The Space Beyond

By Melissa Pearl

"There's more than one way to say, I love you."

Have you ever been so in love with someone, but not had the courage to tell them?
Nicole Tepper is that girl. She loves her boyfriend Dale, but fearing rejection, keeps her feelings buried deep. She can’t even let on how heartbroken she is when Dale begins applying for colleges thousands of miles away from her; never even whispering a word about how much she wishes he would stay close.

But, when Dale is rejected from Colombia University in NYC, due to a police record that follows him wherever he goes, Nicole soon discovers that love can drive her to do things she never thought possible.

There's more than one way to say, I love you and Nicole is about to prove to Dale that she loves him beyond all common sense.

Please note: This book is designed to be read after The Space Between Heartbeats.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melissa Pearl
• Release date: Oct 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781991034373

Melissa Pearl

Melissa Pearl is a romance author writing in a variety of genres from teen fiction to contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She also writes under the pen name Jordan Ford. She’s passionate about telling love stories with relatable characters who will take you on a journey. If you’re after an escape from reality, then you’re in the right place.Sign up for Melissa's mailing list and sample one of her books for free! http://www.melissapearlauthor.com/page/sign-up/www.melissapearlauthor.comEmail: [e-mail]

Book preview

1

Please note:

This book is designed to be read after The Space Between Heartbeats. If you haven’t read it yet, you can get the book here.

Dale’s late. I hate that.

I’m never late.

I squint up at the bright blue sky then shade my eyes and look down the road for the millionth time.

The plan was to meet outside my boyfriend’s place at four o’clock today. So, where the hell is he?

I tap my foot in frustration. It hurts a little, but the doc told me I needed to keep exercising my bad leg. Due to my mondo knee injury, my left leg is now skinnier than my right. Awesome, right?

It looks ridiculous, and I’m doing everything I can to get my legs looking even again before the summer rolls around. Like I’m going to wear shorts with odd-shaped legs. So I keep tapping...and checking my watch. Finally, after five minutes—which feels more like twenty—Dale’s mustard-yellow beater rumbles toward me.

I’ve thought of a few things I can say to him when he gets out of his car. Some of them are sarcastic. Some are just outright annoyed, and there’s one sweet funny one, which I’m so not in the mood to say right now. I’m trying to think of which one to lead with when Dale gets out of the car and takes my breath away.

I gape at him for a moment then blurt, Where’s your hair gone?

I gaze at the way the short, brown locks frame his handsome face. It makes him look older, stronger somehow, but still…the scar that runs from his right ear to his chin—the one I used to think was so ugly—is clear for everyone to see. He’s no longer hiding it, and I’m completely flummoxed. How am I supposed to hide my horror? My boyfriend cut his gorgeous curls off without even freaking telling me he was going to.

Dale’s lopsided smirk is adorable as usual, taking the steam from my snappy question.

You don’t like it? He closes the car door and saunters toward me, lightly resting his hands on my hips once he’s close enough.

I’m too annoyed to tell him that it actually looks quite good, so I keep my skeptical pout in place while I run my hands through his very short locks. It’s not the same. I have to admit that in spite of his long curls not being the height of fashion, I really loved them. I used to wind them around my fingers when we were lying on his bed talking. I won’t be able to do that anymore, and it makes me sad.

Come on, Nicky. He nudges my cheek with his nose. Is it really that bad?

I give the hairs at the nape of his neck a little tug, making him laugh and wince at the same time.

I just can’t believe you didn’t tell me. I try to step out of his grasp, but he won’t let me. His hands move to my waist, holding me steady.

He tilts his head to the side, and I see him embarking on one of those persuasive speeches in his soft voice that always wins me over.

I hold up my finger to stop him. Don’t you dare tell me you wanted to surprise me… because you know I hate surprises. And don’t say you did it for me because you thought I’d like it better. I loved your curls. You know that.

He lets go of me, clearing his throat in that sheepish way he does. Scratching the back of his head, he scuffs the path outside his house with the toe of his dark green Vans.

I didn’t do it for you. He sighs. You have absolutely nothing to do with the state of my hair.

I shouldn’t frown. The world doesn’t revolve around me, although Dale often makes me feel like it does. He’s way too good for me.

Swallowing back the thought, I push aside my fears and paste on my steely glare face. Why’d you do it then?

He shrugs, his cheeks tinging pink.

Dale, why?

Because college is not too far off, and I want to be prepared for interviews. I’m getting applications ready, and I need to present myself as best I can.

College.

Damn, I hate that stupid word.

My mouth goes dry like it always does when I think about the next school year. My brain spasms and I close my eyes. Barrington High without Dale is going to be all kinds of torture. He’s basically my only friend. Trent was right; when I publicly dumped him in that hospital bed, I did commit social suicide. My ex-friends now treat me like the dried-up gum you find beneath cafeteria tables. Amber has no qualms about grimacing right in my face. Penny has no problem posting random things about me on Gossy, all of which include hashtags like #limpalot, #deadleg and #thebitchlived. It’s way harsh and has had me in tears almost every day. Well, until Dale forced me to delete the app from my phone.

Returning to school after my rehab has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but Dale’s never left my side. He’s slowly walked me to each of my classes, held my hand and told me I’ll be okay. He’s still doing that. He’s been holding me up and making me strong. Next year, however...

I swallow hard then scratch the side of my nose, looking away from him as I concede, Yeah, I guess you’re right. You do look a little smarter.

I want him to know I support him. He deserves the best. He’s smart, a hard worker, and he’ll do great at college. I’m just going to miss him. Not that I can say that out loud or anything.

Instead, I push a smile over my face and step into his space. I run my fingers through his new ‘do’ and smile. His hands are back on my hips. Man, I love the feel of his hands on me. He makes me safe, secure. I feel like I can do anything with him by my side.

His expression is going all soft and mushy as the breeze catches my hair and blows it across my face. He gently tucks it back behind my ear. Maybe he knows what I’m thinking. Can he smell my fear about him leaving me? He doesn’t say anything, though, just pulls me toward him and lifts me up so our lips are in line.

You know, babe, I couldn’t have cut my hair if it wasn’t for you.

Oh, yeah? I murmur, slightly confused as our lips brush together.

He pulls back so he can look into my eyes. I never would have had the courage to flash my scar around like this if I hadn’t been dating the most gorgeous girl on the planet.

I can’t help a small blush as I try to control my grin.

He smiles down at me. I don’t need to hide when I’m around you. His voice is so soft and tender. I think my heart is actually melting.

My lips pull into an instant grin as I place my hand on his cheek and kiss him softly. His arms tighten around me, and I deepen the kiss. His tongue dances inside my mouth, warm and tasting like peppermint gum.

Man, he is good at this. We haven’t really talked about our ex-relationships much. We’ve mentioned them in passing, but never had that serious, let’s get down to details type of talk. But I know he must have been with someone who taught him a thing or two about girls. I can tell by the confident way his hands move over my body and the magic his tongue creates whenever we’re kissing. I’m certain he’s got all the right moves tucked away inside him and man, do I wish he’d show me a few of them...or, like, all of them.

My insides flush at the thought. Because of my accident, Dale and I have been forced to take things really slow and that suited me just fine, initially. I was so over being mauled by guys who didn’t care about me. Being with someone who actually likes spending time with the real me is