Lisa Jackson - Finally, You And Me

But she knew she couldn’t do that. Especially since she had promised Maya that she would be there for her. Although nine years had passed, she was surprised that hearing Darius’s name still caused her heart to race. Their relationship was so close that sometimes all they had to do was look at each other and seemingly each would feel what the other was thinking. It was amazing to Alexa how they were so in tune with one another. Although they weren’t together for very long, Alexa had always felt like their paths were destined to cross sooner or later. She always had a sixth sense about Darius.

Most important, even more important than the physical attraction, was the friendship that she and Darius had shared. After all these years, Alexa wondered once again if she’d made a mistake by walking away.

fell in love with writing in elementary school. In the fourth grade, she recognized her passion for storytelling while working on a creative-writing assignment. She has been writing ever since. She has had several articles published in magazines and newspapers, and Finally, You and Me is her first published novel. In addition to writing, Lisa enjoys reading, writing poetry and film study. She resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and two daughters. She is currently penning her second novel.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader,

I believe that there is a little Alexa and Darius in all of us: the desire to be loved, honored and cherished by the one you love, to have a fulfilling career or clear purpose in life and most important, a desire for a personal relationship with our Creator. My goal in writing this book was to create realistic characters, facing real issues and making real decisions. My hope was to touch my readers’ hearts and motivate them to examine their lives, as well as to encourage them to be strong enough to step out in faith if a situation calls for it, knowing that God is in control and He will never fail them.

Best,

Lisa Harrison Jackson

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, I would like to give honor to The Almighty God for blessing me with a passion for the written word. I love touching people’s lives through my works. I believe it to be a sincere privilege to be a vessel in His plan.

I’d like to thank two important people in my life, my parents, L.G. and Shirley Harrison for allowing me to express my creativity in various art forms. Your encouragement was appreciated while your foundation gave me the determination to press toward my dream.

To my husband, Nate, and daughters, Chandler and McKinley. Your support and understanding were endless, especially when I had to spend a lot of nights on the computer writing and rewriting. I love you all very much!

I’d like to also acknowledge the following people who helped to make this book come to life: Kim Whiteside, who without your persistence and encouragement, this book never would have been; Tia Harrison, thank you for the long-distance creative sessions, beautiful cover design and helpful marketing tips; Professor Ojay Johnson, thank you for taking the time to edit my book while in the middle of completing your dissertation. Joyce Parker, thank your for your friendship and for encouraging me to get out of the cage to pursue my dreams. Last but not least I want to say thank you to everybody in Omaha, Nebraska, who read the first print of this book and gave me such helpful feedback, comments and encouragement—God Bless!

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Epilogue

The tears clouding Alexa’s eyes made it difficult to see the winding road ahead. Headlights from the approaching cars began to resemble starbursts in the distance, causing her to periodically slam on the brakes out of uncertainty of their precise distance. The day easing into the night only further impaired her vision.

With one hand on the wheel, Alexa pulled the car to the side of the road, and the other to wipe the tears from her eyes. Lord, she wished she could stop crying, but she could not. Earlier that day a coworker had come into the office, flashing an engagement ring. The happy announcement stirred up past memories, which had lain dormant over the years, and had haunted Alexa like a recurring nightmare. The pain was so real, like it was just yesterday.

What upset Alexa most was the fact that she had almost made it to the altar, not once but twice. Both proposals occurred at times in her life when her views and aspirations opposed that of her intended. The more profound relationship of the two came while she was in college. That one left a stain so deep that she could identify with the statement, “first loves always hurt the most.”

Alexa loved Darius, but felt she was too young to commit to someone for the rest of her life. She was barely out on her own and hadn’t accomplished anything that resembled success in life.

Her second failed attempt at matrimony departed on the heels of Sean Hardaway. Alexa met Sean at a Black Business Leaders Networking Social. Not only was he educated, handsome and successful, he was also cultured, sitting on the board of the local Museum and Cultural Arts Council. The two spent the whole evening huddled in a quiet corner flirting while comparing personal stories of their experiences in corporate America.

It didn’t come as a surprise when the successful singles united as a power couple. At the end of their second year together, they decided to take their relationship to the next level. Getting married seemed like the natural step to take since they were already cohabitating in Sean’s town house. Both were settled in their careers, making handsome salaries. Since they were approaching their thirties, they thought it was a good time to get married, considering that they wanted a family.

Alexa was proud at how they mapped things out: career, marriage and family in that order and actually got a rush from the envious looks that she got from other women who listened with envy to her self-centered rattling. They may not have verbalized their feelings, but she could see the wanting in their eyes whenever she talked about her fiancé and their elaborate wedding plans.

Alexa’s world came to a screeching halt two days before the wedding. She was enjoying a day of pampering at her favorite spa salon when she received a call on her cell phone from Sean. It was apparent by his slurred speech that he was intoxicated. A creepy feeling came over her. Her fears became real when he confessed that he couldn’t go through with the wedding. He stated that he didn’t want to ruin either of their lives by getting married.

Alexa was sure it was simply a case of prewedding jitters and after hanging up from him, she quickly called his best friend Glenn, who was also the best man, to talk some sense into him. Glenn located Sean at a gentlemen’s lounge, nursing a bottle of Hennessey, gazing up at the topless dancer gyrating before his face. According to Glenn, Sean told him that while he loved Alexa, he was not “in love” with her and because of that, he didn’t want to ruin things by going into a marriage doomed from the start.