All the Reasons I Need Read online

  Table of Contents

  Synopsis

  Praise for Jaime Clevenger

  About the Author

  Other Books by Jaime Clevenger

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  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

  Epilogue

  Synopsis

  When your best friend is the only one you want to kiss…

  Kate Owens has kept her attraction to her best friend Mo Calloway a carefully guarded secret for years. But some secrets you can’t hide forever and she’s worried that Mo is beginning to suspect her feelings.

  It’s harder than ever to pretend there’s nothing going on when a reservation mistake on a trip to Mexico leads to Kate sharing Mo’s bed for five long nights.

  One fateful vacation could change everything. But are Kate and Mo ready to risk their friendship for a chance at love?

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  Praise for Jaime Clevenger

  Three Reasons to Say Yes

  This is without a doubt my new favourite Jaime Clevenger novel. Honestly I couldn’t put it down from the first chapter. Three Reasons to Say Yes is written solely from Julia’s point of view and what a view on her life she has. Many of my blog readers know I am not a massive fan of one protagonist point of views but in this instance it worked perfectly…the secondary characters of Mo and Kate (Julia’s best friends) left me wanting more. I mean these two had clear underlying feelings but Jaime Clevenger leaves every moment with them open and I just craved more from them. The hurrah part of the book was when I heard there is to be a sequel and these characters will get their day…not sure if it will be happy ever after but I’m already dying to get my hands on it. All in all this book has the potential to be my book of the year. Truly, books like this don’t come around often that suit my reading tastes to a tee.

  —Les Rêveur

  …this one was totally my cup of tea with its charming relationship and family dynamics, great chemistry between two likable protagonists, a very convincing romance, some angst, drama and tension to the right extent and in all the right moments, and some very nice secondary characters. On top of that, the writing is technically very good, with all elements done properly. Sincerely recommended.

  —Pin’s Reviews, goodreads

  This is different than a traditional lesfic romance. It almost was a romantic family drama. I guess it’s more on the border between the two. The main premise is about two women wanting to have no-strings sex. But what happens when feelings get involved? We have all read this premise before, but this take on it felt different. There was more involved and it just absolutely worked for me. I have to give a nod to really well done secondary characters. The secondary characters had such strong and real personalities that I almost cared about them as much as the two mains. This was better writing of secondaries than we normally get to read. There are actually a few unanswered questions about the secondary characters. I don’t know if this is intentional because a sequel starring them might be planned. I sure hope so as I would absolutely read that book.

  I definitely recommend this to people looking for something different than the traditional romance books. This was way better than I thought and I have high hopes others will enjoy this as much as I did.

  —Lex Kent’s Reviews, goodreads

  This was a really easy story to get into. I sank right in and wanted to stay there, because reading about other people on vacation is kind of like taking a mini vacation from the world! It’s sweet and lovely, and while it has some angst, it’s not going to hurt you. Instead, it’s going to take you away from it all so you can come back with a smile on your face.

  —The Lesbian Review

  Party Favors

  This book has one of the best characters ever. Me. Or rather you. It’s quite a strange and startling experience at first to be in a book, especially one with as many hot, sexy, beautiful women in it, who incidentally all seem to want you. But believe me, you’ll soon get used to it. This may be the first book in a very long time that I’ve read that used a second person point of view. That’s when the narrator tells you, the reader, what you’re doing in the story. It’s exactly like those old choose-your-own-adventure novels, but I have to tell you, this journey is a lot more fun than I ever remember those books being. By the end of the first chapter, I was used to the point of view, and was entertained and amused by what I was doing.

  In a word, this book was FUN. It made me smile, and laugh, and tease my wife. I definitely recommend it to everyone, with the caveat that if you don’t like erotica you should probably give it a pass. But not only read it, enjoy it, experience it, also find a friend, or a spouse, or even a book buddy online to talk to about it. Because you’ll want to, it’s that great.

  —The Lesbian Review

  I’ve read this book a few times and each time changed my decisions to find new and inviting destinations each time. This is a book you can read time and time again with a different journey. If you’re looking for a fun Saturday night read that’s sexy and hot as hell then this book is 100% for you! Go buy it now. 5 Stars.

  —Les Rêveur

  The story is told in the second person, present tense, which is ambitious in itself–it takes great skill to make that work and for the reader, who is now the narrator, to really connect to the thoughts and actions that are being attributed to them. Not all of the scenes will turn everyone on, as we all have different tastes, but I am pretty sure there is something for everyone in here. And if you do as you’re told and follow the structure the author uses, you can dip into this book as much or as little as you wish. An interesting read with some pretty hot interactions.

  —Rainbow Book Reviews

  About the Author

  Jaime Clevenger lives in Colorado with her family. She spends her days working as a veterinarian, but also enjoys swimming, teaching karate, playing with her kids, and snuggling the foster kittens and puppies that often fill her home. She loves to hear a good story and hopes that if you ever meet her, you’ll tell her your favorite. Feel free to embellish the details.

  Other Books by Jaime Clevenger

  Bella Books

  Call Shotgun

  A Fugitive’s Kiss

  Moonstone

  Party Favors

  Sign on the Line

  Sweet, Sweet Wine

  Three Reasons to Say Yes

  The Unknown Mile

  Waiting for a Love Song

  Whiskey and Oak Leaves

  Spinsters Ink

  All Bets Off

  Copyright © 2019 by Jaime Clevenger

  Bella Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 10543

  Tallahassee, FL 32302

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, elec
tronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  First Bella Books Edition 2019

  eBook released 2019

  Editor: Medora MacDougall

  Cover Designer: Judith Fellows

  ISBN: 978-1-64247-057-4

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Acknowledgments

  Many thanks to my first-, second-, and third-pass readers. All of you shaped this story in important ways and I’m so grateful for your advice. Thank you Katie Lynch for being patient and supportive throughout. Thank you Rachael Byrne for your enthusiasm on this series. Thank you KD Williamson for your insight and for making me work a little harder. Thank you Laina Villeneuve for always being willing to read my stories. Thank you Carla for jumping in to help at the eleventh hour. Thank you Medora for another nearly painless experience (sometimes editing is almost fun because of you). And last but definitely not least, thank you Corina. For some reason, you put up with me even when I’m stuck in a fictional world with my make-believe friends. I owe you lots of kisses for all the times I stayed up late finishing just one more sentence…

  Prologue

  Sixteen Years Ago

  At the top of the landing, a long corridor stretched. Voices filtered through a few of the closed doors, but no one was in sight. Kate Owens tugged her suitcase behind her, silently counting off the room numbers.

  Her therapist had insisted college would be the perfect fresh start—new city, new friends, new beginning—and all she had to do was pretend she hadn’t spent the summer in treatment. She stopped in front of room 341 and stared at the door for a long minute. If she turned around now, her mom’s “I told you so’s” would go on for months. But maybe that would be better than failing all over again.

  The door popped open and Kate took a step back.

  A cute Asian girl smiled at her. “Were you about to come in? Obviously you were—what am I saying?” She held up a bright pink Hello Kitty sign with Welcome written in at least twenty different languages. “The RA said we each needed to decorate our door. I know it’s dorky but I was going to put this up. What do you think?”

  “I like dorky.”

  “Good answer. Bienvenue, shalom, and aloha.” The girl grinned and turned to tape up the sign.

  Kate eyed the room. Three beds, three desks, three dressers, and an assortment of suitcases crowded the space, leaving only a narrow strip of worn carpet uncovered. Nothing like home—but maybe that was a good thing.

  “By the way, I’m Julia. Are you Katelyn? Or Monique?”

  Before Kate could answer, she felt a hand on her elbow. Her mom had caught up. “I thought there had to be a fire with how fast you were going,” Eileen said. She smiled at Julia. “Well, aren’t you a peach. Julia, did you say? I’m Eileen. And this,” Eileen squeezed Kate’s shoulders, “is my baby, Katelyn Owens. Isn’t she beautiful? Just like you. The pair of you will drive the boys crazy.”

  It was too late to wish her mom had waited in the car.

  “My mom still calls me her baby too,” Julia said, subtly winking at Kate. She turned to Eileen. “That’s a lovely necklace.”

  “Oh, aren’t you sweet,” Eileen cooed.

  Kate doubted Julia truly liked her mom’s ostentatious diamonds, but the swift compliment had instantly won Eileen over. Julia was sharply dressed in a short black skirt and patterned maroon knit top, her black hair up in a haphazard bun with loose strands framing her face. She pulled off the look of city fashionista while still seeming comfortably relaxed. Definitely cool.

  Kate glanced down at her own outfit. The sundress and sandals belonged at a barbeque in Sand Bluff. Not chic San Francisco. On top of that, she knew she should have styled her hair or at least left it down. She’d been too nervous that morning to do anything but pull it back in a ponytail. With her blond hair and baby face, she probably looked young enough to order a kids’ meal. But even if she looked cool, she’d be the same mess on the inside.

  Eileen pushed past them to walk around the room. She opened the door to the bathroom and then poked her head inside for a closer look. The upside of sharing with two roommates instead of one was that this “suite” had a private bathroom. Judging from Eileen’s frown, however, the bathroom wasn’t much of a positive. She turned back to survey the bedroom again, her disapproval obvious as she took in the scratched desks and the mismatched dressers that clearly had weathered years of spilt drinks and hard use.

  “Well, I guess this is what you get if you leave Texas.” Eileen sniffed. “You’ll be living on top of each other.”

  “I think it’s perfect.” Kate pulled her suitcase into the room, officially determined to make the best of it. She’d had to share a room at the treatment center too. That suite was posh compared to this, but at least she was used to roommates.

  “I found a man just fine without bothering about college.” Eileen squinted at the smudged window between the two beds. “But Katelyn wants a city slicker, I guess.”

  “I’m definitely not here to find a husband,” Kate interrupted. “And it’s just Kate. Not Katelyn.”

  “Well, it wouldn’t be the worse thing that happened,” Eileen returned.

  “Kate suits you.” Julia smiled. “And I’m not looking for a husband either. As weird as it sounds, I decided to go to college to learn something.”

  Kate grinned. “What were you thinking?”

  “Right?”

  Kate felt her hopes rise as Julia laughed. They were going to be friends—she was certain of it.

  “Hey, roomies!”

  Kate spun around at the rich alto voice. A tall, lanky, black girl with a short haircut and a disarming smile gave her a once-over. She managed, “Hi,” before she felt the heat rise up her neck and settle on her cheeks. Her pale complexion could never conceal a blush, but at the moment she wanted to pull a bag over her head.

  “You must be Monique,” Julia said, stepping forward. “I’m Julia.”

  “Everyone calls me Mo.” She clasped Julia’s hand, her smile widening.

  As Mo chatted with Julia about city traffic, Kate reminded herself to breathe. For once she wanted to be cool. She tried to concentrate on the conversation, laughing when Julia did, but found herself taking in Mo more than listening. Blue gym shorts hung low on her hips, exposing the waistband of a pair of boxers, white socks were pulled up past her calves, and a white sports bra peeked out from under the edges of an oversized yellow tank top. Her skin was a smooth dark brown and her black hair was clipped short against her head. She was beautiful. Or maybe handsome?

  “So you’re Kate?”

  “What?”

  “Or is it Katelyn?”

  “Oh, yeah. Just Kate.” She smiled and then realized Mo was waiting to shake her hand. As soon as she clasped Mo’s hand, a warmth swept through her. She looked up and Mo’s brown eyes caught her gaze. Her pulse thumped in her ears. It was the right moment to either say something or let go, but she didn’t do either. Mo grinned, her expression half surprised and half amused.

  Before Kate think of some joke to smooth over the awkwardness, Mo let go of her hand and turned back to Julia. They laughed about having an icebreaker game of Truth or Dare later and Kate felt her mother’s eyes bore into her. She needed to act like nothing was wron
g, but her heart was racing and a sweat had started at her armpits.

  “I’m Eileen. Katelyn’s mom,” Eileen said, her hawkish gaze now on Mo. “You’re so tall—you must be a basketball player. Are you here on a scholarship?”

  The words landed like a dull thud. Kate pointedly glared, but her mom ignored the look.

  “I am here on a scholarship but not for sports,” Mo said. “Computer science. I’m a big math nerd.”

  “Computer science?” Eileen didn’t hide her surprise.

  “I’m crazy about numbers. And programming.”

  The way Mo straightened up, facing off to Eileen, and the way her voice said don’t-fuck-with-me without saying it at all, made Kate want to gawk like all those tourists admiring the Golden Gate.

  “I guess that’s better than being crazy about boys.” Eileen laughed. “When I was you girls’ age, the only numbers I was thinking about were boys’ phone numbers. But I hope none of you will be bringing boys up here after curfew. They were telling all the parents at orientation that they’ve gotten very strict about that rule.”

  “As long as there’s no rules about bringing girls up,” Mo said. Without missing a beat, she added, “Did they mention that at the parents’ orientation?”

  Eileen’s mouth dropped straight open. Kate tried not to show her own surprise. Even without looking her direction, she knew Mo was studying her reaction.

  So Mo was gay. What did it matter to her? Kate answered the question a moment later even as she argued it couldn’t be true.

  Chapter One

  Present Day

  “You’re avoiding her.”

  “I’m not avoiding anyone,” Kate said. But Julia was right. She was most definitely avoiding Mo. “How are you? How are the kids? How’s Reed?”