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  Table of Contents

  Synopsis

  Other Bella Books by Catherine Maiorisi

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Chapter Fifty

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Synopsis

  Having been abandoned on her wedding day, bestselling novelist Lily Alexander is understandably cautious about dating again. Wealthy tech entrepreneur and notorious playgirl Robin DeLuca, on the other hand, loves to date. She just doesn't do commitment.

  When beautiful blond Lily and handsome butch Robin lock eyes across a crowded bar, the current flowing between this unlikely pair is more electrifying than anything either has felt before. Thus begins a long and sultry dance that will lead them to the altar and the promise of the perfect future.

  But when the premature birth of their baby awakens horrendous secrets from Robin's long-repressed past, she believes the only way to protect Lily and their daughter is to leave. Her decision devastates both women and all those who love them.

  Can Robin’s unexpected encounter with a stranger on a beach be the catalyst for healing these two shattered hearts?

  Copyright © 2017 by Catherine Maiorisi

  Bella Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 10543

  Tallahassee, FL 32302

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  First Bella Books Edition 2017

  Editor: Medora MacDougall

  Cover Designer: Linda Callaghan

  ISBN: 978-1-59493-548-0

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Other Bella Books by Catherine Maiorisi

  Matters of the Heart

  Acknowledgments

  Thanks to my wife Sherry for her ongoing support and encouragement. Her willingness to tolerate my spending so much time in my head with my characters is a gift.

  And to friends Lee and Judy and sister-in-law Joan, thanks for cheering me on.

  I’d also like to thank the hardworking board of the Golden Crown Literary Society for providing a community for authors and readers to meet and discuss books and writing. As one of its services GCLS provides a list of members willing to be beta readers and it was from that list that I found the beta readers for No One But You. Thank you Cindy, Betty and Ruth for your willingness to put your own work aside to read No One But You. Your thoughtful comments helped make this a better book.

  Working with editors can be painful because often they highlight things the author would rather not deal with. But heartfelt thanks to Medora MacDougall for her gentle encouragement and for teaching me about deepening. Medora, you actually made the editing process for No One But You challenging and, gasp, interesting.

  Kudos and virtual hugs of gratitude and appreciation to all the Bella Book Gals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make this author’s dreams a reality.

  And, dear readers, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking this journey with me. My stories come from my heart and I hope they touch yours. Enjoy.

  About the Author

  Catherine Maiorisi lives in New York City and often writes under the watchful eye of Edgar Allan Poe, in Edgar’s Café near the apartment she shares with Sherry her partner, now wife, of thirty-nine years.

  In the seventies and eighties while working in corporate technology then running her own technology consulting company, Catherine moaned to her artistic friends that she was the only lesbian in New York City who wasn’t creative, the only one without the imagination or the talent to write poetry or novels, play the guitar, act, or sing.

  A number of years later, Catherine found her imagination and writing. Writing is like meditating for Catherine and it is what she most loves to do. But she also reads voraciously, loves to cook, especially Italian, and enjoys hanging out with her wife and friends.

  When she wrote a short story to create the backstory for the love interest in her two unpublished NYPD Detective Chiara Corelli mysteries, Catherine had never read any romance and hadn’t considered writing it. To her surprise, “The Sex Club” turned out to be a romance and was included in the Best Lesbian Romance of 2014 edited by Radclyffe.

  Another surprise was hearing the voices of two characters, Andrea and Darcy, chatting in her head every night, making it difficult to sleep. Reassured by her wife that she wasn’t losing it, Catherine paid attention and those conversations led to her first romance novel, Matters of the Heart.

  No One But You, Catherine’s second romance grew from thoughts of a child on a beach into an exploration of what happens after the happily ever after.

  Catherine has also published mystery and romance short stories. Go to www.catherinemaiorisi.com for a complete list and while you’re there sign up for her mailing list.

  An active member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, Catherine is also a member of Romance Writers of America and Rainbow Romance Writers.

  To Sherry again. And always


  Chapter One

  December–Lily

  Lily glanced at her phone. Still four o’clock. And she was still here in Micki’s city, in Micki’s church, waiting to become Micki’s wife. But still no Micki.

  Her nearest and dearest had gone silent an hour ago. Now they studiously avoided looking at her, even though the incessant tapping of her foot like a metronome marking the minutes was probably driving them crazy. The tension in the room was palpable.

  A Christmas wedding. Micki’s dream not hers. After two hours in the stifling room at the back of the church, her lovely white dress was stained with perspiration and dotted with black cinders from the crackling fire. Sickened by the smoke, the smell of pine, and escalating anxiety, her stomach gnawed at itself.

  The muted rumble of the ninety-five guests who had been told two hours ago there would be a slight delay drifted in from the church along with Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.” The organist played it over and over as if she didn’t know any other music. Lily glanced at her phone again. She should have heard from Micki by now. Something was seriously wrong.

  She jumped when the notes of the wedding march burst from the cell clutched in her hand. Micki’s ring tone. All eyes swiveled to her. She stared at the phone, not sure whether she would be happier to hear Micki had been in an accident or had just forgotten the time. She turned away, seeking a little privacy. “Are you all right?” She spoke softly. She could hear breathing, but Micki didn’t speak. “Micki?” There were voices in the background, but the only words she could make out were “Just do it.” “Is this Micki?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry, Lily. I, uh, I can’t get married.”

  A chill inched up her spine and splinters of ice cooled her blood. “What? Why?”

  Micki plunged ahead. “Everything of mine is out of the apartment, and I left a check for half of the expenses in the kitchen. I’m planning to take the honeymoon trip, so I’ll pay for that. Please apologize for me, tell everyone I’m sorry.”

  Not dead. Not injured. Not late. Jilting her. “You’re sorry? That’s it?” The rage bubbled. “Apologize for y’all?” She tried not to yell. “Why the fuck don’t y’all get y’all’s cowardly ass down to y’all’s church and apologize y’all’s self?”

  She heard Micki’s sharp intake of breath. “Well, well, the Southern princess can get angry.” Micki hung up.

  Stunned, Lily held the phone to her ear as if Micki was still talking. Her already heated face burned with shame. She forced herself to breathe. She would not cry. She would act with dignity. Then she would find Micki and murder her.

  After a few minutes of deep breaths, she said “goodbye.” Lowering the phone, she swung around to face her mamas, her sister and brother, her two closest friends from Chicago, and her only New York friend, Annie, the girlfriend of Micki’s best friend Tina. “Micki changed her mind. She doesn’t want to get married.” Ignoring the burst of questions, she handed her veil to her sister Bella, stood, then smoothed the silk of her gown. “I’ll tell everyone.”

  Del pulled her into a hug. “Oh, baby, y’all don’t need to face this right now. Let me or Cordy do it.”

  “Yes, I do, Mama.” Lily pushed her shoulders back. “I need to face them now or I’ll never be able to.” She met the eyes of each person in the room. “But I intend to tell them and leave without answering any questions or hearing how sorry they are. So I would appreciate all y’all coming out there with me and staying to answer questions after I leave. Annie, I’d like your help getting a cab.” Dry-eyed, she led the angry group into the church.

  When she appeared in her flowing white wedding dress with her troop of supporters, the church went silent. “I know everyone has been worried about Micki. So have I. But she’s fine. In fact, she just called to say she’s in good health—”

  Lily put her hand up and silenced the outburst of relieved chatter. “But she really called to say she doesn’t want to get married. At least not to me.”

  The crowd gasped. A rush of whispers followed. Lily waited stoically for the room to quiet again. “I’m sorry we put all y’all to so much trouble, especially those who flew in from other cities. The reception is paid for, so please go to the restaurant and enjoy dinner and dancing on me and Micki.” She started to leave, then stopped. “Oh, while we’ve been waiting for her, Micki cleared out our apartment. I don’t know what she took, but I’ll return any gifts she left behind. Thank you.”

  She gathered her train. Head high, she strode up the aisle to a stunned silence rather than the glorious exit march they’d selected. Annie followed her out and hailed a cab. “How shitty of Micki to do this to you. And where the hell’s Tina been during all this, I’d like to know?” It was freezing, and since they’d expected to travel from place to place in a limousine neither had a coat. Annie wrapped her arms around Lily’s waist, trying to warm them both. “I don’t think you should be alone right now, so if my connection to Micki hasn’t tarnished me, I’d like to come with you.” A cab pulled up. Annie opened the door.

  “You’re still shining bright, Annie. But I need to be alone right now. Please tell my mamas and the rest of the wedding party to go to the reception in my place. And I want you all to come to my apartment for breakfast at ten tomorrow morning.” She kissed Annie’s cheek, then slid into the cab, gave the driver her address, and asked him to raise the heat.

  Twenty minutes later she arrived at her apartment building. Lewis, the doorman, opened the door of her cab. He’d been smiling and teasing this afternoon when he helped her into the limousine to go to the church. And then he’d probably helped Micki move out. While she was sitting in the rear of the church still thinking she was getting married, he knew Micki was jilting her. Her faced flamed again. Not meeting her eyes, he helped her out of the taxi and walked her to the elevator. It wasn’t until she stepped in that he whispered, “I’m so sorry, Ms. Alexander. What she did was wrong.” With her back to him, she nodded, but she didn’t turn until the doors had closed.

  Lily wandered through the apartment. Except for the sound of the train of her wedding grown dragging behind and the heels of her white satin shoes echoing on the parquet floors, it was silent. It felt empty, hollow, like her. The office, her office, looked untouched, as did one of the extra bedrooms. Micki’s queen-size bed, dresser, night tables and lamps were missing from the second extra bedroom. The third bedroom, where the wedding gifts had been stored, was mostly empty except for the suitcase Lily had packed for the honeymoon she wouldn’t be taking. As she suspected, Micki had taken the wedding gifts sent by her friends and family. Good.

  In the master bedroom, she touched the empty hangers in the closet as if needing confirmation that Micki’s clothes were gone, then peered into the bathroom. Her cosmetics, her bath gel, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, and powder looked pathetic on the spacious shelves without Micki’s many and various beauty products. Dammit. Micki didn’t even leave her the toothpaste.

  A wave of exhaustion hit her without warning. She sat on the bed and struggled to unzip the dress. Thankfully she didn’t have a million tiny buttons to undo by herself. She kicked off her shoes, stood, and stepped out of the dress, then dragged her slips, pantyhose, and bra off. She started to hang the gown then noticed, the stained underarms, the black dots left by the cinders from that damned fireplace, and, ugh, it stank of her sweat, smoke, and pine. She let it fall to the floor. As far as she was concerned, it could go right in the garbage, but she was sure the mamas would want to give it to some needy bride. Feeling a sudden urge to get the stink of her non-wedding off her skin and out of her hair, she stepped into the shower. Under the streaming hot water, she scrubbed herself with her rosemary bath gel, massaged rosemary shampoo and conditioner into her hair, and let the tears come.

  Done with washing and crying, she wrapped herself in one of the new large bath towels she’d bought and used a smaller towel to dry her hair. On her way to get something to put on, she pulled a drawer out of Micki’s dresser. Empty. What had
she expected? She moved to her dresser and grabbed a pair of warm socks, her most comfy sweatpants and sweatshirt and pulled them on. She ran a comb through her hair, then leaving her wedding stuff in a pile on the floor, she went out to get a drink.

  She reached for the brandy, then remembered the Christmas gift she’d bought for Micki, Miss-Only-The-Best-For-Me. A glance at the Christmas tree, dark and sad in the corner by the window, confirmed that her presents for Micki were still piled on the left side, but the right side, where Micki’s presents for her had been, was empty. She tore the wrapping paper off the bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle ‘Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve’ Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 15 years old but hesitated before opening it. Feeding into Micki’s grandiose idea of her worth, she’d spent almost fifteen hundred dollars on this bottle. If she didn’t open it, she could return it. But she’d already spent the money so why not use the best to drown her sorrows.

  As she poured a hefty glass of bourbon, it occurred to her that Micki had moved a lot of furniture and other things in a few hours. Where had she taken it? Had she lied about giving up the lease on her apartment? Had she rented a new one? How long had she been planning this? It didn’t seem like a spur of the moment thing. And who was going on the honeymoon with her? She didn’t attempt to stop the tears or the sadness. Oh, Micki, how could you?

  Alone in her new city, in her new apartment, on her new sofa facing the windows overlooking Central Park, Lily stared at the lights across the park on the East Side. Her wedding day. Micki was crazy for a Christmas wedding, so she’d sold her apartment in Chicago and at the beginning of December moved into this apartment on Central Park West. She’d loved the apartment the first time they’d seen it, but Micki had balked at buying, saying her money was tied up in the market, so she couldn’t contribute. Was that a clue? Maybe she should have been paying closer attention to Micki. Instead, she’d insisted on using her savings combined with the appreciation on her Chicago apartment to make a hefty down payment. She’d bought it thinking it would be theirs together. Now she would forever associate Christmas and this beautiful apartment with the shame of public rejection.