When I See You (A Love Story)

If love never lasts and promises are usually broken, what happens when I see you? She believes that love can never last, promises are usually broken, and true happiness is extremely elusive in the long run. He believes most risks are worth taking, the promises he makes can be kept, and love doesn't factor into his relationships any longer. They're both wrong. Jordan Holloway puts all of her creative talents and energy into forging a life with her three-year-old son Max while she waits for her husband Ethan's return from Afghanistan. As a head chef at the prestigious restaurant Le Reve, she focuses upon the two things she can count upon: Max and food. Neither disappoints. Even so, being the best chef, the perfect mother, and the ideal wife to Ethan exact an unforgiving toll as Jordan struggles to cope with her hero-husband's long absences. Given her tragic past, it's not surprising that Jordan has trouble believing in happily-ever-after and really trusting anyone, even if Ethan fails to see her struggles. What is troubling is that Ethan's best friend and sniper partner, Brock Wainwright, seems to recognize Jordan's tortured soul just upon meeting her, instantly sensing her pain. In a surreal moment between them, Jordan extracts an almost impossible promise from Brock--to keep Ethan safe and bring him home to her. But can Brock keep such a promise? Brock finds himself in unfamiliar, emotional terrain with Jordan Holloway; making promises to a woman he's just met but now can't stop thinking about. Upon his return to Afghanistan with Ethan, he experiences a clear understanding of what it means to covet someone else's life and wife. Still, Brock promised Jordan that he'd take care of Ethan, and he is intent on keeping that promise to her. Excerpt from When I See You "Can I ask you something?" Brock asks. "Uh-huh." I bite my lower lip, feigning concentration on finishing the frosting masterpiece in front of me, although I'm actually holding my breath in anticipation of his question. A part of me already knows that it will be too intimate or too personal to actually answer. "Are you happy?" I look up at him. He looks genuinely concerned. I blush, recalling my deepest thoughts and revelations about marriage to him. "Of course," I say quickly. "Really happy. It's hard to have this life with Ethan when he's gone so much of the time." It's not a question. It's a statement. A salvo. Is he testing me? Or, taunting me? "It's hard," I say slowly. "You've been in love, right? The fiancée?" "Yes. It was a long time ago." Devastation crosses his features, and then, he shrugs and slowly smiles. "I don't talk about her. Ever." He gives me this challenging look. I nod slowly in acknowledgement and smile back. "A long time ago still counts," I say. "Ethan's always here, inside of me." I point to my heart, then blush again. I'm wearing Ethan's 'Sea, Air, and Land' SEAL t-shirt, but suddenly feel embarrassed at this man's close scrutiny of it. "But does he really see you?" His question catches me off guard. The disquiet in his voice reaches for me, stirring up all these insecurities about Ethan I harbor. How does Brock know that I wonder? How does he know that I don't believe in fairy tales or happily-ever-afters anymore? Does he see my pain? Does he feel it? And, if he does, how come Ethan doesn't? ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ Praise for When I See You "...this book is not a fast pace 'on the edge of your seat' mystery, not an erotica, no vampires or make believe animals this book. its simply an emotional roller coaster that i highly recommend to everyone." jerseygirl - Goodreads "...The story is magically woven with and drew me in from the start..." Krista - Goodreads. Keep up-to-date with Owen's fiction, sign up for her newsletter at her website