Lost Love

By Sherrie Sushko

For Eric, recently engaged to his soul mate Abby and starting a promising new career, life has never been happier or felt more secure. Between planning his upcoming wedding and building his new business, his future is brighter than ever before.
Things begin to change, however, when Eric receives an unexpected communication from Larissa, a love from his past. Seeming to need his help, Eric is torn – should he reach out and help Larissa at the risk of losing Abby?
As strange events begin to unfold – mysterious phone calls and the peculiar appearance of daffodils – Eric finds an increasing sense of urgency to help Larissa, a girl with a troubled past, despite the toll that it seems to be taking on his relationship with Abby.
Abby, madly in love with Eric and hurt by his dedication to Larissa, feels that their current relationship is being threatened. Should she stand by Eric in his decision to aid Larissa?
Is it worth it for Eric to jeopardize his current life over a relationship from his past?
Lost Love is a mystery filled with suspense and a touch of romance that will keep you riveted from start to finish.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sherrie Sushko
• Release date: Dec 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310921940

Sherrie Sushko

Sherrie Sushko is the author of three books, Remain, Lost Love and Work & Wagers. When not writing or reading, Sherrie also enjoys music and spending time with her family and two dogs. Sherrie currently resides in the United States.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Eric walked into the crowded restaurant, his eyes scanning the room. It was just like Scott to pick such a bustling place to meet up at, lively even on an early Monday evening. Eric was about to give up his search when he suddenly spotted Scott, waving him on frantically from the bar area.

May I help you? the hostess flashed a smile at Eric, finally aware of his presence.

No, thank you, I found the party I’m looking for, Eric replied, nodding in Scott’s direction.

Great, enjoy, she grinned, quickly turning to the next patron.

Hey! Scott said, as Eric approached the table, I was beginning to think you were standing me up!

Eric sat down across from Scott. Have I ever done that?

No, you’re a man of his word, Scott paused. And speaking of which, congratulations!

Thanks, Eric said, picking up a menu.

I mean it, I can’t think of a nicer couple. You have my blessings, Scott continued. And just think – you’re the first one in the group that’s getting married.

That I am, Eric agreed. When you find the right one, you can’t let her go.

Absolutely! And don’t you forget that, Scott laughed.

Eric was in a good place and he knew it. He felt extremely optimistic, almost invincible, which was something he hadn’t always experienced in the past when things had been quite different.

Where’s your better half tonight? Scott asked.

Abby is wrapping things up at the school and then going out with some fellow teachers afterwards, Eric said. Abby taught Kindergarten at the local public school which had just reopened after the holiday break.

Yeah, I guess it is that busy time of year again, Scott said. Send her my best.

I will, and we’ll all be getting together soon enough, Eric added, although he wasn’t so certain that they would be. Scott had been dating Abby’s best friend, Cassie, for quite some time and it was Scott who had introduced Abby to Eric. However, Scott and Cassie were going through a rough patch at the moment, and the two couples hadn’t gotten together in a while.

Eric listened intently, or at least he tried to, while Scott filled him in on the latest events of his life. He had just landed a high paying job at an accounting firm. Eric barely heard bits and pieces as his attention was drawn elsewhere. Something had caught his eye in the back of the room.

I’ve wanted a job at this firm for a long time, now, Scott said, Persistence has finally paid off.

That’s great, said Eric, I’m happy for you. He leaned forward slightly, still trying to get a better look at the far wall. Scott didn’t seem to notice.

How’s it going with you? Scott asked. How’s the world of web development?

Pretty good, Eric said, still obviously distracted. I’m freelancing now, you know.

I did hear something about that, Scott said. What are you looking at? He turned around to get a glimpse.

I thought I recognized someone, Eric replied, but I guess not.

Well, if you did there’s nobody there now, Scott shrugged, picking up the conversation from where they’d left off.

***

After saying their good-byes in the parking lot, Eric jumped into his car and headed for home. Although the evening was fairly young, he was already tired and knew that tomorrow would be a full day.

He drove passed Abby’s house and could see that she wasn’t home yet. The windows were all dark and closed up tight. Abby lived in her parent’s two-family house and her unit was in the back. He always felt concerned when she got home after a certain hour but her parents did keep an eye out for her and he was certain that she would be calling him when she got home.

Driving down the quiet road, Eric’s thoughts left Abby and went back to the restaurant. He wasn’t sure what he had seen now and thought that maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him. On the far wall beyond the bar he had seen her, or at least someone who resembled her, staring straight ahead. She seemed out of sorts, unhappy, and then she had looked right at him. He could have sworn it was her when their eyes met. It was at that moment that Scott had distracted him for only a second, but long enough for her to get up and slip away. The bar had still been full and she had gotten lost in the crowd. It was as if she had disappeared or had never been there at all.

Afterwards, when Scott had gone to the restroom, Eric had gotten up and walked to the back of the room where he had seen her. He figured there had to be a logical explanation as to how she had left so quickly. When he reached the far wall, he realized that it was mirrored from floor to ceiling. Eric was surprised to discover that there were absolutely no tables in the back, which made him thoroughly confused. Standing by the bar, he gazed intently into the mirrored wall across the way, when realization struck him. She must have been sitting at the bar with her back to him, facing the back wall. He hadn’t seen her directly at all, but instead had seen her reflection in the mirror, just as she had looked back and seen his.

Noting that his eyes had deceived him with the layout of the bar, he noted that they might have very well deceived him in other ways. There was a good possibility that he hadn’t seen her at all.

Eventually, Eric arrived at the apartment complex where he lived. It was a small structure with six units, each with their own parking space. He parked the car in his designated spot and made his way towards the building, glad to finally be calling it a night. His thoughts about his night out were temporarily forgotten, and were replaced with hopes of talking to Abby real soon.

CHAPTER TWO

Peace of mind didn’t linger for long as Eric was becoming increasingly uneasy while the night went on. This was partially because of his experience at the restaurant, but he mostly felt edgy because he still hadn’t spoken to Abby. He didn’t want to call her just yet because he knew that one of the things she loved about him was that he gave her some space. Besides, she very rarely had a girl’s night out and he wanted her to enjoy herself.

He was just beginning to drift off to sleep when the phone rang. Eric blindly reached over to answer it, his eyes barely adjusting to the darkness.

Hello? There was no response but he could tell that the line was open. Hello?

There was a soft click.

Concerned, Eric hung up the phone and decided to give Abby a call. The phone practically rang in his hand before he could do so.

Hello? he cautiously answered.

Hi, Dear One, it was Abby, Did I wake you?

Well, kind of, but that’s okay Eric said, I was just starting to fall asleep. How did it go?

We had a good time, she replied. I’ve been home for a while now. Did you guys have fun? I guess you had a late start.

We didn’t start too late, Eric said. And yes, it was fun. I was going to come by but you weren’t home yet.

You stopped? Abby asked.

No, he answered, but you didn’t have the light on, so I figured you were still out.

I did have our light on for quite some time, Abby playfully corrected. But I guess we just happened to miss each other. I also tried to call you several times tonight, just to let you know I got home. I know how you worry.

Yes, our light, Eric laughed. And I was worried. I’m relieved that you called. The phone never rang here earlier, though, unless I slept through it. This was very unlikely because they both knew what a light sleeper he was.

Well, not to worry because we managed to get a hold of each other, Abby said, Now get some rest. We’ll talk tomorrow.

Alright. Good night and sweet dreams, Eric said.

Nighty night, Abby replied, before disconnecting the call, Love you.

Love you, too, Eric smiled into the phone.

Still stretched out on the bed, Eric was lost in thought. He had probably missed Abby by moments tonight. There was no way that he would not see the light – their light – if it had been on when he drove by earlier.

Not long after they had met, Eric had discovered that Abby had a passion for hurricane lamps and she had accumulated a small collection of them. For their six month anniversary, Eric had searched high and low for the perfect hurricane lamp to gift Abby with, and finally settled on a beautiful, cranberry colored lamp that he thought would suit her living room. Abby was thrilled and knew what a feat it had been for Eric since he wasn’t much of a shopper. In the end, the lamp had gone in her bedroom on a small table in front of the window. On nights when Eric had to work late he would drive by and, if Abby had the light on, he knew that she could use some company. It was their private signal, a beacon in the night, and Eric’s spirit always felt a little bit lighter when the lamp was shining, only for him. Abby was his home away from home.

Tonight he had been on edge, and the sight of Abby’s darkened house had only heightened his sense of dread. He realized he was overreacting, and that his trepidation had been inspired back at the restaurant. When he had thought he saw her there. He hadn’t seen her for years and certainly hadn’t thought about her in recent months. But there she had been, or someone who resembled her, a glimpse of a reminder. Apparently, she was never completely out of mind even if she had been out of sight.

For just a moment, he had thought it was her. Larissa.

CHAPTER THREE

After spending the past hour scouring over restaurant brochures that were now scattered across the table, Abby exclaimed, I give up! Maybe we should just have it at your parent’s house.

Whatever you want. I’m fine either way, Eric replied.

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