Stay If You Can

By Kelly Lynn

Coming home would change everything.

When Alice Smith, heir to her father’s billion-dollar corporation, moves back to her hometown of Dallas with her girlfriend, she knows the loss of what brought her home will shape her future.

Alice Smith works with many non-profits, spends a lot of time with her girlfriend, and avoids talking about her future as a business head. After her father’s death, Alice moves home and finds a new interest in a young girl named Sandy. But Sandy has a secret and as Alice soon finds out, that secret is shrouded in despair.

As Alice moves through a dramatic romantic entanglement and a new and uncertain family dynamic, will she find the strength needed to become the leader she was meant to be?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelly Lynn
• Release date: Feb 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005723408

Kelly Lynn

love is love

Book preview

Stay If You Can

Kelly Lynn

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2021 by Kelly Lynn

All Rights Reserved.

Chapter 1

The fasten seatbelt sign glowing overhead hadn’t shut off, but the clamor of restless bodies shifting about had begun. Arriving back in my hometown of Dallas, Texas, after having spent most of my adult life away, was not unsettling. The late winter air was moist, but not as cold as I was accustomed. I trudged about with what belongings I was traveling with and was glad to get seated in the car for our drive home.

Still sleepy from the Dramamine? I asked my girlfriend Sam, who seemed to be happy to leave Chicago and move home with me. She had closed her eyes and leaned against the window, leaving her chin length blonde hair to obscure most of her face.

Yeah. I’m not nauseous though, so that’s a plus.

I leaned over to peck her lips, happy that she was feeling better. She had spent the previous year with me, and I hoped that we would spend many more together.

Thanks again for doing this. I know it’s a bigger deal than you have made it. Leaving your family and everything to come with me, I said, wanting her to know I knew of the sacrifice.

I love you, Alice. It wasn’t a hard decision at all. I’m happy to be here.

She intertwined her fingers in mine and we rode for the rest of the trip in silence. She closed her eyes again halfway through our ride, but when the car engine ceased, she came around quickly.

Hey, they’re the dogs, she said, gesturing towards a strip of fenced in land on the side of the house. We had the pets flown in a few days ago, using a private pet travel airline.

We met my mother, Nancy, who had been pet sitting and helping to set up our new house.

Hi, I said, embracing her as she met us on the front porch. Are you alright? I asked.

I’m managing well, she replied, making light of her feelings regarding my father’s untimely death. I had been home for the funeral a few months ago, and soon after that had decided to move back.

My mother is a little shorter than I am and also a little more round. Not overweight or unhealthy, just built sturdier. In comparison, I take after my father, with lean features and brown hair. My eyes came from him, being a dark but striking blue. I often get a lot of compliments on them.

We followed her into our new house, and she stayed for most of the day. All of our belongings had arrived previously, and what my mom didn’t get organized, we worked on for the next few weeks. It was nice to be home with her, and I felt guilty that I had stayed in Chicago so long. I was originally only going to stay a few months, but when I met Sam, I made a new home with her.

Sam and I met at an animal shelter that I was helping to get established. My current hobby was that of a veterinary consultant, but I hadn’t had a lot of time to develop the skill. I contributed mostly financially and learned what I could from who I could. Sam was the medical director at the shelter, and our working and private lives melded together without flaws. Our ages were close together, with me being twenty-four and her being twenty-seven. She was the single most important aspect of my life, and when she volunteered to move back to Dallas with me, I couldn’t have been happier.

Over the next few months, Sam and I settled into our new life. We found a shelter in need of help and went to work. The current head of the operation, Abby, was very grateful for our help. All of my work was always not for profit, since I had been well provided for by my father. I often wondered on his success, but we were not super close, so I never snuffed that curiosity. Regardless, I was raised very wealthy, and after my father passed, his wealth became my wealth.

So, it was in that field I was trying to make a difference. With the new shelter in Dallas, I provided all the financial means to get the facility up to code. I also hired a support staff the shelter could sustain on its own after my departure. I did some public relation campaigns and got a local teen celebrity on board, and within the first three months of my arrival adoptions were up twenty percent.

Despite our relocation, life was mostly the same for Sam and me. She helped at the shelter and gravitated towards Abby, who became a welcome friend. It was at the clinic where I met another acquaintance–one who was determined to test my faithfulness.

I was walking down the hall leading towards my make-shift office when Justin, our kennel technician, came into sight.

Ms. Perez would like to speak with you, he said, his teeth gleaming behind his enormous smile.

Why? I asked, halting instantly. I had never spoken to the young actress, nor had she ever been to the shelter. Her celebrity endorsement increased our public exposure and support for our cause, but as far as I knew she had fulfilled her obligations.

Not sure, Justin answered. But I wouldn’t leave her waiting.

Justin had been volunteering at the shelter since he was fifteen. He had given Sam and me our first tour, and his charm immediately won us over. He has a California look about him–like he could fit into any surfer type advertisement with ease. His sandy blonde hair hung just above his ears and his short but muscular build made him an attractive young man. He should have been college bound, but he seemed to be stuck in indecision. I followed his advice and did not leave the girl waiting any longer. When she came into view, it was only her backside, as she was faced away and looking out the only window in the room. It faced the rear of the facility, where the dogs were taken for exercise.

She turned when I reached my desk and as I set my stuff down I said Hello. I went in for a handshake, but then wasn’t sure how formal to be when addressing her. She dressed casually for the meeting in jeans and a yellow and purple t-shirt. Her brown hair was pulled up into a ponytail and was long enough so it still dangled past her shoulders.

Sandy, she replied, picking up on my hesitation. I noticed then that her tan complexion stood out more in person than on the television, and I briefly wondered about her Hispanic parentage.

Hello Sandy. I’m Alice. What can I do for you?

I gestured for her to sit as I made my way into a chair myself.

I was wondering if I could sign up to volunteer, she said as her bottom hit the chair. I was briefly not only stunned by her request but also by her beauty. Her dark eyes were enormous–and locked on mine.

Well? she asked, smiling with the question. It took me a second to respond, and when I did, I apologized for my confusion.

Sorry. How do you mean?

I don’t know. What does everyone else do? Walk dogs or something? Clean? I can do whatever.

Oh, I said, originally thinking maybe she meant helping at off-site adoptions. Sure. We would love to have you.

She gave a quiet ‘yay’ and then we were off.

I gave her a tour of the facility and then passed her to a more than willing Justin for orientation. In the weeks that followed Sandy brought a certain shine not only to the shelter, but to my life. She fit in as my and Sam’s new friend, and with that came her two cousins, Blake and Carlos. Blake is from Sandy’s mother’s side of the family. He has short, light brown hair, and a light complexion. Carlos is from Sandy’s father’s side of the family and has a tan complexion, dark eyes and dark hair. He is built a little stockier than Blake and stands taller than him too. Both boys were younger than me, with Blake being twenty and Carlos being seventeen.

The time spent with our new friends found me happy, but I often wondered if Sam wasn’t coping well with the changes. She never said as much and denied any uneasy feelings every time I broached the subject, but I knew her well and worried all the same.

Chapter 2

I drove to work alone the day my life would change without my approval. Sam requested to ride on her own, and I didn’t question her. I was also informed we would have no lunch date, so I caught Sandy coming out of an adoption room and invited her instead.

I would love to, she replied. Sam not here today?

She is. But she’s ditching me all the same.

Everything okay?

Honestly, I’m not sure.

We were interrupted by a lady who was maybe in her late thirties and had light colored hair. She was holding a dog that was up for adoption, so I initially assumed her to be a client.

Alice, this is my mom, Mandy, Sandy said as the woman came to a stop next to us. We’re adopting Bella!

I played along with the excited family and their recent addition for a few minutes, but then excused myself from their company. I heard Sandy say my name and turned as she came to a stop next to me.

Still on for lunch? she asked.

Yep. Unless you have plans with your mom-

No. I want to go with you. Let me get her loaded up and then we can go.

I nodded but said nothing as she held my gaze for longer than necessary. I knew what she was doing–knew what she had been doing, but I didn’t look away. Not that time. I kept my eyes on hers while I resisted the pull of her lips, her eyes, even her smell. It was all drawing me in–seeking my submission. Her crush on me had been obvious from early in our friendship, but until that point, I never played along in her little games. I never returned her smiles with my own, never overdid my compliments as she always had, and never held her gaze as I was doing now.

Go on then, I said, not looking away.

It took her longer than I would have thought to pull away, but after she did, I stayed put and leaned against the wall. I watched her as she moved and before she turned the corner she smiled in my direction. I did not return the smile but thought about Sam and how she used to smile at me like that. And then the reality of what Sam had been doing hit me. She was distancing herself from me. I stood there against that wall while I absorbed and assessed. Sam had been remote and as I thought about it, I could even describe her behavior as cold. It wasn’t a sudden change, though. That’s what had confused me. It was gradual, and I was pretty sure it was purposeful.

I didn’t have a lot of time to obsess over my relationship before Sandy literally came bouncing back to me. She was happy about her new dog and I let her joyous mood blanket my suspicious one.

It was a brief ride to the small café we chose for lunch. After I switched off the car’s ignition I hesitated before opening my door, and then I looked over to the girl who I knew would be looking back. The dark blue volunteer shirt she wore darkened her already chocolate eyes, and before I thought too much about what I was doing, I commented on her appearance.

You’re cute, I said, looking away and leaning back against my seat. I stared at my steering wheel, tracing the Mercedes emblem with my eyes.

You’re very cute as well, she replied.

You think?

Yes.

I was amused and pleased with the exchange but made my way out of the car and to the safety of the restaurant. We didn’t talk too much during our meal, and I found myself unable to eat anything substantial. My mind was again consumed with my troubled relationship. Sandy eventually questioned me about it, but not until we were back in the car.

What’s the matter with you? she asked.

Nothing we need to talk about.

Relationship drama?

I guess.

Can we talk more about how you think I’m cute?

I laughed and tried to relax with the conversation. Sandy really was very cute. Her small nose and small lips fit perfectly on her face, and as I slowly moved my hand towards it, I could feel my pulse quickening.

I like your lips the most, I whispered, moving my thumb across them but barely grazing the skin. I had often thought about what her kiss would be like. I thought about it more than I should have–and not only because of Sam. Sandy’s young age constantly loomed in my thoughts.

Have you ever had a girlfriend? I asked.

No, she replied, her lips moving against my thumb. They were soft, and I wanted to taste them. I wanted to have them, and I knew I could. Without another word, another breath–I could have made them mine.

Boyfriend? I asked, my voice a low whisper.

No, she answered again, her voice matching mine.

With her retort, I touched my hand to her face one time before removing it completely. My emotions were raging and swirling inside of my body. There was the heat for her–a burn of desire and lust, but I found another more prevalent surfacing. I cared for her. She was my friend–my young friend, and I wouldn’t have done anything to hurt her. She was an innocent girl with a crush, and I had a girlfriend.

How is that? I asked, taking her hand in mine. It was sticky on the inside, and I snuffed a smile. Her anxiety somehow made her cuter.

I kissed the top of it and held it to my cheek while awaiting an answer.

Uh, I haven’t had a lot of time, I guess. I mean - I’ve kissed a few boys and been on some dates, but I wouldn’t say I’ve had a boyfriend.

Lucky boys, I said, letting our intertwined hands fall into my lap. I said nothing more while I shifted into my seat and started the car.

Do you like this? I asked, looking at and squeezing her hand.

You know I do, she replied, smiling a little with the words.

I like it too, I admitted, feeling pleased to have her in my company.

We didn’t talk too much more during the drive, and I occupied myself with paperwork at the shelter. I hadn’t seen Sam at all that afternoon, and it worried me when she didn’t respond to my text or later return my call. I found Sandy around four to