Something Beautiful: A Novella: The Jilted Series, #5

By Liz Lovelock

He's the best man.
I'm the maid of honor.
What could go wrong?

Spencer Cook is the love of my life and my ex-best friend. Three years ago, I let him walk away without telling him how I truly felt. Since then, it's been radio silence between us. That doesn't mean I forgot about him though. How could I?

Now he's back, and my feelings for him haven't changed. I still want him.

Could this be our second chance at love?

**Something Beautiful was previously released as The Final Play and has since been rewritten and now includes new content.

The Jilted Series
Something Old - Book One
Something New - Book Two
Something Borrowed - Book Three
Something Blue - Book Four
Something Beautiful - Book Five

• Language: English
• Publisher: Liz Lovelock
• Release date: Oct 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223566137

Book preview

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

Copyright © 2021 Liz Lovelock

All Rights Reserved

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Edited by Lauren & Kelly from Creating Ink & Swish Design & Editing

Proofread by Swish Design & Editing

www.lizlovelockauthor.com

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Epilogue

Preview - The One to Protect

Other Books by Liz Lovelock

Acknowledegments

About the Author

Connect with Liz Online

APRIL

Did you hear? a worker around the corner whispers. I can’t see who it is.

What? another asks.

I lean back in my seat and wait for the gossip. Spencer Cook is coming back for some personal time. I think it’s for a wedding. My stomach plummets as their voices fade away. This can’t be happening.

There’s only one wedding I know of that’s coming up, and it’s one that I’m in. Surely, she would have warned me. How could Simone not inform me that the man I’ve loved for a long time is coming back?

I can’t believe he was in Vivian’s house. He was there, in her circle of friends, yet she never told me she was in contact with him. I rub my temples with my index fingers as I keep flashing back to me screaming at him. He was still as good looking as I remember with that dark hair, perfectly chiseled face, and those rich green eyes, smoldering as they bore into mine. Wide, surprised … I’m guessing because I was there.

It’s been years since we’ve had any interaction.

Spencer Cook is coming back to town. Now I have to face him again, and this time, I won’t be able to get him kicked out of the house. No, I’ll have to play nice. My hands tremble, and I scrunch them into fists.

I need to get out of here.

APRIL

He’s coming back.

He left and forgot about me. No contact. Nothing. I’d thought I meant something to him. Obviously, that was all in my head.

Heck, why would he contact me when he has women knocking on his door daily?

I lift my hands and swipe them over my face while expelling a puff of air. Kicking the front door to my mom’s place shut, I turn. Mom stands there wearing a somber expression.

I don’t need to tell her. With the gossip trail in town, I’m sure she’s already heard. Oh, honey. Are you okay? She places the laundry basket in her grasp down and races to close the distance between us, wrapping her arms tightly around me.

My body goes numb from head to toe. It’s stupid. He never knew how I felt. I shouldn’t be carrying on like this. It’s silly. Although, it’s most likely clear how I felt about him now, given my yelling at him only weeks ago at Vivian’s place.

Spencer’s coming back. I overheard people talking at the office today. My voice is barely a whisper.

Yes, I heard as well. Only a little while ago, though. Silence falls between us before she speaks again. Honey, perhaps it’s time to tell him what you left unsaid.

Is she serious?

He’s some big, hot-shot football player now. Why would he care how someone as ordinary as me feels?

Mom holds me at arm’s length. I shake my head. I can’t do it. The mere thought of being shut down is something my weary heart can’t bear. Spencer leaving was painful enough.

I don’t want to lay eyes on him, let alone speak to him, Mom. Why didn’t Simone tell me?

She shrugs. "I don’t know, honey. You need to talk to her.

Oh, I will. That conversation isn’t going to be a pleasant one. I’m pissed that she didn’t tell me she was even considering him to be part of the bridal party.

A soft look passes over her face. Perhaps it was short notice. Maybe ignore him like he’s done to you?

I half-smile at her suggestion. I know she’s right. I shouldn’t give him the time of day, but how do I ignore my childhood best friend and lifetime crush? Nope, can’t do it. Especially after my losing it when I ran into him at Vivian’s.

Stepping back from her embrace, I say, He probably doesn’t even want to talk to me. He could have a girlfriend, for all I know. He’s gone through so many girls; I’m sure I’m not even a blip on his radar. I shrug, throwing my hands in the air. There’s a huge lump of emotions clogging my throat, so I swallow slowly.

Every day since he left, I’ve told myself I had no choice but to let him go. It was the right thing to do. Yet, I question my decision each time he plows likes a bulldozer into my thoughts. He invades my dreams like a broken record that keeps playing the same song over and over. It never stops. Pretty pathetic on my behalf.

Do you want to stay for dinner? It’s your favorite … roast chicken, Mom says.

My mouth salivates at the mention of a roast chicken dinner. I’m not in the best mood for company, though. As good as that sounds, Mom, I’m going to pass this time. I want to go home, curl up, and drink some wine.

She shakes her head. Oh, gosh. Here we go again. Is she going to start on my drinking again? There’s nothing like a nice glass of Chardonnay to