The Art of Love: The Books of Love, #2

By Quint Emm Ellis

When these two meet, sparks fly as liberally as the paint strokes.

Collin has a flair for his artistic business. But he's convinced that he's all thumbs when it comes to juggling relationships too.

Everleigh wants to know what love is. And at this point, she's doubtful she'll ever find out; because it sure wasn't much of it going on in her last--and longest-- romance.

When a failed date leads to an unexpected connection, an equally unexpected opportunity follows.

 

Will they take the chance to be proven wrong & create a masterpiece that's all their own?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Quint Emm Ellis
• Release date: Sep 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215971918

Book preview

The Art of Love

A Fated Beginnings Series Short Story

Quint Emm Ellis

Copyright © 2022 by Quint Emm Ellis

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without expressed written permission of the publisher.

Any person depicted on the cover is a model and is not related to the characters in this story.

Visit www.QuintRomances.com to learn more about the author and her published works.

Want to discuss Quint books with others? See the end of this book or Click Here to join the Quint*Essential Readers Club.

Independently published

Cover Design Assembled by: 

Quint Emm Ellis

Also By This Author

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Additional Books by Quint Emm Ellis

The Bonfire Circle Series

Whatever it Takes

Bound to Love

Tender & Kindling

The Sisterhood of the Tiny House Revolution Series

The Dream & The Real Thing

Letting Loose & Letting Love

For Better & For Worse

I Was Blind and Now I See

The Books of Love Series

The Gift of Love

The Art of Love

A Taste of Love

The Sum of Love

For longer Sweet & Wholesome romance novels that include a dash of passion, grit and intrigue

find more of Quint's works under Quint Ellis

Contents

1.Chapter 1

2.Chapter 2

3.Chapter 3

4.Chapter 4

5.Chapter 5

6.Chapter 6

7.Epilogue

Author's Invite

Join the Journey!

About the Author

Chapter 1

Collin sighed as he placed his phone, face down, on his desk. Indulging in a moment of self-pity he planted his face in the palms of his hands, massaging the muscles in his cheeks and temples before dropping his hands to his lap and allowing himself to fall backwards into the cushioned support of his office chair. He released one last gust of air before inhaling deeply through his nose.

Eyelids closed, he allowed the silence of his empty store to calm him for the duration of a few quieting breaths. Finally, he leaned forward and reclaimed his phone, looking up the number for his girlfriend.

Hey Jules. How are you? I’m good. Well, actually, not so good. Just got word that my lead for the night is going to be out on leave for a while. Came down with Covid while on vacation, so he’s isolating for a couple of weeks. Yeah, it’s unfortunate; the only good part is that at least no other staff or customers were put at risk. Still, he needs to take care of himself. But, no one else is available to take his place tonight—and that’s on top of the crew members who resigned as of a couple days ago to prepare to move back home for summer break. So, we’re going to be severely short-handed tonight. He nodded as she responded. 

Yeah, I’m sorry to have to postpone our dinner plans, again. I don’t know what else to do, though; it’s part of owning a small business.  I’ll make it up to you, somehow. Yeah, I know I always say that. But I always mean it. He sighed, Yeah, yeah okay. Could you call to cancel our reservations? Well, because I have to get prepared for the evening. I know this is my fault, I just need a little help—nevermind. I’ll call. And uh. Yeah. Alright, I’ll call you tomorrow.

Collin didn’t know what he dreaded most; the stressful night ahead or the tension he’d encounter upon meeting up with Julie tomorrow.

A groan escaped him as he allowed his head to rest against the back of his chair, once more. Sucking in a deep breath, he held it for a moment before releasing it and the stress mounting upon his shoulders.

The store. The relationship. Both required his attention for them to work. And…maybe he just wasn’t capable of juggling both, right now.

Maybe he and Julie needed to talk.

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The empty seat beside