A Beautiful Choice (Beautiful, #5)
Emily McKee
Dedication
Each book I have decided to dedicate to someone important in my life. The first: a young man who made a huge impact on my life. The second: a great friend who has been on this journey with me from the beginning. The third: an amazing author who has helped me figure out this indie road I’m traveling down. The fourth: anyone who has suffered and come out on top. And now? This one is dedicated to all of you.
Dear Readers,
I am beyond words of admiration and gratitude towards all of you. Because of you an idea I had one morning while getting ready has truly changed my life forever. crying You have given me the chance to make an impact. I am so grateful for all of you to have read my words. The words I’ve written until three in the morning, pulled my hair out, spent a ton of money on coffee, Tylenol, and wine to accomplish. The words I’ve written from the heart you have entered into your homes, downloaded on your phones, held in your hands, and into your hearts and minds.
Thank you seems so small and insignificant to how I really feel. I will never fully be able to express how grateful I am for all of you. This is a life-changing, once in a lifetime, worthwhile opportunity and I’m one of the lucky few to say, “It’s mine.”
Whether you have been here from the beginning when I first self-published or whether you’re reading the series now, I am humbled and truly touched.
This journey is a never-ending one. My mind has opened to new, ideas and possibilities. I took a chance with this idea and ran with it. While this series may be ending (never thought it would happen), believe it or not, but this is only the beginning. I hope you continue this crazy, hectic, amazing journey with me in my future books.
Until next time, XoXo, Emily!
“In the end that was the choice you made, and it doesn’t matter how hard it was to make it. It matters that you did.”
— Cassandra Clare
Prologue
Gabe – Wedding Day
Choices. Are they made with our heart or our brain? I happen to think choices are made with our heart. We choose one thing over the other. Choices are about choosing something you can’t live without over something you can. In my case it was someone. Sarah Thompson.
Standing in the bright room, walls on either side of me with a window right in front of me, I couldn’t believe I was here. Of course, I never thought this would be in the cards for me. Especially with Sarah, but we proved everyone wrong.
I knew Sarah was the girl for me. I think I realized it the day I met her back in high school. My heart was beating out of my chest and I could feel my sweaty palms shaking. I started to grab a bottle of water by the night stand when the bedroom door quickly opened.
Waltzing in, Ryder asked, “My man, are you ready?”
Letting out a slow breath, I turned around and looked at Ryder. I couldn’t believe how far the two of us had come in the time we had known each other. It was because of him that I was here today. I was marrying his best friend and I couldn’t be more grateful to him.
It made me think about him and Iz. I was relieved that they both worked through the issues they were struggling with. I knew about Iz’s childhood and it broke my heart that she went through all of that. But I was glad that she gave my boy Ryder a chance and they were now engaged and would be getting married next summer. Ryder had proposed to her at the beginning of the summer and they decided they wanted to get married after they graduated.
Ahead of us was our senior year of college. I couldn’t believe in a year we would all be graduating. While we all did have one more year of school ahead of us, Sarah and I couldn’t wait to be married. We had waited almost four years. I couldn’t wait any longer. I knew Sarah was mine and she knew I was hers. But I needed her as my wife.
Looking at Ryder, I saw his eyes were getting big. Waving his hands, he ran his fingers through his brown wavy hair and said, “Please don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind? Please.” Letting his hands fall to his sides, Ryder looked at me seriously. “Because I will have to kick your ass.”
I shook my head back and forth. “No, man! I was just thinking about the journey Sarah and I have gone through.” Pausing, I brought my fist to my mouth. I choked up. “I just—I can’t wait to marry her, man.” I looked at Ryder. “You have no idea.”
With a wide smile appearing on Ryder’s face, he looked out the window at the backyard of Sarah’s house and I already knew who he was searching for. I watched his eyes search the small crowd and when they finally stopped on Iz, he stared for a few seconds and smiled. Ryder looked over at me and said, “I think I have an idea,” and smiled.