Welcome to our stop on When Fate Isn't Enough tour for Isabelle Richards. This tour is hosted by InkSlinger PR.
When Fate Isn't EnoughFates #2
Author: Isabelle Richards
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: February 25th 2015
Can a romance that was written in the stars - bringing lust, passion, and love - survive real life? Lily Clark and Gavin Edwards met when their lives collided in a crazy twist of fate. Building a life together will take more than destiny, especially when ghosts from their past are trying to tear them apart.
After enduring an intense few months of drama, horror, and physical tribulations, Lily decides to escape her life in Washington, DC to join Gavin in London. Trust and faith have never come easily to Lily. She will be put to the test now that she and Gavin are living under the same roof. To make matters worse, trouble seems to find Lily wherever she goes. She thought she’d rid herself of her husband’s demons, but she soon learns that when you make a deal with the devil, he never really leaves. Can she and Gavin work together, or will she continue to shut him out and fight her own battles? Find out what happens When Fate Isn’t Enough.
Excerpt
“So, lovely Lily, fancy a drink? I have the rest of the afternoon off and would love to torment Gavin with pictures of the two of us getting sozzeled . There’s a local down the street.”
“I’d love a drink. Let’s go.”
We walk down to the Cat and the Canary. After bypassing the bar, we find two leather armchairs with a bistro table in a side room in the back.
“Shots?” he asks with a look that says nothing but trouble.
I wave him off. “Dear God, no. Not for me anyway. Don’t let me stop you.”
His eyes narrow. “Here I thought you were up for anything. Maybe you really are up the duff.”
I stand to take off my coat. James jumps up to help me out of it. “I’m not pregnant. I have a date later, or didn’t you catch that? What kind of lady shows up for a date already sauced?”
“My kind of lady, that’s for sure.” He winks, before hanging our coats on the coat rack.
“James, you are incorrigible! And here I was thinking Liam’s the bigger flirt.”
“I think between the three of us, we’re always fighting for top spot. Of course, Gavin has dropped out of the game. For the first time ever, I must say.” He leans in closer to me and says, “You really have him smitten.”
“Oh, come now. Don’t exaggerate for my benefit,” I say, pushing him away.
“I’m quite serious. It’s like you have consumed him. You’re all he thinks about, talks about, and cares about. I’ve never seen him like this. Even when he was with Bitch, I mean Brooke, he wasn’t like he is with you. Can’t even compare. He cared for her, sure. At one point, he thought he loved her. I always thought he loved the idea of her more than the real thing though, but what do I know?”
The waiter stops by and takes our drink order. James tries to push for shots, but I’m firm with my resolve. Wine for me and whiskey for James.
When the server leaves, I say, “You really didn’t get along with her, huh?”
He leans back into his arm chair and says, “She was into Gavin for the same reasons all the others were. Bitch just did a better job of hiding it. Gavin was ready to settle down,
and she wrapped herself in the perfect marriage package. Then she learned he has a weak spot for the damsel in distress, and she played that card every chance she got. Gavin’s loyal to a fault, so even when he figured out her game, he stood by her.” He leans forward and says, “I’m sick of talking about crazy bitches. Tell me about you, my lovely Lily.” He takes my hand and runs his fingers along my palm like he is studying me.
The server delivers our drinks, but James pays them no mind. His gaze is locked on me.
“What do you want to know?” I ask.
He runs his finger along my life line. “Favorite band?”
“Depends on the mood. I have eclectic taste.”
“That’s a non-answer, but I’ll let it slide. First concert?”
“Bruce Springsteen, in Boston. My parents took me when I was twelve.”
“How old were you when you lost your virginity?”
I pull my hand away and look at him through slanted eyes. “Are we playing twenty questions? When is it my turn?”
“Just answer.”
I pick up my wine and take a sip. “I was seventeen.”
“Spit or swallow?”
“Did you really just ask me that?” Damn, the balls on this man!
“Are you going to break his heart?” His tone is no longer playful and his posture is tense and a little intimidating. This switched from a game to an interrogation.
I look at him over the rim of my wine glass. “No beating around the bush with you, is there?”
He shrugs. “Why waste my time?”
I put my wine glass down, and fold my arms over my chest. “James, I have no intention of breaking his heart. Do I pass?”
His body relaxes and his smile returns. “You passed the first time we met. I just wanted to see how far I could go before you decked me.”
I punch him in the shoulder. “Bastard.”
He rubs his arm, feigning injury. “Be gentle. I’m the sensitive one.”
I roll my eyes. “You’ll be fine.”
“So,” he says with a grim. “I hear your friend Em is coming into town tomorrow.”
I shake my head. “Oh James, Em would be the worst thing for you. Trust me. Em is her own version of an evil villainess. She takes what she wants and doesn’t care who gets hurt in the process. The difference is Em isn’t manipulative. She’ll tell you up front that she’s going to fuck you, you’ll fall in love with her, and she’ll leave you in the dust.”
He holds his hands up. “Okay, no Em. No more praying mantises for me. Find me a fitty, a girl-next-door type who secretly enjoys a healthy side of kink.”
“How would one define that exactly?” I hold up my hand to stop him. “Wait, no. Never mind. Answer me this, though. What’s with Gavin’s whole hero thing? Why does he need to always charge in on the white horse?”
“Ah, the Prince Charming complex. Gavin’s always needed to be the savior. He’s seen some horrific things, but I can tell you that growing up with the knowledge of what his family’s company did messed him up. He was disgusted by the deaths their weapons caused. They got death threats and hate mail. It was too much pressure for a child. He was always saving things. One time, his father hit a dog while driving home. Refused to stop to check on it or anything. His dad was a total wanker. Anyway, Gavin ran back to check on the dog, then carried him ten kilometers to the vet. Spent all his allowance on vet bills. That’s Gavin.”
Teary eyed, I’m at a loss for words.
“Explains a lot doesn’t it?” he asks, playing with his almost empty glass
All I can do is a nod in response.
James drains his glass. “When he first told me about you, I didn’t think it was going to go anywhere.”
I bring my glass to my lips and pause, taken back by his honesty. “Oh,” I respond.
“Brooke had been on the junkie train for almost two years at that point, and he blamed himself. She was gone a long time before she was really gone, if you know what I mean. I was sure he was going to punish himself for her demise for years. I didn’t think he would allow himself to be happy. Now that I know you, I can see it. You’re perfect for him. It’s
seriously fucked up the way that you met, but I’m glad you managed to find each other, despite what brought you together.”
A lump forms in my throat. “Fucked up doesn’t even begin to describe it. When I stop and think about it sometimes, I feel guilty. Like we both should have mourned longer. But for me, and I think for Gavin as well, I mourned the loss of life, but the love died years before.”
He looks at his watch. “If I keep you much longer, my best friend will think that I really have tried to run off with his girl. Come on, I’ll walk you back to Gavin’s office.”
We stroll back to Gavin’s building. James is silly drunk and jokes the whole walk back. He has no problem publicly humiliating himself for a laugh. We walk arm and arm, possibly because he’s trying to be charming, possibly so he doesn’t fall. I’m so happy Gavin brought James into my life. We spot Gavin coming out of the building.
James taps me on the shoulder and says, “Get ready for this.” He gets down on one knee and belts out “I’m a Believer” by the Monkees.
Gavin stops dead in his tracks and glares as James dances around while serenading me. He finishes off the song by kissing my hand while receiving applause from the small crowd around us.
I kiss his cheek. “She who will not be named doesn’t deserve you and has no idea what she is missing.”
Gavin walks over to us with an annoyed expression.
James wraps his arms around me, protectively. “Lily has decided she loves me, and we’re running away together. Unless you can top that,” James taunts.
I spin out of James’s clutches. “Oh! Is this like West Side Story? Will there be a sing-and-dance off?” I jest. I look around. “Is there a flash mob hidden?”
Gavin retorts, “You both seem to have forgotten I’ve already won the girl.” He grabs me and gives me one of his panty-drenching kisses that leave me breathless and dizzy.
“Fine, Gavin, you win this time. Next time, I expect you to pull out your moves. We both know you’ve got them. Have a good night, kids. I’m off to find the next woman worthy of a serenade,” James bellows as he walks away.
When I break free from Gavin’s kiss, I get lost in his stunning blue eyes.
“Hey,” he says.
“Hey back.”
“Want to get out of here?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
He takes me home and reminds me that he has already won the girl. Over and over and over again.
“I’d love a drink. Let’s go.”
We walk down to the Cat and the Canary. After bypassing the bar, we find two leather armchairs with a bistro table in a side room in the back.
“Shots?” he asks with a look that says nothing but trouble.
I wave him off. “Dear God, no. Not for me anyway. Don’t let me stop you.”
His eyes narrow. “Here I thought you were up for anything. Maybe you really are up the duff.”
I stand to take off my coat. James jumps up to help me out of it. “I’m not pregnant. I have a date later, or didn’t you catch that? What kind of lady shows up for a date already sauced?”
“My kind of lady, that’s for sure.” He winks, before hanging our coats on the coat rack.
“James, you are incorrigible! And here I was thinking Liam’s the bigger flirt.”
“I think between the three of us, we’re always fighting for top spot. Of course, Gavin has dropped out of the game. For the first time ever, I must say.” He leans in closer to me and says, “You really have him smitten.”
“Oh, come now. Don’t exaggerate for my benefit,” I say, pushing him away.
“I’m quite serious. It’s like you have consumed him. You’re all he thinks about, talks about, and cares about. I’ve never seen him like this. Even when he was with Bitch, I mean Brooke, he wasn’t like he is with you. Can’t even compare. He cared for her, sure. At one point, he thought he loved her. I always thought he loved the idea of her more than the real thing though, but what do I know?”
The waiter stops by and takes our drink order. James tries to push for shots, but I’m firm with my resolve. Wine for me and whiskey for James.
When the server leaves, I say, “You really didn’t get along with her, huh?”
He leans back into his arm chair and says, “She was into Gavin for the same reasons all the others were. Bitch just did a better job of hiding it. Gavin was ready to settle down,
and she wrapped herself in the perfect marriage package. Then she learned he has a weak spot for the damsel in distress, and she played that card every chance she got. Gavin’s loyal to a fault, so even when he figured out her game, he stood by her.” He leans forward and says, “I’m sick of talking about crazy bitches. Tell me about you, my lovely Lily.” He takes my hand and runs his fingers along my palm like he is studying me.
The server delivers our drinks, but James pays them no mind. His gaze is locked on me.
“What do you want to know?” I ask.
He runs his finger along my life line. “Favorite band?”
“Depends on the mood. I have eclectic taste.”
“That’s a non-answer, but I’ll let it slide. First concert?”
“Bruce Springsteen, in Boston. My parents took me when I was twelve.”
“How old were you when you lost your virginity?”
I pull my hand away and look at him through slanted eyes. “Are we playing twenty questions? When is it my turn?”
“Just answer.”
I pick up my wine and take a sip. “I was seventeen.”
“Spit or swallow?”
“Did you really just ask me that?” Damn, the balls on this man!
“Are you going to break his heart?” His tone is no longer playful and his posture is tense and a little intimidating. This switched from a game to an interrogation.
I look at him over the rim of my wine glass. “No beating around the bush with you, is there?”
He shrugs. “Why waste my time?”
I put my wine glass down, and fold my arms over my chest. “James, I have no intention of breaking his heart. Do I pass?”
His body relaxes and his smile returns. “You passed the first time we met. I just wanted to see how far I could go before you decked me.”
I punch him in the shoulder. “Bastard.”
He rubs his arm, feigning injury. “Be gentle. I’m the sensitive one.”
I roll my eyes. “You’ll be fine.”
“So,” he says with a grim. “I hear your friend Em is coming into town tomorrow.”
I shake my head. “Oh James, Em would be the worst thing for you. Trust me. Em is her own version of an evil villainess. She takes what she wants and doesn’t care who gets hurt in the process. The difference is Em isn’t manipulative. She’ll tell you up front that she’s going to fuck you, you’ll fall in love with her, and she’ll leave you in the dust.”
He holds his hands up. “Okay, no Em. No more praying mantises for me. Find me a fitty, a girl-next-door type who secretly enjoys a healthy side of kink.”
“How would one define that exactly?” I hold up my hand to stop him. “Wait, no. Never mind. Answer me this, though. What’s with Gavin’s whole hero thing? Why does he need to always charge in on the white horse?”
“Ah, the Prince Charming complex. Gavin’s always needed to be the savior. He’s seen some horrific things, but I can tell you that growing up with the knowledge of what his family’s company did messed him up. He was disgusted by the deaths their weapons caused. They got death threats and hate mail. It was too much pressure for a child. He was always saving things. One time, his father hit a dog while driving home. Refused to stop to check on it or anything. His dad was a total wanker. Anyway, Gavin ran back to check on the dog, then carried him ten kilometers to the vet. Spent all his allowance on vet bills. That’s Gavin.”
Teary eyed, I’m at a loss for words.
“Explains a lot doesn’t it?” he asks, playing with his almost empty glass
All I can do is a nod in response.
James drains his glass. “When he first told me about you, I didn’t think it was going to go anywhere.”
I bring my glass to my lips and pause, taken back by his honesty. “Oh,” I respond.
“Brooke had been on the junkie train for almost two years at that point, and he blamed himself. She was gone a long time before she was really gone, if you know what I mean. I was sure he was going to punish himself for her demise for years. I didn’t think he would allow himself to be happy. Now that I know you, I can see it. You’re perfect for him. It’s
seriously fucked up the way that you met, but I’m glad you managed to find each other, despite what brought you together.”
A lump forms in my throat. “Fucked up doesn’t even begin to describe it. When I stop and think about it sometimes, I feel guilty. Like we both should have mourned longer. But for me, and I think for Gavin as well, I mourned the loss of life, but the love died years before.”
He looks at his watch. “If I keep you much longer, my best friend will think that I really have tried to run off with his girl. Come on, I’ll walk you back to Gavin’s office.”
We stroll back to Gavin’s building. James is silly drunk and jokes the whole walk back. He has no problem publicly humiliating himself for a laugh. We walk arm and arm, possibly because he’s trying to be charming, possibly so he doesn’t fall. I’m so happy Gavin brought James into my life. We spot Gavin coming out of the building.
James taps me on the shoulder and says, “Get ready for this.” He gets down on one knee and belts out “I’m a Believer” by the Monkees.
Gavin stops dead in his tracks and glares as James dances around while serenading me. He finishes off the song by kissing my hand while receiving applause from the small crowd around us.
I kiss his cheek. “She who will not be named doesn’t deserve you and has no idea what she is missing.”
Gavin walks over to us with an annoyed expression.
James wraps his arms around me, protectively. “Lily has decided she loves me, and we’re running away together. Unless you can top that,” James taunts.
I spin out of James’s clutches. “Oh! Is this like West Side Story? Will there be a sing-and-dance off?” I jest. I look around. “Is there a flash mob hidden?”
Gavin retorts, “You both seem to have forgotten I’ve already won the girl.” He grabs me and gives me one of his panty-drenching kisses that leave me breathless and dizzy.
“Fine, Gavin, you win this time. Next time, I expect you to pull out your moves. We both know you’ve got them. Have a good night, kids. I’m off to find the next woman worthy of a serenade,” James bellows as he walks away.
When I break free from Gavin’s kiss, I get lost in his stunning blue eyes.
“Hey,” he says.
“Hey back.”
“Want to get out of here?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
He takes me home and reminds me that he has already won the girl. Over and over and over again.
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When she is not writing, Isabelle works as an advocate for persons with disabilities in Washington, DC. Her two yellow labs are her writing partners, although they frequently sleep on the job.
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