A Whisper of Truth

By Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue

Brittney Snyder has loved Christina Martinez since seventh grade. Best friends through every milestone, they've shared dreams, laughter, and secrets—but not the one Brittney's kept buried for over a decade: she's in love with Christina.
Now in their late twenties, both women are building successful careers and standing at the threshold of new beginnings. With life finally settling into place, Brittney begins to wonder if it's time to tell Christina the truth. Could their unbreakable friendship grow into something more? Or will revealing her feelings risk everything they've built together?
As Brittney struggles to find the right moment—and the courage—to come clean, she must also face the possibility that Christina may not feel the same way. Is love worth the risk, or is silence safer than heartbreak?
This heartfelt LGBTQ+ friends-to-lovers romance is a tender journey of vulnerability, emotional growth, and discovering the bravery it takes to speak your truth. Perfect for fans of slow-burn sapphic romance and contemporary queer love stories, Brittney's story explores how timing, trust, and courage can shape a love that's been years in the making.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue
• Release date: Aug 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223079774

Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue

Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue is a Midwest-based author known for her captivating lesbian romance novels, compelling mysteries, and heart-pounding thrillers. With a talent for weaving emotion, suspense, and authenticity into every story, Nicole has built a loyal readership drawn to her richly developed characters and relatable themes. Her work reflects a deep understanding of human connection, identity, and resilience, often exploring the complexities of relationships in high-stakes settings. Nicole holds a Master's degree in Business Management with a focus on marketing, a background that not only informs her strategic approach to publishing but also brings a thoughtful precision to her storytelling. She began writing at a young age, inspired by a book she found in her local library written by a fellow eight-year-old. That early moment of discovery sparked a lifelong passion that has guided her creative journey ever since. When she's not writing, Nicole enjoys cooking new recipes, exploring new places through travel, and spending quality time with her family. Her stories are rooted in experience and imagination, making her voice both grounded and uniquely engaging. Whether penning a slow-burning romance or a thrilling mystery, Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue invites readers into worlds where love and intrigue go hand in hand.

Book preview

A Whisper of Truth

Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue

Published by Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue, 2023.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

A WHISPER OF TRUTH

First edition. August 9, 2023.

Copyright © 2023 Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue.

ISBN: 979-8223079774

Written by Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Further Reading: Melting Into Your Arms

Also By Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue

About the Author

Chapter One

S o, who did you get matched with? I asked Christina.

A woman named Natalie, Christina replied, flipping her blonde hair. I hope she's motivated, because restaurant work is no joke. What about you?

A woman named Penny, I said, smiling at the information Braelynn had sent me in the email. She already owns her own clothing company online. She is struggling, but with a few pointers, I think I can help her.

It sounds like you hit the jackpot, Christina replied. I always get nervous about bringing new people into my business. Most of the time I end up working double-time to teach them how to do the work, and then when they fail, I have to fire them. I really hope this one is a good worker.

I'm sure it will be fine, I said, looking at my best friend's face.

Christina always got worried about things before they happened. She didn't like to go into something without knowing the potential outcomes, and when situations were new, Christina's normally happy demeanor changed to that of an anxious mess.

I sure hope so, Christina sighed, putting her laptop down on her bed. Maybe, I need to focus on something else for a while.

That sounds like a plan, I said, getting off my own bed and grabbing my keys. Let's go get a coffee downtown. Maybe we can plan our afternoon there. I can check my clothing orders later tonight, and you can always call in to check on the restaurant. I think right now we need a little rest and relaxation.

I don't know about leaving the restaurant today, Christina said. This is one of the busiest days that we have, and if something goes wrong, I won't be there to fix it.lazy boy....

You have employees there that know how to keep the restaurant going, I argued. And if something goes wrong, they can call you. You can't always be at work. It isn't healthy.

I know, Christina said apprehensively. I just worry that they are going to do something to the restaurant that I can't fix. I know that no one working there would do anything on purpose, but some of the machinery is difficult to run. And what if they forget to turn off the grill? What if there is a fire? I just feel so tense not at least checking on them.

Fine, I replied. We can check on them, but that's it. You need to be able to step away. That's the point of managing something. You should be able to designate jobs to employees so they can focus on the productivity aspect, and you should be able to trust that they are doing their jobs.

It's not that I don't trust them, Christina replied. It's that I worry that something will go wrong.

AKA not trusting them, I shot back.

Charlotte sighed. She had issues with letting go of control. Do you really think they can handle it? She asked me.

Yes, I said. They are working right now. So, why do you think they always need you there?

I'm not always there, Christina said. I only stop in once a day on my days off unless we are short handed or need signage put up.

You need to stop that, I replied. Your days off are meant for rest and relaxation. You need to learn to separate business and pleasure.

But my business is my pleasure, Christina retorted. You just don't understand.

I shook my head. I understand, I said. You need to get out and remember what normal life is like. So, get dressed. We're leaving.

Chapter Two

Ifinally got Charlotte out of the house and into the car, only to hear her vocalize her worries about her restaurant. I understood worrying about a