Shut Up & Kiss Me: Manhattan Bachelors, #6

By Matilda Martel

Byron Wolff and Tabitha Devine are the best of friends. They're also secretly in love. Byron is desperate to be with his Tabby, but he's afraid his crazy, needy side will scare her away and ruin the only healthy relationship he's ever had. In the meantime, he continuously meddles in every date and relationship she has, fearing someone else will take her away before he works up the courage to tell her how he feels. Tabitha is lovesick over Byron, but after three years of waiting for him to take things to another level, she fears he'll never see her as anything more than a friend--- and her patience is running thin. When her new boss sees right through Byron, he decides to light a fire under Byron's behind--- scaring him to dive off the cliff and chase his true love. This is a friends to lovers steamy romantic comedy about two best friends who need to shut up and finally say I love you. As always there's no cheating and a guaranteed, happily ever after.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matilda Martel
• Release date: Nov 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215519295

Matilda Martel

Matilda loves many things---her husband, dachshunds, cats, the two terrible Chihuahuas who live with her, Paris, New York, a few select friends and family, Nutella, books, lots and lots of books, and writing sweet, steamy romance for nerdy girls-- because that's who I am.If you like your romances steamy but sweet. Sexy, but on the shorter side. With smart and sassy heroines who fall for soulful Alphas- then you might like my books.I write A LOT of OMYW, cause that's just my bag. But no matter what kind of story it is, my ladies are always adored and my endings are always HEA.Please head to my blog: www.matildamartel.com, to learn what's in the final stages and will be coming out soon!Want a free Ebook? Join my mailing list to get my monthly newsletter at : www.matildamartel.com/mailinglist/

Book preview

Shut Up & Kiss Me

Copyright © 2020 by Matilda Martel

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

Cover Design by Covergirl Design

Want a free Ebook? Join my mailing list to get my monthly newsletter!

Vellum flower icon Created with Vellum

SUMMARY

Byron Wolff and Tabitha Devine are the best of friends.

They’re also secretly in love.

Byron is desperate to be with his Tabby, but he’s afraid his crazy, needy side will scare her away and ruin the only healthy relationship he’s ever had.

In the meantime, he continuously meddles in every date and relationship she has, fearing someone else will take her away before he works up the courage to tell her how he feels.

Tabitha is lovesick over Byron, but after three years of waiting for him to take things to another level, she fears he’ll never see her as anything more than a friend--- and her patience is running thin.

When her new boss sees right through Byron, he decides to light a fire under Byron’s behind--- scaring him to dive off the cliff and chase his true love.

This is a friends to lovers steamy romantic comedy about two best friends who need to shut up and finally say I love you. As always there’s no cheating and a guaranteed, happily ever after.

For our guys friends— the ones that got away, the ones we let go, the ones we love, and the ones we married.

CONTENTS

1. Tabitha

2. Byron

3. Byron

4. Tabitha

5. Byron

6. Tabitha

7. Byron

8. Tabitha

9. Byron

10. Tabitha

11. Byron

12. Tabitha

13. Byron

14. Tabitha

15. Epilogue- Five Years Later

Preview of Play Right

Ajax

Also by Matilda Martel

Stalk the Author

1

TABITHA

THREE WEEKS EARLIER

Hey, you. I wave and scurry up the leaf-strewn path toward the towering hipster bounding my way. His silly skull cap seems out of place for early October, but he always wears it well. He's the perfect hanger.  

Hey, you. Do you have good news?

My text was brief, but we always meet at the park when we have news. Byron reaches for my hand as his toothy grin emerges from his scraggly beard. I'll have to clip it later tonight.  

Walking toward the food trucks, I do an impromptu high kick to signal my good fortune. You are looking at the new editor and assistant to Mr. Ajax Easton. I got the freaking job! He loved my edits. I left that man stunned. Speechless. I think he's in love. I do a twirl underneath his arm and complete my routine with a point hop back and Irish skip. He chuckles and gives me my earned applause. 

I knew you'd get it. You deserve it, Tabby. You're the best at everything you do. One day that guy will edit your shit, and you'll be the one winning the Tonys. He pulls me in for a giant bear hug and smothers me into his wool sweater. It's long, smoldering, and unnecessarily awkward when he kisses my forehead, but I take my kisses where I can get them. 

When do you start? Are you giving two weeks' notice? He jauntily walks me to the line of trucks. When we reach the row, he stops and stares at a few pensively. What are we eating, Devine? Stuffed potatoes? Dumplings? Korean barbecue? He twirls me again, happy he's on the verge of eating.

Potatoes. We did dumplings last time. Order my usual, and I'm paying--- Easton doubled my pay. He wants me to start tomorrow. I smile and check my phone. The new boss is texting me soon.

He frowns. Tomorrow? Why so soon? And I'm buying your obnoxious potato. You had good news. That's the way it works. He hugs me again and kisses the top of my head.

He can't wait to get started. His personal assistant, Felix, who runs his errands and books his flights and shit, told me he fired two editors over the last month. He couldn't stand what they did to his work. His play is set to open in spring. It must be cast before Christmas, so we can start rehearsals by February. Will you listen to me? I'm going to work on a Broadway play! I clap my hands and jump in place.

He offers a dreamy smile and caresses my cheek. "You're going to be famous, Tabitha