Reflected in Us

By Erica Neilsen

In Reflected in You Meghan Stevensen and Robert Halloway met and fell in love. After a car accident almost tore them apart, Meghan awoke from a six week coma with no memory of Robert or their love.

In Reflected in Me Meghan struggled to relearn to trust Robert, regain her memories, and overcome attempts to split them up by a woman from Robert’s past.

In Reflected in Us follow Meghan and Robert’s love story from the beginning without the coma dreams or the returning memories. Enjoy their journey from the moment Meghan and Robert lock eyes and concluding with their wedding.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erica Neilsen
• Release date: Aug 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370773367

Erica Neilsen

Erica Neilsen is the independent author of Reflected in You; book one of The Reflection Series. She has lived most of her life in Iowa, where she still resides. When she’s not writing, Erica works at a retirement community. Erica is an avid reader, reading hundreds of book yearly. She loves football, soap operas, margaritas, and white wine.

Book preview

Reflected in Us

(The Reflection Series Book 2.5)

By

Erica Neilsen

Published by Erica Neilsen Publishing at Smashwords

Copyright 2016 Erica Neilsen

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This book 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 please return 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 products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be used to reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.

Cover Design: Melissa Gill @ MGBookcovers and Designs

Photography: Mandy Hollis with MHPhotography

Dedication

This one is for the readers. Thank you so much for your support!!

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Prologue- Getting Ready

Chapter 1- First Sight

Chapter 2- First Meeting

Chapter 3- Progress

Chapter 4- Confusion

Chapter 5- Distraction

Chapter 6- Annoyance

Chapter 7- Hurt

Chapter 8- Regret

Chapter 9- Off the Market

Chapter 10- Agreement

Chapter 11- Church

Chapter 12- The Date

Chapter 13- The Day

Chapter 14- The Office

Chapter 15- Broken Rules

Chapter 16- Dinner and Gifts

Chapter 17- Thinking and Knowing

Chapter 18- Girlfriend

Chapter 19- Realization

Chapter 20- My Feisty Girl

Chapter 21- Meeting the Friends

Chapter 22- Stranded

Chapter 23-Relief

Chapter 24- Decisions

Chapter 25- Bad Feeling

Epilogue- Future

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Prologue

Getting Ready

Meghan

Julie exhaled softly. You look beautiful, Megs.

Can I open my eyes now? I asked with a chuckle.

Julie hadn’t allowed me to look in the mirror since she started getting me ready. I sat through her doing my hair, make-up, and getting me into my dress without looking in the mirror once.

Julie sighed loudly, pretending to be annoyed. Yes, you can look.

My eyes met her blue ones that were sparkling with happiness for me. We grinned at each other before I turned and faced the mirror. My breath left me as I caught the first look at myself in my wedding dress.

I was getting married. I could barely believe it. If someone had told me a year ago I’d be getting married, I would have laughed in their face. And if someone had told me I would be marrying ex-playboy and womanizer, Robert Halloway, I would have been rolling on the floor in laughter. But I was and I had never been happier. I wasn’t a vain person in the least, but I wanted to look beautiful for Robert today. God knew he would look amazing and hearts would be breaking everywhere as another gorgeous eligible bachelor went off the market.

I studied my reflection in the mirror. Julie had done my make-up light and natural, but making my violet-blue eyes pop. My long dark waves were pinned up with a few tendrils hanging loose in front. And then there was my dress. I had chosen a simple white, A-line satin dress with spaghetti straps. I had a matching satin wrap to go with the dress in case it got chilly. Robert and I had decided to get married at our house in Santa Monica on our private beach. Tomorrow would be one year since the first time Robert and I had seen each other that first night at Chaser’s. Our lives had changed drastically from that one moment. As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn’t help reliving that night and the many wonderful nights and days that followed, creating our love story.

Robert

You ready for this, buddy? Josh asked as I shrugged into my gray suit jacket.

Never been more ready. I grinned at my best buddy.

I had been ready for this for months. When I had proposed to Meghan in May, I had no idea it would take another six months to make her mine.

A year ago I thought I had been living the life. I was wealthy with no responsibilities. I was going out every night with my buddies, always taking a different woman home. I had no idea what I was missing until I met Meghan. She changed me or rather made me want to change. Now I was running Halloway Enterprises, the way my father had wanted and the way I had wanted when I was a kid. I was starting a future with an amazing woman that I was madly in love with. I wanted everything with her. Lazy weekends at home, kids, family vacations. I had become domestic. I grinned at the thought.

I looked around at my buddies who were getting ready with me. They were all in exclusive relationships now too. Josh had started it off and I had followed. Within six months we were all taken men. And now I was getting married.

I turned to check my reflection in the mirror. I was dressed in a light gray suit with a white button up shirt and a pale pink tie. My dark hair was styled as usual in what Meggie called a perfect mess. She had begged me not to do anything different and her wish was my command. My dark blue eyes were practically sparkling with excitement. I was so ready for this.

As my friends chatted and joked around me, I got lost in my head. One year ago tomorrow was the first time I saw Meggie. I’d had no idea how that one moment was going to change my life. We’d had so many moments, good and bad. I started recalling our relationship in my head, remembering our story.

Chapter One

First Sight

Meghan- Saturday, November 8

Megs, are you ready? Julie called from my living room. I grimaced at my reflection in the mirror. I really didn’t want to go out tonight. I never wanted to go out, but my social butterfly best friend insisted on me joining her at Chaser’s tonight.

Jules had dressed me in a black skirt and a sparkly silver top with my black hooker boots. I coated my lips with a shiny gloss and headed out to meet Julie.

You look gorgeous! she exclaimed.

I can’t believe you are making me do this again. You know how much I hate going out, I grumbled, hands on my hips. Julie looked stunning. She was wearing a white skirt and a brown lacy top that looked amazing with her tan skin and long bleach blonde hair.

I know, but you love me and I want to dance, Julie practically sang, starting to dance in my living room. I rolled my eyes and grabbed my purse.

Let’s get this over with. I headed to the door, leaving Julie to follow me. We had decided I would drive tonight. I had no desire to have more than one drink and sit at the bar while Julie danced with all the men that ogled her. That was always how it was when we went out. She had been insisting for years that men wanted to talk to me too, but she said I put off this vibe that warned men off. I had no idea what she meant, but if it was true, I was okay with that. I had no desire to be in a relationship. Apparently, Julie didn’t either as she had a new man practically every week. I loved my best friend; we were just very different when it came to relationships with the opposite sex.

Thirty minutes later we pulled up to Chaser’s and I handed my car off to the valet. We walked in the door of the club. Lights were flashing, music was pulsing, and the place was pretty full. It was a Saturday night in L.A. after all.

Let’s sit at the bar. Julie had to practically yell in my ear over the noise. I followed her, eying the full bar. Every stool was taken. Julie forced her way through the people and sidled up to where two men were sitting. After talking to them for a moment, they immediately jumped up and offered us their seats. Julie ordered each of us a beer from the bartender that immediately approached her and then she turned back to flirt with the two guys who had given us their seats. I rolled my eyes and eyed the crowd, ignoring Julie and the men as always. The side of the bar that Julie had selected was closest to the dance floor. The bar was U-shaped and we were on the left side. Beyond the right side of the bar was a seating area with tables and booths. Most of that area was filled with people as well.

Julie tapped me on my shoulder and announced she was going to dance. I nodded and she headed off with the two men following her. I went back to my crowd watching. A loud bust of laughter across the bar made me turn my head.

On the opposite side of the bar from me was a group of twenty-something men drinking and laughing. Players. Exactly the kind of men I always avoided. There were five men surrounded by at least twice as many women all dressed, if you could even call it dressed, in provocative skirts and tops or dresses. I rolled my eyes. Unwillingly my gaze zoned in on the man sitting in the middle, a woman on each side of him. He took a swig from his beer and laughed at something the woman on his right side said. He leaned over and kissed her neck.

I made a face. The guy was obviously a pig. He was attractive, I’d give him that. He had dark brown, almost black hair that was spiked up in front, styled to be a perfect mess as Julie would say. He was nicely built, thin, but definitely muscular in all the right places. He had perfect teeth and a perfect face with a hint of stubble showing a five o clock shadow. But the feature that struck me was his eyes. I only saw them for a moment, but they were the most amazing blue I had ever seen. It was a dark blue, almost indescribable. It was a little like the dark blue the sky changes to before the darkness after a perfect, blue sky day. I stared into those eyes for a moment. On the surface they were in the moment, flirting with every girl that walked by and laughing with his buddies, but I could see something deeper. It was almost like a buried unhappiness or pain; a much buried pain. I shook my head and forced myself to look away.

I spun on the stool to look behind me and saw Julie dancing away, sandwiched between the two men, who both looked infatuated with her. A small smile came to my lips. I watched them for a minute and then turned back. I finished my beer and ordered a coke. I was driving after all. I continued with my people watching and while a man had taken the stool next to me, he made no attempt to talk to me.

Megs, come dance with us, Julie said, slightly out of breath from behind me. She stood there with her two dancing partners who were glancing between the two of us.

I smiled at them and at Jules. Pass. I’m enjoying my drink.

Julie frowned, but didn’t look surprised. She ordered another round for herself and the guys and they headed back to the dance floor. I loved to dance, but the dance floor was really crowded and I just wasn’t feeling it tonight. I spent the next hour working on my drink, people watching, and getting lost in my thoughts. Julie came back alone and ordered another drink. She smiled at the man sitting next to me and he immediately vacated his stool for her. I rolled my eyes with a smile. We chatted for a while and spun around to watch the crowd of dancers.

I noticed the dark haired guy who been across the bar earlier with his friends was now on the dance floor with some bleach blonde bimbo in a skintight pink dress. Against my will, my eyes would not leave him. Julie got up to use the restroom before we left and I just nodded as I continued to watch the man. I watched him dance with the blonde and then some redhead in a tight jean skirt and a blue sequined tank top subtly pushed the blonde out of the way and took her turn dancing with the ladies man. The entire time he held a perfect smile to his face, excitement of the chase in his eyes. His hands roamed her body, from her neck down to her lower back. I looked away and tried not to be sick. Luckily, Julie came back at that moment and announced she was ready to go. I stood and grabbed my purse. I snuck one more look at the mystery man on the dance floor and at that moment his eyes connected with mine and I froze. His eyes widened slightly as his hands continued to slide down the back of the redhead he was dancing with. That was all it took to break me out of my trance. I shot him a disgusted look as his mouth opened and I spun around toward the door, catching up with Julie. I handed the ticket to the valet and a few minutes later we were driving home.

Julie was chatting about the guys she had been dancing with, but I was barely listening. I was unable to stop thinking about the womanizer back at Chaser’s and that disgusted me. When I crawled into bed that night, I fell asleep thinking about those dark blue eyes.

Chapter Two

First Meeting

Robert- Sunday, November 9

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I groaned and rolled over, turning the alarm on my phone off. I slowly sat up and stretched as memories from last night ran through my head. The blonde and redhead at the bar and the brunette I had made a date with for next Friday. The redhead had come home with me last night. She was not happy with me when I told her she had to leave. I rolled my eyes. They always wanted to stay the night.

Another image popped into my head just as I was about to get up. A brunette with wavy hair and the most amazing violet eyes I had ever seen. I had only seen her for a brief moment while I was on the dance floor. She had given me a look of disgust and when I had finally managed to move to go find her she had disappeared. Man, she had been gorgeous.

I shook my head and jumped in the shower. I drank a protein shake quickly and then headed to church. Reverend Harper gave a sermon about life changing moments and I couldn’t get the image of that violet-eyed woman out of my head. I forced myself to focus on Reverend Harper’s words and tried to stop thinking about her. I’d probably never see her again.

After church I went home, made a sandwich, and then decided to head to The Grove and do some shopping. I went in and out of stores, sometimes making purchases and letting valet pick them up so I could get them when I was ready to go. I was walking by the fountain, enjoying the sunny weather when I saw her. At first I thought I was imagining her, but she was really there. The woman from last night. She was just as gorgeous, dressed simply in jeans and a dark purple sweater. She was sitting on the bench that surrounded the fountain. As I started toward her, she stood as if getting ready to leave. I slightly quickened my pace, putting my ‘picking up women smile’ on my face. She spotted me and her eyes narrowed as if trying to figure out why I looked familiar. Her eyes widened slightly and I knew she recognized me from last night. And then her face went blank as she studied me.

Hey, I said as I reached her. She said nothing in response. I saw you last night at Chaser’s. I wanted to talk to you, but by the time I had a minute you must have left. I was going to ask you if you’d like to have dinner with me some night, I added, still grinning at her.

Her eyes scanned over my features as I took her in as well. I had never seen a more beautiful woman.

I’m Robert, I said, bringing us back to the present. I held out my hand for her to shake. She looked at it and then looked up at my face which was still holding that smile.

I have to go. Thanks for the dinner invitation, but no thanks. She stepped around me and headed off.

You’re not even going to tell me your name? I called after her.

She shook her head in response. I watched her walk away and she never even turned back. I felt the frown on my face. That was a first. I had never not gotten a woman. Ever. And I didn’t like it one bit. I turned and headed to the valet, ready to go.

A few minutes later I was in my car headed home when my phone rang. I pushed the button in my car to answer and Josh’s voice filled the air.

Hey, buddy. How’s it going?

Fine. What are you up to? I noticed how short my voice was and tried to relax.

I was about to get some writing done. You okay?

Fine. Sorry. I’m a little stressed. I might go for a run and burn off some tension, I replied.

Okay. I was wondering if you want to meet at the golf club tomorrow and play a round.

Sure. Sounds good.

Great. I’ll give you a call in the morning when I’m about ready.

Okay. See you tomorrow, man. I ended the call and continued home, trying to get the dark haired beauty out of my head.

Chapter Three

Progress

Robert- Friday, November 14

It was Friday night and I had a date with the brunette I’d met at Chaser’s last weekend. Sandra was her name. I was headed to her place to pick her up and had just forced myself to turn the radio from my rock station to some pop station. I cringed and turned the volume down. I had discovered over the years that most women preferred this kind of music. I had no idea why.

I pulled up in front of the address Sandra had given me and saw her standing outside waiting for me. She was sliding into the car before I could even move to get out and open the door.

She giggled. Hey, baby, she said, leaning over for a kiss. Her voice was high-pitched and I cringed. It was going to be a long night. Good thing she was hot. I kissed her briefly on the cheek and gave her the once over.

Sandra. Every man that sees you tonight will wish he was me, I said, pasting that smile on my face. She giggled again, clearly pretending to be embarrassed, but knowing how good she looked. I rolled my eyes and pulled out onto the road. On the drive to the restaurant she kept playing with her hair and singing along with the radio, completely off-key. I forced myself not to cringe, knowing her eyes were taking me in much of the time.

Luckily, it wasn’t a long drive and we were soon at the Italian restaurant I had chosen, being led to our table. After ordering a bottle of wine I opened my menu.

So, Sandra, did you do anything exciting today?

Oh my God, I had the best day! she exclaimed, dropping the menu onto the white tablecloth. I glanced up, a little surprised to get such an enthusiastic response.

Really? What happened? I asked, attempting to sound extremely interested.

I had an audition for a soap opera today and it went really well! I really think I could get the part! she squealed.

A soap opera? Really? I chanted in my head, "Do not laugh. Do not laugh. Do not laugh," while struggling to keep my composure. Sandra was so excited she didn’t even notice.

"Oh, it has always been my dream to be on a soap opera. The characters are so deep and emotional. They have all these horrible or crazy things happen to them. You really have to dig deep emotionally to get these roles. I really want to touch someone’s life through my acting and this role would really be a way to do