The Ugly Girlfriend (The Lonely Heart Series)
Page 10
She quickly went to powder her nose and freshened up just in time to get back out to the main hall where the speech was to take place. As the crowd quieted, Catherine walked up to the front and was passed the microphone.
All eyes were on her. Smiles. Nods. Complete approval. She waved at LaToya in plain view of Angela, who looked on confused.
“We’ve had a great year here at Malone, Severs, Nelson and Crump, haven’t we,” Catherine said into the microphone.
The crowd cheered in response.
“You know when Mike, Bob, Cory and myself started this firm over twenty years ago, we had a vision for what we wanted to provide the world. And we’ve been able to see that vision come to fruition because of our clients and our staff. All of us have worked hard this year to accomplish our goals and take this firm to the next level. And I truly commend you all. But there is one man in particular who even in the face of adversity has done a tremendous job. He even took on a few projects that would have surely been halted if we had not had him step up and volunteer to take on his work and these extra assignments. Mitch O’Keefe, would you mind coming up here with me?”
The crowd cheered and clapped again, calling out his name. He slipped his hand from LaToya’s and walked up to the front to join Catherine. Proudly, she placed her hand on Mitch’s back and smiled.
“For many of you and because of the grapevine at the firm, I’m sure that you already know, but formally, I would like to announce our newest partner, Mitch O’Keefe, who has agreed to take us on long term and move our company into an amazing direction so that we can continue to flourish.”
The crowd cheered him on and clapped. Gracefully, he nodded and waved towards the crowd, then threw a kiss towards LaToya.
Catherine continued. “I had the opportunity to meet his backbone, whom he has spoken so highly of at the firm for the last couple of weeks and she’s amazing. I’m sure that both she and everyone here would like to hear a few words from you.” She gave him a hug, then moved towards the background to give Mitch the stage.
Mitch smiled and slipped one hand in his pocket. He was a picture of elegance and confidence. His eyes glimmered. His bright, wide perfect smile exuded masculine beauty.
“You know, I’m really proud to accept this opportunity. And I’m honored to be here with you tonight celebrating our hard work as a cohesive team. It’s been a trying but successful year for the firm, and I’m certain that as we move into the new fiscal year, we’ll do even bigger and better things. When I accepted this partnership, Catherine asked me one question. She asked if I had someone at home to help keep me grounded.” He turned and looked at Catherine. “And I answered yes. Everyone knows through the grapevine that I haven’t been lucky in love, but let me tell you that the reason that I was able to pull myself up by the bootstraps and stay in the game…” He turned and looked at LaToya who stood with tears in her eyes and continued, “is because of my wonderful son, Zach, and the woman here with me tonight. She’s been amazing and strong and a true vision for me. She’s given me the strength to carry on, and she’s given me the happiness I needed to feel whole again. So, I hope you all have the same or find the same, because I truly believe that happiness leads to better productivity at work, better outlooks on life and a stronger firm. So I’m happy to be a partner with this great organization, and I’m happy to have LaToya Jenkins as a part of my life.”
The tears flowed freely down LaToya’s cheeks. She didn’t even bother to wipe them away. The entire crowd looked at her as they clapped. They cheered the two on as Mitch gave the microphone back and went down to hold her in his arms and kiss her for all to see. Even Angela wiped a tear. It was an eye-opener for anyone who had never seen it before. Love. Pure. Special. Genuine love. And it didn’t matter that she was overweight. It didn’t matter that she was dark skinned. It didn’t matter that she was a cleaning lady. What did matter was that she was loved. And she loved. She gave her all and she received it back.
Holding him close, she whispered in his ear. “I don’t feel like the ugly girlfriend anymore.”
He looked into her eyes and smiled. “You were never the ugly girlfriend in the first place.”
The End
Trivi’s Charities of Choice
There are so many worthy charities that need your help. Please consider making a contribution to the following charities to help military men and women and their families in their time of need.
Semper Fi Fund
http://semperfifund.org/
Wounded Warrior Center • Bldg H49 •
Camp Pendleton, CA 92055
Phone: 760-207-0887
or 760-725-3680
Fax: 760-725-3685
Soldier’s Angels
http://www.soldiersangels.org/
1792 E Washington Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91104
Wounded Warrior Project
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300
Jacksonville FL, 32256
Telephone: 877.832.6997
Fax: 904.296.7347
Whether time or money, consider giving back to the people who have already given so much.
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The Grunt
Staff Sergeant Brett Black has a bad feeling that something is going to go terribly wrong. And as a Recon Marine, he pays attention to his gut. Only nothing can prepare him for what he encounters when he arrives at home from the base. His wife is leaving him, and there is nothing he can do about it.
Abandoned with a kid, the super alpha-male has to become domesticated quickly or find a willing substitute to help him with his son. Only the substitute he finds is no substitution.
Courtney Lawless is a true wild card. The budding librarian loves the classics and carries herself like a lady by day. But she also is full of life and surfs the waves of the Atlantic Ocean by night. Since her parents won’t pay for college because of bad decisions in her past, the reformed bad-girl takes a job as Brett’s live-in nanny to finish paying for school.
Brett has never seen a woman of such complex duality. Used to a wife who won’t clean, cook or even talk to him, when he starts to live with Courtney, he realizes what he’s been missing his entire life. Educated, amazing and refreshingly honest, the only thing that that this transparent beauty hides from her new boss is that she’s also the Lieutenant Colonel’s daughter.
Faced with another deployment to Afghanistan soon, the brooding Marine is forced to come out his shell to fight for what he loves, only this time, the war is at home.
Enjoy the interracial must-read romance of the summer, The Grunt, the third a longest book in Latrivia S. Nelson’s Lonely Heart Series and today.
Third Book Book In Lonely Heart Series
ISBN: 978-0-9832186-4-7
Retail Price: $8.99
FINDING OPA!
What does the Greek word Opa mean? According to some it is a word or pronouncement of celebration; the celebration of life itself. It is another way of expressing joy and gratitude to God, life, and others, for bringing one into the state of ultimate wisdom.
Stacey Lane Bryant has three rules. She doesn’t drive; she doesn’t travel; and she most definitely will not date. From the outside, this odd-ball, thirties-something, single black woman is simply a creature of habit who has been beaten down by the tragedies of life. However those on the insid
e know that she’s the widow of esteemed astrophysicist Drew Bryant, a highly sought after best-selling romance author and a devoted cat lover. The rules are simply designed to keep her safe and keep her sane.
However, someone didn’t tell the Greek bombshell, Dr. Hunter Fourakis, that rules weren’t meant to be broken. While at his favorite pub, he eyes Stacey and instantly falls under her spell. Only, his rusty moves don’t get him far with the brilliant introvert, who quickly leaves just to get out of his grasp.
What is meant to be will be, and the two run into each other in another chance encounter. This time Hunter is able to convince Stacey not only to go out on a spur-of-the-moment date with him but also to consider an unorthodox proposal that would benefit them both.
Hunter’s late wife was killed while serving in Iraq, and he mourns every year for two months and three days. The mourning period is usually miserable for Hunter, but this time, he wants to celebrate life. Stacey’s second romance novel is due to her agent in two months but is totally lacking motivation or passion, because she hasn’t gotten over her late husband. Considering that they both need someone for a short period of time to fulfill very specific needs, they agree to be each other’s help mate temporarily. Only as deprived widows, pressured professionals and lonely hearts, they find that while deadlines pass and mourning time ends, love lasts forever.
Read this romantic tale about two people who fight through tragic personal loss, family prejudices and age-old traditions to find good old fashion love in the second book of the Lonely Hearts Series, Finding Opa!
The Lonely Heart Series
Book Two
ISBN: 978-0-983-28647-9
$8.99
Dmitry’s Closet
From author Latrivia S. Nelson, author of the epic romance Ivy's Twisted Vine, comes a story about Memphis, TN, a deadly faction of the Russian mafia and an innocent woman who dismantles an empire.
Orphaned virgin Royal Stone is looking for employment in one of the country's toughest recessions. What she finds is the seven-foot, blonde millionaire Dmitry Medlov, who offers her a job as the manager of his new boutique, Dmitry's Closet. After she accepts his job offer, she soon accepts his gifts, his bed and his lifestyle. What she does not know is that her knight in shining armor is also the head of the Medlov Organized Crime Family, a faction of the elite Russian mafia organization, Vory v Zakone.
Falling in love with the clueless Royal makes Dmitry want to break his coveted code, leave his self-made empire and start a life far away from the perils of the Thieves-in-Law. Only, his brother, Ivan, comes to the Memphis from New York City bent on a murderous revenge.
With the FBI and Memphis Police Department working hard to build a case against Dmitry and his brother trying to kill him, he is forced to tell Royal of his true identity, but Royal also is keeping a secret - one that changes everything.
Who will win? Who will lose? Who will die? Watch all the skeletons as they tumble out of the urban literature sensation Dmitry's Closet.
Warning: This book contains graphic language, sex, and various forms of violence. However, it will also melt your heart!
The Medlov Crime Family Series
Book One
Available in paperback and e-book format
ISBN: 978-1-6165874-5-1
Retail Price:$12.99
Dmitry’s Royal Flush:
Rise of the Queen
From the popular multicultural author, Latrivia S. Nelson, comes the highly anticipated second installment of the Medlov Crime Family Series, Dmitry's Royal Flush: Rise of the Queen.
For Dmitry and Royal Medlov, money doesn’t equal happiness. Forced to leave Memphis, TN and flee to Prague after a brutal mafia war, the couple nestled into the countryside to raise their daughter, Anya, and lead a safe, quiet life. But when Dmitry’s son, Anatoly, shows up with an offer he can’t refuse, Dmitry is forced to go back to the life he left as boss of the most feared criminal organization in world. Consequently, the deal could not only destroy the Medlov Crime Family but also Dmitry and Royal.
Royal hasn’t been the same since she was attacked three years ago. Where she used to be a sweet, innocent girl, she’s now the jaded, bitter mistress of the Medlov Chateau. However, a reality check is in store for the pre-Madonna when Anya’s new teacher shows up with her sights set on stealing Dmitry, and Ivan’s old ally shows up with his sights on killing him. Can Royal save them all? Will she?
With a family in such turmoil, the only way to survive is to stick together. Read the gripping tale of a marriage strong enough to stand the test of time as Dmitry realizes that he has the best cards in the house as long as he has a Royal Flush.
The Medlov Crime Family Series
Book Two
Available in paperback and e-book format
ISBN: 978-0-5780601-1-8
Retail Price: $13.99
Anatoly Medlov: Complete Reign
From the bestselling series, the Medlov Crime Family, comes the highly-anticipated story about America's favorite bad boy...
Anatoly Medlov is the youngest crime boss in the Medlov Organized Crime Family’s history. Now, he has to prove himself to a council who thinks his legacy has not been well-earned, amidst a grueling investigation by Lt. Nicola Agosto of the Memphis Police Department and during plot to destroy him by his ex-lover, Victoria. In his loneliness, the only one he can confide in is the shop girl, Renee, an old friend who knows more than anyone about his personal journey. However, his friendship soon turns to love for a woman he knows that he cannot have because of the feared code his is bound to by the Vory v Zakone.
When his estranged mother dies suddenly, Anatoly flies to Russia to pay his last respects and discovers a jolting secret. The late Ivan Medlov’s own brutal legacy still lives through his son, Gabriel, and his New York crime family. Anatoly’s father and former Czar of the underworld, Dmitry, sees this as an opportunity to unite the two major families and blesses both men. However, Anatoly sees Gabriel as a threat to his empire and competition for the affection of his father. Will cousins kill because of the sins of their fathers?
Gabriel Medlov has always resented his existence. Now as an undercover DEA agent, he plans destroy the Medlov Crime Family once and for all. Only in order to get close enough to destroy the organization, he must also get close enough to love his estranged family. Will blood prove thicker than water or will one man’s revenge end the Family for good?
Follow the story of one young man who fights to be king in a room full of royalty and suffers the pain of his position in the romantic suspense guaranteed to make you want more.
The Medlov Crime Family Series
Book Three
Available in paperback and e-book format
ISBN: 978-0-9832186-1-6
Retail Price: $14.99
Upcoming Books
The Lonely Heart Series:
Gracie’s Dirty Little Secret
Taming the Rock Star
Unleashing the Dawg
The Pitcher’s Last Curve Ball
The Tragic Bigamist
The Credit Repairman
The Medlov Series:
Saving Anya
The Chronicles of Young Dmitry Medlov:
Volume 4-8
The Agosto Series:
The World In Reverse
The Married But Lonely Series:
Forgive Me
Sexting After Dark
Paranormal Books
Funny Fixations
The Guitarist