Indelible Love Series + Entwined Bundle

by DW Cee

  Indelible Love Series Bundle

  Indelible Love – Emily’s Story

  Indelible Love – Jake’s Story

  Indelible Lovin’ – Max & Jane’s Story

  +

  Entwined

  By

  DW Cee

  Copyright © 2013 by DW Cee

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be copied, reproduced, transmitted, or downloaded, whether electronic or mechanical, without the written consent of the author.

  This story is a work of fiction. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Smashwords Edition

  Table of Contents

  Indelible Love – Emily’s Story

  Indelible Love – Jake’s Story

  Indelible Lovin’ – Max & Jane’s Story Vol. 1

  Indelible Lovin’ – Max & Jane’s Story Vol. 2

  Entwined

  INDELIBLE LOVE—EMILY’S STORY

  By

  DW Cee

  Copyright © 2012 by DW Cee

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be copied, reproduced, transmitted, or downloaded, whether electronic or mechanical, without the written consent of the author.

  This story is a work of fiction. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Smashwords Edition

  To Joyce

  For your countless hours of editing, encouraging, and listening

  Prologue

  “Em?” Max called my name so tentatively, that I figured he was nervous about proposing.

  “Yes?” I was so excited. Four years and way too many uncertain days later, he was finally going to ask me to marry him. Giddy…yes, I was incredibly giddy.

  “Em…you know how much I’ve loved you the last four years, right? You were the most important person in my life. Someone I couldn’t live without?”

  I wondered why he spoke in the past tense. “Of course I know this. I love you just as much, Max.”

  “Please don’t ever forget this, no matter what.” I thought I saw tears welling up in his eyes, but suddenly his gentle face turned stoic. It scared me.

  “Em. I need my freedom. I want us to break up and experience life without each other.” There was no more emotion in his voice.

  “What?” Tears automatically fell from my eyes. “What did you say?” Had I heard him correctly? Was he breaking up with me? My head and my heart shook in fear.

  “I’m sorry. It’s over.” Without another word, he went out of my room and out of my life.

  My heart stopped beating with those last four words. How could I have believed we were about to get engaged, when he believed it was over? How could I have loved this man with all my heart, when his heart stopped loving me some time ago? How could I have been so wrong about Max?

  Four years ago, I met this boy and fell in love instantly. Four days ago, I believed we were getting married as soon as we graduated. Four seconds ago this same boy broke my heart and wanted to move on with his life, without me. Sobbing, I called Sarah.

  Chapter 1 Christmas Ball

  “What time is Jake picking you up?” Sarah asked, as she sat in the salon chair next to me. “Charlie’s coming straight here since we need to get to the Christmas Ball a little earlier to help set up. Emily. Emily Logan. What are you daydreaming about? You haven’t answered my question. What time is Jake coming to pick you up?”

  Ugh! The Christmas Ball! Why had I agreed to go to this event? All of our college friends would be there. Although it had been eighteen months since the breakup, I dreaded seeing Max and his new girlfriend tonight.

  Max Davis. My first love. My world.

  We had dated throughout undergrad, and he was the absolute love of my life. He was tall, good looking, and extremely intelligent. His sandy-brown hair and matching brown eyes didn’t stand out until he smiled. His tender smile melted my heart and made me smile along with him.

  He was probably the smartest in our group of friends, but not as driven as I would have liked. His lack of motivation didn’t keep me from being absolutely crazy about him. I thought he was it. I would marry no other but Max…until, he dumped me on graduation night. Sadness filled my heart again.

  “Um…I’m not sure.” I hesitated with my answer.

  “What do you mean you’re not sure? You did invite Jake to this ball?”

  “Yeah, I did, last night when he came over for dinner.” Sarah’s eyebrows arched up, which signaled bad things to come. That meant there would be more questions followed by a reprimand. Being the oldest of four siblings, Sarah was a bit motherly toward me, the adult orphan.

  “Emily! You asked him to this function last night? What if he had to work? As it is, he’s always working. What did he say?”

  “Well, he wasn’t too happy with me. He accused me of not wanting to go because I wasn’t over Max.” From the corner of my eyes I saw Sarah’s head plop into her hands while she made an ugly groaning sound. “And I was stupid enough to tell him that though I didn’t like Max anymore, I still hurt a lot from our breakup.” Sarah groaned even louder.

  I regretted my honesty last night. Jake and I had been dating six weeks, and from day one, I expounded upon my past more than necessary.

  “Then I was an even bigger idiot and called what Jake and I have not a relationship but ‘whatever it is that we have.’ That’s when he got up and left in the middle of dinner.”

  “Emily!” The groan, the sigh…every exasperated noise came out in a flurry. “I thought everything was going so well with you two. When you and I were in New York over Thanksgiving, Charlie and I had a bet going on about you.” She smiled in a weird way.

  “What bet was that?”

  “Which day you would come crying telling me you had to go home to see Jake. You were miserable without him.”

  “I was not…well, I guess I kind of was.” My lips pursed, apologetically. “So who won?”

  “Charlie. He said you’d feel too guilty to confess, but he was sure Jake would fly into New York to see you instead.”

  “He almost did. I had to hold him back.” I laughed. “Anyhow, he texted last night and said he’s coming over around 6:00pm. He’s going to shower and get ready at my place.”

  “Isn’t that a bit dangerous?” Always on the naughty side, her questions confounded my simple mind.

  “Why would it be dangerous?” I asked naively.

  “Are you kidding me? I’ve never met such a gorgeous doctor in my life!”

  “Don’t be silly. We’ve done nothing naughty, to your dismay.”

  “Didn’t you practically make out with him the first day you met him? And how old are you?” Sarah questioned. “Aren’t you beyond the age of making a boy wait so long before letting him do anything other than kiss you?”

  Sarah always poked fun at what she called my “unnecessary modesty.”

  “I’m twenty-four and he’s thirty. Yeah, that first weekend we met was crazy. It was so unlike me. Anyhow, we’ve only had a handful of dates now. I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong. We just haven’t gotten to know each other well enough,” I retorted with a laugh. “Mind your own business.”

  “What does your dress look like, Emily?” Jon, my hairdresser, interrupted. “And what shall we do with this long brunette mane of yours today?”

  “It’s a black low-cut sleeveless dress. It’s fitted from top to bottom. I’m going to wear black heels with it. Do what you like with my hair.”

  “Ok.” As soon as Jon answered me, his eyes twinkled. “I think I know what I want to do. How about a sleek tie back? I think that will accentuate your high cheekbones.”

  “Sur
e.” It didn’t really matter. At five feet five inches, I’d always been on the slender side but since the breakup I’d lost a considerable amount of weight. I knew I looked unhealthy, but there wasn’t much I could do…not much I wanted to do.

  It took forever to get my hair and nails done. I figured while here, a facial would do wonders for my dry skin, and an aesthetician could apply my makeup. She did a great job coloring my eyes a smoky black and brushing my pale cheeks with enough blush to give them a slightly flushed look. The lipstick we picked out was the shade of a perfectly blossomed rose. Why not look good? Whether for the present date, the ex, or his new girlfriend, looking good was definitely the best revenge—though, a part of me felt guilty for thinking this.

  “Wow, Emily. You look great!” exclaimed Charlie.

  “Hey, what about me?” Sarah pouted. “I’m your girlfriend!”

  “You’re always gorgeous,” he said lightly, kissing her pale pink lips.

  “See you two later,” I called out as we left the salon. “Are we sitting together? Jake won’t know too many people there. Put us at a good table, please.”

  “Don’t worry!” They chuckled. Something about the undercurrent of those two words worried me.

  I glanced at my watch. Yikes! Running late, I dashed to my car in four-inch heels and a dress that was a size too big on me.

  Jake was already at my door when I pulled into my driveway. My house, a small Craftsman about eighteen hundred square feet, sat on a beautifully tree-lined street. I had saved all my money while working through college, then saved another year’s worth of my pitiful teacher’s pay to put a down payment on this beautiful old home. Built in 1922, it had good bones. Wood beams ran across the ceilings and crown moldings outlined every room. There was a Batchelder fireplace on one end of the living room and built-in cabinets in each room. The bathrooms needed a bit of updating, but to me this house was perfection. I was proud to be a homeowner every time I drove up my long driveway.

  Dr. Jake Reid—another picture of perfection. He was absolutely gorgeous. He was my ideal man at six feet tall, fair skin, jet-black hair, and blue eyes the color of Tahitian water. Women nurses probably swooned at the very sight of this dashing doctor. If they found out, the women at the hospital wouldn’t be too happy to know he was dating someone. I literally ran into him at the supermarket while tiptoeing on a shelf, reaching for a box of cereal. With the cereal in hand, my one foot tripped over the other foot and I bumped into him hard enough to knock us both down. Twisting my ankle from this misstep, Jake was kind enough to take me to his hospital’s ER where he stayed with me for three hours. That night, he asked for my number, and six weeks and several dates later, I invited him to accompany me to this ball.

  The sight of him made me giddy with joy. After last night’s argument, I thought he might have had second thoughts about escorting me. My actions probably frustrated him. Unintentional, but aggravating all the same, I played an unfair game of keep away with my heart—almost giving, then taking back at will. Jake was never shy about expressing his feelings for me. Though his job as a doctor kept him working like a madman, he made sure I knew he cared for me. Within a handful of dates, Jake had managed to fill the void left by my parents who had passed away years ago.

  Jake showered me with both love and attention from the very night I met him. Whenever we separated, emptiness followed. How odd that a man I met less than two months ago could have such an effect on me.

  “Hi, Jake. I’m so happy to see you. Have you been waiting long? I wish you had called me.” I rushed out of the car as quickly as possible. Jake walked over to greet me.

  “Hi, Beautiful. You look stunning,” he murmured, kissing my cheek. “Do you not have your phone on you? I called and texted all day but you never answered. You had me worried.”

  “Sorry. I guess I forgot my phone at home.” I stopped to hug him. “I’m really happy you’re here. Let’s go in. You can use the guest room to get ready.”

  “Did you not believe me last night when I said I was coming to pick you up at six?”

  In all honesty, I didn’t know what to believe. Even with his apology via text late last night, I wasn’t convinced that he wanted to attend this ball with me. A teeny tiny part of me also wished to attend alone—though I’d never admit this to Jake or even to Sarah. It had been eighteen months since I’d seen Max. As to how I’d react when I saw him again was anybody’s guess.

  “Well?” he prodded.

  I smiled and answered, “Go in and get dressed.”

  Fortunately, he didn’t push for an answer but he began to take off his scrubs before closing the bathroom door. His body look liked one of the many replica statues of Michelangelo’s David that populated the city of Florence. His body and face were close to perfection.

  Deep breaths!

  I went in my room to look over my dress, added a strand of pearls, and touched up my makeup while Jake got ready.

  Jake walked into the living room wearing a black tuxedo, and he looked perfect.

  “You look amazing,” he exclaimed, putting both arms around my waist. I smiled, embarrassed and guilt-ridden, as I wasn’t quite sure who I had gotten this dolled up for—him or the ex.

  “You look pretty amazing yourself. I’m going to have to fight off all the ladies in the ballroom,” I teased.

  Jake shook his head in laughter and reached for my fingers. Hand in hand we walked to his car, and for the first time in a very long time, my heart rejoiced at the longing, the awakening I felt. Like a musician dusting off the cobwebs of a neglected instrument, I wanted to play again. I wanted to excel and perform in the symphony again. My heart wanted to love again.

  Yes, I would let go of the pain that had lived in me for so long and tonight, with Jake and Max in the same room, would be the test.

  “So what kind of college student were you?” Jake asked even before we got into the car.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You look like the straight-A sorority girl with lots of friends. Is my assessment correct?” Jake had a know-it-all grin on his face.

  “You are so wrong about me.” I gave him a don’t-think-you-have-me-figured-out-already look. “I did well in English and history but struggled miserably through math and science. Those were probably your best subjects, huh?”

  “I had to do well in those subjects. Look at the profession I chose. But weren’t you popular in school?” He reached over and held my hand.

  “Nope. I had a few close friends, along with Max, and that was it. Can’t you tell by my overwhelming enthusiasm to all your advances that I’m as shy as they come?” I joked with my date. “To your dismay, I’m sure, you’re dating an introvert who will frustrate you with her self-doubt and vacillation. I might as well have blinking lights and a hazard sign on me.” At this point, I couldn’t help but let out a giggle. “Does my testimony scare you?” From what I had seen of Jake, I was confident it wouldn’t.

  “You have to do a lot more than that to scare me.” He leaned over for a kiss. “What I see is a kind and gentle spirit who looks out for others before thinking of herself, and who likes me a lot more than she’s willing to admit.”

  Now we both broke into a chortle. Hard to admit, but he was right. Like was not a strong enough word—adoration, bordering on love? Perhaps love wasn’t the right emotion, but whatever I felt, it wasn’t public knowledge, yet. Though my heart thumped arrhythmically whenever Jake was around and his presence caused much bliss and anxiety at the same time, I was too afraid to give my heart completely to anyone again. I’d have to profess my heart to him soon—possibly tonight if we got the chance.

  After valeting Jake’s car and walking into the hotel lobby, a thousand twinkling lights cascaded off the chandelier above us. We marveled at each Christmas tree, meticulously decorated in a multicultural theme. Jake held my hand, and as we strolled into the ballroom, my nerves jingled not much differently than the Christmas bells nearby.

  Our ballroom, decorate
d in a White Christmas theme, rivaled New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza. The tree, the ornaments, and decorations perfectly displayed the Christmas spirit.

  “Emily!” shouted all my college friends whom I had avoided since the breakup, “it’s so good to see you. Where have you been? You’ve lost so much weight,” they all said at once as they veered me away from my date.

  “Who is that gorgeous man you are with?” They all whispered not only to me, but also among themselves.

  “Jake,” I called, pulling him back to my side, “this is Becca, Lizzy, and Christie. We have all been roommates at some point throughout my four years in undergrad.”

  “Ladies, this is Jake.”

  “Hello, Jake!” they all sang out at once.

  “Hi.” He grinned his irresistible smile. Jake was always good at conversation and my college friends looked more than happy to converse.

  “Jake, I’m going to go see Sarah and Charlie and get us checked in. Hang here with all the gals, will you?” I walked away amused, knowing Jake was in for a long talk with the girls.

  While walking toward my best friend and her boyfriend of almost nine years, I nervously scanned the room for Max and his date. Relief washed over me. Perhaps they would be absent tonight? I could only hope.

  “Hey,” I called out to the lovebirds. “Where are we sitting?”

  “Um…”

  Their answer, filled with enough hesitation, made my nerves rattle again. This was not going to be an answer I would like to hear.

  “You’re with Peter, Will, James, Christie, me, Charlie and Max and Jennifer.” Sarah spoke so quickly I had to repeat all the names in my head before everything clicked.