Choosing Us Sneak Peek

Happy Thursday, everyone! Choosing Us will be exclusively available on Amazon tomorrow! To get you excited for the release, here’s a sneak peek of the story—the prologue from Gina’s POV, where she and Grant have their first conversation. Enjoy! :-)

One Year Ago…

“I can’t believe I’m doing this...”

I was driving down Highway 99, trying to figure out what the hell I was doing as I headed to Phoenix Baker. I couldn’t concentrate on studying for the USMLE, so I needed a break. But I hadn’t expected that break to involve driving an hour to see Grant Dupree, the bartender who worked there.

Ever since my classmate and friend, Cheryl Thompson-Walker, invited me out one night with her family to her husband Marcus’s club, I’d been excited to go. I needed a release from the stress of med school, but I wanted a whole lot more when I walked in and saw Grant working the bar.

The way he worked the room that night, the way his biceps flexed as he poured drinks, and how his eyes shone—even beneath the hideous fluorescent lights—was captivating. He gave his undivided attention to everyone who sat at the bar. The man knew he looked good, which was one of the reasons I was drawn to him, and I wanted to get to know him. Well, if I ever got the chance.

Instead of trying to talk to him that night, I spent time with Cheryl. After all, she’d invited me, and I didn’t want to take my attention away from her. So, I hid my little crush and enjoyed the night. But that didn’t stop me from sneaking glances at him—which he seemed to be doing with me, too.

Since that night, I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him. I’d even come back two more times, but I still never talked to him. So I figured, why not tonight? I should be able to go after what I want, so I decided to drive and see him.

I casually asked Cheryl if she knew his work schedule, and she gave me a strange look. I didn’t give too much away, but she’d eventually know if things progressed between us.

What am I saying? I needed to have a conversation with him first before any of that could happen.

After twenty more minutes of driving, I finally approached the club. It was surprisingly packed for the middle of the week. I looked at the building and took a deep breath before getting out of my car. Glancing down at my black top and skinny jeans, I tugged on the hem of my shirt and took another deep breath before heading inside.

I pulled out my ID before getting in line, quickly showed it to the bouncer, and entered. Looking ahead, I spotted Grant at his usual post, mixing a drink. I smiled and approached the bar.

He looked up and gave me an alluring smile before finishing the drink and handing it to the guy beside me. The man handed him some money, and Grant nodded before the customer walked away.

“Hey. How are you this evening?”

“I’m good. And yourself?”

“Very good, especially now that you’re finally saying hi to me.”

“Oh, really?”

“You’ve been here three times already, and you never came to the bar.”

“Well, I was out with my friend, who also happens to be the owner’s wife.”

“I know.”

“If that’s the case, you could have said something too.”

“I am working.”

“Don’t want to make a bad impression on your boss?”

“Or his wife. She may think I’m trying to pick up women while I’m working.”

“Well, do you?”

He flashed a sexy smile as he held my gaze.

“Do you think I have?”

“I don’t know. You might.”

“I’ll let you in on a little secret. I don’t talk to anyone I serve.”

My expression changed when he said that. He glanced at me and shook his head.

“But you’re different.”

“Different how?”

“There’s something about you. As soon as you walk into a room, people notice you. I know I did.”

“But what makes me different from any other woman here?”

“You’re the first woman I’ve noticed since my divorce.”

I stared at him, speechless, as someone tried to get his attention. He excused himself and walked over to them. I sighed, wondering if I should continue this conversation. He’d been through a divorce, and there was no telling what kind of baggage he might be carrying.

That thought quickly disappeared when I watched him make a Manhattan. I couldn’t help admiring him as he worked the shaker. I imagined those hands on my body, touching me all over, and a grin spread across my face.

Once he finished and handed the drink to the customer, he turned his attention back to me.

“What’s with the pretty grin?”

“Oh, nothing. Just thinking about something.”

“Good. I thought you were thinking my divorce was humorous.”

“Of course not. In fact, I’m really sorry.”

“It’s cool. Sometimes things don’t work out, and in our case, it was for the best. I’m not bitter about it. It’s been a long time since the divorce, and I’ve spent most of that time focusing on getting myself together. When Marcus offered me the bartender position here, I was beyond grateful, especially since I moved to Baker. I still can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done for me.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. Where are you originally from?”

“New Orleans, but my parents are from Houston. They stayed in Louisiana for a few years until I graduated from high school, and then they moved back to Houston. I decided to stay and, well, got married.”

He shook his head and smiled.

“I don’t even know how I’m telling you all this when we haven’t even introduced ourselves.”

I smiled.

“Grant Dupree,” he said, extending his hand.

“Gina Watkins. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. I hope we’ll get to know each other a bit more. That’s if you’d like to.”

I smiled. “Definitely.”

When someone else tried to get his attention, I realized I shouldn’t keep him from his work. I was about to let him know I was leaving, but he looked at me and mouthed, Give me a minute, before walking away.

I waited as the crowd continued to grow. About twenty minutes later, he hurried back to me, pulled a pen from his pocket, and gently turned my hand over.

I stared at him, wondering what he was doing, when he wrote his number across my palm.

“Don’t be afraid to use it,” he said.

He gave me that sexy smile before turning to another customer.

I glanced at the number, then back at him, and smiled. I wondered if I would actually use it, considering how focused I was on becoming a doctor. But I came here for a reason tonight, and it was to talk to him.

The number would not be wasted.

Not at all.

Preorder is still available, and you can 1-click by clicking the link below.

https://tinyurl.com/33w4v6hr

We’ll be celebrating the release of Choosing Us tomorrow, so check back then! !

Until then, happy reading everyone! :-)