Review
Another epic read by the talented SL Scott. - New York Times Bestselling Author, Melanie Moreland
Best One Ever!!! 5 Magical Stars - Amazon, Crystal
This is what romance should be! - Amazon, Escritora
I love the twists in this book. Beautifully done! - Amazon, jjdejong
This book right here is why I love reading S.L. Scott so much. - Amazon, Becky
What an amazing, strong heroine. These two together! Chef's kiss ❤️ Their love is pure magic. - Amazon, lissthebooklover
S.L. Scott has become a go-to author for me because of how her love stories always hit me in the heart. - Amazon, Rox
Emotional and Beautifully Written. - Amazon, Mirele
Unique! This is an emotion packed stand-alone that you won't want to put down once you get started. - Amazon, eabreese
Experience all the emotions - Amazon, Paulette
Cooper and Story captured my heart and kept me enraptured from start to finish. Their love story was beautiful. They had spectacular chemistry - Amazon, Rox
Mesmerizing! Breathtaking! I could not stop reading this book! - Amazon, Crystal's Book World
This story is one of the most emotional I have read in quite some time. There is so much tenderness, love, brokenness and angst that I turned the pages as fast as I could read. - Amazon, Andrea
This book has everything you need- love, lust, angst, steamy scenes, and real character growth! - Amazon, Justine
Powerful Love story - Escritora
From the Inside Flap
I've never believed in omens or signs, but I've been given several in the past hour.
The lights of Bean There coffee shop shine like a beacon through the heavy pelts of rain. I make a mad dash for the door, swinging it open with more force than necessary in my rush to get inside. No one appears bothered when the bell above the door rings, but I get two quick glances from over the tops of laptops near the counter.
And then they carry on minding their own business.
"Seat yourself," chimes a voice from behind a swinging door. The porthole window gives me a glimpse of the brunette bustling in the back.
I score a table by the window and, as luck would have it, an outlet. My laptop doesn't have enough juice to last the hours needed to write my paper. When my building lost power and the generator didn't kick in, I went to the library. The horde of over-caffeinated and procrastinating students pouring out of the doors told me I'd have no luck in there.
After rubbing my hair dry with the hood of my jacket, I unpack my bag to prepare for the long night ahead. As this coffee shop is on the opposite side of town from where I live and farther from Atterton University's campus than I generally travel for a hot brew, this is my first visit. But it's decent in here, low key with a kind of old-school hideaway vibe to it—lamps instead of bright overhead lights, scuffed wood floors that have seen better days, and jazz playing in the background.
Apparently, I'm the only one not privy to this secret. Every table, though they're small, is occupied. Bags on the floor, laptops open, the unflattering glow of LED white lights reflecting across faces half-hidden by their screens.
Little plates with muffins and coffee cups fill the tables to the point I'm starting to think these people are taking up residency instead of just being here for the evening. That or the staff is slacking. Since I'm not seeing anyone other than the girl in the back, I'm thinking that might be more the case.
When I reach down to plug my laptop in, I hear, "The storm rolled in without warning."
I turn back to see golden-centered hazel eyes peering down at me and a smile that momentarily makes me think sunshine has broken through the rain. But those sunset-orange tights give the brunette beauty away as images of a party last summer come flashing back.
Not sure why I glance down at her ring finger. Habit, I guess.
I've been called a player a time or ten, but I've only ever set out to break apart one relationship.
Hers.
Wonder if it worked. "Hi," I say.
Her smile widens. "Hi." When she glances out the window, I'm given a quick chance to study her. Again.
It's not been a year since I last saw her, not even quite five months, but she looks a little different. Other than the telltale sign of a small green apron signifying that she works here, the strings are pulled tight around a curvy little waist I wouldn't mind exploring sometime, and her hair is longer with lighter-colored strands blended in.
High cheekbones highlight those pretty hazel eyes and long lashes, but I'm drawn to the natural pink pucker of her lips as she studies the weather outside. Most girls choose cherry gloss, but her mouth is matte. It makes me curious what she tastes like.
A black suede skirt instead of corduroy and the same boots she wore at my party. But that's not the difference I'm sensing. I can't quite put my finger on it.
She shifts to look back at me. "I was saying the storm came out of nowhere."
"The weather app predicted it, but no one expects a summer storm like this in December."
"Not without snow along with it, but the fifties won't get us there. And technically, that'd be a winter storm then."
"I hate snow."
Her smile remains as bright as her eyes. "I don't mind it so much."
"Yeah?" This time, I grin. "What is it about snow that you don't mind so much?"
She slips into the seat across from me without an invitation. I like that about her. Leaning forward as if she's revealing a secret, she replies, "I think it's more the images it conjures. A Baileys Irish Cream hot chocolate by a roaring fire. Curled up in a big, cushy chair reading a book while snow falls outside. Christmas morning and presents under the tree."
"Sounds perfect."
"To me, too." She stands. "Can I get you something to drink and eat?"
I look toward the display cabinet under the counter. Nothing appeals to me, so I eye the chalkboard menu on the wall. "What's your soup today?"
"Tomato basil. It's really good and even better with a grilled cheese." She pushes some hair behind her ear, revealing a name tag pinned to her green apron.
"You know how to upsell," I say, getting a good look at the name that I never got when I first saw her. "Story. That's a—"
"Unique. Weird. Strange name. I get that all the time." She shrugs and laughs to herself. "I could be describing my mom the same way."
Our eyes lock together, and I say, "Beautiful. I was going to say beautiful."
"Oh." Cringing, she seems to lose some of the composure she was holding on to seconds prior. When she blushes, I'm done for. "Um, that's very nice of you to say. Thank you."
"You're welcome, Story."
"Don't go wearing it out now."
God, I'd love to wear it out.
Her laughter dances around us, keeping smiles on both our faces. She's utterly breathtaking. "What's your name?" she asks.
"Story?" Some guy calls out to her from across the café, redirecting her attention to him.
"Be right there, Lou." She turns back to me but thumbs over her shoulder. "Louis. He's a handful around finals." Snapping a pen and pad from her apron, she asks, "The soup and sandwich?"
"How can I resist?"
"Good choice." With a wink, she walks away but backs up and returns. "And to drink?"
"Coffee. Black is good."
I don't expect a smile in return for my order, but I get one anyway. She's easy to admire. Pretty, like her name. It's not one thing specifically, but how her features work together with the heart shape of her face that makes her so appealing. She taps my table with her pen. "I'll be back."
"Hope so."
She backs away, still looking at me, but then runs into the chair of another patron. "Oh, sorry."
The guy has no patience for her and grumbles something under his breath that makes me want to teach him some manners with a punch to the face. I let it go this time, though, and get back to why I'm here in the first place.
"I'm right here," Story says tableside.
"What?"
She drags her free hand under the mug for effect. "Your coffee."
"Oh, that." I rub the side of my neck. "Right. The coffee."
Setting it down, she says, "I didn't mean to sneak up on you."
"Sometimes life does that."
"When you least expect it."
“I don’t deserve you, but my soul is tied to yours. You’re my savior, and I’m your curse. This is what we are together. Each other’s destiny.”Highlighted by 219 Kindle readers
