The Evolution Of Love

By Sheena Binkley

Elise Thompson always has been the independent one of the Thompson siblings. She never worried about anything or anyone, expect when it comes down to her ex, Dante Wilson. Although she loves him, she can’t be with him, especially with all the issues the two has together.

When she meets Jared Crawford, she starts to see life in a different way. While he wants a relationship with her, Elise is holding back, mainly because of her feelings for Dante. But when issues start to arise between her and Jared and with the reappearance of her mother, she soon realizes what’s important and to live life for herself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sheena Binkley
• Release date: Apr 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310865336

Sheena Binkley

Sheena Binkley first discovered her love for storytelling when writing her first story for a class project at the tender age of nine. Since then, she has composed several short stories and numerous tales that are not only engaging, but simply entertaining. She is also a freelance writer, penning articles on various topics including education and entertainment. Besides writing, she loves reading, shopping, and spending time with family and friends. She lives in Houston (where the weather is always unpredictable) with her husband and son.

Book preview

The Evolution of Love

By:

Sheena Binkley

The Evolution Of Love

Sheena Binkley

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2016 by Sheena Binkley

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 person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it,

or it was not purchased for your use only, then return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you

for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are

not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this

manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of

the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to

publish all the materials in this book.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means,

including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Editor: Jamie Fleming-Dixon

Book Cover: Kash Kreations

Formatting by: Elle Welch

Published in the United States of America

Acknowledgements

Heavenly Father, thank you for your continued blessings. Even when I’m at my worse, You are always there to lift me up so I can be a better person. Thank you, Lord.

To my husband, Ethan. Thank you for being an inspiration and a motivation to me. You don’t know how much that means to me.

To my friends and family, thank you for your continued support. I will always appreciate it.

Jamie Fleming-Dixon, thank you for being such a wonderful editor. Even though we don't work together as much anymore, I’m glad when we do have a chance to. :-)

To my pen sis, Elle Welch, thank you so much for formatting TEOL! I really appreciate it! ❤

To Kash Kreations, thank you for an amazing cover!!!

Laurencia Smith, as always, thank you for being supportive and a true friend. You have helped me through so much and for that, I will always be grateful. Thank you! :-)

Victoria D. Johnson, thank you for being a great promoter. You go above and beyond to have my books noticed, and I sincerely appreciate it. Thank you!

To the beta readers, thank you so much for your great feedback. I’m really glad you all enjoyed this story!

To the readers, I really hope you enjoy this story and that I continue to make the Love, Life, & Happiness series enjoyable for you. I hope I did the spin-off and series proud. :-)

Other Books by Sheena Binkley

Available Now:

In Love With My Best Friend series

In Love With My Best Friend (Camille & Trevor)

A Chance At Love (Tia & Charles)

The Wedding Part I (Camille & Trevor)

The Wedding Part II (Tia & Charles)

Love , Life, & Happiness series

Love Unbroken (Riana & Shawn)

Trust Me (Cheryl & Marcus)

Unconditional Love (Britney & Jayden)

The Way We Were (Monica & Donnell)

Love Always (Riana & Shawn)

Redemption (Nathan)

Something Just Ain’t Right series (Hayley & Morgan)

Something Just Ain’t Right

Something Just Aint Right 2

Something Just Ain’t Right 3

No Other Love series (Kevin, Carla, & Jennifer)

No Other Love

No Other Love 2

No Other Love 3

One Shot With A Baller series (Jayden & Zack)

One Shot With A Baller

One Shot With A Baller 2

One Shot With A Baller 3

Standalone Books

Our Love (Charlie & Michael)

Reclaiming What Is Mine (Mika, Bryon, & Dwight)

Love & Drama: The Root Of All Evil (Zuri & Damon)

I’m The Only One You Need (Mika, Devin, & Anthony)

Coming Soon

The Love Chronicles (Andie & Dexter)

Love, Life, & Happiness: The Lost Story

If It Isn’t Love (Tamara & Lamar)

A Very LL&H Christmas

Elise

Are you excited for your big day?

I smiled at my sister, Cheryl, while adjusting my veil. I couldn’t believe this day had actually come. My wedding day. This had been a long time coming, but I was glad it happened the way it did. I took my time to meet the perfect guy, and now, I’m happy.

Is everything in place? You know how I am about being organized.

Yes, everything is fine. Just worry about marrying that fine ass man of yours, my best friend, Kimberly Martin, quipped while touching up my lip gloss. She’s the best make-up artist around, and we've known each other since we were kids. She basically knows my life story and has been there for me through it all. She has been my support system, which I've always appreciated.

Which I can’t wait for, I said with a giggle.

You deserve it, Elise. He’s the perfect man for you, My cousin, Riana, interjected, handing me my bouquet of white and purple orchids. I took a deep breath and got up from my chair to take one more look in the mirror.

Are you nervous? If you are, just think about walking down that aisle and seeing your future husband. That should make all of those fears go away, Cheryl advised.

I smiled. I’m actually pretty calm. I’m just excited for what’s in store.

What are you waiting for then? Go out there, and marry your man! Kimberly exclaimed.

I took another deep breath and went to the door. I walked down the long corridor, looking back to see if my bridesmaids were behind me, but no one was. I looked around, taking in the beautiful scenery of white lilies. I gazed down at my wedding dress, a sleeveless gown decorated with a sprinkle of beaded pearls. The train was a little heavy, but I wanted this day to be perfect, so if I had to be uncomfortable for a few hours, so be it.

I continued walking to the end of the hall and saw my dad standing by the door of the chapel. He stared at me with one of those proud father looks and held out his arm for me to take. My dad and I'd had a complicated relationship over the years, but he’d been there for me in recent times. I think that outweighed the issues we'd had in the past.

You ready, E?

I smiled. Definitely.

Before we go in there, I just want to say how proud I am. You have become an exceptional woman, and I’m proud to be your father.

I was trying not to become emotional, but his words really touched me.

I love you, sweetheart.

I love you too, Dad.

I looped my arm through his, then he opened the door to the chapel. My wedding coordinator, Denise, who was standing near the back, signaled for me to wait before walking down the red rose-pedaled aisle. I guess she'd found a mistake and wanted to make sure it was handled. Once she gave me the okay, my dad and I started to walk. I looked around at the guests, in awe that they were here to celebrate this wonderful occasion. I was becoming nervous again, but I tried not to let it show my groom faced the reverend, which I thought was weird; he should be watching me walk down the aisle. Once I reached the altar, he turned around, giving me a sexy smile.

You look gorgeous, Elise.

I stared at him, taking in how good he looked in his tux. I looked over at his groomsmen, which included my brother, Kevin, and smiled. Kevin turned up his nose and glanced towards the door.

Thank you, Dante.

I can’t wait for you to be my wife.

I blushed, thinking about how I couldn’t wait for him to be my husband. But there was something wrong with this picture. Why was I marrying Dante when I was in a relationship with Jared?

I looked out at the guests and saw Jared Crawford sitting in the front row with the actress Bridgette Morris. My mind started racing, trying to figure out what was going on.

E, baby, what’s wrong? Dante asked.

Before I could say anything, I slowly collapsed on the floor. Maybe this was all a dream…

I suddenly woke up, looking around and wondering where I was. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself as I began to realize I was in my bed in my house. I looked to my side; I'd almost forgotten that Jared was staying late at the tattoo shop and said he would come by later. He had his own key, so he could let himself in. I leaned back onto the pillow, still in shock over what I'd just dreamed. Why would I dream about Dante? I hadn’t seen him in years. And not only that, I’m with Jared now. I was completely in love with him, so why would I be thinking about another man?

I took a deep breath and lay back down, hoping that my dream was just that. It didn't mean anything, so I have nothing to worry about.

Or do I?

***

Since I'd laid awake for the majority of the night, I only managed to get three hours of sleep. Jared didn’t stop by like he usually did, which was fine by me since I didn’t want to explain anything to him. Although I have nothing to hide, being around him would have been awkward since I'd just dreamt about my ex.

I met Jared during Cheryl and her then-fiancé, Marcus’, bachelor and bachelorette parties two years ago. We'd gone to his tattoo shop that he so graciously opened even though it was supposed to be closed that night. One look into those pretty brown eyes of his, and I was hooked. Not only is he gorgeous, he's just an all-around nice guy. He would do anything for me, which was a nice change of pace from my past with my ex, Dante. I didn’t have to worry if he would cheat on me or lie to me every five seconds, because that was not Jared’s style. He was always straightforward and honest, a quality I loved in a man.

Now I was walking into work at Harris Publications with all smiles, thinking about the big day for my cousin, Riana Walker. Today was release day for her book, Dangerously In Love, and we were all so excited. She'd spent almost two years writing this book; with me being her editor, and the company being her publisher, we were eager to get the ball rolling and see it on online outlets and in bookstores.

I was heading to my office when my assistant, Helena, followed me.

Good morning, Helena, I greeted.

Good morning, Elise. I have a couple of phone messages for you, including one from Richard in PR regarding Riana’s book. Also, the details for her launch party are underway, but there is a slight problem.

And what is that?

The DJ backed out at the last minute, so we don’t have anyone to do the music.

I smiled. That’s all? I’ll call a couple of people to see if they can fill in.

How can you be so calm with everything? I was panicking.

That’s the difference between you and me. I’ve been doing this for a while, so it’s second nature to me, I explained.

Helena smiled. Is there anything else you need me to do?

Yes, get Tomas on the phone for me so we can discuss his new manuscript. Honestly, I think it’s trash, but the series is great, so we have to figure out a way to save it.

Gotcha.

I smiled at her then closed my office door. I stood in front of my window and took in the picturesque view of the city, acknowledging how blessed I was with everything that I'd accomplished in my life. Just being able to do what I love each day and being surrounded by the people I care about was enough to make me happy and grateful.

My cell phone pulled me out of my thoughts when it rang. I dug into my pocket to get it. I saw Jared’s picture on my screen, which made me smile.

Hey, baby. Just checking to see if you made it to work safely.

My smile grew wider at the sound of his voice. He is so sexy.

I did, thank you. Why didn’t you come by last night?

I stayed late at the shop, so I just crashed there. I missed being with you, though.

I missed you, too. See you later.

"Of course, baby.