The List

By Chantal Fernando

On a random night out with her girlfriends, Taye experiences something she hasn’t before.

Instant attraction.

Between vodkas and dance moves she probably shouldn't be doing in public, never mind on a podium, she meets him.

She’s never had a one night stand before, and to have one is on her list of things to experience in her life.

Not only that, but the chemistry is off the charts.

Decision made.

She’s going home with this man, and she’s not going to regret it when she leaves him in the morning.

Or at least that’s what she thinks.    

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Jul 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9781094441078

Chantal Fernando

Chantal Fernando is the New York Times, USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author of numerous novels, including Maybe This Time, The Wind Dragons MC Series, The Cursed Ravens MC and many more. Born in Sri Lanka, Chantal moved to Western Australia as a child, where she still resides. At age thirty two, Chantal has published over thirty novels, and has no intention of slowing down. When not reading, writing or daydreaming, she can be found enjoying life with her three sons and family.

Book preview

The

List

by

Chantal Fernando

BRYANT STREET PUBLISHING

All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook is copyrighted material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any form without prior written permission from the publisher, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution, circulation or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

CHANTAL FERNANDO

Edited by Hot Tree Editing

Proof read by Susan Child

THE LIST is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and events portrayed in this book either are from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, establishments, events, or location is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Please do not take offense to the content, as it is FICTION.

Trademarks: This book identifies product names and services known to be trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of their respective holders, The authors acknowledges the trademarked status in this work of fiction. The publication and use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Copyright © 2017 Chantal Fernando

All rights reserved.

Dedication

I don’t know how you got to me,

But you did.

My heart is not one easily pierced.

It’s strong, rough, and covered in barbed wire.

But for you,

Oh for you,

It turned into something else entirely.

You have me,

If you want me.

And even if you don’t.

I didn't want to kiss you goodbye — that was the trouble — I wanted to kiss you good night — and there's a lot of difference.

― Ernest Hemingway

Acknowledgements

A big thank you to Arijana Karcic at Cover It! Designs for your amazing talent and friendship. I love you.

To Rose Tawil—Thank you so much for everything. I wouldn’t be able to function without you! You are one of the best souls I’ve ever come across.

My beta readers Leeann Wright and Eileen Robinson—thank you so much for your help. I appreciate you both!

Hot Tree Editing—Thank you for being so wonderful to work with.

To my bestie Natalie Ram—Thank you for being the ultimate beta reader, proof reader, and helping me whenever I need it, even though you’re super busy being your own girl boss. I love you so very much.

To my sons—Thank you for being so wonderful and understanding when Mama has to work. I hope that I’m showing you through my actions that dreams can come true, and if you work hard enough, anything is possible. I love you three more than anything and anyone.

Playlist:

Issues - Julia Michaels

Mercy - Shawn Mendes

Talking Body - Tove Lo

Final Song - MO

Don’t Leave - Snakehips

Bad Things - Camila Cabello, Machine Gun Kelly

Don’t Let Me Be Yours - Zara Larsson

I Can’t Fall in Love Without You - Zara Larrson

Can I Be Him - James Arthur

Liability - Lorde

We Don’t Talk Anymore - Charlie Puth, Selena Gomez

Now or Never – Halsey

Reader’s Note:

Although some events in this book are fictional, it is loosely based on a true story. We enjoy writing and reading stories about perfect people who do perfect things, but the reality can be the opposite. Human beings are not perfect and changing these characters would result in a completely fictional story. I tried to find a balance between staying true to the story, and giving readers something they can connect with.

I hope you love it.

Chapter One

Taye

Bringing the straw to my sultry pink lips, I glance over the dance floor as the cool liquid hits my tongue. I swallow and smile, closing my eyes as the alcohol hits me, feeling the perfect amount of tipsy. Right now, in this moment, I have nothing to worry about.

I love these moments.

They are few and far between.

Tomorrow, that’s when I’ll worry about everything else, but tonight?

Tonight is for me.

I love this song, my friend Keisha says next to me, swaying from side to side in rhythm with the music. She grabs my arm and nods towards the dance floor. Let’s go dance, Taye.

I love to dance.

As long as they play good music, I could dance here all night, not leaving the dance floor for anything except maybe a drink. I’m an introvert, and generally shy, but when I dance, I don’t care who watches. Perhaps I’m an outgoing introvert? Keisha once said that I’m shy until you get to know me, but once you do, you’ll find out that I can be a little wild. I think she’s right. I do have a hidden wild side, but I don’t share it with just anyone. There’s a part of me that wants to be wild, to be free, and recently, I’ve been trying to let that part out a little more. I don’t know why I buried it in the first place.

I finish the last of my drink, place it on the bar, and then let her lead me to the floor, swaying my hips with each step. When she pulls me up on the podium with her, I don’t think anything of it. It’s not a place I haven’t been a hundred times before; in fact, I feel comfortable up here. Is that the true nature of a dancer? I might be shy in every other aspect of my life, but when I dance, I feel a confidence that makes me powerful, and add in alcohol and it creates a delicious mix. Everyone watches us dance, and I don’t mind. I don’t pay anyone any attention; I’m kind of in my own world right now. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I dance with Keisha with a synchrony that only people who dance with each other often can have. I know the way she moves and she knows how I move in return.

A few songs later, she goes to get a drink but I decline, staying behind to continue dancing. A random girl I’ve seen around comes and dances with me, not as close as Keisha does, and I like that she keeps her space. Hands in the air, I do a body roll, then swivel my hips in a delicious grind. Turning to face the dance floor whilst still moving, I’m scanning the crowd when I lock eyes with a man standing in front of the stage. He looks up at me, his lips kicking up at the corners. He’s good-looking. My type, even so, I smile back shyly, ducking my head, and looking away. When I meet the gaze of the girl I’m dancing with, she smiles and tells me, with a nod towards him, He’s a good guy.

How does she know that, I wonder? If they’re friends, they’re not acting like it. Or is she trying to be a wing woman? I guess drunk people say all kinds of shit, right?

I decide to ignore her comment.

When Keisha still doesn’t return, I step down off the stage and go in search of her. I don’t see her at the bar, so I assume she went out for a smoke.

Hey, Taye, Jacob says to me, smiling. I smile and nod at him, and then give his brother Matt a quick hug, because I know him more. These boys are younger than me, and I wouldn’t exactly call them friends; maybe acquaintances. The only reason I know them is because they are friends with my younger brother, and while they are good for a laugh, they will also hit on anything that walks.

Me included.

Hey, long time no see, I say, grinning. How have you been?

Not bad, Matt replies, as Jacob gives me a once-over that I don’t miss, but choose to ignore. They are harmless, and I think they know they have no chance, which is probably why they like to try. I tend to stick to myself, and they know this. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I think I’m better than anyone, it’s just that I know what I like, and they aren’t it.

This is Eli, he says, as the man I was checking out on the dance floor comes up next to him.

Hello, miss, he says, and flashes me a full-fledged, panty-dropping smile.

That smile.

It’s devastating.

No, really.

It hits me right in the stomach.

It’s cocky, it’s knowing, but it’s also genuine. I don’t know how it can be all of these things, but it is. Instantly, I’m intrigued. Who is this guy? I’ve never seen him before. If I had, I would have remembered.

I take him in again.

He’s tall, perfectly so, with a nice build. Dressed in jeans, and a long-sleeved black T-shirt. Muscled and toned, but not too bulky, more in an athletic way. With his thick head of short, dark, curly-ish hair, and a beard that I want to run my fingers through—I don’t think my mind could come up with a sexier man if I tried. Where the hell did he come from?

I don’t know what it is, but there’s just something about him. Maybe it’s the way he’s looking at me, those blue eyes working, kind of like he’s planning exactly what he wants to do to me.  

Like he knows exactly what to do with me.

Fuck.

My body wants him, that’s for sure, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to listen to her. She doesn’t always get what she wants. I’ve never had a one-night stand before, not in all of my twenty-nine years. I’ve always struggled with instant attraction, and I think that’s why online dating is sometimes easier for me, because I can get to know them a little better, get a taste of their mind before I meet them.

Hello, I say, smiling back at him.

I hold his eyes for a few moments, then return them to Matt while Eli heads to the bar to get a drink.

How do you know him? I ask Matt, so only he can hear.

Why? Interested? he asks, arching a brow. He’s a good friend of mine.

Does that mean he’s from here?

I live in a small town, and I’m a private person. Generally, the two don’t mix, but I try and keep my business to myself and stay away from the local men. Most of them don’t know how to keep their mouths shut.

Just curious, I mutter, smiling as Eli returns..

Can I get you a drink? he asks, his voice as delicious as the rest of him. My gaze drops to his lips.

I clear my throat and shake my head. No, thank you.

I don’t think I need any more alcohol. Keisha and I probably shouldn’t have had so much before we left the house. Whenever we’re together though, shots always seem like a good idea.

They never are.

However, I like that he asked. He goes to the bar, and I can’t help but watch his movements.

He wants you, Matt says, studying me, a smirk playing on his lips. He’s a good guy.

Why does everyone keep saying that to me? What makes him so good, exactly?

I ignore his comment, rolling my eyes. Eli, drink in hand, comes back to stand next to me.

Having a good night? he asks, studying me.

Not bad. You? I ask in return.

Pretty good, he says, scanning the club. I’ve been in town for a few weeks but this is my first night coming out.

Where are you from? I ask, happy to finally be getting some answers.

Over east, he replies, and if he’s not from here, I have to wonder how the hell he knows everyone.

Did he just move here? If so, the women are going to be lining up to get him.

Are you just here for work? I probe further, wanting to know every detail I can about this man.

He nods. Yeah.

I see. Well, actually, no, I don’t. Maybe he just made friends with everyone while he was here and that’s how they all know him? I don’t know. Maybe he’s stationed here for work for a long period of time.

A good song comes on and I look around for Keisha. When I don’t see her I smile at Eli and tell him I’m going to dance.

You should give him a chance, Taye, Matt says so only I can hear.

I ignore Matt and make my way back to the dance floor, where I start to dance by myself. I just want to dance. I don’t want to deal with anything else right now. Eli approaches me. There’s an intensity and confidence

Reviews for The List

[judy griffin · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

No

[Audrey Vuozzo · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book had potential, but was just super repetitive. There was no character growth .

[Jasmine Simone woodley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loosely based on a true story… well worth the read it does get there in the end and it is totally worth the ups and downs because really isn’t that what love is ???

[babyliyah · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Not worth the read. Only finished reading to get to the end