Because of You

By Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue

Avis Collins has spent years working her way to the top at the Broken Bow Publishing Company, but after losing a couple of large clients, she knows that her position with the company is in jeopardy. Upon seeking assistance from her neighbor, Jill Lincoln, Avis starts to realize that something is missing from her life… love. Avis begins to rekindle feelings that she had for Jill, but Jill wants nothing to do with her. Can Avis sweep Jill off her feet, or is Jill just too much to handle?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue
• Release date: Sep 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223227069

Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue

Growing up in a small town, Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue spent a majority of her time reading and writing, so when she was granted the opportunity to write full-time, she didn't have to think twice.  Since beginning her writing career, she has managed to pen several lesbian romances, while adding a little action and adventure to spice things up. As a newly graduated MBA student, she plans to use her recently discovered free time to craft the art that she loves. For more information on Nicole's new releases or to find out what she has been working on, sign-up for her newsletter at higginbothampublications.com.

Book preview

Chapter One

Avis groaned as her alarm clock squealed from across the room. Normally, she would have beat the buzzer, but today, she was feeling groggy and out of place. The night before had been a long one as she had stayed up all night working on bookings for an international book tour for one of the company's newest clients. She loved her job, but sometimes it was difficult to remember that she needed to take time for herself.

Avis tumbled out of bed, hitting the top of the alarm clock as she walked by and strode right into the bathroom. As she looked in the mirror, she realized that a few gray hairs were making their way to the surface and she gently raked them back in an effort to hide them. She was getting old. It felt like only yesterday she was going out to the clubs and taking in the latest stories. Now, she was confined to an office and had nothing other than her title to show for it. Her life wasn't supposed to be this way. She had vowed to herself that one day she would get married and have children of her own. She had pictured herself on a beach, spending time with her loved ones at this age. Nevertheless, life had other plans, and even though she had achieved landing her dream job, she had lost the opportunity to fulfill the other goals that she had for her life. She sighed, remembering the days when everything seemed possible, and nothing had seemed out of reach.

Back in the day, family had meant everything to her. She hadn't had one of her own, and after traveling through the system for years, she had promised herself that if she couldn't find a family to take her in she would create her own. But that was years ago, and many dates later, Avis still hadn't found the 'right one'. She wasn't sure if that was even a thing or if it was a made-up fantasy that others put out to encourage people to date. Nevertheless, whatever it was, it didn't seem to exist for her. Most of the women that she had gone out with were nice, but she never really connected with any of them. Maybe, it was her personality or maybe the small connection that she felt was all that there was to it. Either way, she was hitting a point in her life where she knew that she needed to find someone to call her own. In about twenty years, she would be retiring, and if she had no one to share her success with it seemed that it would be all for nothing.

She quickly brushed her teeth and washed her hair, attempting to look somewhat presentable. Maybe, a good run would wake her up. Maybe, it would make her feel better. Certainly, her endorphins would kick in after. Avis pulled on a pair of clean socks that had been left in a stray laundry bag and scanned the room for her running shoes. It was a perfect morning to get out and exercise, and she had just enough time to get in a few miles and get back to the house in time to clean up for work. Running had become her reprieve from her busy marketing career, and she looked forward to the peaceful activity every morning. It brought a much-needed calm to her day and was the best way to clear her mind.

Finding her shoes, Avis put them on, grabbed her house key, and headed out the door. She slipped her key inside of her arm band after locking the door, and she was on her way. Avis felt the warm breeze hit her face as she ran down the block. The day was sunny and warm, and from the looks of it, it might be one of the last warm days that there was before the chill of fall hit. It was crazy to think that it was already fall. Time had gone so fast this year that she had barely gotten to enjoy anything seasonal. Avis ran further down the street listening to the birds and soaking up the sun, when she was stopped by a woman waving at her.

Squinting into the sunlight, Avis tried to discern who was calling to her. The other woman was slim and tanned and beautiful, a mirror image of what one might see in a magazine. She had seen that woman before at Jill Lincoln's house, and for the longest time, she thought they were married. She had never really talked to the beautiful stranger, but she recognized her from publications that she had read as Julie Downs, a notable author from the other side of town. Avis had kept a close eye on the woman for the last couple of years, trying to decipher whether she was romantically involved with her neighbor, Jill. However, after running into Jill's daughter Reese and listening to the young woman rant about her day a few times, she had realized that Julie and Jill were not an item but in fact best friends.

Avis wasn't sure what her obsession with Jill's love life was. It wasn't as if they were close or anything. In fact, during the times that Avis had conversated with Jill, the woman had made it clear that she disliked her and that there would be no further extension of their relationship. Normally, Avis would have left a situation like that alone, but there was something about Jill that kept bringing her back. She was curious as to why the other woman despised her. The only time that they had had a full conversation was when Jill first moved to town. They had seemed to hit it off until Jill had asked Avis to do a favor and Avis dropped the ball. Looking back, Avis regretted her approach in assisting Jill. Though Avis had miserably failed the other woman during their first meeting, Jill's sudden disregard for her company perplexed her. She had never been brushed off so harshly by a woman before, especially a woman with whom she thought she would get along with had they met under different circumstances.

For that matter, she had never really been brushed off that hard by anyone. Most people got along with her, so when she realized that Jill had something against her, it made her want to try even harder to prove to Jill that she wasn't all that bad.

Chapter Two

H ello, a woman's voice said, waking her from her thoughts.

Avis looked up and realized that she had stopped in front of Jill's house and that Julie was staring at her. Avis smiled at the other woman politely, hoping that she hadn't noticed her moment of mental escape. Hello, she said as Julie scanned her up and down. Can I help you?

You sure could, Julie smiled back, looking into her eyes and hanging on to the

glance a little longer than comfort would encourage.

Avis looked back at the other woman. She was clearly beautiful, and it was obvious that she was interested in her. However, Avis just didn't feel the same way. Avis glanced away, a bit uncomfortable with the situation. For the longest time, she had thought that Julie was attracted to Jill, but after standing in front of the gorgeous woman for a couple minutes, it was clear that Julie wanted her.

Avis swallowed hard, trying to figure out what to say to the other woman so that she could make the conversation that they were about to have comfortable for both of them, but when she began to speak, she heard the door of the house behind them close. Avis looked across the yard, trying to find the source of the noise and felt her breath catch in her chest as she laid eyes on the gorgeous woman that was shutting the front door of the house. Avis watched as the other woman came towards them and felt her heart jump as Jill got closer.

Hi, Jill, she said, happy that the other woman had come to join them.

Hi, Avis, Jill said, her green eyes locking with hers. What's going on? Why are you here?

Avis shrugged and looked back at Julie. I'm not really sure, she said. Julie called me over while I was running. I was wondering the same thing.

Julie? Jill asked, an eyebrow raised. What is this all about?

Julie smiled at her friend and turned her head so that she could speak to both of them, brushing off her friend's clear irritation. Well, now that we have everyone here, let's talk, Julie said.

Talk about what? Avis asked, looking from one woman to another. The two women locked eyes and then looked back at Avis. This isn't some kind of desperate housewives situation, is it? Avis asked, wondering if the two women were going to invite her inside. Though the idea of spending time alone with Jill intrigued her, Julie's aggressiveness rattled her nerves.

You wish, Jill replied, giving Avis a look.

No, I... Avis said, trying to backtrack. Sometimes, she let her thoughts come out of her mouth before she had time to think them over, and she was not trying to upset Jill more than she already had. She was merely trying to explain that she was not that type of woman.

Well, we can talk about that later, Julie smiled, winking at Avis. Right now, we wanted to ask a favor of you.

We? Jill retorted. "I am not a part of this.