Shattered by Love by Dani René Read Free Book Online Page A

seat with a shit eating grin on his face. Fucker knows me too well.
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    M y phone buzzes on the nightstand ripping me from the memory. Grabbing it, I slide my finger across the screen and find a message from Kenna.

    * T hanks for last night . You helped more than you know. K *

    A smile curls my lips and I hit reply.

    * A nd you distracted me , more than you know. *

    I t’s true , she did. For that time, I got lost in the fantasy we played out, but when I woke up this morning and she was gone, I realized I can’t do it anymore. I reach for the remote and turn on the television. Instead of watching the damn thing, I need it for the noise because the silence becomes too much living alone.
    Most of my teenage years were spent with my earphones in to keep the noise out. Now, when it’s too quiet, I can’t handle it. When the news starts, I am about to switch channels, but my attention is drawn by the girl on screen. My heart is about to beat its way out of my chest and anxiety coils deep in my gut. This can’t be happening, but it’s right there in black and white.
    The past I steered clear of all these years is about to burst into my life and crash through the high fucking walls I built, dragging me into the turmoil and pain all over again.
    As the images on the screen play out, showing the venue, I can’t think straight. The blonde hair and blue eyes are so familiar. The soon-to-be bride smiles at the camera, she’s so polished. All her life she’s practiced for this day. Just like her daddy would want, it’s the picture perfect family.
    She’s marrying Cole Ashford. Shit. Shit. Shit. I am going to Ivy’s sister’s wedding, and there’s no doubt I will see my girl. My girl. Even though I walked away, she will always be mine.
    There won’t be anyone else who can make me feel, breathe, ache, the way she did. The way she still does. My Firefly. Rooted inside my heart, mind, and soul, inside the very marrow of my bones.
    I grab my phone and scroll through my recently called list. As I am about to tap the call button, it vibrates. He’s probably just seen the news as well. “Luke.”
    “Holy shit man. What are you going to do?”
    “This is a big deal for Verán Publishers, there’s no way I can refuse the job.” There isn’t a way to just tell one of our biggest new clients I can’t work for him. They requested me personally and Lacey must know who I am. Why would she ask for me by name? There is no explanation that makes sense.
    “Jayce, one of the other guys can go.” I consider his words, but this is my job and I can’t let the company down. We have exclusive rights to the wedding, and the contract alone is worth a cool million.
    My mouth is as dry as the Sahara Desert. Arid and uncomfortable. Panic slowly sets in as my heart thuds in my chest, and the lump forming in my throat makes it hard to swallow. “Jay?”
    I can’t find the words to answer him. Shaking my head, I turn off the television. The screen goes black and I inhale a deep calming breath. Only, there will be nothing to calm the stress I am feeling right now.
    “I don’t know.” It’s the truth. I don’t know . The sigh from the other end of the line has my body tense. He knows that seeing Ivy will knock me on my ass. The love of your life, the one that got away, walking back into your world is something no person can prepare you for.
    “You know I support whatever you want. Don’t fuck yourself up over this.” He’s right, and I know he will support me if I decide not to do this.
    Can I really see her again? Yes.
    Can I see her father and not want to knock him the fuck out? Maybe not.
    Will she talk to me? I hope so.
    There are so many questions running rampant in my head, but I decide there and then. All I can hope is that it’s the right choice. I do want this, to see her. I want to look into those blue eyes and see if she still feels something for me.
    “Don’t worry about me, I can do this.” Pinching the bridge of