First Kiss Last
Sara Miller
Copyright © 2021 Sara Miller
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
To my best friend, my husband, my love.
Scott Allen Miller is a cool dude.
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgements
First Kiss Last
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Epilogue
About the author
Acknowledgements
A year ago, in the midst of a looming pandemic, I half-jokingly told a coworker, “If we get sent home, I’m gonna write a book.” Then the stay-at-home order hit and I knew it was now or never. As everyone’s jobs ground to a halt, I got to work.
I may have written this book, but the phrase “it takes a village” definitely applies. I’m not even sure who to thank first. So I’ll just jump in and cover as many people as I can. If I miss you, I’m sorry. It was not intentional. I appreciate your support.
To my niece, Kelsey, who read almost chapter-by-chapter the roughest draft possible. Thank you for loving my characters as much as I do. For seeing my vision. For encouraging me through the tough spots. For laughing with me and crying with me as the story unfolded in front of us. (And for not freaking out that your aunt wrote a romance novel.) I can’t imagine this journey without you.
To my friend and fellow author, Elle Clouse. How many stories have I started and never finished? But you always encouraged me to keep writing! Thank you for lending me your beta-readers, Ann Marie and Rhonda. And for only being a message away whenever I had questions about writing or publishing.
To Ian, who will most likely never read this, thank you for dancing with me in my dreams. And for not remembering it in the morning.
To my very first boyfriend, Chris. Middle school seriously feels like a lifetime ago. Yet you friend-requested me after all these years and unintentionally sparked the idea for this book. Thank you for inspiring me and encouraging me to “not change a damn thing.” While my character Cade is just a work of fiction, you are real and I hope you get the happily-ever-after you deserve.
To my friend, Daen. Thank you for your timeless friendship, patience, and sound advice. You helped me filter out all the things threatening to discourage me. Best of all, you pushed me toward the editor I didn’t even know I needed.
Yes . . . my editor (said with pride) Nessa Flax. I cannot imagine getting to this point without you. Not only did you take my rough manuscript and polish it into something even more amazing than I expected, you taught me as we worked. And it was work. But oh, so worth it. I am smarter, stronger, and more confident because of you. Not only have I learned new writing skills, I have gained a friend. I’m not sure which I appreciate more. Thank you!
And last but definitely not least, I want to thank the Lord for my imagination, my creativity, and my talent for storytelling.
When this story came to me, I’ll be honest, I was surprised by the content. I literally tried to write it off as a short story and be done with it. But as the characters grew and developed in my mind, their story became so clear I knew I had to tell it. The characters in this book do not share my faith. I looked at their story from every angle and I had two choices: write their story as it came to me or not write it at all. I chose to tell their story.
This choice has taken me on a journey of writing what I believe to be an amazing story. A love story of second chances and plot twists—a secular romance. So to my Christian friends and family who have loved and supported me, I leave it up to you whether you choose to read any further. I love you regardless.
First Kiss Last
Chapter 1
Hands shaking, Leah set down her coffee and slid it away, knowing full well it was not the caffeine causing her jitters. How long had it been since she’d seen him? They were strangers. Why now? After all these years? Her life was good, she was happy, she did not even want this. And yet . . . here she was, sitting in a coffee shop on a Saturday morning waiting for someone she should not be meeting.
Leah had taken great care getting ready this morning, making sure her long brown hair was smooth and straight. She also spent extra time on her makeup, trying to make sure her round face was perfect. She had changed her clothes three times before returning to the very first outfit. Her new dark green sweater brought out a green tint to her hazel eyes. Its short sleeves and cowl neck hugged her curves and provided the perfect backdrop for the long pendant necklace she chose. The sweater hung past the cropped khaki jacket she’d added, due to the early fall temperature outside. Below it, she wore dark wash jeans and trendy ankle boots. It really was a great outfit.
Knowing her clothes were fashionable, however,
