenty tents filling a parking lot of a Target shopping plaza. I started my way through the entrance, glancing at various vegetable and fruit tents before stopping at a local cheese vendor. They had goats cheeses in every flavor imaginable, and because I couldn’t resist, I ended up buying a roasted garlic one. Continuing on my way, I saw a tall man that not only looked familiar, but took me aback. I stopped walking and tilted my head as if that would better focus my vision on what I was seeing. What the hell? I took yet another step closer and couldn’t believe it. It was him…Corwin Rogers, standing before me at the farmer’s market.
For a second I thought I was imagining him, that I really was going crazy and projecting my dreams into reality. But it was definitely him and I couldn’t stop staring. He looked different: taller, more muscular, and exceedingly masculine. His build was very fit, lean, and rippled with muscles that served him well. He was standing at another cheese booth, leaning forward a bit while trying a sample, with the girl selling it oozing flirtatious desperation. She was clearly attracted to him and I couldn’t help but notice she had complete reason. He looked great, even after all that time. He looked gorgeous and hot.
This only made me assess my own look and I huffed in frustration at my appearance. Not only was I sporting a sheen sweat from my hot yoga class, but my hair was coming out in wavy little wisps from all over my scalp. My bangs were clipped flat and damp against my head, and I was still dressed in my gym clothes. Thankfully, my workout gear was cute, fitting my body nicely in bright, happy colors. When I looked back up towards him, he was gone.
I was glad that he hadn’t seen me, and then realized he probably wouldn’t recognize me. A lot had changed since twelfth grade. I no longer had my long wavy hair, opting for a shoulder length choppy style, and while I was never fat in high school, I definitely didn’t look like an adolescent girl stuck in puberty. I figured I was safe to continue through the market without the risk of running into him. Proceeding through the market, I stopped at a few more booths selling honey, more cheese, and flowers. I liked having flowers in my house, so I purchased some for myself in bunches. As the vendor wrapped the bright, yellow sunflowers, I heard a voice from behind me that caused my stomach to rise and drop.
“Hailee? Is that you?” he said, his deep voice sounding loudly in my ears despite his quietness. It sounded the same, yet different. It’s tone and husk reminded me of all our past moments, of the way I would fall apart when he said my name all those years ago. But it also possessed an unfamiliar maturity and masculinity that made blood rush into my cheeks and heat reach my ears. With my heart racing, I realized I had no choice but to turn around. I couldn’t live in the tent and there was no other way out.
“Hey!” I said as I turned around and met those same dark green eyes that haunted my idle mind at night. He looked even better up close, and he smiled widely upon visually confirming that it was indeed Hailee Samuels he was speaking to. College had done him well, and the life that he lived during had shaped him into the man before me. He had muscles drawing lines across his shirt and there was stubble on his face that made him seem more beautiful than the clean-shaven boy I remembered. His dark brown hair was longer and straight, pointing in all directions, and it made me wonder if it was something he worked on meticulously or if it was a perfect, sexy bed-head he simply woke up with. I became aware that time was passing in silence as we both took each other in.
“Oh my god,” he said, his eyes opening wide. “It’s been years. How are you?” He surprised me and came in for hug before I could protest. Of course, I was sticky and sweaty, and he smelled wonderful, like the woods filled with fresh evergreen trees. I missed the smell the second he pulled away.
“Yeah,” I said, feeling awkward. “It’s been almost ten years. I’m great, how are you doing?”
“Good. I moved back home two months ago and live about twenty minutes from here. Are you local?”
While he awaited my response, Corwin studied me. He looked at me from head to toe, glancing up and down repeatedly with a tenacious intensity. He lingered over my tight yoga pants and fitted top, making me blush even though I was proud of my physique. I wasn’t offended by him looking at me. Actually, it was fantastic and certainly a side effect of my dream from that morning. Even then I felt turned on just by his gaze, only to have it fueled by his next words.
“You look… good. Really good.” He spit it out before I could answer his question. I didn’t think it was possible for my cheeks to burn more.
“Thanks…” I mumbled with a sudden shyness. “I live in Shoreline, so yeah, I’m local.”
“That’s great. I’m so glad to see you.” His voice sounded genuine and filled with interest. Corwin looked me in the eyes and held my gaze. He seemed lost in so many thoughts and then catching his staring, he added, “Listen, I have to go see my dad, but I’d love to catch up for lunch or something soon.”
“Yeah, that’d be great,” I said, trying hard not to take him too seriously, but allowing my intrigue to get the best of me. I couldn’t help but be curious what that man from my dreams and the boy from my past had been up to those lost years.
“Here, give me your number and I’ll call you so we can figure something out.” He was serious, handing me his phone so I could punch my phone number in. When I handed it back, he called me so that I’d have his number on mine. Or maybe he was testing to see if I gave him my actual number, because when my phone rang in my purse he smiled as if relieved. Corwin pulled me in for another hug, one I allowed myself to savor, and then he rushed off. He glanced back once before leaving the market, his expression in disbelief at our encounter. I felt rather the same. He left me clutching my sunflowers and wondering if that had really just happened. After my dream and that meeting, I had no choice but to think about him the rest of the day.
Acknowledgments
First I want to thank you for reading my book. This was something that started out as a fun project and then I grew to love Ellie and Rhys. The fact that you took the time to read about them warms my heart, so thank you!
To anyone that reviewed and shared anything about this book, whether positive or negative, thank you. I can only hope to improve from here and I can only say thank you for supporting me on this journey in any way!
Juliana, for listening to me talk about Rhys and Ellie nonstop as I plotted and wrote this novel for months. I appreciate all your help, your opinions, and for supporting me while I did this. You’ve known about these characters almost as long as I have and I love that
they are a part of our long and wonderful friendship. Love you!
Marla, I have to admit that in those rough stages of editing and condensing, there were times I wanted to give up. Seriously. Each text you sent me telling me you wanted more, and that you loved Rhys and this story made me want to continue. It’s beyond truth that I finished this book because of your help and beta-reading. Thank you so much! I promise this won’t be the end of Rhys :)
Being a new indie author isn’t easy, but it was a lot easier with help from Jodi or J.L. Drake as some of you may call her. Jodi welcomed my questions with open arms and an open heart. She had no reason to help me other than that she is a wonderful person. Jodi, thank you so much for all your help and guidance. I’m seriously indebted to you!
Nicola Rhead, for being a sweetheart and an amazing editor. Not only did you exceed my expectations, but you were fast, efficient, and so positive. Thank you so much and I look forward to working with you in the future.
Hang Le, for a gorgeous cover and for your immeasurable patience. I know it wasn’t easy getting there with me, but you gave Rhys and Ellie the most beautiful cover and I’m so appreciative for that.
I’d like to thank my family for always supporting me and telling me that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. Your voices are the ones in my head that push me and keep me going, I love you beyond words and am infinitely grateful to you. I’m especially grateful to my grandparents that picked up the pieces after a significant loss and continued to move forward. It’s because of my Abuela and Papa that I am who I’ve become and am lucky enough to be able to write this story.
David, thank you so much for being my husband and my friend. You pushed me since day one, you accepted that this might make me a bit of a hermit, and still allowed me to work towards the goal. But most of all thank you for being my IT man (you know what I really wanted to type here, but that’s our secret). I couldn’t have formatted this without you and I cannot thank you enough! You’ve seen me at my worst and my best, and loved me despite it all. You’re pretty much my Rhys and that says a lot. I love you and am so blessed to call you mine.
About the Author
Stephanie Alba grew up in Hialeah, Fl. with her Cuban grandparents and holds a BA in English Literature from University of Central Florida. From an early age, she always wanted to become a writer and began seriously working towards that goal during her first year at home with her infant.
Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Stephanie taught high school English and Literature. Though she misses her “kids”, writing is her passion and all of her stories resonate with her experiences in some way. They are works of fiction, but just as they connect with her, she hopes they also connect with her readers.
She continues to live in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. with her husband and son. When she isn’t writing, Stephanie is reading, continuing graduate school, and spending time with her family.
If you’d like to follow or reach Stephanie Alba, you can do so on the following sites. She’d love to hear from you!
Blog and Website: www.stephaniealba.com
Facebook: Stephanie Alba
Twitter: @Authorstephalba
Instagram: @Authorstephalba
Pinterest: Stephanie Alba
Email: [email protected]
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For Both Are Infinite (Hearts in London Book 1) Page 38
