The air was warm, still full of summer. “Let’s show her the tree,” Luke suggested.

Our guests made themselves comfortable, content to let the three of us wander about our little oasis. “Thank God I deferred business school. I would have failed all my exams because I was so totally obsessed with our daughter and our life together. But I still want to do it—go back to school. Does that make me a bad mother?”

Luke chuckled as we crossed the lawn. “Of course not. Maggie told me you’re the best mother she could have ever wished for. I feel sort of torn. I can’t imagine being away from her for a second, but at the same time, I have a near-Neanderthal desire to go out and make a ton of money and lavish it on you both. If I hadn’t made partner before she arrived, I think I’d be going crazy right now.”

We stopped in front of our tree. “But you did. We have everything we need right here.”

When we moved, we’d brought the small magnolia tree that I’d bought Luke as a housewarming present and planted it at the end of the garden. It had flourished in the months since and its flowers this summer had been so big they were in danger of bowing the branches supporting them.

“I can’t believe it’s still got some petals. It’s as if it’s been waiting for her. Look, Magnolia, it’s almost as pretty as you.” I handed her to Luke. I could tell he was just itching to hold her again. She was going to be horribly spoiled, with both parents fighting for her attention as we were.

Luke slid his free arm around my waist. “It’s late blooming, which is kinda perfect,” he said.

I looked up at my husband. “The wait makes the flowers all the more beautiful when they arrive.”

Read Haven and Jake’s story in What the Lightning Sees.

Beth’s story is next!

I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt

If You Ever Want To Be In Love – James Bay

Landslide – Dixie Chicks

Say You Love Me – Jessie Ware

To Make Her Love Me – Rascal Flatts

If I Knew Then – Lady Antebellum

You Are Everything – Diana Ross

Let’s Wait Awhile – Janet Jackson

Here I Am – Leona Lewis

Knocks Me Off My Feet – Stevie Wonder

Where My Heart Belongs – Gloriana

Come Rain Or Come Shine – Ray Charles

I’m so thankful to you for reading about Luke and Ashleigh’s story. It’s difficult to explain what a gorgeous lift to my day it is when I get a message from someone telling me how they enjoyed one of my books. Every single interaction on social media and my website means the world to me.

I still have to pinch myself every now and then that people are actually buying and reading my books. It’s a lesson to us all that some of our best dreams are the ones we don’t plan. I heard Condoleezza Rice say how important it is in life to leave room for serendipity. I’ve never been good at doing that but dear readers, I’m learning and you’ve all proved to me that it’s worth it –thank you.

To all the bloggers, supporters, champions and cheerleaders that I’m lucky to have in my world – thank you. I love the way you’re all on a crusade of positivity. We need more of it in the world.

In a sense it feels wrong to single people out to thank because the smallest like, share, retweet means so much, but I can’t leave the stage without just a few others standing to take a bow.

Elizabeth—I really don’t have the words to thank you. You’ve taught me how to write (and induced various meltdowns about my writing) and I will be forever grateful. Thank you for being brutal. Here’s to being dangerous.

Karen Booth, I just love you more the more I know you. You are so kind and generous and lovely and I’m lucky to have found you.

Jessica Hawkins, you are a rock star and a dear friend. Thank you for all your support and for lending me the wonderful Elizabeth.

Lauren Blakely—thank you for all your generosity and support. I love your spirit.

Jules Rapley Collins and Megan Fields. What can I say? You pair are the girls that keep my spirits lifted and make me laugh with your outrageous confessions. Thank you for letting me share your worlds. Thank you for ALL your support and encouragement.

Thanks to Jacquie Jax Denison, Lucy May, Lauren Hutton, Kingston Westmoreland, Lauren Luman, Mimi Perez Sanchez, Ashton Williams Shone, Tina Haynes Marshall, Susan Ann Whitaker, Sally-Ann Cole and Vicky Marsh. You are so good to me!

Twirly, thank you brain twin for inspiring the line “I’ve lost my funny.” I hope I find it again at some point. PS Juno’s “the business” because she’s her mother’s daughter.

The Complete Series

An enemies-to-lovers romance that will leave you panting for more.

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but Haven Daniels doesn’t agree. Jake Harrison's tall hard body, deliciously golden skin and obvious wealth must mean that what's on the inside isn't worth getting to know.

Haven Daniels needs to lighten up and let people in—and Jake thinks he’s the perfect guy to make it happen. It doesn’t hurt that she’s movie star beautiful and has no idea.

Forced to work together, verbal sparring turns into sexual chemistry but men like Jake are trouble and Haven has had enough trouble to last her a lifetime.

Will Haven give into the passion and succumb to hotter-than-hell Jake’s charms? Can Jake break through Haven’s tough exterior and reveal the sexy, funny woman he knows lies beneath?

Praise for What the Lightning Sees

“Louise Bay has done it again. If you loved The Empire Series, then you will love this new series from Louise Bay.” Short and Sassy Book Blurbs

“Louise’s ability to create great characters, people that you’d really like to spend time with, is a hallmark of her writing. Get it, read it, fall in love with it. You will not be sorry!” Smut Book Junkie Reviews

“I was seriously worried that she wouldn’t be able to top the wonderful Ethan Scott but I should have known better her writing just keeps getting better and better.” Scandalous Book Blogs

“Louise Bay did it again! 5 Amazing Stars, because it simply couldn’t be any better!!!” Mia’s Point of View

“I loved the banter between them, and that combined with the sexual tension was enough to create the perfect build up to their inevitable explosion. FIVE stars!” Ramblings from this Chick

“Just like her previous series, Louise Bay had me swooning and panting for another book-boyfriend in What the Lightning Sees.” Book Freak

“I have to say that I loved Louise’s Empire State series, but I think that she outdid herself with What the Lighting Sees. Ms. Bay seems to get better with each book she writes! This book was steamy, funny, and heartfelt!” Give me Books

“Five Stars! Bay just keeps getting better. Totally Hooked!” Books and Beyond Fifty Shades

A series of three novellas

Part One: A Week in New York

Part Two: Autumn in London

Part Three: New Year in Manhattan