California Crush: States of Love

By Ann Omasta and Callie Love

Shy Vella is trying to experience more of life — but getting caught in an ocean riptide and rescued by a gorgeous billionaire wasn't part of the plan! When Brody saves her from the water, their immediate attraction could pull them both under…

 

Brody doesn't want to be a hero, but he can't ignore the woman in the raging rip tides in front of his beachside home.

 

Vella Clark shouldn't be in the ocean, but she's been practicing saying "YES!" to life, and that mantra brought her here.

 

Brody and Vella have sizzling chemistry, but is Brody willing to risk everything to be with her?

 

When Brody's massive fortune is stolen, the only logical suspect is Vella. What will happen next? Find out in California Crush.

 

The States of Love books are scorching stories with heat, heart, suspense, and laughter. They feature hunky heroes, strong heroines, seductive instalove, sizzling bedroom scenes, and satisfying happily-ever-after endings. Start anywhere. Binge-read them all. Ride the waves with Brody and Vella now to satisfy your steamy romance craving.

• Language: English
• Publisher: More Happily Ever Afters
• Release date: May 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201280307

Ann Omasta

Ann Omasta is a USA Today bestselling author.  Ann’s Top Ten list of likes, dislikes, and oddities: I despise whipped cream. There, I admitted it in writing. Let the ridiculing begin. Even though I have lived as far south as Key Largo, Florida, and as far north as Maine, I landed in the middle. If I don't make a conscious effort not to, I will drink nothing but tea morning, noon, and night. Hot tea, sweet tea, green tea––I love it all. There doesn't seem to be much in life that is better than coming home to a couple of big dogs who are overjoyed to see me. My other family members usually show significantly less enthusiasm about my return. Singing in my bestest, loudest voice does not make my family put on their happy faces. This includes the big, loving dogs referenced above. Yes, I am aware that bestest is not a word. Dorothy was right. There's no place like home. All of the numerous bottles in my shower must be lined up with their labels facing out. It makes me feel a little like Julia Roberts' mean husband from the movie Sleeping with the Enemy, but I can't seem to control this particular quirk. I love, love, love finding a great bargain! Did I mention that I hate whipped cream? It makes my stomach churn to look at it, touch it, smell it, or even think about it. Great––now I'm thinking about it. Ick! ** I would LOVE to send you a free copy of my novella, Aloha, Baby! Visit annomasta.com for details. ** Stay up-to-date on new releases and insider info by liking / following Ann: - Facebook: facebook.com/annomasta - Goodreads: goodreads.com/annomasta - Bookbub: bookbub.com/authors/ann-omasta - Website: annomasta.com

Book preview

1

VELLA

She wouldn’t want me to be depressed. I have grieved for months over the death of my very best friend in the entire world. If Maddie were here right now, she would tell me in no uncertain terms to get out there and live my life to the fullest.

So, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m done moping. To honor vivacious, fun-loving Maddie, I’m going to start saying Yes! to life.

There won’t be any more hiding in the shadows for me. I was always the quiet, awkward one, while Maddie was outgoing and charismatic. For some reason, she selected me to be her best friend in kindergarten, and I have been basking in her magnetic, glowing orbit ever since.

I still can’t quite wrap my mind around the fact that she’s gone. A freak accident on one of her beloved horses took her from us in an instant, during the prime of her life.

I’d give anything to have her back, but that isn’t an option. Instead, I’m going to force myself to be more like she was by embracing my life and appreciating all that it has to offer.

It feels so good to call my demanding boss at the software company where I’ve toiled away during the past four years and quit my job. I worked impossibly long hours and gave them my all, despite their lack of appreciation for my sacrifices.

My boss, who used to sweet-talk me into regularly working weekends and holidays, quickly turns on me after I give her the news.

She starts out trying to convince me to stick it out, but once she realizes that I am determined to leave, she snaps that I should immediately return my company laptop, credit card, building access key, and cell phone.

Rather than thanking me for all of my hard work or offering to give me a professional reference, she says, I’ll have someone to replace you by next week.

Oh, I say, startled by her abrupt rudeness, but she has already hung up on me.

I tap the button on my phone to hang up and blink at my apartment’s stark-white wall. I’ve been working so many long hours since moving in here that I didn’t even take the time to hang any pictures or do a minimal amount of decorating to make this a home. Instead, it’s a blank, empty shell.

This apartment is utterly dull and boring––just like me.

Well, not anymore! I announce to the empty room with more gumption than I’ve felt in years.

Deciding to act while the urge is strong, I go to my closet and begin packing my clothes. Luckily, I haven’t accumulated many belongings, so I’m able to fit everything that matters to me inside my compact car.

After a quick call to my landlord to let him know that I’ve moved out, I start my car and stare out the windshield. My hand hovers over the gear shifter as the car idles.

I have plenty of money saved since I have been all-work-and-no-play for the past several years––despite Maddie’s adamant requests to the contrary.

It suddenly hits me that I am completely free. I’m not tied down by a job or family commitments. I’ll simply call my parents to let them know where I end up, so they don’t worry.

I can go anywhere, do anything, and be anyone I want. Unfortunately, I am at a loss for ideas on all of those fronts. I’ve never allowed myself to imagine a world where I can do whatever I choose. It’s both liberating and terrifying at once.

After taking a deep breath, I tap out a quick text. Where should I go, Maddie? I want to take life by the horns and enjoy living.

Unfortunately, she doesn’t respond. I should be used to her silence by now, since I’ve texted her cell phone with every bit of news or random observation that I’ve wanted to share with her since her accident.

I hope her husband continues to pay her cell phone bill forever because it’s the only way I feel any continued connection with her––even though it’s a completely one-sided conversation. The realization that some stranger may someday have her number is incomprehensible.

The thought enters my mind that I could go to the ranch Maddie loved so much in Colorado, but I dismiss the idea almost as quickly as it emerges. That is the place where Maddie died, and I’m not ready to face that yet. I may not ever be ready for that.

Besides, horses were her thing. I need to find my own passion.

After a quick stop at my office to dump my company-owned items at the reception desk, I return to my car and wait for inspiration to strike.

I lean back on the car’s headrest and stare at the clear blue sky. It’s full of white, puffy clouds. Although I try to see a significant shape in them, nothing appears. I’m so desperate for any kind of sign from Maddie that it makes my stomach ache, but she refuses to give me one. It’s almost like she’s truly gone, but my mind and heart can’t accept that.

Suddenly, a tiny hummingbird appears at the corner of my windshield. Its wings flap so fast they blur.

I blink rapidly, almost unable to believe my eyes.

Maddie always loved hummingbirds and kept a feeder full on her front porch at the ranch. She claimed the quick-moving, brightly colored birds bring good luck, so I gave her a crystal hummingbird ornament for Christmas last year.

The bird hovers in front of my car as if it is looking right at me. I’ve never seen or experienced anything like it. The surreal feeling is overwhelming.

Maddie? I say aloud to the empty car.

Just then, an upbeat song begins playing on the oldies station of my car’s radio. The bird zooms away as I realize the tune is California Girls by The Beach Boys.

I’ve always wanted to see the ocean, and California seems like a magical place where all of my dreams could come true.

Smiling wide with my decision made, I put my car in gear, head west, and say, Message received, Maddie. California, here I come!

2

BRODY

During our weekly phone call, my mother can’t wait to tell me the gossip about my lifelong friend, Lane, and his recent heroics during an emergency roadside birth.

"Rumor has it that he is falling madly in love with the woman and her baby," Mom informs me in a wistful tone that lets me know she wishes I would do the same.

I don’t have the heart to tell her that I like my life exactly as it is. I have made an absolute fortune over the past few years with cryptocurrency micro-trades. The money allows me the freedom to live by the beach and surf whenever I feel like it. If I get lonely, it’s never an issue to find a beautiful,