Copyright © 2019 by Aubree Valentine
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this book may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any medium, whether electronic, internet or otherwise, without the expressed permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, locations, and names occurring in this book are the product of the author’s imagination, or are the property of their respective owners and are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual events, locations, or persons (living or dead), is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author.
All trademarks and trade names are used in a fictitious manner and are in no way endorsed by or an endorsement of their respective owners.
Contains sexual situations, violence, sensitive and offensive language, and mature topics. Recommended for age 18 years and up.
Images © DepositPhotos – Artur Verhovetsky & palinchak
Cover Design © Designed with Grace
Editing - JL Anderson
Contents
Love Under Construction
Author’s Note
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Epilogue
Back For More - Book #7
The 425 Madison Series
Also by Aubree Valentine
Stay Connected
Acknowledgments
About the Author
To Lauren - For having far more patience with me than I had with myself. For pushing me to keep going when I was struggling. And for bringing 425 Madison to life.
Love Under Construction
Jameson
She hates me.
I can’t say I blame her, in fact, I thought it was best this way.
That was until I realized just how much I really cared for her.
Now all I want to do is protect her.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way.
Olivia
I hate him.
He's always been a thorn in my side.
When my life is flipped upside down, and I'm fighting to stay above water, things between us shift, and I begin to question everything I thought I knew about the boy next door.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I never should have kissed him. It was only a matter of time.
After all, 425 Madison Ave is the perfect place to fall in love!
Each story in the 425 Madison Series is a complete standalone. For more information on the series please visit www.425madisonseries.com.
Author’s Note
When I sat down to pen this story, the outline looked completely different. I thought this would be a fun and flirty tale, much like my Too Hot To Handle series. As I began writing, life happened. And out of that, came what you’re about to read. Olivia is the character that is most like me in real life. Love Under Construction is more like my first series. It’s emotionally packed, but I promise you, there will still be some lighthearted and laughable moments.
I hope when you turn to the last page of this book, you’ve found hope. And love, even in a sometimes dark place.
Xoxo,
Aubree
Chapter 1
Olivia
The final bell rings, and I sigh in relief.
“Okay, don’t forget, book reports are due when we come back on Tuesday! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!” I’ve already lost the students. They’re far too excited that it’s finally Thursday afternoon and rushing out the door as fast as their feet will carry them. Not that I blame them. This week felt like it would never end, even though it was shorter than usual thanks to the four-day break for the holiday.
Typically, if I were back home in Georgia, my whole family would be heading to Shell Point Beach, in Florida for the long weekend. Mom, Dad and all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins will be cramming into my parent’s beach house without me this year. I’ll be here, in New York, missing out on all the fun, according to what my mom had to say this morning anyway.
“Oh Livy, it’s such a shame you won’t be joining us, Dear. Why don’t you let your father and I fly you down for the weekend? As a treat. Our gift to you, because we can. Everyone’s going to be there and you know we always have so much fun when we’re all together like this.”
Leave it to my mom to throw around money like it’s no big deal. The thing is, money is a big deal. It’s just that, and Mom has yet to realize it.
My parents have done well enough in their lifetime. We were not ‘rich’ by the world’s standards, but we certainly didn’t hurt financially like many other families. Their hard work allowed me to go to the University of Georgia without a worry in the world about what my scholarships wouldn’t cover. Not to mention many of the other luxuries in life that I never did without.
That didn’t mean that my parents' money would last forever. Something I learned just before moving to New York when I stumbled upon financial statements in my father’s office while retrieving my birth certificate and passport from the safe.
It was because of that little discovery that I almost decided not to leave. My dad made me swear not to tell my mother and promised that he would be the one to tell her, soon enough. And he made me promise that I wouldn’t stay in Leesburg to try and somehow ‘save the family’. I’d been given a fantastic opportunity in New York, and I needed to take it.
As it was, I could afford the swanky apartment thanks to a small trust fund from my grandparents and some well-placed investments while I was in college. I’d been planning my financial future for years. Living in New York wouldn’t be cutting into my parent’s budget at all.
If I stayed, I could have - and would have, spent my money taking care of my parents. Something my father was vehemently against.
Still, I transferred money into an account with each paycheck with a note to my dad, that it was there if he needed it. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
No, I wasn’t going home because I couldn’t afford to. I was staying here because I didn’t want to be around my douchebag ex-boyfriend who was sure to show up. And, like one too many times before, I’d likely end up drunk and in his bed. Then I’d spend weeks trying to convince Tucker that it was a mistake, that we were a mistake.
Not to mention Jameson Phoenix would likely be there too. And he’d probably spend all weekend reminding me why I shouldn’t sleep, Tucker, which in some twisted way would only make me want to rebel against Jameson’s warnings.
“That’s sweet, Mom. I appreciate that offer. I do. But, I’m going to stay here. I’ll come down once school is out for the summer. I’ll sublease my apartment here and spend time with you and Dad. I promise.”
“Well. If you insist, I hate the thought of you being up there all by yourself. Perhaps your father and I should sell the beach house in Florida and look for a place in the Hamptons instead.”
I let out a muffled groan and hear my father in the background reminding my mom that she’s got to learn when to let her little bird fly.
“Oh hush Marvin. She’s my only little bird. You can’t blame a woman for wanting to keep her daughter close.”
“Mom, listen, I’ve got to go. Class starts in an hour, and I need to head out. I lo
ve you. Just a few more weeks and I’ll come home to visit,” I quickly try to shut down this conversation.
I don’t recall her being this clingy when I was in college.
My last student exits the classroom, and I begin gathering my belongings. I have work to do. Papers to grade. But all of that can be handled from the comfort of my apartment with a glass of wine and a binge-worthy show on Netflix. I’m already dreaming of my favorite pair of fuzzy lounge pants and kicking off these heels, after a long run with my dog - Peaches. If I'm not with my family, I’m damn well going to enjoy this weekend here.
I think I’ve earned the break if I say so myself. Especially since when I’m not teaching, I’m busy working with the developers on The Mason Center project. Something I never thought I’d see come to light. Bringing a state of the art facility for special needs children in New York City is going to be amazing.
“Liv!” Gwen’s voice echoes into my empty glass room as she bounces through the door. “Drinks tonight? Leo has so graciously offered to handle the home front for a few hours so I can have a bit of a break.”
Any other time, I’d eagerly agree to a night out with Gwen and the other ladies. Tonight, not so much.
“Thanks for the invite, but I think I’ll pass this week. I’m not feeling so well,” I lie to hopefully ward off any further questions from my friend and co-worker.
“Aww, well, bummer. We’ll miss you,” Gwen says as she leans against one of the student’s desks.
“I’m sure you’ll have plenty of fun without me,” I tease. “And then you’ll get to come home to your brooding hottie and have even more fun.”
“Yes, well. That last part is certainly true,” Gwen’s face flushes, and I chuckle.
I’m happy for her. I truly am. She finally found her happy ending, ironically with the father of one of her students and the owner of 425 Madison, the building that Gwen once lived in and where I currently reside. No judgment at all. Her involvement with Leo Eastman did us all a favor. Her presence in Mr. Eastman’s life slowly dissolved his asshole attitude toward the rest of the world. Gwen’s never been happier.
“I hate to leave good company, but we made dinner reservations, and I don’t want to be late.”
“Go,” I playfully shoo her away. “I’m almost done here and will be heading out myself.”
“Feel better; I’ll see you tomorrow at the cookout?”
Ah yes, the Memorial Day residence party at 425 Madison. “You bet.”
Gwen disappears, and I’m left alone once again.
I slip the last of my papers to grade into my bag and shut everything down for the weekend. With my bag now slung over my shoulder, I head for the exit and the train station. Who knows, maybe I’ll even grab take-out on my way home instead of boring myself with a microwave dinner or putting forth the effort to cook a full meal just for myself.
Standing outside of 425 Madison, an hour later, I take a deep breath and smile. Walking up to this building never gets old. Knowing I paved the way for myself to make it here, fills me with pride.
I doubt I’ll ever forget the day I walked into this building to check out a space to buy. There’s such an energy floating around this place. Lots of up and coming young people like myself inhabit the 36 floors of luxury here.
Slipping the key in the door, I can already hear Peaches whine. My girl is waiting for me and excitedly circles around my legs as I walk in.
“Hello my pretty girl, were you good today?” I coo at her while rubbing the top of her head. Peaches is a lab mix that I found at the SPCA before I moved to NYC. It was love at first sight. She’s been my best friend and loyal protectors every day since. The best part is that she was already housebroken when I adopted her. The worst she does is chewing up my shoes when I forget to close my bedroom door. I hard lesson that I’ve learned twice.
“Give me a second to change and then we can go for a run.”
At the word, ‘run’ Peaches yelps excitedly, her tail waggle so fast that her whole butt wiggles.
“I know, you love your runs. Just a few minutes, Peaches.”
She follows me into my bedroom, waiting patiently as I change my clothes and slip on my running shoes. I head to the kitchen and grab a bottle of water for us both and her leash from the hook. Peaches sits obediently while I hook the leash to her collar and then we’re off.
As we walk down the hall to elevators and pass Harley’s door, my neighbor at 508, Peaches pauses briefly and sniffs then whines. Interesting.
“Come on girl.” I tug at her leash and with a huff, she relents and continues walking.
Chapter 2
Jameson
“Alright, Jay let’s make this quick. The Yankees play at eight,” Harley grunts and nods to the truck bed full with boxes.
One hour and maybe six trips back to the parking garage later, all my stuff is in the apartment I now share with Harley. It’s not much, but it’s everything I need. My bedroom furniture was delivered yesterday, and it’s not like I need any other furniture, Harley has that covered with his leather couch, recliners, and a massive tv.
The apartment set up is pretty nice for two bachelors. There’s a full kitchen off to the left when you enter, a breakfast bar with two stools set up on living room side of the open kitchen wall. The bedrooms are off to the right, and I thankfully won’t have to share a bathroom with Harley. He has his master suite, and I’m responsible for the one in the hallway. I can live with that.
“Welcome home,” Harley grabs two beers from the fridge and hands me one.
I pop the top on mine and take a long pull. “This isn’t the part where we hug like a bunch of girls right?”
He flips me the bird and heads for the living room. “Stay out of my room, no borrowing my clothes. No, you can’t play with my gun or my handcuffs. Don’t ever wake me up, unless the building’s on fire. In that case, I expect you to carry me out of here. Other than that…you can see where everything is. The rest of what’s mine is yours.”
“You’re too kind man.” I punch his shoulder and take a seat on the couch to watch the game. When the Rays score their first run, I’m sure that Harley’s ready to kick me out.
“One more rule. You can’t root for any team but the home team,” he grunts.
“Tampa Bay is my team,” I remind him. He rewards me with another single finger salute. “Better get used to it man, never miss a game.”
“Why the hell did I agree to let you move in here?”
“You needed help covering the astronomical mortgage on this place.”
“Touche. Last damn time I buy a place for a woman. I still can’t believe she left me high and dry like that.”
“We all tried to tell you Charlene wasn’t a good fit man. You should take advice from your friends once in a while.” I laugh.
Harley mumbles something then says, “Let’s just vow to never speak of her again, too, while we’re at it.”
“Jeez, feels like living at home with my parents. Do I have a curfew too, Dad?”
“You know, I forgot what a wiseass you are.”
I jokingly blow kisses at Harley, “You know you love me, man.”
He snorts in reply. “Shut up and watch the game, would ya?”
Collapsing the last of the cardboard boxes, I toss it on the recycling pile near the front door of the apartment and head for the shower.
I still have a list of things I need to do before this new construction project begins. Starting with finding housing for my crew that’s coming up from Georgia. That can wait til Monday. Tonight Harley mentioned there was some kind of Memorial Day party going on for the residences up on the rooftop deck. He suggested I check it out. Unfortunately, I’ll be flying solo because Harley’s working third shift down at the precinct.
Moving here is probably the craziest damn thing I’ve ever done, I’m still not sure that the city is any place for this country boy, but after spending nearly two years away from her, I started looking for the perfect opportunity to
move my business. J.L.Phoenix Construction has done well since I graduated from college and opened its doors. So well, that I was able to leave one of my foremen back home to run a smaller version of the company in our home town, while I expanded North.
This project I put a bid on is a unique one and from the details I have, it’s going to be time-consuming. My company wasn’t the only company to make a bid on it either. We were only hired when the first company fell through. I hope that completing this job with the skill and professionalism I know my guys have, will gain us some traction up here. Otherwise, I’ll be taking my ass right back to the country when this is all said and done.
Something I don’t plan on doing unless I’m bringing her with me.
Trying not to think about work right now, I quickly get myself together. Twenty minutes later, I’m showered and dressed. I grab the snack food from the counter, and the case of beer Harley suggested I bring. I’m not usually a people person, per se, but I figure it won’t hurt to get to know my new neighbors.
One of which I’ve managed to avoid crossing paths with her for my first week here. Heading out before she wakes up, coming home long after she’s gone to bed, wasn’t intentional. I realize this may make me sound like a real creeper, but I’m pretty sure fate had a hand in the fact that somehow the only other friend I have in this big city happens to be living in the apartment right next door to Olivia. When Harley was telling me about the other tenants and Liv’s name came up, I had to work hard to school my expression. That last thing I need is an old college buddy trying to play matchmaker.
Love Under Construction (425 Madison Avenue Book 6) Page 1
