Mr one and only, p.1
Mr. One and Only, page 1
Mr One and Only
Baes of Juneteenth
Sharon C. Cooper
Amaris Publishing LLC
Contents
Blurb
Prologue
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
Epilogue
Next Book In The Series
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About the Author
Mr. One and Only
By
Sharon C. Cooper
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Copyright © 2023 Sharon C. Cooper
Amaris Publishing LLC
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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For permission, contact the author at www.sharoncooper.net
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This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
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This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Blurb
They come from two different worlds, but when the heart is involved nothing else matters.
Entrepreneur Noah Chambers, aka Mr. Black Atlanta, always gets what he wants. So when he falls in love with Genesis Savell and asks her to marry him, he’s certain she’ll say yes. She doesn’t. Instead, she insists they take a break from each other. That’s when Noah knows there’s something else going on, and he has every intention of finding out what.
Dating Noah, the owner of the company she works at, wasn’t one of her best decisions. But falling in love with him is even worse. Genesis is in the midst of planning his company’s annual Juneteenth Gala and Silent Auction charity event, but her past comes back to haunt her. Instead of focusing on the gala, her attention is hopelessly divided between two men. One who she loves more than life. The other—the man who saved her life years ago. Yet, when her world spins out of control, there’s no question who she’ll call for help—Mr. One and Only—Noah. But is it too late?
Prologue
The moment Genesis Savell stepped out of her office building and onto the busy sidewalk in Midtown Atlanta, she inhaled a deep breath and released it slowly. It was late April with blue skies and a perfect seventy-five degrees.
Spring weather was almost non-existent in the city, but for the last couple of days, they’d had a taste of it. No doubt next week would be back in the eighties the way it had been the week before.
Now for coffee.
As she strolled along the semi-busy sidewalk, Genesis thought about the projects on her to-do list for the afternoon. A regular black coffee wouldn’t do. She was going to need something stronger… and sweeter.
The coffee shop was only a few doors down, and the moment Genesis walked in, she inhaled deeply. The aroma alone gave her an extra pep in her step, and she quickly placed her order. A short while later, carrying an iced latte with an extra shot of espresso, she headed back towards the office.
She had barely taken three steps when she heard, “Hello, Genesis,” and she froze. The voice was familiar, but the handsome man wearing an Atlanta Braves baseball cap and smiling at her wasn’t. He was around six feet tall with skin the color of mocha, and an athletic build encased in a fitted T-shirt and jeans that hung low on his hips.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” he said and pushed away from the brick building.
When he moved toward her, Genesis took a step back as she tried to place him. There was something familiar about him, but…
Oh, my God. “Ronnie?” she squealed.
He chuckled. “Yeah, sweet Genesis, it’s me.”
The smile on his face broadened, and she lunged into his arms before thinking but was careful of the coffee in her hand.
“Wow,” Genesis said as they hugged. “How are you? Where have you…” Her words trailed off, and she was glad she caught herself before asking where he’d been. She knew, and memories of the scariest night of her life flooded her mind.
Genesis stiffened and pushed the memories away as she eased out of his hold.
“I got out earlier this year,” Ronnie said.
The joy she felt moments ago vanished and was replaced with sorrow for their lost friendship. They’d lived in the same foster home during high school, and Ronnie had been the big brother she’d never had. He was only a few months older than her, but back then, it seemed like they were years apart.
And now here he was… sixteen years later.
Everything had changed the night he’d been arrested for armed robbery of a convenience store.
Genesis had always looked up to him and had even had a crush on him. He’d been one of her best friends… her protector. He had even saved her life. Yet, she hadn’t visited or reached out to him not once in all those years.
Ronnie’s gaze raked over her body before returning to her face. “It’s good seeing you. You look amazing. We should catch up. Do you have time for a bite to eat?”
She glanced at the slim, platinum watch on her wrist. “Yeah, I have time. There’s a cafe around the corner. Want to go there?”
“Sure. Lead the way.”
A few minutes later, Ronnie pulled open the door. They ordered at the counter before finding a seat and talked like old friends. Though small talk flowed between them, Genesis found herself growing uncomfortable. Ronnie had told her that after being released from prison, he had moved into a halfway house. Now he was crashing on a sofa at a friend’s apartment.
“It looks like you’ve done well for yourself,” he said while they ate. “What did you do after you aged out?”
Genesis had been lost after aging out of foster care. At eighteen and naïve about life in general, her foster sister, Samantha, who had aged out six months earlier, took her in. They’d been roommates ever since, and Genesis wasn’t sure what she would’ve done without Sam.
“I attended Georgia State and earned a degree in business management,” she said.
She had always been book-smart and excelled in college. Once she graduated, Genesis landed a good-paying job, and she had worked for the organization for over twelve years. That was until the company was sold and she was laid off. It had taken her months to get her current position at G-spark Engineering.
As she and Ronnie chatted, it felt strange sitting across from him now that they were all grown up. He was still as good-looking but bigger, and he had an edginess about him that was probably thanks to prison.
“Why didn’t you ever write to me or visit me?” Ronnie asked out of nowhere. “I sent you a letter with my address, but I never heard from you.”
“I never received it,” Genesis said honestly, but that guilt from earlier twisted inside of her like a double edge sword.
She probably could’ve gotten information on where he was serving his time, but after he’d been charged, she cut all ties. Her foster mother threatened to kick her out if she maintained contact with him. The last thing Genesis had wanted was to get moved to yet another foster home, especially since she’d been months from aging out.
The other reason she hadn’t wanted anything to do with Ronnie after that night was because of the role she played in his arrest. A role that very few people knew about.
That guilt dug deeper into her gut.
“I’m sorry we lost touch,” she said, “but I’m glad you’re out and starting your life over.”
“Yeah, now that I’m working at a body shop, I can save up some money. Me and my buddy plan to buy the business soon, and we have some other ventures in the works. So… everything is good.”
As he chatted about his plans, Genesis wondered if some of his goals were a little too lofty. Especially since it sounded as if they were planning to buy the body shop in the next couple of weeks.
How was that possible considering he had just gotten out of prison? Maybe his friend had money. Or maybe the owner was giving them a good deal. Whatever the case he sounded excited, and she was happy for him.
A short while later, they finished eating and headed outside.
Genesis nervously adjusted her handbag strap on her shoulder. “It was great running into you, Ronnie. Good luck with everything.”
She wasn’t sure how to end their visit. Did they shake hands, or should she just give a little wave and walk away? The decision was made for her when Ronnie pulled her into a hug.
“I’m glad I ran into you, sweet Genesis,” he said, holding on to her a little longer than she thought appropriate. He didn’t release her until she gently pushed against his chest.
“Ronnie, take care of yourself. I wish you all the best.”
He chuckled. “Damn, girl. You act like this is goodbye. I’ll be seeing you around.”
He winked at her, then pulled his cap low over his eyes and walked in the opposite direction that she was going.
Genesis swallowed hard. It might’ve been good seeing him, but she hoped to never see him again. He was part of a past that she never wanted to revisit, and that could only happen if she stayed far away from Ronnie Peterson.
Chapter One
Four weeks later…
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“It doesn’t matter how often I’ve worked on this Juneteenth event, I always learn something new,” Genesis said to her coworker, Carol.
Like her, Carol Thompson was an executive assistant at G-spark Engineering Firm, and they worked in the marketing department. They had become fast friends from the moment they met.
The two of them were currently sitting in one of the conference rooms ironing out the last details of the Juneteenth gala and silent auction that would take place in a few weeks. This was Genesis’s second year working on the event, but it was her first time being in charge of it. She wanted this one to be the best yet.
“I agree. I’ve learned so much about the holiday,” Carol said as she pushed her blue-framed glasses up on her nose. “Like, I had no idea that some people refer to Juneteenth as the Second Independence Day. If that’s the case, we should include fireworks. That could be a fabulous way to top off the evening. There’s a huge courtyard right off the hotel ballroom and several double doors that lead out to it.
Genesis swept her micro braids up and put them into a loose ponytail on top of her head. “That’s an excellent idea. I’ve been trying to think of a way to make this year stand out from the rest. That might do it.
“If you can get quotes from several fireworks companies, I’ll see if we can squeeze it into the budget.”
“Great. I’ll work on that in the morning,” Carol said as she jotted something down on her notepad.
“Oh, also”—Genesis snapped her fingers—“I heard back from Mr. Ray. He confirmed that he’ll be auctioning off two tickets to the Atlanta Hawks’ season opener. The seats are right behind the players’ bench and should go for a pretty penny.”
Carol’s eyes lit up. “Now, if only I could afford them.” She laughed, then set her pen down and rocked back in her seat. “Did you ever hear from the woman at…” A knock on the closed door interrupted her question.
“Come in,” Genesis called out and stood. When the door opened, the first thing she saw was a large bouquet. “Wow, those are beautiful.”
The woman who helped monitor the front desk smiled. “They are, aren’t they? And they were just delivered to you,” she said and handed them to Genesis before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
Genesis couldn’t hide the grin that spread across her mouth. She already knew who they were from. She set the crystal vase on the table and plucked the white envelope from the bouquet of tropical flowers.
Her smile grew as she read the note: I’m looking forward to our date tonight. N
“I guess boss man was thinking about you.” Carol smirked. “I just want to know what you did to earn such gorgeous flowers?”
Genesis stuffed the note into her pants pocket. “My lips are sealed.”
Carol grinned. “I bet that’s not what you said last night.”
Genesis’s mouth dropped open, but she quickly closed it as heat rushed to her cheeks. She hadn’t wanted anyone to know that she was dating the boss. Not just any boss, but Noah Chambers, the owner of G-spark Engineering firm—a multimillion-dollar company that was nationally known.
She didn’t report directly to him, which would’ve been awkward, but they worked in the same building. With her office being on the third floor and his on the tenth floor—the top floor—they didn’t see each other much during the day. Otherwise, she wouldn’t get any work done.
She and Noah had met over a year ago while she assisted her supervisor with the plans for last year’s Juneteenth celebration. Genesis could honestly say it had been love at first sight for her, but she hadn’t planned on acting on her attraction to him.
Even now, her heart fluttered as she recalled how Noah asked her out for coffee several weeks after meeting. That’s when she realized the attraction was mutual. Still, they hadn’t started officially dating until three months ago, and it had been the best three months of her life.
“Come on, Gen. At my age, I’m living vicariously through you. Give me something,” Carol pleaded.
She was in her early sixties with smooth mahogany skin, and she didn’t look a day over forty. Carol didn’t date much, but she typically went out with guys who were Noah’s age—early forties.
The older woman was one of the sweetest people Genesis had met since being at the company. Even still, she only trusted her to a certain extent. Growing up in foster care, Genesis had learned early on that everyone couldn’t be trusted, and that mentality had carried over into adulthood.
Carol patted Genesis’s hand. “I see you blushing.”
That made Genesis laugh. Her skin tone was deep brown, and there was no way Carol could spot a blush on her cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” the woman continued. “I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable. You’re entitled to your secrets, but I’m hoping the two of you end up married. You’re a beautiful couple.”
Genesis gave her a small smile. The only reason Carol knew about her dating Noah was because they had run into her one evening while out to dinner. That had been a month ago, and Carol promised to keep what she’d seen quiet, but it was conversations like this one that made Genesis uncomfortable with it all.
In the beginning, she hesitated when Noah asked her out. Not just because he was the big boss, but also because he was nine years older than her thirty-three years. Besides that, he was so far out of her league in many areas, but he never made her feel less than. He was down to earth and made her feel like the most important person in his world.
Genesis glanced at the bouquet.
Agreeing to date Noah had turned into the best decision she’d ever made. She was so in love with him, but her only concern was her past. A past that Noah only knew a little about.
One day she’d share everything, but for now, she was going to enjoy having him in her life.
Chapter Two
“Tonight was so much fun,” Genesis said as she and Noah stepped into his house.
The two of them along with one of his brothers and his wife had gone to dinner and then ventured out to an escape room.
“It was an incredible experience, but I’m glad I didn’t have to go it alone. Otherwise, I never would have gotten out of those rooms.”
Noah chuckled as he helped her off with her wrap and draped it over a hanger in his mudroom. “I know, right? That last one had me stumped. Though I hate to admit it, had Ashton not been there, we probably would’ve run out of time,” he said of his brother, who was a former Atlanta PD detective.
Ashton currently worked for Supreme Security—or as some referred to them, Atlanta’s Finest—an organization that provided personal security to Atlanta’s rich and famous. The escape room had a prison break theme, and he and Noah were amazing when it came to figuring out the clues. They all made it out with a minute to spare.
Genesis couldn’t remember the last time she’d had that much fun, but the experience was definitely brain overload. Now all she wanted to do was curl up with Noah and get some sleep.
