by Tia Lewis
“But that was the whole plan, dear. You finish school and then take the reins of your father’s companies,” Paula teased, and I laughed at what was supposed to be an inside joke.
“We both know I still have to watch and learn for a while before that is going to happen.”
“How’s the latest graduate in town doing?”
“Feeling really fly. Please tell me you’re not calling to cancel on me.”
“I’m not. I’ve just finished a meeting, and I’m supposed to be in another in five minutes, but we’d be done in give or take, an hour. Running a magazine is apparently a much harder job. I miss when I was just the Editor. Thankfully, the new Editor shares the same vision as I.”
“Whatever you do, just don’t miss out on the ceremony. I hope I don’t have to call Dylan to remind him again about today.”
“I doubt he’s forgotten. Our award-winning journalist didn’t even bother showing up at work today.”
“Good. Now he’d better be on his way and not with some source for yet another story.”
“You should be glad you have a boyfriend who doesn’t leech off of you and is working twice as hard. And it’s not like you’re any different. Dylan also complains about how your foundation is taking all of your time.”
“Are you on my side or his?” I asked feigning offense.
Paula laughed. “See you in a couple of hours, kiddo.”
“See you,” I said and ended the call, I turned to Patrice. “Just one more call?” I said to her. “Dylan was supposed to come pick us up, but right now, that doesn’t sound like much of a plan.”
“Fine,” she said as I dialed my boyfriend’s number.
Dylan didn't answer until the third time I tried calling him. I was mad as hell, but I wouldn't let him ruin this day I had been dreaming of all year long. “Dylan, you know you have a million and one queries to answer now?” I said before he speaks.
“Hey, babe. I’m really sorry. I was caught up in the middle of something.”
“And that something is?” I asked.
“I’ll tell you when I see you later today. Right now I need to ask you for a favor,” he said, and as he said it, I know what he was about to say. Dylan was about to apologize for not making it to the ceremony.
“Dylan, we talked about this already. I won’t have one of your stories take you away from me when I need you beside me the most.”
Dylan chuckled. “Calm down, missy. I'm not missing your graduation. I’m just going to be a little late. Something came up last minute, and I won’t be able to pick you and Patrice up. I’m really sorry.”
“I hate you right now, Dylan.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sure I’ll make it up to you. Just be patient,” he pleaded.
“Just don’t miss the whole day altogether,” I said and ended the call in anger.
“Dylan can’t come?” Patrice asked as I tossed the phone on the bed.
“He can’t pick us up. But he’ll be there before the end. I hate him right now.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that line too many times before to even take you seriously. I’m more than sure when you see him; you’d even greet him with a big fat, sloppy kiss.”
I couldn't help laughing when she was done. I didn't bother to argue with Patrice because she wasn't far from the truth. I loved Dylan so much I couldn't stay mad at him for too long.
“Whatever,” I said and added one last dash of powder on the bridge of my nose. Satisfied with my look, I turned to Patrice. “Are you ready to be officially launched into the real world?”
“I’ve never been more ready.”
29
Dylan
As I watched Alexa collect her scroll on the stage, I felt pride race through my blood. I could imagine what parents felt like when they watched their kids succeed. I was sitting between her stepmother, Paula and my cousin Adrian. For the first time in all the years I had spent on earth, I would be introducing a woman to my cousin as something more than just a fling. I smiled when I remembered the very first time I introduced Alexa to Adrian.
Adrian had taken three steps back and swept his eyes over me from head to toe. The look of disbelief in his eyes was too obvious to be overlooked. He had immediately shouted out for Lola and told her the news. Together, they had laughed and teased until the two of them were exhausted. That was when we had just started out. Two years into our relationship and with every passing day, I fell more and more in love with her.
Despite her wealth, she was still the same person I met and started to like. A part of me had thought that maybe things would change because now she was a lot richer than I was and probably could ever be. I had my doubts. And then it wasn’t easy for me knowing that people would think I was with her for her money. Different thoughts crossed my mind. At a point, I was ready to give it all up, give her all up because I didn’t know how things would pan out.
I had told her then, and Alexa practically scolded me afterward. It was her words of encouragement that kept me strong and eventually the feeling of doubt started to fade out gradually. It was not completely gone, however. There was no way in the world it could be. I still got worried sometimes. But unlike before, I was a much different man from what I used to be. The occasional chatter didn't get to me so much. So long as the people that mattered; Alexa and those she held dear did not think such, I think I was good.
Winning the Pulitzer really put my life in perspective. I realized more than ever where I wanted to be and I started to work harder at it. Two years later, one Pulitzer and another Pulitzer I just narrowly missed winning (I had to admit the other guy’s work was really good), I was living the life I left for LA to live. There was just one thing left to make this life really complete and damn was I going to make it happen.
With Alexa, I had been able to learn to use my life and my position to help out others in need—to learn that the world didn't revolve around me alone. So when she started her foundation for hookers, I immersed myself full-on into the project. Together, we had been able to put fifty girls through their education, establish businesses for about thirty more. The numbers were not as great as we thought we would have gotten in two years, but it was a good start. It wasn't an easy task getting those girls out, but we are grateful for our moderate success. Hopefully, New Year would bring with it much greater numbers.
Adrian looked my way as Alexa took her place with the others and I could have sworn he winked. He thought Alexa was a great catch. I thought she was the catch of a lifetime. This was one person I should never let go of no matter what. When the speeches and the ceremonies were over, Paula and I met up with Alexa and Patrice, Stanford’s latest. Both girls were beaming with pride when they got to us.
“I’m so glad you came, Paula. Adrian! You, too. Hey, babe,” Alexa said and kissed me.
“You guys should just get a room already,” Patrice groaned as she hugged Paula.
“We will,” Alexa said, and then she kissed me even more as Patrice made choking sounds behind us. “I’m still mad you didn’t come pick me up this morning. I was even madder when I found out you didn’t show up at work today. Makes me wonder why you couldn’t drive me down. Which one of your subjects has your attention this time?” Alexa asked.
“Some lady. She used to be in the prostitution business,” I whispered to her.
“You know, I’m beginning to think you have a thing for hookers.”
“My girlfriend used to be one. So I guess that figures,” I teased.
“You cheating ass,” she said, punching me playfully on the chest. “Just make sure you let her know about the foundation. Despite the fact that she’s stealing my man, I still want to help her.”
“Oh yeah, I will. In fact, that’s why I was late. I was picking up something for her. I need your opinion,” I said and slipped my hand into my suit pocket.
“Seriously? You’ve started getting her gifts?” she asked, and I thought I heard a hint of jealousy somewhere. I almost laughed, but I know that would o
nly annoy her.
“Just tell me if it’s good or not,” I said as I extracted the small box that made me late for my girlfriend’s graduation. I went down on one knee and stretched out the box to her. Alexa’s eyes were wide with surprise, and around us, I could hear whispers. It was just how I thought it would be.
“Shit!” she exclaimed as I opened the box to reveal the ring in it.
“Before you say anything, let me finish. Alexa, when I met you, it was purely by chance and never would I have thought we would still be speaking to each other, talk more dating. But you’ve brought good things into my life. You’ve made me a better person.
“Before now, I never truly understood what it meant to be in love. I was lost, and I didn’t even realize what it was I was missing out on. But you came, Alexa. You came and made me realize just about how much I am missing out on without knowing the true meaning of love. You brought that love into my life, and now I don’t ever want to live without it. Or you.”
Alexa was beaming down on me, tears flowing freely from her eyes as I spoke. The number of people around us watching this profession of love had increased. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see phones recording each moment. I hoped Dylan or Patrice or Paula were recording this. I wanted this memory to last forever. We had indeed come a long way. I realized that it was only a matter of moments before the press got wind of what was going on. The press would surely have a field day today.
All that mattered now was to pour out my heart to this woman I wanted to share my past, present, and future with. At that moment, I realized just about how much I wanted this. I couldn't live without this woman, and it would tear me to pieces if for any reason whatsoever she turned me down. Not like there was a chance she could do that now. Or was there? There was only one way to find out. It was time to finish this.
“I love and cherish you with all my heart, Alexa,” I said looking into her eyes. The tears in her eyes were making mine start to glisten a little. I continued. “So much so that I want this to last forever. I promise to be there for you no matter what. Come what may, you’ll find me by your side. If I decide to go on and on about how I feel about you, about us—I'd probably be on this bended knee for decades to come. So, I guess what I am saying with all of this epistle is, Alexa Grant Patterson; my lover, my muse. On this day when you finally complete your dream, would you please help me complete mine? Would you stick with me, so we can build our dreams together?”
“Oh My God! Dylan. Yes. Yes! Yes!” she said amidst tears of joy.
As I slipped the ring onto her finger, I felt within me an elation I never felt before. My life was truly complete now.
Thank You
I want to take the time to thank you for reading The Journalist. I also want to thank my author friends, cover designer, editors, book bloggers, ARC street team, beta readers, my family and my cat. Without all of you, this wouldn't be possible. I'm truly grateful to live my dream career as an author, and I have so many more stories to share with all of you! Make sure you sign up for my newsletter to stay posted with my latest news!
Thank you again,
Tia
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FULL BOOK CATALOG BY TIA LEWIS
Books by Tia Lewis
Redemption: A Bad Boy MMA Fighter Romance
Draw Play: A Sports Romance
Stadium of Lights: A Second Chance Romance
Draft Day: A BWWM Sports Romance
Threat: A Blood Riders MC (Book 1)
Reveal: A Blood Riders MC (Book 2)
Creed: A Blood Riders MC (Book 3)
The Hitman’s Possession: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance (Book 1)
The Hitman’s Property: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance (Book 2)
The Hitman’s Duology Series Bundle
Dirty Hacker: An Alpha Billionaire Romance
Dirty Money: A Dark Mafia Romance
Misled: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance
Zarak: Scifi Alien Invasion Romance (The Mating Games Book 1)
Coming Soon
Coming February 2017
Only One You: A Second Chance Romance
Revived: A Bad Boy MMA Fighter Romance (Warrior Zone Fighters Book 2)
Coming March 2017
Diesel: A Blood Riders MC Novel (Book 4)
Wicked Paradise: A Billionaire Romance Novel
About the Author
Tia Lewis is an author of erotic and dark erotic romance. She enjoys writing about strong, possessive, dominant heroes and sassy, smart heroines. Her characters range from hot, dominant bikers, billionaires, to powerful gangsters, and all kinds of bad boys in between. You can find her cooking, reading, or traveling when she’s not busy working on her next release.
www.AuthorTiaLewis.com
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