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    Second Chance Summer
    Second Chance Summer
    Second Chance Summer
    Ebook120 pages2 hours

    Second Chance Summer

    By Ashelyn Drake

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Sometimes love just needs a second chance.

    Follow two couples vacationing at the Monterrey Resort as they try to find their second chance at love.

    When Cole doesn't propose on New Year's Eve, Sydney thinks that's the end for them, but she picks up her entire life and moves away from the town she loves to try to save their relationship. Now, six months later, a return to Sydney's hometown could be the second chance at love she's been waiting for.

    Hannah and Carter have the perfect relationship. Until he takes a job in Hawaii and leaves her on the day of their college graduation. Now ten years later, they're meeting up to keep a promise they made to each other. But is it too late for them to get their second chance at love?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAshelyn Drake
    Release dateJun 5, 2018
    ISBN9780463776209
    Second Chance Summer
    Author

    Ashelyn Drake

    Ashelyn Drake is a New Adult and Young Adult romance author. While it’s rare for her not to have either a book in hand or her fingers flying across a laptop, she also enjoys spending time with her family. She believes you are never too old to enjoy a good swing set and there’s never a bad time for some dark chocolate.

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      Book preview

      Second Chance Summer - Ashelyn Drake

      Prologue

      I’ve run the Monterrey Resort for as long as I can remember. I’ve seen couples come and go. Some deeply in love, and others clearly mistaking lust for love. I keep a log of my tenants, noting who they are and what they do. And from time to time, I spot a couple who needs a little nudge in the right direction—a nudge I’m happy to provide. Little things like room mix-ups or a dinner reservation that gets misplaced and turns into room service complete with champagne. Some would say I meddle. I prefer to see myself as a matchmaker.

      In all my years, two couples have stood out the most to me. These are their stories.

      ~Camille

      Sydney and Cole

      Chapter One

      Then

      The hostess at River and Stones smiled as Sydney and Cole approached. Good evening. Do you have a reservation?

      Yes, Cole said, giving Sydney’s hand a squeeze. It’s under Cole Davis.

      The hostess consulted her list. Here you are. Table for two. She grabbed two menus and turned on her heel, saying, Right this way, please.

      River and Stones was decorated for New Year’s Eve but in an elegant way an upscale restaurant would be. There were centerpieces on each table with little top hats and noisemakers, though Sydney was certain the noisemakers were purely for decoration and not for use. Each table also had a black linen tablecloth. The dim lighting and twinkling tea lights gave it a nighttime feel.

      Your waiter will be right with you, the hostess said, handing each of them a menu.

      Thank you, Cole said.

      This place is nice, Sydney said, her nerves through the roof, but that was to be expected considering she was ninety-nine percent sure Cole was going to propose tonight. As much as she loved Cole and wanted to marry him, it was still scary to think this was it, the moment she’d been waiting for. He’d hinted at a big surprise on New Year’s Eve, and scoring a reservation at the fanciest restaurant in town could only mean one thing.

      Are you cold? Cole asked. You’re practically hugging yourself. Here. He stood up and removed his sports coat. Then he walked to her side and draped it over her shoulders. Better?

      Yes, thank you, she said, even though she wasn’t cold at all. In fact, she was practically sweating, and now she had a jacket on as well.

      The waiter, a young guy with a goatee, approached the table. Good evening. I’m Sebastian, and I’ll be your waiter this evening. Can I start you off with something to drink while you peruse the menu?

      Cole looked at Sydney. Champagne? We are celebrating after all, right?

      She nodded and swallowed to ease the dryness in her throat. Why was she so nervous? She wanted this. She wanted to be Mrs. Cole Davis. Sydney Davis. It had a nice ring to it.

      Great. I’ll be right back with our best bottle of champagne. Would you care for some strawberries to go with it before your meal?

      That would be great. Thank you, Cole said.

      Sydney glanced at the menu, wondering how long she had to keep Cole’s jacket on before she could claim she’d warmed up. Everything sounds so good.

      It does. Speaking of, have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?

      Twice. Once when you picked me up and once in the car on the way here. She smiled.

      Well, it bears repeating. You’re always beautiful, though.

      Sydney cocked her head and gave him her oh, please look she reserved for calling people out on little white lies. Come on now. You’ve seen me first thing in the morning.

      Yes, and I think you pull off bed head better than anyone.

      Sydney laughed, feeling more at ease. She shrugged the jacket off her shoulders and draped it over the back of her chair. I’m better now. The heat in here is set pretty high.

      It is. I was surprised you were cold, but your dress is sleeveless so I figured that was it.

      Oh my God! a woman at a nearby table shrieked.

      Cole and Sydney both turned to look in the woman’s direction.

      The man with her was on one knee beside the table. He took her hand in his. In his other hand was a diamond ring. I was going to wait until dessert, but I just can’t put it off any longer. I love you, Michelle. I’ll love you for as long as I live, and nothing would make me happier than to have you as my wife. Will you marry me?

      The woman nodded, overexaggerated head bobs, and practically yelled, Yes! Of course I will.

      The man slipped the ring on her finger, and they both stood to kiss amidst the applause ringing out through the restaurant.

      I never understood why anyone would propose in a public place, Cole said.

      Sydney whipped her head in his direction. Was he trying to throw her off? Make her think he wasn’t going to propose to her? What do you mean?

      Well, it’s a private moment. It should be between two people, not a restaurant full of strangers.

      So he wasn’t going to propose at dinner. Would he wait for midnight? Sydney couldn’t deny that would be romantic. I never thought about it that way, but I guess you’re right, she said. Although, I don’t really see the harm in letting people know how you feel about someone.

      She relaxed for the rest of the meal and through the dessert, which was a piece of strawberry cheesecake they shared. After paying the check, they drove back to their shared apartment, but instead of going inside, Cole took her hand.

      Let’s go for a walk, he said. It’s a beautiful night.

      You don’t want to watch the ball drop?

      The New Year will come whether we see the ball drop or not, right?

      Sydney figured he must have had someplace special in mind that he wanted to propose. Right. Let’s go for a walk.

      He led her through the streets to the park by the beach, which was empty since most people were busy celebrating somewhere. He brought her to a bench, and they sat down. With the stars twinkling in the sky overhead, it was the perfect place for such a moment.

      Cole tilted his head back and took a deep breath. This was it. Sydney’s heartbeat picked up its pace.

      Sydney, I have something I need to tell you. He paused. Well, ask you really.

      Yes? Her voice shook, and she cleared her throat.

      Remember how I told you that I was up for a promotion at work?

      It wasn’t how she’d thought he would start, but she didn’t question it. Yes.

      Mr. Santos called me into his office this morning to tell me I got it.

      That’s great. He’d be starting a new job and...

      If I take it, I’d have to move to Philadelphia.

      What? she blurted out. This couldn’t be happening. He was supposed to be proposing, not telling her he was leaving.

      He shifted so he was facing her. I want you to come with me. I know we aren’t married and I have no right to ask you to uproot your life like this, but...

      Sydney breathed a little easier. Here it comes. Now, he’s going to pop the question. Who wouldn’t after asking their girlfriend to move hours away?

      I don’t want this to be it for us. Long distance relationships are too difficult, and I wouldn’t ask you to do that. So, I’m asking you to come with me.

      Her breath caught in her throat again. He wasn’t going to propose. He loved her enough to ask her to come with him but not enough to ask her to spend the rest of her life with him.

      You want me to leave Monterrey? I grew up here. I’m a beach girl. How would I survive in Philadelphia? It’s not even in the same state.

      Pennsylvania isn’t far from New Jersey. We could take trips to the beach on the weekends.

      You mean on the weekends you don’t have to work.

      He sighed. "Well, at first I’m sure I’ll be

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