Dare to Love: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (Finding Love Book 4) Read online

  Dare to Love:

  A Sweet Contemporary Romance

  (Finding Love, Book 4)

  by

  Delaney Cameron

  ©2016 Delaney Cameron

  Photo courtesy of: Oxana Denezhkina

  Used under license from Shutterstock.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this e-book can be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without the written permission of the author.

  This book is fiction and its characters are purely a manifestation of the imagination of the author. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places, and events is entirely coincidental. (9)

  Other books by Delaney Cameron:

  Team Mom: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (Finding Love, Book 1)

  Stealing His Heart: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (Finding Love, Book 2)

  Love of a Lifetime: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (Finding Love, Book 3)

  Yours, With Love: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (Finding Love, Book 5)

  Dream of Me: A Sweet Contemporary Romance

  Finding Allie: A Sweet Regency Romance Novella

  For updates or to sign up for my newsletter, please go to:

  delaneycameron.weebly.com

  Dedication

  To Granny: thank you for showing me the true meaning of forgiveness.

  Prologue

  Sabrina had no choice but to leave the tutoring center. It didn’t matter how much she wanted to stick around so she could keep stealing glances over the cubicle wall at the guy she’d affectionately named Green Eyes. She had a class starting in ten minutes to which she couldn’t be late, and if that wasn’t enough incentive, Camille’s first appointment was about to arrive and would need the seat she was presently occupying.

  Sliding her backpack off the arm of the chair, she bid her friend goodbye, resisting the urge to take one more peek. Just as she reached the door, she realized she’d left her phone on Camille’s desk. Mumbling under her breath, she swung back around and promptly collided with the person behind her. The apology hovering on her lips was replaced by an exclamation of surprise.

  “It’s the candy girl,” a deep voice said into the awkward silence.

  That wasn’t exactly how she wanted to be remembered. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

  Green Eyes smiled as he stepped to the side. “That’s okay. I do it all the time.”

  Only after he disappeared through the doors did her addled brain finally click into place. Phone! She needed to get her phone. She looked up and saw Camille hurrying toward her.

  “You forgot this,” her roommate reminded her, handing her the slim pink case. “Again.”

  “Thanks.”

  “His name is Trent Thomas.”

  “Who are you talking about?”

  “That guy you almost ran down. Gotta go.”

  Having a name to put with his gorgeous face only increased Sabrina’s interest in him. Not that it had lessened to any degree since that first fateful sighting two weeks ago. It didn’t take long to figure out he was a baseball player and that the team practiced every afternoon. By the time the fall term ended, Sabrina knew more about a game she’d never watched before than she ever dreamed possible. She also discovered that her hero had feet of clay. He was a ladies’ man; what her grandmother would have called a wolf.

  This aspect of his character was difficult to reconcile with the image she’d created in her mind. She didn’t want to think he was one of those guys. Her romantic side searched for and finally came up with a possible, if not totally plausible, explanation: he hadn’t met the right person. When he did, he wouldn’t be like that anymore. Her dreamy heart took that a step further: maybe she was the right person.

  Just the thought of such a thing being true was enough to render Sabrina slightly breathless. It also made it difficult to leave campus for Christmas break. Going almost four weeks without any chance of seeing Trent took some of the enjoyment out of a holiday she loved. When the first day of spring classes finally arrived, Sabrina could hardly contain herself. For once she didn’t mind standing outside in the cold January wind waiting for the bookstore to open. It was just a matter of being patient a few days or perhaps even hours. She would run into him again. Their college campus was small enough to make this almost a certainty.

  Beside her, Camille was giving a running commentary on the male contingent of the student population. Sabrina smiled in spite of her numb fingers. Her friend was the definition of boy crazy. The fact that she was lucky enough to have a boyfriend didn’t stop her from flirting with every guy she could get close enough to. This was something Sabrina couldn’t understand. Why would you do that when you already had someone? It seemed like an act of disloyalty.

  “There’s Trent Thomas,” Camille was saying, conveniently forgetting that she’d already supplied this information months ago. “He’s the first baseman on the baseball team. He’s a player off the field, too, if you know what I mean.”

  Sabrina knew it all too well, but that didn’t stop her heart from racing at the mention of his name. She glanced over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of the tall figure. He was walking from the direction of the dorms with two other guys. She noticed that he’d let his beard grow over the long break. Many of the guys did this; she suspected it was because it helped keep their faces warm. It didn’t detract from his looks; but then again, nothing could do that.

  It was logical that a guy who embodied such perfection would gravitate to females who were just as striking. From Sabrina’s observation of him, he seemed to have a preference for petite blondes with stunning features and flawless figures. With physical attraction being such an important part of what drew people together, she wished she possessed even one of the things he obviously found attractive.

  But such was not the case. No matter how one sliced it, she was a big girl; not overweight, but tall and curvy. Her one vanity was her hair which like her mother’s was brown with reddish tones. She’d worn it long and short over the course of her twenty years; at this point, it fell almost to her waist in soft waves. Her eyes were an attractive dark blue, but her lashes needed mascara to be noticed at all and her mouth was too wide for her face.

  “Sabrina, the line is moving,” Camille prompted from ahead of her. “They must have opened the door.”

  With one last glance in Trent’s direction, she hurried to catch up with her friend. She hadn’t told Camille or anyone else about her secret crush. They’d probably laugh at the very idea that he would ever look her way. It was difficult enough keeping her own hopes up; she didn’t need to hear how impossible it was from those who knew her best. It was a harmless fantasy that hurt no one; a one-sided affair that would slowly fade from lack of encouragement.

  * * * * *

  Trent had never been so glad to get back on campus. His relaxing Christmas break had dissolved into chaos when his parents found out he failed chemistry. Now they were threatening to pull him out of college and bring him home to Augusta if he didn’t get his act together. Didn’t they realize he was as frustrated as they were? He wasn’t stupid; he saw the writing on the wall. The next two years were critical if he wanted to get drafted like his brother Landris.

  Just the thought of having to endure the same boring lectures three days a week for the next sixteen weeks was enough to make him sick. On top of that, he had the weekly labs to contend with. He hoped he got a decent partner this time. The one in the fall had been a fellow baseball player who’d barely passed himself. Trent wasn’t taking any chances. He was going to ask the professor to put him with so
meone really smart for a change. Using a tutor hadn’t helped much if his grade was any indication, and with baseball season around the corner, he wouldn’t have time to visit the tutoring center anyway.

  In the meantime, he had to buy his books and get back to the field. His team was hosting a baseball camp for kids. Trent enjoyed working with the eight- to twelve-year-old boys. They were so eager to learn, and it was exciting to see how much they improved from the beginning until the end of the week. When the camp ended for the day, he’d have just enough time to get ready for his date.

  He’d had his eye on Mia for a while, but couldn’t do anything about it because she had a boyfriend. When he found out they broke up, he waited a few days and then called her. Going out was a way to unwind, to get away from the pressure for a few hours. Between school and baseball, he didn’t have time to invest in anything serious. Trent had a plan for his life, and that plan wouldn’t get accomplished if he didn’t stay focused.

  Girls didn’t understand this simple concept. After a few dates, they weren’t content to just hang out anymore. They wanted some level of commitment, and they seemed to expect his undivided attention. He had more things to do than send dozens of text messages a day. For that reason, he made sure he never dated any one girl very long. As soon as they started to get the least bit possessive, he cut them loose. It was a system that worked well.

  His twin sister told him he was heartless even after he explained his motives. She also pointed out that the only reason he found his ‘system’ so enjoyable was because he’d never been on the receiving end. He couldn’t argue with that. Trent had never suffered the pain of a breakup or of wanting someone he couldn’t have. But he did sometimes wonder what would happen to his plans if he ever did fall for a girl.

  He, Murph, and Bradley took their places in the line for the bookstore which by this time extended halfway across the courtyard. That’s what they got for sleeping in.

  “Man, it’s cold out here,” Bradley complained.

  Trent laughed. “This isn’t cold. Landris played for a year in Canada. He said it took him forever to get used to it.”

  “I bet he’s glad to be back in Georgia,” Murph said. “I saw where he led the division in homeruns.”

  “I wish I could hit the ball 450 feet,” Bradley put in.

  “You’re lucky to get it out of the infield,” Murph told him, smirking.

  Bradley flipped the baseball cap off Murph’s head, sending it flying through the air and into the back of another student.

  “Good job, Bradley. You almost took that girl’s head off,” Trent pointed out.

  “Don’t just stand there, Bradley,” Murph said angrily. “Go get it. That’s my new hat.”

  “Then you better get going,” his friend replied, crossing his arms.

  Trent looked back to where the hat had made contact. “She’s picking it up. Hurry, Bradley. She might decide to keep it.”

  “I hope she does,” Bradley retorted. “It’s an ugly hat.”

  Murph shoved Bradley out of the way and stalked off.

  “It looks like she’s dusting it off,” Trent remarked. “That’s nice.”

  “I was hoping she’d step on it.”

  Trent watched as Murph hurried to catch the girl before she turned the corner. “I wonder what he’ll say. You know how he gets around girls.”

  Bradley let out a low whistle. “Is she tall or what? Murph barely reaches her shoulder.”

  Trent’s grin widened as he realized where he’d seen that particular girl before. “That’s not going to make him any happier. You better disappear.”

  “He’s still talking to her. What’s he doing? Asking her out?”

  “I doubt it. Not with her being a head taller.”

  Bradley laughed. “And twenty pounds heavier. I don’t think she’s a regular at the gym.”

  Trent frowned suddenly, not liking the comment. “Not everyone is as obsessed with being in shape as we are.”

  His friend shrugged this off. “If she cared enough, she’d do something about it.”

  Was it worth arguing about? Murph’s reappearance was the perfect way to let the subject drop. Trent parted ways from the other two inside the bookstore.

  He found the right section and started scanning the printed cards taped to the shelves for the one with his course number. Because he had a different chemistry professor this time, he had to buy a different book as well as another lab manual. He crouched down to see if he could find a used one that wasn’t too beat up. Of course there weren’t any. He either had to rent a book or pay full price for a new one. The last time he did a rental, he ended up having to buy it at the end of the term anyway because he accidently spilled water on it.

  Trent reached for a new book and winced when he saw the price. His mom was going to freak out when she saw the credit card statement for this month. The lab manual was only slightly less expensive. Putting it on top of the other book, he stood up to leave. Standing at the end of the aisle was the girl Bradley had hit with Murph’s hat. When he got closer, he noticed she was looking through the same book he’d used last semester for speech class.

  “I hope you don’t have Professor Sheldon,” he said, coming to a halt beside her.

  She jumped a little as if she hadn’t noticed him. “I do actually.”

  “Get ready for a tough class. He’s definitely old school.”

  “I…I heard he has a thing about phones.”

  Trent nodded. “You heard right. Hide it in your backpack. Good luck.”

  She smiled shyly. “Thanks.”

  As he made his way back to the dorm to drop off his books, he kept thinking about that smile. The candy girl was kinda pretty when she smiled.

  Chapter One

  Six years later…

  Sabrina stared through the windshield at the rain pouring from the one dark cloud in the otherwise blue sky. In exactly fifteen minutes she was supposed to present herself for an interview. Why had she forgotten her umbrella on this of all days?

  She looked in the backseat for anything that could provide some cover. The plastic bag containing her purchases from the craft store might be large enough to put over her head. It was better than nothing. After dumping an assortment of embroidery floss and yarn on the seat, she arranged the bag over her head, grabbed her purse and bolted out of the car as fast as high heels and wet pavement would allow.

  Water seeped into the open toes of her shoes as she navigated around the maze of puddles dotting the parking lot. Rain pelted her jacket and skirt making the gray material appear even darker. She consoled herself with the thought that at least her hair and face would be dry. A strong gust of wind removed even that layer of comfort. By the time she reached the entrance, she resembled a cat emerging from an unplanned dip in a swimming pool.

  When she stepped into the air-conditioned building, an uncontrollable shiver coursed through her. This was followed by a sneeze that echoed off the walls like a fog horn. Every head in the reception area turned in her direction. Not quite the discreet entrance she’d been hoping for.

  A glance at the oversized metal and glass clock hanging on the wall told her she didn’t have time to repair the damage even if she could have thought of something to do. Her purse didn’t contain a change of clothes or a blow dryer. Gathering what dignity she could, she approached the receptionist sitting behind the desk. The sympathetic glance she received in return for her tentative smile only increased her discomfort.

  “Hello. I’m Sabrina Melton. I have an appointment with Mr. Porter at eleven-thirty.”

  “Have a seat, Miss Melton. I’ll let him know you’re here.”

  As Sabrina turned away, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the glass and barely suppressed a groan. Her once sleekly styled hair hung in limp waves that would no doubt be a mass of frizz by the time she met with Mr. Porter. In the quietness of the room, the squelching of her shoes was clearly audible as she made her way across the polished floor. Only the
thought of the abysmally small balance in her checking account kept her from slipping out the door into the rain and pretending this morning never happened.

  Sitting down in the first available seat, she ignored the curious stares of those around her and hid her disheveled appearance behind a magazine. It wasn’t the usual glossy periodical filled with pictures and recipes usually found in waiting room areas. This journal had article after article dealing with the Federal Reserve, interest rates, and the stock market. Were there people who actually liked to read this stuff? She wanted something that would take her mind off her current situation, not give her a headache.

  It had been four agonizing months since the company she’d been with for almost two years decided they no longer needed her services. Sabrina might not have been so upset about receiving a pink slip if she hadn’t known that her position was going to the boss’s daughter who had little experience and a tendency to do sloppy work. Since that dreadful day when she was allowed a half hour to pack up her desk and then escorted to the front door by security, she’d lost count of the number of places she sent resumes, none of which netted a single interview. Apparently graphic artists weren’t in high demand, at least where she lived.

  With the bills piling up and no job prospects in sight, she took the advice of her friend Camille and contacted a temp agency. The kind lady who took her application told her the jobs were mostly clerical with salaries well below what she’d been earning previously. Sabrina was past the point of being concerned about such things. The bottom line was she needed a regular paycheck coming in.

  After waiting anxiously by the phone for several days, she finally got a call about a temporary opening. Hopefully she hadn’t ruined her chances by leaving her umbrella at home. First impressions were so important when you were being considered for a job.

  “Miss Melton,” the voice of the receptionist called to her.

  She lowered the magazine and looked toward the desk. “Yes?”