The One Left Behind (The One Series)

By Lena Nicole

*      *      *

The One Left Behind

a novel

Copyright © 2013 by Lena Nicole

Cover Design by HB Heinzer

Editing by Fallon McCullough of Snow Editing

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the above author of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used.

To Scott, Steven, Aiden and Natalie

“Falling in love is like jumping off a really tall building. Your brain tells you it is not a good idea, but your heart tells you, you can fly.” –Unknown

I NEVER BELIEVED in love at first sight, but I do believe that every person has one soul mate. Whether or not we find that person is left up to chance. Fortunately for me, I met my soul mate on a random night at a bar.

Initially, I was a little put off by his corny pick-up lines and his cocky attitude. But after spending one day with him I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop my heart from falling for him.

I’m supposed to meet Colin on the beach. He wanted to meet here at 7:30 this evening to share some exciting news. Looking ahead, I instantly spot him.

He’s sitting on a blanket with a bunch of stuff scattered around him. From this distance I can’t make out what it is, but I don’t care because I can’t take my eyes off of him. He hasn’t noticed me walking toward him yet so I take advantage of the moment to take in his sexiness. He’s sitting on the blanket with his long body leaning back on one elbow with one knee bent and the other leg stretched out in front of him. He’s staring out at the ocean giving me a view of his perfect profile. The light breeze blowing off the water is gently ruffling his blond hair. I’m casually looking up and down his body when my eyes get stuck on his sculpted shoulders that are flexed from supporting his weight while reclined back. The breeze blows open the top of his shirt since he has the first few buttons undone revealing a deliciously defined chest. I’m almost to the edge of the blanket when he looks up at me with the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen. His eyes are without a doubt my favorite thing on him. I give him a small smile as I’m crouching down to sit on the blanket and he flashes me a striking smile that showcases his dimples.

I look around us at all the things he has set up and smile bigger. He thought of everything from champagne to strawberries. He even brought the gummy bears he knows I love so much. This must mean one thing.

We’re celebrating.

I can’t help but get excited for him and feel giddy. I know he was supposed to hear back from the law firm about his application. He has worked so hard to get this position so this whole set up must mean that he got it.

I kneel on my knees and wrap my arms around his neck and greet him with a kiss. He momentarily deepens the kiss but pulls back slightly before things get out of hand.

“Hello, my love,” he says this with the warmest smile on his face that melts my heart and makes me weak in the knees.

“Hello, yourself. Champagne, strawberries, and gummy bears? You shouldn’t have,” I tease and give him one more peck on the cheek before sitting next to him. I snatch up some gummy bears and say, “I hate to ruin your surprise since you went through all this trouble, but I can’t wait anymore. I think I know why we’re here.” I pop a few gummy bears in my mouth.

“Oh, you do? Well, then, please enlighten me.” He leans away from me with a bemused smile on his face like he knows something I don’t.

“Yep, you’re here to tell me that your hard work and brilliance has paid off and that you got the position at the law firm. I had no doubt you would, by the way.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear with the same look on his face as he says, “I guess the cat is out of the bag.”

I leap up and jump onto him straddling his hips as I kiss him with all the love and pride I feel for him. “That’s great, baby! I knew you’d get it!”

He cups my jaw as he stares into my eyes before he gently pushes me off of his lap. He gets up from his laid back position and sits up straight. “I’ve always admired you for the support you’ve given me, but that’s not why we’re here.” He has a mischievous grin on his face while I look at him in confusion. “Addison, I want you to know that I love you for believing in me and making me strive to be a better person.” I notice his hands are shaking and he looks nervous.

“Babe, is everything okay? I furrow my brows as I try to read his expression.

“Just stand up with me for a second.” He pulls on my hands and helps me get to my feet.

I’m still slightly confused until I see his eyes soften and they appear to be glossing over. He drops down to one knee and it dawns on me what he’s doing. A plethora of emotions run through my body. Excitement. Love. A little anxiety. I put my right hand over my mouth as he starts to speak.

“I never believed in love at first sight, but I knew the moment I saw you that you were it for me. You make every breath I breathe worth taking and not a day goes by where I can imagine my life without you. Will you make me the happiest man on Earth and do me the honors of being my wife? I can’t promise it will be easy all the time, but I can promise it will be worth fighting for.

“Addison Claire Ramsey, will you marry me?”

I can’t tell if my palms are sweating or if it’s his, but my mind is racing with what he just asked me. I’m looking down at him and time stands still.

The time we took silly pictures in a photo booth because he insisted we needed more pictures together. The pictures are still on my fridge. The first one is of him wiggling his eyebrows. When the camera snapped the picture he had the most ridiculous expression on his face that made me throw my head back in laughter. In the next frame I was cracking up as I grabbed his arm and leaned in to him. He’s looking at me from the corner of his eye and smiling. My favorite of the four is where we are nose to nose staring at each other. I remember wanting to kiss him so bad in that moment. After the picture clicked, he slowly licked his lips and left them parted. I clutched the front of his shirt and pulled him closer to erase the distance between us. Our lips collided giving into the desire that had been building. The last frame is of us embracing each other passionately as we pour ourselves into this one kiss.

I think back to the time he remembered our six month anniversary—even though I didn’t—and had flowers delivered to my condo. There were six dozen roses, one dozen for each month we were together. Afterwards, he took me back to where we had our first date – Cup of Joes.

I smile at the thought of him bringing me coffee during my late night shifts at the hospital. That in itself was sweet, but what got me was that he should have been using that time to study for the Bar Exam and sleeping so he’d have enough rest to prepare for it again the next day. Instead, he was up late at night, thinking of me and my caffeine addiction.

Colin clears his throat and I realize I must have been standing here staring at him for a while because he looks more nervous now than when he started. I snap out of the daze I was in.

Marriage.

We haven’t been together for a full year yet. Is that long enough to know you want to spend the rest of your life with someone? I know that in my heart I love Colin and I do believe he is the one for me, but I don’t want to rush this. We haven’t even moved in together yet. If we really are soul mates, then there should be no need to jump the gun on this, right?

I WAKE UP and it feels like I’ve been asleep for days. My head is pounding and I’m a little disoriented. I try to sit up, but I’m sore as hell. What the hell happened? It feels like I’ve been hit by a truck. Twice. I finally open my eyes and realize I’m in an unfamiliar place. Florescent lights blind me. There’s a table to my left with flowers on it. I hear sounds coming from my right. As I am glancing over that way, I realize I’m lying in a hospital bed. What the hell? How did I get here? I search the room frantically for answers and my eyes fall on my best friend, Jeremy, sitting in a chair on the other side of the room. He’s watching TV and is apparently unaware that I’m awake and starting to freak out.

“Jeremy,” I say in a raspy voice.