It's been said that you can't love two men at the same time. You can't split your heart, soul, and body in half. But I'm here to tell you, you can. Dylan Cole is like ice, sharp and unpredictable, the thunder inside a tumultuous storm. Smith Reid is warmth, soft and gentle, perfect like a sunny day. Both are mine. But I can have only one. There are two sides to this tale. I'm here to tell you mine. If you think this story is about a cheater, you couldn't be more wrong.
ALIX
PRESENT DAY
"NINE-ONE-ONE, WHAT'S YOUR EMERGENCY?" I said into the headset as I stared at the computer screen.
While I waited for a response, I sucked in a deep breath and rested my fingers on the keyboard, my thumb gently tapping the space bar but not hard enough to actually press it down. My body tensed. The tips of my toes ground into the bottom of my shoes.
It was a ritual.
One I repeated every time I answered a call.
"I'm at the Public Garden," the woman said. "And a man just fell off one of the benches. He's on the ground, screaming. You can probably hear him in the background. It looks like he hurt his arm or something."
Once I processed her description, my chest loosened.
The air I'd been holding in slowly made its way through my lips.
The tapping stopped.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Why do you need that?"
"It's for our records and also so I know what to call you."
"I'm not comfortable with giving you my last name, but my first name is Rachel."
"Rachel," I repeated as I typed it into the system, "do you know the man's name?"
"I don't know him. I was just walking by with my boyfriend, and I saw it happen."
"Are you able to get close to him and ask if he's okay?"
"Look, I'm just calling out of courtesy. I don't have time to go over and assess the man."
Before I could respond, Rachel disconnected the call.
So, I finished typing up my notes and dispatched the emergency response team to the Public Garden. Before they even left the firehouse, they'd know the man could be suffering from a broken arm, shoulder, or even head trauma and that no other symptoms had been reported.
Once I finished all the coding, I logged off and removed the headset. Then, I took out my bag from the bottom drawer and reached inside for my cell. I found Rose's last text and started typing.
Me: I'm not going to make it. I'm exhausted.
Rose: If you don't show up, I'm going to walk to your townhouse and drag your ass out. It's your choice.
Me: I'm leaving work right now. See you in 15.
Rose: I got us a table outside, right in front. You can't miss me.
I put the phone back in my bag and stood from the desk, making my way through the call center. This was where most of the emergency and non-emergency calls were answered for each district of Boston. Where we worked eight-hour shifts and handled over a thousand calls a day.
I wondered if I'd have the same ritual tomorrow.
Or if I'd have a different one.
Or maybe I wouldn't have one at all.
That thought was interrupted when I heard, "Alix," as I walked by Marla's office.
I stopped reluctantly and turned around, backtracking until I was in her doorway. "Hey," I said, watching her smile as she got up from her chair.
Marla was an officer and had been supervising this department for the six years I'd been employed by the city. I'd met her while I was in the EMT recruit academy when I was first hired.
She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and hugged me. "I hope today went all right."
I closed my eyes and made sure she didn't hear me sigh.
This was what I hadn't wanted.
Along with the extra-big smiles from my coworkers when I had walked into the call center earlier today.
And the card that had been slipped into my desk, which I'd opened before my shift.
And the invitation to lunch I had declined.
It was all really unnecessary.
And way too much.
I squeezed her back because it was the right thing to do and said, "Yes, today went fine." Then, I immediately pulled away.
"I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Of course."
I wondered if tomorrow would feel different.
I thought about that as I made my way through the police headquarters.
This building was so busy with employees, many of whom I'd met. Maybe even close to all of them. If they saw me, they'd want me to stop walking. They'd want to talk.
Some might even want to hug me.
To avoid any type of contact, I took out my phone and held it to my ear, pretending to be in a serious conversation. At the same time, I stayed to the left side of each room I passed through and kept my face down.
That was everything I could do to go unnoticed.
I was flooded with relief when I made it out the front of the building without having to say a word and continued my trek to Ruggles station, hurrying into the train before the door shut.
Two stops.
That was how far it was to Back Bay station.
During the ride, I looped my arm around the metal pole and scrolled through one of my apps. I was only able to read a handful of status updates before Back Bay station was announced from the speakers.
Once I made my way outside, I went down Dartmouth Street until I reached the restaurant. Rose was right in front, just like she had said in her text. She was at a small, round table that had two glasses of red wine and a charcuterie board on top of it.
"Hiii ," she said as I got closer and embraced me the second I reached her.
I didn't mind.
That was part of the reason I was here.
I even hugged her back as hard as I could.
Rose and I had been assigned as roommates our freshman year at Northeastern. I was a shy girl from southern Maine, who made the honor roll with ease and wanted to work in health care. I was also extremely inexperienced in partying. Rose was from South Boston. She came to college with a master's degree in drinking and could throw up the next morning without even smudging her lipstick.
We were complete opposites.
And, although we had both changed so much over the years, we were still closer than ever.
"Hi," I whispered back.
She was holding me so tightly; it was hard to breathe.
"Thanks for not canceling."
"Well, I tried," I admitted.
"You know, if you really didn't want to come tonight, I wouldn't have forced you."
"I know."
I moved to the other side of the table and sat across from her. Once I slung my bag over the corner of the chair, I lifted the wine glass, clicked it against hers, and took a sip.
Pinot noir.
She knew what I needed.
"To moments," she said as I swallowed.
Rose believed in celebrating them.
Always.
And, according to her, today was one.
"To moments," I repeated.
Most college-aged girls go to Europe to experience their sexual awakening. All I had to do was come home. Ford Dalton isn’t the kind of man I’d look at twice—because I can’t stop looking at him at all. We can’t take our hands off each other in the bar. Back at his house, it’s our lips. And in his bed? There isn’t a single part of us that’s not on fire. One night would never be long enough for Ford to show me every delicious thing he can do to my body.
The attraction was undeniable. Our chemistry was scorching hot. But he wasn’t my husband. My once treasured marriage was now flawed and imperfect. By the time the guilt set in, it was too late. Reality was trying to keep me from my obsession. My husband was that reality. My obsession was West, but he was forbidden. Taken. Married. We were swingers. It was the perfect arrangement. Until I fell in love … With West.
I’m not the type of girl who picks up a man on a rooftop bar. Not the kind of girl who lets a man’s hands roam my body, discovering I have no panties on. Never the girl who has hours’ worth of o’s from a smoking-hot one-night stand. But Dominick makes it so easy to say yes. His body, his moves, and his oh-so-wicked tongue have me saying it over and over again. Yes, please. Yes, more. Yes, right there. He worships every inch of my body, and I’m still sore the next morning when I meet him again.
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
Five years ago, Alessia La Rosa's life took a drastic turn when, suffering from memory loss, she wed to Dominic Carter under her grandfather's mysterious arrangement. But their marriage was a facade, bringing her only humiliation and heartache as Dominic showed no love, and she couldn't conceive. Upon discovering Dominic's infidelity, Alessia sought liberation through divorce. Yet, fate had more in store for her. Five years later, spurred by an anonymous email hinting at her lost child's whereabouts, she returns to the city with her twin babies in tow, determined to uncover the truth. As she navigates the tangled web of her past, a surprising twist awaits. Dominic, upon meeting her again, finds himself drawn to the woman she has become, unaware of her true identity as his former wife. Little does he know, the woman he's falling for is not only his ex-wife but also a powerful Doctor and Master Hacker.
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"