Brush With Hope: Brush with...Series, #3

By Heather Lloyd

In the midst of life's chaos, Sarah finds herself navigating the storm of heartbreak, job woes, and a tumultuous day. Just when she thinks she's reached her breaking point, an unexpected knight in shining armor emerges—Tom, her best friend's charismatic and charming brother, the man who has silently held her heart captive for years.

As Tom becomes Sarah's steadfast anchor during her turbulent times, their friendship blossoms into something deeper. A spark ignites between them, leading to a night that changes everything—an unexpected kiss that sends ripples through their hearts.

Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, Sarah and Tom must navigate the uncharted territory of love, risking the bonds of friendship for the possibility of something more profound. Can they seize a chance at a love that has silently lingered, waiting for the perfect moment to ignite? In this tale of unexpected romance, Sarah and Tom discover that sometimes, the best relationships are the ones we never saw coming.

 

For ages 18+. Brush With Hope is a sexy, steamy romance with adult language and scenes. 

 

Brush With Hope is book 3 of the Brush With series. Each book is a stand alone book, each with a happy ending. 

 

Brush With series

Brush With Fame

Brush With Love

Brush With Hope

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heather Lloyd
• Release date: Feb 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224491353

Heather Lloyd

Thank you for reading this book. I hope you enjoyed it. If you liked this book, please consider taking the time to leave a review of the book on Amazon. It would mean a lot to me. Also, please sign up to be in the know for when the next book of the Brush With... series will be out and other news. Connect with Heather online: Website: https://heatherl4.wixsite.com/website Facebook:  HeatherLloyd-Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather_lloyd_author/

Book preview

Chapter 1

Sarah

Iam in desperate need of caffeine. I pull into the convenience store, park and just sit to finally breathe for the first time that day. I lean my head back on the headrest and close my eyes.

What a crappy day! My alarm did not go off this morning, so I was a couple hours late for work today. That meant that I had to reschedule a meeting. It’s so unprofessional. The three other meetings I had today all ran long. I had a ton of emails and calls to return. Then I lost a spreadsheet I’d been working on for about two weeks due to some weird key combo I hit. Thankfully, after hours of me stressing out, IT brought it back for me. That’s when I gave up and decided to leave work early and try again tomorrow.

Please don’t let anything else go wrong the rest of the day.

I lift my head and get ready to go inside when I see a police car pull in and park along the side of the convenience store. I watch as the cop gets out of the vehicle; I feel my pulse increase.

God. That is one smoking-hot man. And he knows it.  

I continue to sit there and just watch him.

His arms are thick with muscles. His shirt stretches across his broad chest. That ass in those pants leaves little to the imagination. He fills out that uniform in just the right way. His blonde hair blows in a gust of wind and he looks around taking everything in. I’m actually surprised he doesn’t see my car.

A girl walks out of the convenience store staring at him. I glare at her through my windshield.

Don’t even think about it girl.

It looks like he says hi then disappears into the building.

Ha!

Shit! What am I doing?

Get a grip, Sarah! Back to reality.

I have my boyfriend, Alex.

I shouldn’t care if he wants to date someone.

Plus, Tom Walker wouldn’t want me - hasn’t wanted me. He’s my best friend’s brother. And a player.

Maybe a player.

Honestly, I’m not sure if he is anymore.

Here I am, being a stalker, drooling over him. I feel guilty. I shouldn’t look at him that way even if I’ve had the biggest crush on him for the longest time. We’re just friends. Not even close friends. But I could absolutely call him if I needed anything. He’s definitely a protector so it's a good thing he’s a police officer.

I open the car door, fighting against the horrible wind trying to push it closed. Finally getting out, the door slams shut and I rush toward the door of the building. The wind blows my hair all over the place, in my eyes and mouth and even up my nose.

Damn it! My hair had actually turned out cute today, even with me rushing to get ready, and now it’s a big mess. Why does that always happen? Can’t I have a good hair day when the wind isn’t blowing like crazy?

I bolt into the store, pause to push my hair back and spot Tom immediately. He’s at the counter getting coffee and talking to the clerk. I hear him say bye and turns towards the door and me. His eyes warm and he smiles instantly when he sees me. Then he runs his eyes up and down my body sending a shiver through me.

My heart skips a beat. I smile back and we walk towards each other. He wraps me in a hug, being careful not to spill coffee on me.

Hi Tom, I say as I hug him back.

Sarah, he says. You look fantastic today.

My heart races like it always does when he touches me and I flush. When he looks at me, I swear he can see into my soul. He brings a hand up to tuck back a chunk of hair that is still across my forehead. Goosebumps erupt all over my body.

Thanks, I tell him.

How are you? Tom asks me.

I take a step back from him, missing his warmth instantly.

Well, if I say I’m good, I’d be lying. It’s been a shitty day. Plus I’d love for this wind to die down.

You’re in the midwest so the wind’s not going anywhere. What happened today? Are you ok? He looks concerned.

I nod. I’m fine. Just one of those days. Anything that could go wrong, did. How about you? Busy day?

I’m good. And yes, It’s been very busy today. One of those days for me, too, Tom answers. Something in the air. Maybe a full moon tonight.

I laugh. I’ll have to check. Are you going to be at Taylor’s on Sunday?

My group of close knit friends all get together for dinner once every couple of weeks. This Sunday, Taylor is hosting the dinner. Tom is usually included because he’s Taylor’s brother. Since Tom is a cop, it’s iffy when he’s able to come.

Yes. I am actually going to make it this time.

His radio goes off. He huffs out a breath.

Here we go again. Sorry, gotta go. See you Sunday. He gives me a one-arm hug.

Bye. Be careful, I say.

He winks at me and rushes out the door. I watch him until he gets into the car. Even though he’s technically off limits, I can still appreciate his physic. He is a fine specimen. I sigh.

I hear his siren as he takes off down the road.

I met Tom when I was in college. My best friend, Taylor, Tom’s sister, invited me and Olivia, my other best friend, over for a study session at her house. He had just joined the force. He worked out like crazy to get fit and be intimidating. Of course he still works out and stays in great shape.

I instantly crushed on him. He was in a relationship at the time I met him. It didn’t last long and since then he’s had nothing serious and has gotten a playboy reputation. I don’t know if he’s really had that many girls, but they never last long.

Now I have my boyfriend Alex. We have been together for a little over six months. Maybe he hangs out with his friends too much. Maybe he needs to grow up a little more. But we get along really well.

Alex is the opposite of Tom. Not that Alex isn’t handsome, he is. He has reddish brown hair and hazel eyes. Alex is not nearly as intimidating as Tom, but who is.

If Alex would just propose, he would be perfect.

After I grab my caffeine, I dash back to my car and my phone rings. It’s Alex. I slam the car door closed, put my drink in the holder and answer my phone.

Hi, Alex. I was just thinking about you.

Oh, uh, okay, Alex says.

I wait for him to say more. He seems off somehow. I can’t put my finger on it.

Finally he continues. I uh... I was wondering if I’d be able to come over tonight... to talk? he stumbles the words out.

Of course, you can come over. Why don’t I make dinner?

I automatically think about what I have that I could make. Hmm. Not much. I’ll have to make a stop on my way home.

Oh, no. You don’t need to go to any trouble.

It’s ok. I’d like to.

Well ok, but don’t do anything fancy.

Alright. How about 6:30?

Uh...yeah. That’s good.

Alright. I’ll see you... I start to say, but the phone cuts off. ...later. I mumble.

He hung up on me.

Ok. That was weird. Actually the whole conversation was weird. I sit there contemplating the call.

I think about sending him a text, teasing him about hanging up on me. Honestly, I’m not sure if it would make him laugh or upset him. I don’t need anything else to go wrong today.

I wonder what’s going on with him? He was definitely not himself.

Oh my gosh!!

Maybe Alex has finally gotten my hints and he’s going to propose! And he’s just nervous. Was he nervous? I think he sounded nervous. He sounded off, not himself.

Crap. I need to make everything perfect.

What am I going to make for dinner? I want to set a romantic table with candles, maybe some flowers. Agh!! I have so much to do.

And damn it. What am I going to wear?

Swinging by the grocery store on my way home, I buy a couple of stuffed chicken breasts, twice baked potatoes and salad fixings. Then I grab some happy flowers to put on the table.

I dash back to my car to drive home. My fingers tap the steering wheel and I mumble and curse at every red light, my impatience showing its ugly head. Finally I pull up to my house, sit in the driveway while waiting for the garage door to open. I look at the house. It’s a fantastic house. I wonder if Alex will be ok with moving in with me or if we’ll have to sell it and buy our own house. I’d hate to sell it. There are so many memories here.

When should we get married? June? June is a great month to get married. I have to reserve the church and find a reception spot.

I berate myself. I need to stop getting ahead of myself. Alex needs to propose first.

I can’t sit here any longer, I have too many things to do. I pull into the garage and get moving.

Turning on the oven, I put the chicken and potatoes in a baking dish and pop it in the oven. Then I rush around picking up a little. Thankfully I haven’t let the house get too messy.

Trying to figure out what to wear is causing me major anxiety. I think about calling Taylor or Olivia to help, but I decide not to call. I don’t want them to know yet. I want to see their faces when I tell them that I’m engaged. Plus, they're busy in Los Angeles.

Olivia Sterling Paxton and Taylor Walker have been my best friends since college. We met in the second semester of our junior year and have been inseparable since. That is, until men came into their lives.

Olivia is married to Ryan Paxton, big time Hollywood actor and they have a little one due in January. They don’t know the sex of the baby; they want to be surprised. I think it’s sweet.

Taylor is engaged to Jake Paxton, Ryan’s brother. She hated him when they first met, but soon fell in love with him. They are getting married in March next year.

Ryan had to be in Los Angeles for a couple appearances. It just so happened that Jake and Taylor had a meeting in LA at the same time; so they all went out together.

Back to figuring out what I’m going to wear. I put on a couple skirts but reject them. They are just too fancy. Next I try on some pants. They’re ok, but still a little on the dressy side. Jeans are too casual, plus I’m not a huge fan of jeans. I could wear leggings with a nice tunic or sweater. Not too casual and not too dressy. By the time I decide to wear navy blue leggings with my favorite cream colored sweater, my bedroom is a mess.

Oh God! I moan out loud as I look at the mess. Well, I don’t have time to clean it now. I grab the discarded clothes and pile them on a chair.

My hands shake as I freshen up my makeup and try to fix my hair. It is so wind blown that I just put it back in a ponytail. I close my eyes and take deep breaths trying to calm down. I glance at my room as I leave, roll my eyes and promptly shut the door tight.

Now for the food. The baked potatoes and chicken breasts smell like they are almost ready. I prep the salads and set them on the table. Oh crap! I forgot about dessert. Quickly I throw together a brownie mix and pour it into a pan. Once the potatoes and chicken are done, the brownies can go in.

I arrange the flowers in a vase and set them off to the side on the table. I grab a couple taper candles from my mantel and set them on either side of the flowers and light them.

As I’m pulling food out of the oven, the doorbell rings.

Come in! I yell.

I hear the door open and close as Alex steps inside. I slide the brownies into the oven and set the timer.

Hi! I greet him. Perfect timing. Dinner is just ready. Hope you’re hungry.

Ok, Alex says. He steps into the kitchen and sees the food.

He blanches. You...you did too much.

This is nothing, really, I reply, smiling at him.

I give him a hug and kiss his cheek; he doesn’t return the hug. I get a weird feeling-tingling in my stomach. I’m worried now.

Uh, sit down. I’ll serve the food, I tell him. I need to keep busy or I’m going to really panic.

He hesitates, but eventually he takes off his jacket, hangs it on the back of the chair, and slowly sits down. What’s up with him? Something is off. I’m not sure if it’s nerves or not. I try not to worry about it. I can’t rush him. He will talk about it when he’s ready.

I put the stuffed chicken breasts and baked potatoes on two plates and carry them to the table. I set his plate in front of him. I place my plate by my chair and sit down.

Thanks, Alex mumbles.

We start eating; both of us are quiet. This is so awkward. We’ve never had problems talking about things. I’ve got to break this weird silence.

So, how was your day? I ask.

Good, he replies, not giving anything more.

I frown at him, not that it does any good. He’s staring at his plate, not looking up at all. This is not like him. He loves to talk and give me a run down of his day.

What’s wrong?

Nothing, he dismisses. He finally looks up at me and gives me a smile that doesn’t meet his eyes. This is really good.

Thanks. I have trouble swallowing the food in my mouth. Once I get the food down, I start talking.

Well, I had a crappy day. My alarm didn’t go off this morning, and I had to reschedule a meeting. So unprofessional.  The other three meetings I had today all ran long and I have tons of calls and emails to return. Then I was entering data into a big spreadsheet I’ve been working on for almost two weeks; I apparently hit the wrong keystroke and I lost it all. Thank God for IT who brought it back. I left work after that.

I know I’m rambling on about anything but I can’t help it. Trepidation is growing bigger inside me. Surely this is just nerves. He has to know that I will say yes if he asks me to marry him. I’ve been hinting at it for a while.

That stinks, Alex says with a forced smile.

I talked to Taylor and Olivia. They’re having fun in Los Angeles. I can’t wait until they’re back. I miss them. I also ran into Tom at the gas station.

Alex doesn’t say anything or even react. He’s back to staring at his plate, not even eating.

I lapse into silence. I can’t eat either. This is just so odd. Weird vibes are coming off of him. He’s anxious and it’s making me paranoid.

Finally Alex puts his fork down and pushes his plate full of food away.

Okay. I can’t do this. Sarah, we need to talk. Alex shifts uncomfortably in his chair.

Yes, you mentioned that.

I’m not quite sure how to say this so I’m just going to come right out with it,

Oh, this is it. My hands are actually shaking. I put my fork down too and give him my full attention. I want to remember this moment.

He pauses and takes a deep breath.

He clears his throat.

I...uh...I think we should break up, he spews out.

My mouth pops open. I can’t think for a few seconds.

Uh...oh. I mumble.

When my brain decides to start working again, I wonder if I heard him correctly? Break up? I don’t think anything could have shocked me more.

W...w....what? I stammer. Why? I can’t comprehend.

He fidgets uncomfortably.

I just think that we’re not good together anymore, you know. I feel that we’re on different paths. With your friends getting married and engaged, I know you want that. But I’m not ready to settle down and get married.

I can’t say anything. Wow. How could I get this all wrong? So wrong.

But we’d talked about it. I protested in confusion. You said you wanted marriage too.

Well...I do, but way in the future. Definitely not anytime soon.

I can’t even think. I was so sure he was on the same page as me.

Marriage is what you want, and... and that’s great...for you, he says. You deserve to find someone that you can have that with. It’s just not me. Not now anyway.

I... uh..., I reply. I stare at him, still trying to come to grips with this whole situation.

I put my hands to my temples and rest my elbows on the table.

Is there someone else? I ask.

That has to be it. It’s the only reason that makes sense to me, why he’d want to break up with me.

No! There is no one else. I just don’t want to rush into anything. My parents did that and they divorced after only a few years. And they don’t get along with each other. I don’t want to end up like that with you.

Okay. I understand that. I guess that’s a good reason. I’d hate to end up hating him too. But breaking up?