Forever with You: San Diego Marines, #0.5

By Jess Mastorakos

She's been hurt before. As a U.S. Marine, he's the embodiment of loyalty.

 

After being left at the altar, Sara came home to run her parents' bookstore. She's sworn off love, but as she gets to know the handsome Marine Recruiter who works next door, she can't help but wonder if he might be just the man she always needed.

 

Sergeant Vince Moore is struck by Sara the moment he meets her. To win her love, he'll have to show her he's trustworthy and reliable. But with a job like his, long hours and broken promises are part of the territory.

 

As Vince and Sara get closer, can their relationship survive the demands of the Marine Corps and her past coming back to haunt her?

 

 

Forever with You is a sweet, standalone romance told from both POVs in the first person. You'll find lots of sizzling chemistry and swoony kisses in this military love story.

While it has its own HEA, it's also the intro novella that kicks off the San Diego Marines series, so make sure to check it out after this!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jess Mastorakos
• Release date: Jun 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9798223525509

Book preview

1

SARA

I can’t believe this day is finally here, my mom said from behind me, fastening the delicate clasp of my grandmother’s pearl necklace at the back of my neck. You look beautiful.

Thanks, Mom. I felt a lump in my throat as I stared at my reflection in the floor-length mirror, and I silently willed my eyes not to fill with tears. It had taken the makeup artist a solid hour to do the airbrushed makeup on my face. I looked absolutely flawless. The last thing I wanted to do was ruin it with tear streaks.

My best friend, Angie, appeared at my side. Here, you look like you could use this, she said, handing me a glass of Champagne.

I took the glass and clinked it to Angie’s with a smile. Cheers. I’m so glad you’re here.

"Of course I’m here. Angie rolled her pretty brown eyes in mock annoyance. I wouldn’t miss my bestie’s wedding for anything. Besides, I sat next to a super cute guy on the plane. I almost wish the flight from San Diego was at least an hour longer."

My mom chuckled. Not me. I couldn’t get off that plane any sooner. Your father was snoring so loud I was sure the pilot could hear him.

I touched my mom’s shoulder and turned away to the window, having to work not to cry again. The very fact that my mom, dad, and Angie had flown from San Diego to Seattle to see me get married meant more to me than they’d ever know. Especially after the way I’d left town five years earlier without a care in the world about how it would affect them.

The view from our hotel suite boasted a clear shot of the famed Space Needle. I could see the colorful building at its base, the museum where Derek and I had our first date. I loved that we were getting married so close to it. Maybe we’d have time before our cruise tomorrow to go there and walk around. Thoughts of kissing my new husband in the place where it all began had me feeling misty-eyed once again. I downed the rest of my champagne and turned to face my mother and Angie.

I’m a wreck, I admitted with a forced laugh.

They smiled at me, but before they could respond, a knock sounded at the door.

I’ll get it. Angie said, flitting to the door. It must be the second bottle of champagne I ordered.

Angie flung the door open, revealing Derek. He wasn’t in his tux. He looked... haunted. My stomach dropped. I bit my tongue to keep from reminding him not to see the bride before the wedding. Judging by his appearance, that ship had sailed. I was aware of my mom and Angie excusing themselves from the room. I watched Derek step in and close the door. Everything felt like it was playing in slow motion, and the only sound I could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat.

Sara. Derek said my name with a sigh, running his fingers through his tussled hair. He hadn’t shaved, so between that and the dark circles under his eyes, I barely recognized him. He paced the room in front of me, not looking my way as I stood frozen in place.

I opened my mouth to speak but couldn’t figure out what I was supposed to say. I clamped my jaw shut again.

Derek finally stopped pacing and turned to look at me. You look... beautiful. You really do.

Thanks. I managed. You look... like crap.

He had the nerve to chuckle, then cleared his throat. I’m sorry. Can we sit? Let’s sit.

How about you just say what you came here to say? I snapped. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to move without shaking, and I didn’t want him to see me upset. The only coherent thoughts in my jumbled brain were repeating, how dare he? over and over again.

Derek nodded. Sara, I don’t really know how to say this. So... I’m just going to say it, okay? Do you remember Kate?

My mind went blank. Should I?

Well, I don’t know. You met her a few years ago. She’s my... ex. She was my ex, he stammered.

"She... was your ex?"

He nodded, wringing his hands. We reconnected. It wasn’t supposed to be anything. I made a mistake. And then...

I stared at him, unmoving. He looked so guilty. So uncomfortable. Part of me wanted to tell him to shut up and get out. The pain coursing through my veins was reaching an unbearable level and I didn’t think I’d be able to hear more of the story. But a bigger, darker, side of me wanted him to squirm. I wanted him to be uncomfortable as he broke my heart into a million pieces. I wanted him to feel terrible having to explain it. Kicking him out now would be letting him off too easy.

When he didn’t speak, I tilted my head and raised a brow, as if to say, go on.

And then we... I don’t know. We fell in love. I tried to break it off with her. Several times. But we just couldn’t stay away from each other. I needed to make a choice.

I flinched and then instantly regretted it when a flash of pity crossed his face. He didn’t get to pity me. I straightened. You couldn’t think of a better time to make your choice than our wedding day, Derek? Really?

He hung his head. I was up all night stressing over this, believe me. It was not an easy decision.

I gaped at him. Seriously?

Yes, Sara. Derek stepped toward me, and then froze when I glared at him in warning. Okay, I’m sorry. But, yes. It was the hardest decision of my life. I want you to know that.

Instantly, the heat left my veins and was replaced with ice. This idiot thought it would help to hear that it was a tough decision? Was he insane? Who wanted to be the winner of a tough choice between two women? Not me, that was for sure. I lifted the hem of my beautiful white gown and stepped out of my heels, kicking them to the side. Without even looking at him, I turned to fasten the bustle, so the dress was the right length for flats, and slipped on my bedazzled sandals. I picked up the ornate clutch Angie had given me as my ‘something borrowed’ and tucked my wallet and keys into it.

Sara? Derek asked from behind me. Are you leaving? Don’t you want to talk about this?

I spun around. "Derek, you came to my bridal suite on our wedding day to tell me that you’ve been having an affair for who knows how long–"

About a year...

A choked sound escaped my mouth at his revelation. I smoothed my hands down my dress and straightened my shoulders again. "A year. Fine. You decided to tell me this on my wedding day, and now you want to talk about it? You should have talked to me about it a year ago."

I know. He ran his hands through his hair again. I thought it was just a one-time mistake. I didn’t think it meant anything. Then I just kept making the same mistake over and over again. I felt terrible. I was just so stressed at work...

I rolled my eyes.

I’m serious, Sara. You know how hard I’ve been working. The pressure was suffocating me. She just showed up one day and we got to talking. I didn’t want to hurt you if It turned out to be nothing. I didn’t think it meant anything. Until... it did. It does. I want to be with Kate.

My lip curled as I looked at the man I