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    I Choose You
    I Choose You
    I Choose You
    Ebook152 pages2 hours

    I Choose You

    By Bethany Lopez

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Up until now, Nicole's life has been mapped out for her. She'd go to college, marry Jake and become the upstanding minister's wife. When she leaves that life to begin again in a small town in Texas, she finally has the freedom to live as she chooses. There, she meets Kent, a guy whose charm and passion make it hard to stick to her morals.

    Dodging his father’s fists and protecting his twin sister made Kent into the man he is today. He learned by watching his mother stay by his father’s side that it’s better to keep relationships simple. Then he meets Nicole. Her sweet smile and genuine response to him land like punches to his resolve. After a lifetime of learning to protect his heart, can he finally let down his guard?

    I Choose You is the second novella in the Friends & Lovers Trilogy. You can get all three books in the series, plus a bonus ending for each couple, in the Friends & Lovers omnibus.

    Friends & Lovers Trilogy reading order:
    Make it Last
    I Choose You
    Trust in Me

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBethany Lopez
    Release dateDec 22, 2012
    ISBN9781301775439
    I Choose You
    Author

    Bethany Lopez

    Bethany Lopez is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than thirty books and has been published since 2011. She's a lover of all things romance, which she incorporates into the books she writes, no matter the genre.When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with family and traveling whenever possible.Bethany can usually be found with a cup of coffee or glass of wine at hand, and will never turn down a cupcake!Sign up for her newsletter and get a free eBook! https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r7w3w5

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    Reviews for I Choose You

    3.5/5

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    • 3/5
      I received this book in exchange for an honest review. While this book was short and sweet that's really what it is. The story is about a girl who is a virgin ad plans on remaining that way until she is married. That is believable enough although from the things she does to keep her man it is kinda contradictory. It was great to meet Kent who showed his vulnerable side and his love for his sister so all in all a nice safe read.

    Book preview

    I Choose You - Bethany Lopez

    Chapter 1

    Nicole was nervous and excited about Roni moving in with her.

    She and Roni only met a few months ago, so she didn’t know that much about her. All Nicole knew was that she needed someone to help pay the rent and utilities, or else she was going to be in a lot of trouble.

    When she’d brought up the fact that she was looking for a roommate, her friend Bree, had mentioned that Roni was looking for a place to live.

    Bree and her boyfriend, Colin, had left the weekend prior. They’d moved to Austin, where Bree was going to culinary school and Colin was working as an Assistant Football Coach at UT. Nicole was looking forward to heading to Austin in a few weeks to see their new place.

    She and Roni worked together at the local Bar & Grill. Roni had taken her job as a hostess, when Nicole had been promoted to server. She’d shown the other girl the ropes, and had a chance to talk to her a bit.

    So far they got along; Nicole guessed they would find out pretty quickly, if they would get along as roommates.

    Over the past few weeks, she and Roni had gone shopping in anticipation of the move. They’d

    decorated Roni’s room and some of the common areas, so the apartment was looking really good.

    This was the first day off they’d both had in some time, so Roni was finally officially moving in. Nicole had gotten up early to make sure everything looked clean and presentable. She wanted Roni to be welcomed into a home that she could be proud of. Plus, Nicole knew that Roni’s twin brother, Kent, would be helping her move today, so she wanted the apartment to look nice the first time he saw it.

    He was very protective of his sister, and Nicole knew that he’d tried to talk her into staying with him, but Roni wanted to get out on her own.

    In an effort to relax, Nicole sat down with a cup of coffee and her laptop, when she heard the sound of excited voices coming up the stairs.

    When she heard Roni’s bawdy laugh, she opened the door with a smile, and was faced with a faded grey t-shirt stretched across the sexiest chest she’d ever seen. Without looking up, she knew the owner of that chest. She’d been crushing on him ever since her first day in this small town.

    She felt the familiar tug in her belly, as she allowed herself a moment to draw her gaze slowly up his chest, over his broad shoulders, and into his striking face.

    Kent was the most gorgeous man she’d ever met, and no matter how many times she saw him, she always got butterflies when he was near.

    He grinned down at her.

    Hey, Nic. Kent was the only man who had ever called her that, and she felt her heart trip every time he did.

    She tried to speak, but no sound came out. She tried to clear her throat inconspicuously. Um, Hi.

    Kent, could you please move your butt? This box is heavy, Roni’s voice said from behind him.

    Nicole moved a few steps back and out of the way so he could come inside, allowing Roni access through the door.

    She chided herself for acting so weird every time she was around Kent. She thought he was out of her league. She knew that he could get any girl he wanted, and she was nothing like the girls he usually went for.

    Let me take that, Kent said to his sister, easily lifting the box from her hands and taking it to the room that Nicole indicated was Roni’s.

    Hi, Roomie, Roni squealed, jumping and doing a little spin around the room.

    Nicole couldn’t help but smile at her excitement, then watched, confused, when Roni’s demeanor changed at the voice in the hall.

    Hello… I’m looking for the apartment housing the hottest ladies in town, Rich yelled out as his face came into view.

    Roni rolled her eyes and turned to walk into her room.

    Nicole barely had a moment to register Roni’s behavior, before she was enveloped by Rich’s strong arms.

    Hey, Baby Doll, Rich said with a smile. Kent told me his sister was moving in today, so I thought you guys might need some help from a big, strong, sexy, man.

    Nicole giggled at his words and the wink that accompanied them.

    Thanks, I didn’t realize you were coming by, I would have stocked the fridge. Nicole responded.

    I’ve got it covered, Rich said, pulling a six pack from behind his back.

    Nicole smiled and took it from him. She went to put it in the fridge and said, Leave it to you to think of everything,

    Kent came back out and walked up to Rich, his arm extended to shake his hand.

    Nicole caught herself watching his movement across the room, and quickly averted her eyes before anyone else noticed.

    Hey, Man, Kent said in greeting, Thanks for coming out to help.

    No prob, Rich responded, his eyes following Roni as she came out of her room. I don’t have much going on since Colin and Bree left, at least not until school starts back up next week.

    Oh, does that mean you’ll be leaving town soon? Roni asked a little too eagerly.

    Rich just smiled at her.

    Yeah, Sugar, I’ll be leavin’, he drawled with a wink. But don’t you worry; I’ll be back before you have a chance to miss me.

    Roni rolled her eyes again and snorted.

    No danger of that happening.

    Hey, Kent said with authority. You - turn off the charm, he said pointing at Rich. Then turned his finger on his sister, And I know you have better manners than that. Use ‘em.

    Rich just laughed and asked Kent what he needed help with, then the guys headed downstairs to unload.

    What was that about? Nicole asked Roni quietly, once they were alone.

    What, Roni asked.

    That thing between you and Rich?

    Roni snorted again, "I know a million guys like him and believe me, there is no thing between me and Rich. I just don’t buy his: aw shucks, southern stud act."

    Nicole chuckled good-naturedly and slung an arm around Roni as they headed out to help the guys.

    Oh, it’s no act… Rich is a true southern stud.

    They laughed together as they descended the stairs to help the guys.

    Chapter 2

    For their first night as roommates, Nicole picked up some wine and brownie mix. Once they guys left, Nicole got the brownies ready and put them in the oven, then went to help Roni unpack.

    Nicole paused at the doorway of Roni’s room, struck by how beautiful the other girl was.

    You know, if I didn’t know you, I’d probably hate you, Nicole said, startling Roni, who had her head in a box.

    Roni straightened and looked at Nicole with a confused expression.

    Why’s that?

    You’re gorgeous, Nicole replied. And not just, Wow, look at that pretty face. The whole package. Perfect face, perfect body, perfect hair, shoot, even the perfect feet.

    Roni looked down at her perfectly polished bare feet.

    Perfect feet? She asked.

    Nicole shook her head in mock disgust.

    Yeah, I mean, look at my ginormous feet compared to yours. She walked up and put her foot up against Roni’s. See, yours are positively dainty.

    If you say so, Roni answered with a laugh. I’m just a girl you know. And you’re one to talk; you aren’t exactly hard to look at yourself. You want to talk about body… I’d kill for yours.

    Okay, now that we have complimented each other to death, Nicole said, picking up the box of linens and walking over to the bed. What do you say we get your stuff put away, then get to know each other over some wine and brownies?

    Sounds like a plan, Roni replied, and started unpacking boxes while Nicole made the bed.

    Since they’d already decorated most of the common areas, it didn’t take long to get Roni’s room set up the way she wanted.

    They were sitting on the couch with a brownie in one hand and a glass of red in the other in no time at all.

    So, Roni asked, What made you move here from Dallas?

    Well, long story short, I was engaged to my high school sweetheart, with whom I was supposed to start a congregation, and grow old with in Dallas. Unfortunately, that was my parents dream, not mine. Nicole put her glass down and looked at Roni with a sad expression. I realized that I wasn’t in love with Jake, and that I really wanted to be a writer, not a Youth Minister.

    That must have been tough, Roni encouraged her to go on.

    It was, Nicole admitted. Jake is a great guy, and I hated hurting him, but I knew we wouldn’t be happy in the long run. My parents were livid when I told them, and they said that they weren’t going to support me or my decision… so I left. I just picked a random spot on the map, and here I’m.

    Wow, Roni said her grey eyes wide. So, you haven’t spoken to your parents or Jake since?

    No, Nicole admitted. It’s been two years. I haven’t heard from anyone since I left.

    Well, I’m sorry about your parents, but, Wow. Good for you. Roni exclaimed.

    Nicole picked her wine glass back up and took a drink before asking, What about you? What brought you here?

    I married my high school sweetheart right after graduation, but he ended up not being the man I thought he was, so I left him. Roni looked down at the amber liquid in her glass as she spoke.

    I had no idea you’d been married, Nicole said softly. I’m sorry it didn’t work out. So, rather than staying with your parents, you decided to come here?

    My parents are going through a rough time, and stuff with my ex got too intense, so I asked Kent if I could stay with him for a while. Roni smiled absently. I can always count on Kent. Anyway, once I got here, I realized have nothing to go back home for, so I decided to get a job and move in with you.

    It was obvious

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