Like Me or Not

By Andrea O'Day

Alexis Garrett has been trying all her life to live up to everyone's expectations and failing miserably. When her fiancé announces in the middle of the cafeteria that he is breaking off their engagement, she decides it is time to just be herself. During her transformation, she attends her best friend's wedding where she catches the attention of the very reserved and serious, Grant O'Rourke. Grant doesn't believe in love or happily ever after. He only loves his work. Yet, he is drawn to Alexis. His beautiful (and jealous) coworker sets out to drive Alexis away. When Alexis leaves Grant, it is only then that he realizes how much he misses her compassion and liveliness and will stop at nothing to win her back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Jul 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781509202058

Book preview

Inc.

As Alexis pressed her lips together,

one eye shut more than the other. She appeared to be deep in thought. Standing up straight, she pushed that renegade piece of hair back again—the hair he wanted to run his hands through.

You know, you can be quite funny, Mr. O’Rourke. She added a little extra twang. I reckon at this pace, you’d blend in just fine with me and my friends back home. You’ll need to come for a visit.

Taking a step closer to her, Grant reached out to take her free hand in his. It was warm and soft as her fingers entwined with his. The sparkle in her eyes remained, but the mischief dwindled. He could see her chest move up and down to her rapid breathing.

I’d like that, he said leaning forward to kiss her wet lips. Like that very much, he said again, with their lips barely separated.

Her mouth was warm and soft as he kissed her again. Her hand tightened in his as he deepened the kiss. He ran his other hand through her hair; the soft hair that kept falling in her face.

The desire for her was immediate and powerful; he wanted to leave right then. He had to have her. To take her to her room and explore every part of her. His mouth completely engulfed hers, tasting every part. When she moaned and pressed her body against his, he was calculating his next move.

Well, well, well, Ethan said loudly, patting him on the back. What have we got here?

Praise for Andrea O’Day

"LIKE ME OR NOT, Andrea P. O’Day’s [second] novel, captures the ups and downs of Alexis Garett’s roller coaster love life with humor and heart. A great give-to-a-girlfriend read!"

~Kathryn Elliott, author of Adding Lib

~*~

"Escape into LIKE ME OR NOT for a lighthearted romance with a twist in its tail. Again Andrea O’Day shows a particularly skillful use of language to keep the reader engaged."

~Anne Ashby, author of Leath’s Legacy"

Like Me or Not

by

Andrea O’Day

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Like Me or Not

COPYRIGHT © 2015 by Andrea O’Day

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Kim Mendoza

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Last Rose of Summer Edition, 2015

Print ISBN 978-1-5092-0204-1

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-0205-8

Published in the United States of America

Dedications

I want to dedicate this book to my husband,

Patrick O’Day,

who has been my number one supporter

and who made sure I had the quiet time I needed.

~*~

Also to my best friend and ‘partner in crime’,

D’Juana Moreno (aka Katy)

without whom some of these scenes wouldn’t exist.

~*~

And to Crystal Smith,

who always had her red pen handy

to fix my mistakes and to readily give her input.

Chapter 1

Some days are just better than others to have a nervous breakdown. The problem is that there are no warnings before it happens. It’s not like an impending storm where there is forewarning to allow time to buy the milk, eggs, and bread. The only sign is a feeling in your stomach that something really bad is going to happen. Really bad. Of course the know-it-alls of the world will talk among themselves, saying they saw it coming and that it shouldn’t have been a surprise.

Alexis Garrett felt it that morning when she opened her eyes. A sense that she shouldn’t shower or dress for work. But if she stayed in bed, it would only prolong the inevitable. Mr. Nervous Breakdown was stalking her, inviting her to join him in going over the edge.

Apparently, he wanted her breakdown to be a memorable and spectacular event. So stupendous that those who claimed to know her would chatter about it later at the local diner, embellishing it so much by the time the gossip went full circle, she’d have stolen everyone’s 401(k)s, corrupted the morals of every married man currently in Atlanta, and consistently wore white before Easter. While they were at it, maybe they could blame the economy and deficit on her, too.

Mr. Breakdown threw a clear sign in her path that morning foretelling her imminent downfall when she pulled into the office parking lot behind her manager, Lucy Pole. Ignoring the fact they had arrived at the exact same time, Lucy made her typical snide comment about Alexis being late and reiterated that her casual attitude hampered her success.

Walking into the building with a growing pit in her stomach, Alexis wondered how she could be considered late when arriving at the same time as Lucy. How did that make sense? Then again, with Lucy, nothing ever made sense.

Throughout the morning, Alexis felt the pit in her stomach getting bigger. Maybe it was the way her fiancé, Mark had loomed in her office door asking if she was ready for lunch, and then impatiently sighed when she raised her finger signaling him to wait while she finished her call. After all, his work was seemingly far more important than hers.

Or maybe it was the way he responded in the elevator when she whispered that the client could talk the horns off a billy-goat.

You know, I hope you only speak that way in front of me, he’d said, frowning. Sometimes you sound too southern.

Hmm, let me think about that, she quipped sarcastically, tapping her index finger to her lips. "Maybe I speak this way because, hmm, I am southern?"

Stepping out of the elevator, Mark said, You really need to grow up, Alexis. No wonder you and Lucy don’t get along. She’s professional and knows what to say and when to say it. Maybe you could learn some self-control from her.

She stopped walking and glared at Mark. "What’s this all about?"

You know exactly what I’m saying. You never think before you speak. It’s getting rather annoying. You haven’t advanced in your career because you are often too immature. Now let’s go before you make a scene and embarrass me in the lobby.

Embarrass him? She felt like slapping him right here for what he’d said. Contrary to his opinion, she was mature enough not to. He needed to loosen up. Sometimes he was too uptight, even for himself.

Alexis walked through the cafeteria line contemplating what to eat and settled on the Brunswick stew. Good old comfort food was what she needed on a cold winter day. Waiting for him by the cash register, she saw Katy and Ruby, sitting by the windows, looking none too happy that Lucy had plunked herself down at their table. Any juicy conversation they were having came to a screeching halt.

After he paid for their food, Mark made his way to the center of the dining area.

What are you doing? Alexis asked when he set his tray down at the small table.

Something different, he replied dryly. Why does everything have to be the same? Where’s your sense of adventure?

Now she had to raise her eyebrow at him. Was he serious? Sense of adventure and Mark Blackwell didn’t belong in the same sentence. Or at least not in the four years she’d known him. Well, she supposed sitting in a different location in the office cafeteria probably was considered high adventure in his book.

Living on the edge for Mark was picking out his clothes in the morning rather than the night before. He’d spend at least a half hour in his closet choosing the right shirt and tie. She had kidded him once that it wasn’t like women’s clothes with thousands of combinations. He didn’t see the humor and proceeded to explain the many tie and shirt color blendings. It was one of the few moments she’d wished she’d kept her mouth shut.

Mark had often told her that highly successful people always follow a routine and never veer from it. Now, all of a sudden he wants to be adventurous? she thought. Something was definitely wrong.

And sitting at a different table is adventurous, how? she asked.

Exasperated, he shook his head. Forget it. You don’t get it, he replied. Under his breath, he mumbled, barely loud enough for her to hear, Some things never change.

What is going on? She stirred her hot, spicy stew.

Nothing, he replied, twisting the top off his soda.

She bit into her roll, knowing he was lying. Looking at him, she once again wondered how they were a couple. There were whispers of that same question in the bathrooms. It wasn’t simply because of their mismatched demeanors, it was also their very different personalities.

He was a great many inches taller than her five-five height. His Nordic chiseled features, thick blond hair, and piercing blue eyes captured everyone’s attention. Not smiling only added to his mystery.

He was also serious about everything, and, well, she still had a youthful rebellious streak. And yes, there were some times when she didn’t control herself.

Finally, she said, Hey, don’t forget, I have my grief session tonight. She looked away when she saw the clear look of disgust in his eyes.

Mark would never admit to the need to talk to someone about his problems. That would be admitting weakness. So why was his attitude bothering her so much today?

She continued pretending to ignore the obvious, I like going. It helps me out since, well, it’s just been…well, a bit hard, you know.

Curtly, Mark said, No, I don’t know.

She stared at him. I have to talk to someone about what happened. I can’t deal with this on my own.

Why aren’t your quirky friends able to help you? God only knows you can’t go a day without speaking or texting with them. Grief therapy—I don’t understand why you feel the need to talk to a bunch of strangers about your personal problems. If you want my opinion, I think you need to move on. Face it, you can’t go back and change what happened. Talking to these people won’t cure you, Alexis. Only you can do that.

She sat back in her chair stunned, not believing he had spoken this harshly. Couldn’t he, at least, have an ounce of sympathy for what she was dealing with? That’s cold, Mark. Even for you.

Ignoring her, he chomped down on his hamburger, and continued to talk with his mouth full. Life goes on.

She leaned forward in her chair, resting her elbows on the table. The tears were welling behind her eyes. She couldn’t stomach looking at him. How could he be so insensitive to her parents dying in a car accident a few months ago? She had felt like she was walking in a trance, remembering little of the recently-passed holidays.

After swallowing another large bite of his hamburger, Mark added, Things aren’t the same between us anymore.

It’s been a little bit…

He cut her off. Oh, spare me, Alexis. I’m so tired of your issues. Let me ask you this—he put down what remained of his hamburger—when was the last time we had fun together? When was the last time I could relax and didn’t have to worry about you embarrassing me?

He straightened his plastic utensils and napkin to align with his cup. Remember when we played golf with Bill and his wife? There I was trying to impress him so he would place business with us, and you’re talking to his wife about that tabloid trash that you, Katy, and Nick read. Come to think of it, when was the last time we even had sex? He shook his head and said even louder. It’s been so long I can’t even remember.

There was a long, silent pause before Alexis could even digest what Mark had said. The tables around them grew quiet. Obviously, Mark’s tirade was much more interesting than any of their own conversations. And wasn’t he the one who was worried about her embarrassing him?

Tapping her fingers on the table, she whispered, Can you be any louder, I don’t think the tables by the windows heard what you said.

You know it’s true.

She whispered loudly, trying to keep her voice steady, Have you forgotten that it actually takes two people to have sex? With all your traveling, you haven’t exactly been around. She was thankful she was sitting because right now her entire body was shaking.

You’re right. And you want to know why I’ve been traveling? I’m advancing my career. Maybe you don’t have any plans or goals in your life, but I do. There’s a lot more to life than having fun, like you and your friends do, he said arrogantly. He finished his monster burger. You have potential, but you never apply yourself.

She shot back at him, One of those friends you mentioned happens to be your brother.

Talking with his mouth full, he continued, And you know what I think of him and his lifestyle. But this isn’t about Ted. It’s about what isn’t working between us, which is why I’ve decided to accept the Sales Manager job in Dallas. He paused to finally wipe his mouth. I start next month.

The room grew suddenly stifling. The sight of his partially-processed food in his mouth was making her sick. She rubbed her temples, feeling a headache fast approaching. The surrounding conversations became a loud buzzing.

She managed to croak, You’re what?

Leaving for Dallas. I found a condo when I was there last week.

Her brain was jumbled with a million questions running through all at the same time. The one bite of roll and spicy Brunswick stew she’d eaten felt like they were going to collide with the lump of cement sitting in her stomach. This was not a good combination in a public place. What about us?

Mark sat back in his chair and crossed his arms, looking way too smug and confident. "This new job makes it easy to break off our engagement. You and I both know that us—he gestured to himself and then to her—hasn’t been working for some time. This will be a good time for us to both start over."

After taking a swig of his soda, like it was a beer, he leaned forward on his elbows and dragged a limp french fry through a puddle of ketchup. You know, after your meltdown, when your parents died, I was done. I decided I needed someone who is solid and consistent. I can’t go through life worrying about what may come out of your mouth. At some point, you need to grow up. Geez, you’re thirty-nine, not ten—and you don’t have any idea what you want out of life.

‘Solid and consistent?’ What the hell, does that mean, she wondered.

Picking up a handful of french fries, he stuffed them in his mouth. He resembled a contestant in an eating contest.

Watching him and listening to his words, Alexis felt sick. She may need to ‘grow-up,’ but at least she had table manners when she ate.

And, on top of it, he had ended their engagement at lunch in the building cafeteria surrounded by a hundred fellow employees. Who does that? He had done this on purpose, knowing she wouldn’t make a scene in public. Bastard! Behind closed doors, the story would have been completely different.

She looked at the plastic knife on her tray and wished it were metal. He only thought she was unstable. She could really show him instability by stabbing him with her plastic knife about a million times.

Now, you can do what you want. You always do. So if you want to keep going to that group therapy to figure out how you can get your life back on track, you do that.

Mark paused to lean back in his chair. And while you’re at it, see if you can get your physical appearance back on track. You kinda let yourself go once we got engaged. I can tell you’ve lost some weight since your parents died, but you still have more to lose. You should probably join a gym and get a makeover. See if you can make yourself attractive again, if that’s even possible.

Alexis blinked several times. She noticed the sympathetic look from the woman at the next table. Obviously, she had heard every word.

She looked back at the person she had thought she was going to marry. When had he become so cruel and arrogant? Okay, the arrogance and condescension was not new but to be so hateful to her? And he had the nerve to tell her she’s immature?

He continued demolishing every morsel of food on his plate before wiping at the corners of his mouth.

Apparently he hadn’t looked in the mirror in a while or he’d have noticed that his own stomach was growing. The last she’d heard, men still couldn’t give birth. Anger was beginning to bubble up. So maybe I don’t feel like killing myself to be a size four any longer. A size six is just fine, she retorted.

Six? he said laughing loudly and slapping the table. That’s a good one. Ten maybe, but not a six! In your dreams.

There he was! Mr. Nervous Breakdown had arrived at the doors of the cafeteria.

That was it. She twisted off her ring as she forcefully pushed back her chair. Standing with the table between them, she picked up her tomato-filled stew and threw it at his very white, starched shirt.

Slamming the ring on the table, she exclaimed. You’re right! It’s over. Thank goodness you’ve helped me discover I could never spend the rest of my life with a shallow, pompous ass. Before you start berating someone else for not being perfect, why don’t you take a look in a mirror? Watching you eat—and listening to you—is making me sick. As well as celibate. She glared at him, hating him for being there.

With hundreds of curious eyes on her, the silence was deafening. She picked up her tray to leave.

The last words she heard from him were, Why you little…

With her head held high, she walked slowly to the trash bin to throw out her empty bowl. She wanted to show him, and anyone else who was watching, that she was not defeated. However, as soon as she was through the cafeteria doors and into the hall, she bolted for the restroom to throw up her two bites of lunch.

It was official: In the bathroom of HB Insurance Corporation, Mr. Nervous Breakdown stood over her in victory.

****

Alexis laid in bed with the covers pulled over her head, hoping to suffocate. She envisioned the headlines: Woman Suffocates Self in Bed with Cotton Sheets.

Of course, with her luck, she’d fail and instead would be whisked away by men in white suits to enjoy her last days in a padded room wearing a gown with no backside. She’d wear a bathrobe while they fed her oatmeal and warm milk.

This would only fuel the gossip at the local diner where the know-it-alls would say they saw it coming. They’d wonder why it hadn’t happened sooner and why she was surprised.

The hole in her stomach was growing bigger by the second. She heard footsteps on the stairs. With the sheets still over her head, she sat up in bed. There was a second set of footsteps. One sounded quicker. She heard whispering. They were here to take her away.

Oh good-lawd, what are you doing? Katy asked, with her slow drawl.

Flipping the sheets off her head, Alexis answered, Hiding from the world.

Honey, if my hair looked liked that, I’d hide too, Nick said, seconds before Katy whacked him in the arm.

Oww, Nick exclaimed, rubbing his upper arm and glaring at Katy. What did you do that for?

You know what for. Katy sat next to Alexis on the bed.

Ted followed, sitting on the opposite side. Now Alexis was sandwiched by her two closest friends in Atlanta. She felt secure. It was like the times when she was little and sat between her mom and dad during the spring tornado warnings.

Alexis didn’t have to say anything. They already knew.

Katy had seen everything. She’d tried to stop Alexis as she left the office building after grabbing her computer and purse.

You shoulda seen the look on Lucy’s face. It was priceless. Her entire face was pinched in like a prune. And she kept repeating ‘Oh, my. This is going to reflect badly on me,’ Katy tried unsuccessfully to imitate Lucy. Only Ruby could pull that off.

Katy went on, You could’ve heard a pin drop when you dumped your stew on him. Let me tell you, that was a real waste. That was the best batch of stew they’ve made lately.

Ted cleared his throat, putting his arm around Alexis.

Ignoring Ted, Katy continued, It wasn’t too spicy, like the last batch. Anyways, my guess is Ol’ Markie has one less shirt in his closet. You should of seen how he glared at you. And then he tried to brush it off by joking, ‘never comment on a woman’s weight.’

I hate him. Alexis closed her eyes.

We all do, Katy added.

Alexis blew her nose for the umpteenth time. There was no way she was going to look in a mirror fearing what she’d see—the red nose, the puffy and bloodshot eyes. Maybe she’d have Ted and Nick remove all of the mirrors from her townhouse.

You know it wasn’t him breaking up with me that was bad. I guess I always knew he wasn’t right for me. But, he said that since my parents died I haven’t been the same. Well, who would be? Not to mention, he implied I’m fat and…and ugly. And then to say he ‘needs someone who is solid and consistent…’ Her bottom lip was quivering.

What the hell? Ted looked to Nick. Nick, what does that mean?

How am I supposed to know.

Katy tapped him with her foot, and said, You work in a salon, you’re supposed to know all the hip phrases.

I’ll get right on it, he answered.

While they bantered back and forth, Alexis stared at her best friends in the world, minus Jessica. The ones that Mark didn’t like for reasons that were far too numerous to list. She had made the mistake once of asking exactly what it was he didn’t like about her friends. For an hour, she had to listen to him rant about all their faults.

Ted introduced her to Mark soon after she moved into the townhouse across from him and Nick. And to think she’d found it serendipitous that they both worked for HB Insurance Corporation.

Thank goodness physical resemblance between the brothers didn’t exist. She wouldn’t have to remember Mark every time she looked at her friend Ted. Ted’s dark hair was almost black and he was her height. Where Mark’s features were hard and rigid, Ted’s were soft and kind. Their personalities were total opposite too. Mark was always serious and scowling, Ted was thoughtful, with his pick-me-up smile.

Ted wasn’t focused on what people said or thought of him or his lifestyle. As a cameraman for the local news station, he saw enough of life to know that people talked about everyone, regardless.

She often wished Ted was her brother. She told him once, and he said he’d trade