Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Read Online Books/Novels: | Not Yet |
|---|---|
Author/Writer of Book/Novel: | Alexa Riley |
| Language: | English |
| Book Information: | |
Ali’s mom married Drake’s dad when they were just little kids. They became best friends instantly and spent years thick as thieves, but that all changed in high school. All she has to do is make it through the homecoming dance and then she and Drake can go their separate ways, but when he asks to be her date, suddenly she sees the boy she once loved. Drake has loved Ali since the day they met and nothing has changed since then. He’s had to keep her at arm’s length because he can’t have a happily ever after with her. They’ve been raised as siblings and she doesn’t deserve that kind of gossip. But when it’s time for the homecoming dance, he can’t let anyone else be by her side. It’s time to give in to what his heart has always wanted and what it’s waited for. Warning: These childhood best friends can’t make this work…or can they? Fall in love with us as these two finally realize what’s right in front of them and dare to hold on to it. We promise it’s worth the wait! | |
| Books by Author: | Alexa Riley Books |
Chapter One
Ali
Five years old
“Is that a castle?” I squeal as I unclick my seatbelt before my mom can get the car fully into park.
“Ali-bug,” she scolds me, nodding pointedly at the seatbelt.
“Sorry!” I shout as I open the car door and jump out.
“You live in a castle, Mr. Hawthorne?” I ask, running toward him.
I’ve known Mr. Hawthorne for a while now. He was my mom’s boss at work. I think he owns it or something. I jump toward him and he leans down to catch me midair.
“David,” he reminds me as he lifts me up.
“You live in a castle, David?” I ask again.
It’s hard to remember to call him David. Everyone else calls him Mr. Hawthorne, even Mom when she’s at work. The only time she ever calls him David is when we’re alone with him or she’s talking to me about him. I get to see him bunches since my mom has to take me into work with her sometimes. He lets me play in his office, and when we order lunch he always sneaks me dessert.
“I was thinking about living here.” He smiles at me. “But a castle needs a princess.” I know he’s teasing me. I also know this isn't really a castle, but it looks like one. Not only that but there’s so much land everywhere. Mom and I don't have a yard so we have to drive to the park if we want to play outside.
“Sorry, Mommy,” I say before she can scold me again. I got out of the car too fast but it was a castle and I got excited.
“Do you know of any princesses, Ali?” David asks me.
“Not a real one.” I scrunch my nose as I think and remember that David always calls me a princess.
“You’re not my princess?” he asks.
When I look at my mom I see she’s biting her bottom lip.
“Yours?” I ask, not understanding what he means.
“Well, I’d like you to be, if you’d give me that honor.” I look at my mom to see what she says.
“David and I want to get married, Ali-bug.” I squeal as I throw my arms around David and hug him tightly. “Well, that was easier than I thought it was going to be,” I hear my mom say with a small laugh in her voice.
“Do we get to have a wedding and live in this castle?” David’s whole body shakes as he tries to cover a laugh. “Does that mean you’ll be my dad?”
I’ve never had a dad before, but I sometimes secretly pretend David is mine. He’s always so sweet to me and my mom, and we don't have any other family besides the two of us.
“If you want me to be.” I nod my head and I feel my braids wiggle. “But you know I have a son, princess, so I’ll be his dad too.”
I think back to the picture that sits on his desk of the boy with dark hair. I’ve never met him before but I’ve heard David talk about him.
David turns a little and I see the same boy from the picture standing in the entryway of the house and he’s watching us. David puts me down on my feet as the boy walks over to me.
“Drake, this is Ali.” Drake looks just like David and I smile at him. He studies me for a second and it’s the same face David makes when he’s staring at his computer screen at work. After a moment he holds his hand out to me and I take it, but he doesn't let go like you're supposed to.
“You wanna play?” he asks.
He doesn't look like he plays. He’s in a button-up shirt and pants and he’s so clean. Maybe that’s why he looks so much like his dad. They dress the same. I don’t normally like playing with boys because they don’t want to play with my dolls. He might though.
“Yes,” I agree and I let his hand go. I run back to the car to grab my backpack then rush back to him and unzip it. “I have Barbies.”
He stares at the Ken doll I hold out to him and for a second I think he’s going to tell me no. But he reaches his hand out and takes it and nods.
“Okay,” he says and I smile even bigger.
Not only am I getting a dad but I’m getting a brother, too. This is the best day ever.
Chapter Two
Drake
Nine years old
“Guys, I said bedtime half an hour ago,” Carmen says as she comes into my bedroom.
Ali and I have been playing the new Mario game since we ran in the door from school. She got it for her birthday last week and we’ve almost beaten it.
“Mom, come on, we’re almost to the end,” Ali pleads and I back her up.