HoneySuckle Love

By Ashley Nemer

Merewyn dreamed of her wedding day since she was a little girl. She imagined the dress, the church and the ring.

Finally the man of her dreams proposed and everything was perfect. That is until three days after the engagement ring was placed on her finger, everything fell apart..

What's a girl to do when her entire life is tossed upside down in a matter of minutes? Dig in her heels and show everyone, including herself, how strong she really is...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Art of Safkhet
• Release date: Apr 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370715756

Ashley Nemer

Ashley is married and lives in Houston with her husband and their two children. They have been together for overa decade and he brings her more joy than she could ever imagine as a child. She loves to read and has been hooked on the romance genre ever since her life long best friend gave her "Ashes to Ashes' by Tami Hoag to read when they were younger. Ashley finds her strength through her family, especially her parents. They always support her in life, they push her to strive for greatness. There once was a motto that Ashley heard in her youth through her Taekwondo life 'Reach for the Stars' and that is what Ashley has always done. It was through her upbringing that the values Ashley has and display's came from. With her Parents always cheering her on in life she was able to grow up having faith in herself and her ability to conquer the world.

Book preview

DEDICATION

Aunt Lee, you may have traveled to the heavens long ago, but you’ve never stopped inspiring me. Finding a way to connect to distant family members is always something special and that’s what I have with you. Every time I look at the clown painting, see a cheesy romance novel, or look at toy army figures that are in need of melting I think of visiting your house. And that makes me smile. So this one is to you. For your inspiration that traveled several decades to finally sink in.

Thanks for launching all of my Memories in a Box.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

As always, I couldn’t do what I do without my husband. He helps to make all of these dreams possible. Tony – you’re my world. You and our kids make life perfect. Thank you for always supporting me.

Mez – Thank you for the inspiration for this novel.

Chapter One

Love only comes easy in fairy tales and movies, I thought to myself as I looked at the engagement ring sitting in the palm of my hand. I had been engaged for a total of three days, three, when I found out that Albert my long term boyfriend, no fiancé, was secretly hooking up with my cousin Beth. My cousin! As if it wasn’t bad enough to be with another woman but my own freaking family member. One that I considered a close friend no less.

They don’t even know yet that I found out. It was almost as if Albert wanted to be caught. Telling me ‘consider his house’ mine now that I accepted his proposal. God knows how long it had been going on. Could it be the first time? The eighth time? Hell, it was probably the hundredth.

I really thought Albert was different. We had met as under grads at the University of Houston and instantly struck a friendship. Thanks to a horrible Economics professor who enjoyed making under grads kill themselves to pass his finals. Our two person study group quickly turned into more and neither of us aced that final. But we had found a rhythm and I had thought it was working. I had thought he really loved me.

Imagine my shock as I pulled into Albert’s driveway and saw Beth’s car parked next to his. I thought maybe she had come over to celebrate the engagement. After all she was going to be my maid of honor. But the moment I walked past the window and saw the shadows moving along the blinds I knew she wasn’t there for me. The door was unlocked; I hadn’t even had to put the key into the door. As I opened the barrier between love and heartache I heard the moaning and I just couldn’t. I couldn’t face it.

The key Albert had given me I placed on the side table by the entrance and jotted down a note, I’m keeping the ring you keep the key. Then I signed my signature salutation M.

I started signing my name as just the letter M when I was three. My mother thought it was cute but my dad was tired of trying to get me to spell out my full name and everyone just settled on the singular letter. It wasn’t like Merewyn was hard, I always thought my dad was just lazy, but M it was and M it will continue to be.

Do you want me to call Beth’s mom and tell her? My mom asked as she walked into the room with a bottle of wine and two glasses.

No, I don’t even know if I want to talk to either of them ever again.

At least you found out now. Mom said while she handed me a full glass of wine.

True, and before I announced it all over the world. Thank god for me dropping my phone and shattering it the other day. I haven’t been on Facebook in 76 hours.

Mom laughed, Thank god for small favors.

Amen to that. I raised my glass in a toast to her.

We sat in silence for a few minutes sipping the wine; the tension in the room could be cut with a knife. I have no idea if Albert and Beth even know I was there. It had only been an hour since I drove away from his house never to look back again.

You think they are still playing in the sheets I mean my god no one can last that long?

I choked on my wine and darted my eyes over at Mom, Mother! Why would you even say that?

She shrugged, I don’t know, just pointing out you have been here a while and who knows when they started their secret sexcapades before you showed up. One would think they would have noticed by now.

Albert isn’t the most observant I bet he won’t notice the key and note until tomorrow or the next day.

Goodness Merewyn, why would you be with a man who is so clueless?

There was no good answer to that question right now so I simply ignored it. Mom wouldn’t push, she would just support. My friends teased me all the time about still living at home with my mom and dad but right now I was so thankful for them. I wouldn’t have to go through this heart ache alone and that was the most important thing.

A knock on the door and then the sound of the door bell ringing made Mom and I both turn our heads in the direction of the front of the house. Mom stood and went over to answer. I hoped to god it wasn’t Albert because I couldn’t handle that right now. When she came back after not saying anything but holding a small brown box in her hand I felt relief. Sprint had shipped my new iPhone out and it had just arrived.

Guess you can set up your new Facebook status now, ‘Single and looking – Assholes not welcome.’

I about died laughing listening to my mom talk. Mother you are so wrong.

She simply nodded, Yeah but I make you laugh.

You do.

Dad will be home soon, what do you want me to tell him?

He will kill Albert Mom.

All she did was nod her head in confirmation.

I think I’ll just tell him I found out something about him that I can’t live with and ended things. I don’t want him killing Albert and I don’t want life super awkward around Beth. I mean, his brother’s daughter is kinda important to him.

Not as important as his own daughter

That was true I knew, Yeah but Granny and PawPaw don’t need that stress. I’m not going to tell anyone but you, and maybe one friend. Okay? Keep this between us?

Okay sweetie but you know I have no love loss with Beth, I’ll be glad to give her a piece of my mind.

Beth and Mom had never really seen eye to eye. They were just two different of personalities. But they had always been polite and cordial with one another throughout the years.

Honey I’m home!

Dad’s voice filled the house as he walked through the front door.

I saw the UPS truck leaving, are you back in the real world of technology again? He asked as he crossed the room to greet mom with his traditional kiss on the cheek.

Raising the box for the iPhone up in the air grinning, Yep, for the cheap price of six hundred and fifty bucks I am a proud owner of a new iPhone 7! I said trying to sound light hearted.

I cannot believe they have a limit on their insurance policy that is just wrong. Dad said as he pulled a beer from the fridge.

I knew Sprint didn’t but I hadn’t kept the insurance on the account, which was a waste of eleven dollars a month I felt. But if I told mom and dad that they would lecture me about not nickel and diming life so I told them there was a limit. One replacement per year. How was I to know that I would end up replacing my phone twice in one year? The first one wasn’t my fault. Albert ran over my last cell phone when he was trying to snap a picture with SnapChat while hanging his head out of the side of the car window. That time he replaced my phone on his dime since it was his fault.

Honey have you been crying? Dad asked me pulling me back into the present instead of in the past with Albert.

Not really, engagement is off, found out Albert was lying about something kinda important. I won’t marry a liar. So, that’s that. And I don’t really want to talk about it. I took a long drink of wine and averted my eyes from my dad’s face. I couldn’t look at him and see his disappointment. I knew it wasn’t disappointment for me but for the situation.

Never liked him, so good riddance.

That caught me off guard, What do you mean you never liked him? I looked at my dad eyes wide in shock.

Never did just had a feeling. He took a drink of beer, Kept it to myself I never had proof. Next time I’ll speak up.

That was ever the protecting guardian.

Then the hard knock on the door came echoing in the house and I looked to my mom. I knew this wasn’t going to be UPS, this was Albert.

Mom I can’t.... was all I could say before I started shaking.

I’ll take care of him, Dad said as he stood up.

No! Mom and I both yelled at the same time. He paused and looked at me; I tried to give him that pleading look.

This requires a mother’s touch, She said before standing up and leaving Dad and I to ourselves in the living room.

She was a saint, she really was.

Baby are you sure you don’t want to tell me what happened.

I’m sure Dad, I just can’t.

When mom came back into the room she nodded at us and said, It’s done. We won’t be seeing him again.

Thank you Mom.

Anytime sweetie.

"Are you kidding me?" I said to the clerk at the gas station.

I’m sorry ma’am your card has been declined. He handed me back my debit card.

I just got paid on Monday how am I already out of money? No, there is plenty of money on there, run it again. I insisted.

Ma’am I ran it three times. It said declined every time. This pimply eighteen year old teenager looked annoyed with me but I was starting to be annoyed with him. I wasn’t broke I had money. Hell I lived at home I had a lot of money!

Here let me help. A deep and sultry voice said from behind me, and then I saw a twenty plop down on the counter top.

Oh God no please, I started to turn around and then froze in place. He was back, he was really back. And now he was paying for my gas. Jessie. I said in a low airy breath.

M, he said nodding his head smiling, how are you?

A giggle came out of my mouth next and then I turned fire engine red, Think it is safe to say I have been better.

One fifteen is your change sir, thank you. The pimply eighteen years old said. I turn my head back to the front of the counter, No I have money!

Next please. The twerp announced.

Jessie stepped up beside me and laid down his bottle of water and bag of charcoal. What an odd combination of purchases.

You didn’t have to. I said softly.

Have a good day sir. The pimply eighteen year old said cheerfully.

Jessie turned to me and then put his hand on my shoulder. My body felt like shaking at his touch. Then I felt him pushing me towards the direction of the door. I know I didn’t, but I wanted to.

I let him guide me outside and then just stood there looking at him. When did you get back to town?

Two days ago. His eyes were as perfect as I remembered them.

Two days, the day my life crumbled to the ground good timing, I thought.

You in town for long? I asked.

Forever, I moved home. Next on my to do is find a house, then a wife and have kids.

Hearing him say that made me burst into giggles, My god you haven’t changed. I kept laughing.

Careful you are going to chase all the single women away, I need to find someone quickly or my end of year plan will be crushed to smithereens.

I wiped tears from my eyes that the laughing had caused and looked up at him. Jessie, the man that I had wanted my whole life was here standing before me, looking for a wife. What a crazy world, and my heart broken and giving up on love. Good timing indeed.

You still with Schmoby?

I hated that nickname Jessie gave Albert back in college and as I opened my mouth to defend him I stopped. What did I care anymore?

No, I uh, I paused wondering what to say, no. No we broke up two days ago.

A grin came across Jessie’s face, Oh well look at that his loss is my gain.

Hold on there cowboy this horse is off the market for a while, there will be no riding.

Awe babe come on, we were so good back in the day.

Back in the ninth grade day!

Hey, I had great taste. Jessie’s crystal blue eyes were so clear I could see my reflection in them. God he was a fine piece of man.

Yes you did but I am so not okay right now. All I am looking for is a friend and nothing more. I said with a hint of doubt in my voice.

Then it is a good thing I came back in town when I did. I’ll make a deal with you; I’ll be your friend if you be my relationship advisor.

I didn’t know if I could do that but I wanted to say yes anyway. Jessie always made me laugh and that’s really what I needed right now. Deal, I reached out my hand to him for a confirmation shake.

After he shook my hand for a few moments he broke the silence by saying You sure you’re okay? And gave a nod of his head towards the gas station clerk.

I don’t know what happened there I’ll have to call my bank.

You don’t have an app on the phone?

I shook my head, Not yet I got a new phone and I didn’t download the icloud backup yet. Hold on let me call them.

Walking away from him but only a few steps I placed a call into my banking clerk. After exchanging a few words and giving my account number he pulled up my file and my stomach dropped. What do you mean there is nothing in there?

Jessie turned his head towards me and moved in my direction. I put my finger up signaling one minute to wait and I listened.

I had over seven thousand dollars in there how is there nothing now?

The pacing started and now I was wearing a hole in the concrete and my shoes pacing in front of the gas station doors.

When I hung up the phone I felt like my heart had taken a stab with a knife. He had wiped me out. Well out of that account at least.

What’s wrong?

I shook my head back and forth, I can’t believe it. Albert took my money.

He what? Jessie looked like he grew six inches in width as he bowed his chest out in agreed anger.

"The day after we were engaged we started merging our finances. He added me to his account and I added him to mine. We bank at the same bank so it wasn’t any big deal. He took all my money out