Running Towards Love

By Marisa Adams

A novella based on the characters from IS LOVE ENOUGH.

For ten years, Danny and Nikki Camarelli have shared everything until Nikki overhears a conversation leading her to believe his honesty has been nothing but a lie. When Nikki disappears for a few days, Danny is frantic with worry before he finds out she has traveled to visit their best friends in Texas.

Shortly after she arrives, Nikki confides the horrible truth to Jason and Rebekah Taylor, completely unsure as to what her future holds. But Danny won't give her up without a fight. Can Nikki remember all the reasons she should be RUNNING TOWARDS LOVE before it's too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marisa Adams
• Release date: Feb 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301809912

Marisa Adams

Marisa Adams is an avid reader with an immense passion for great love stories. She is an educator, wife, and mother but always finds the time to squeeze in a little time to get lost in the worlds of her characters. She has been writing for years and has published several short stories before branching into the world of novels. Marisa believes in love at first sight and happy endings. Each of her books will remind you that romance and true love still exist even in today's fast paced world.

Book preview

Running Towards Love

MARISA ADAMS

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2013 Marisa Adams

All rights reserved.

This book is available in print at most online retailers.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the author.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to Robin. Without you, I never would have explored the possibility of Danny and Nikki’s story. Thank you!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

There is no way I could ever dream of completing my novels without the help of my pre-readers and editors. To my Mom, Dawn, Nina, and Mechelle – you ladies rock!

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

About the Author

Chapter One

Nikki Camarelli ignored the incoming call on her cell phone for the tenth time as she stood on the expansive front porch. She wasn’t sure why she was so hesitant to knock. Jason and Rebekah Taylor were her best friends, practically family, and they would welcome her in an instant. But she knew once they opened that door, she would have to admit her fears and reality would smack her in the face. ‘Here goes nothing,’ she thought as she quietly knocked.

Moments passed and Nikki felt her clothing stick to her even more as she waited. She loved visiting her family here outside Houston, but she had never once been able to get used to the heat or the humidity. It was mid January for crying out loud and she would have been fine in shorts and a short sleeved shirt! Finally, the porch light flickered to life as the door knob rattled and light spilled onto the porch. Surprise, she called, fake humor lacing her voice.

Jason stood in the door way as a look of shock spread across his face. Nikki! he sputtered. What are you doing here?

She raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at his tone. That’s the best welcome you have, Jason?

He returned her look with a stare of his own, their years of banter back and forth clearly not missing a beat even though they had not seen each other in months. Come in, Nikki, he smiled as he reached for her bag, looking over her shoulder at the same time. Is Danny here?

At the sound of his name, her smile tightened and she knew Jason immediately noticed the change but before she could answer, Rebekah swept into the room. Nikki! she practically squealed with glee as she rushed forward to warmly embrace her friend. What a surprise! How long are you staying?

With a tired sigh, she returned her friend’s hug. I don’t know yet. Keeping one arm around Rebekah, she turned back towards Jason. Now, that’s what a welcome is supposed to be like, Jason. She scolded.

Yeah, yeah, he replied, biting back his own laughter. You know I think it’s always good to see you, Nik.

We just put the girls down. Emily is going to be so excited when she wakes up in the morning, Rebekah said as she led Nikki into the kitchen. The warm, spicy scents filled Nikki’s nose as they walked reminding her of her own cozy home that she and Danny had together. Shaking her head, she worked to quickly rid her mind of any images or thoughts of him.

I can’t wait to see my girls, Nikki gushed. The most recent pictures you sent of them were absolutely adorable! I can’t believe how big Elizabeth is.

Rebekah sighed almost wistfully. I know. It seems like just yesterday that we were in New York having her. Now, Emily is almost five and Elizabeth just turned two. Turning back towards the cabinet, she pulled down two mugs, asking Nikki, I made cider earlier. Would you like some?

Nikki inhaled deeply, letting the scent fill her senses. That’s what I smell that is so wonderful. You know I love your cider, Beck. I can’t wait to have some.

Rebekah flashed a smile as she pulled down a third mug. If I’m going to heat us some, I might as well heat some for Jason, too. He loves the stuff almost as much as you do. Soft music filled the kitchen, drifting from somewhere else in the house; the quiet melodies usually bringing her such peace. But even with the friendly banter, the music did nothing to relieve her stress.

Mmmm, Jason practically moaned from behind her as he walked into the kitchen. That has to be one of the best smells in the world. He walked behind Rebekah, smiling as he snaked his arms around her waist and pressed his lips against her neck before turning to Nikki. Do I have the best wife, or what?

No, she replied with a laugh. I have the best friend. You just lucked out when she let you hang around.

He glared pointedly at her with a smirk of his own as he joined her at the kitchen table. Need I remind you that I was the one who met her first? You are the one who is lucky that she tolerates you.

Do I need to be here for this conversation? Rebekah called out as she carried the steaming mugs to the table. Cause, I don’t have to tolerate either one of you. Her eyes twinkled with merriment despite the stern look she tried to plaster on her face.

Rebekah mock glared at both of them and before she could control it, laughter bubbled from Nikki. For several minutes the combined hum of their laughter filled the kitchen sounding like happiness and home. But Nikki’s heart could barely contain the extra emotion and before she knew it, she found her eyes filling with tears. Oh honey, she heard Rebekah whisper as her friend reached across the table and pulled Nikki’s hand into her own. She saw the concerned glance between her friends and knew the question was coming before it was even asked. You know we love you, Nikki. And, she continued, you know you are welcome here anytime. But this is different. What’s going on, Nik?

She closed her eyes and fell back against the chair afraid to say the words out loud but knew she had no choice. Danny’s having an affair. He’s planning to leave me at the end of the month.

Silence filled the kitchen as she looked imploringly at her friends. She had known Jason for half of her life; he was her brother in every sense of the word and more than anything, she needed him, needed both of them, now more than ever before.

Oh, Nikki, Rebekah practically cried out and Nikki could hear the emotion and pain in her friend’s voice. Are you sure?

But it was Jason’s voice that rang louder. Have you lost your mind Nicole Johnson Camarelli?

Jason, Rebekah admonished but he continued anyway.

No, it’s a legitimate question. That man worships the very ground you walk on and you know it, Nikki. He always has. There is no way he is planning to leave you after fifteen years together and nearly ten years of marriage.

Almost immediately, the dam that had been holding back Nikki’s emotions for the past twenty-four hours burst and white-hot anger spewed forth. "How would you know, Jason? You don’t live near us anymore;