16 Steps to Forever, page 1
16 Steps to Forever
Synopsis
If there’s one thing Brooke Sullivan knows for sure it’s that people let you down, but that hasn’t stopped her from going after the life she wants. In a new city, with a new job and a new start as a high-end real estate agent, she’s finally back on her feet. The last thing she needs is a distraction. Not her volatile neighbors, not a damn stray cat, and certainly not the flaky, infuriatingly adorkable girl-next-door property stager she has to work with.
Macy Carr believes in soul mates and true love. She knows because she had it all until a freak accident took the love of her life. She’s doing okay though, surrounded by her family, her animals, and her BFFs. Home staging gives her a sense of control, and she’s made her job her happy place. If only the super sexy, super cold new agent working for Macy’s biggest client wasn’t determined to ruin that.
Praise for Georgia Beers
Flavor of the Month
“Beers whips up a sweet lesbian romance…brimming with mouthwatering descriptions of foodie indulgences…Both women are well-intentioned and endearing, and it’s easy to root for their inevitable reconciliation. But once the couple rediscover their natural ease with one another, Beers throws a challenging emotional hurdle in their path, forcing them to fight through tragedy to earn their happy ending.”—Publishers Weekly
“The heartbreak, beauty, and wondrous joy of love are on full display in Flavor of the Month. This second chance romance is exceptional. Georgia Beers has outdone herself with this one.”—The Lesbian Book Blog
One Walk in Winter
“A sweet story to pair with the holidays.There are plenty of ‘moment’s in this book that make the heart soar. Just what I like in a romance. Situations where sparks fly, hearts fill, and tears fall. This book shined with cute fairy trails and swoon-worthy Christmas gifts…REALLY nice and cozy if read in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Covered in blankets. By a fire.”—Bookvark
Fear of Falling
“Enough tension and drama for us to wonder if this can work out—and enough heat to keep the pages turning. I will definitely recommend this to others—Georgia Beers continues to go from strength to strength.”—Evan Blood, Bookseller (Angus & Robertson, Australia)
“In Fear of Falling Georgia Beers doesn’t take the obvious, easy way…romantic, feel-good and beautifully told.”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog
“I was completely invested from the very first chapter, loving the premise and the way the story was written with such vulnerability from both characters’ points of view. It was truly beautiful, engaging, and just a lovely story to read.”—LesBIreviewed
The Do-Over
“You can count on Beers to give you a quality well-paced book each and every time.”—The Romantic Reader Blog
“The Do-Over is a shining example of the brilliance of Georgia Beers as a contemporary romance author.”—Rainbow Reflections
“[T]he two leads are genuine and likable, their chemistry is palpable…The romance builds up slowly and naturally, and the angst level is just right. The supporting characters are equally well developed. Don’t miss this one!”—Melina Bickard, Librarian, Waterloo Library (UK)
Calendar Girl
“Calendar Girl by Georgia Beers is a well-written sweet workplace romance. It has all the elements of a good contemporary romance…It even has an ice queen for a major character.”—Rainbow Reflections
“A sweet, sweet romcom of a story…Calendar Girl is a nice read, which you may find yourself returning to when you want a hot-chocolate-and-warm-comfort-hug in your life.”—Best Lesbian Erotica
The Shape of You
“I know I always say this about Georgia Beers’s books, but there is no one that writes first kisses like her. They are hot, steamy and all too much!”—Les Rêveur
The Shape of You “catches you right in the feels and does not let go. It is a must for every person out there who has struggled with self-esteem, questioned their judgment, and settled for a less than perfect but safe lover. If you’ve ever been convinced you have to trade passion for emotional safety, this book is for you.”—Writing While Distracted
Blend
“You know a book is good, first, when you don’t want to put it down. Second, you know it’s damn good when you’re reading it and thinking, I’m totally going to read this one again. Great read and absolutely a 5-star romance.”—The Romantic Reader Blog
“This is a lovely romantic story with relatable characters that have depth and chemistry. A charming easy story that kept me reading until the end. Very enjoyable.”—Kat Adams, Bookseller, QBD (Australia)
“Blend has that classic Georgia Beers feel to it, while giving us another unique setting to enjoy. The pacing is excellent and the chemistry between Piper and Lindsay is palpable.”—The Lesbian Review
Right Here, Right Now
“The angst was written well, but not overpoweringly so, just enough for you to have the heart-sinking moment of ‘will they make it,’ and then you realize they have to because they are made for each other.”—Les Reveur
“[A] successful and entertaining queer romance novel. The main characters are appealing, and the situations they deal with are realistic and well-managed. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good queer romance novel, and particularly one grounded in real world situations.”—Books at the End of the Alphabet
“[A]n engaging odd-couple romance. Beers creates a romance of gentle humor that allows no-nonsense Lacey to relax and easygoing Alicia to find a trusting heart.”—RT Book Reviews
Lambda Literary Award Winner Fresh Tracks
“Georgia Beers pens romances with sparks.”—Just About Write
“[T]he focus switches each chapter to a different character, allowing for a measured pace and deep, sincere exploration of each protagonist’s thoughts. Beers gives a welcome expansion to the romance genre with her clear, sympathetic writing.”—Curve magazine
Lambda Literary Award Finalist Finding Home
“Georgia Beers has proven in her popular novels such as Too Close to Touch and Fresh Tracks that she has a special way of building romance with suspense that puts the reader on the edge of their seat. Finding Home, though more character driven than suspense, will equally keep the reader engaged at each page turn with its sweet romance.”—Lambda Literary Review
Mine
“From the eye-catching cover, appropriately named title, to the last word, Georgia Beers’s Mine is captivating, thought-provoking, and satisfying. Like a deep red, smooth-tasting, and expensive merlot, Mine goes down easy even though Beers explores tough topics.”—Story Circle Book Reviews
“Beers does a fine job of capturing the essence of grief in an authentic way. Mine is touching, life-affirming, and sweet.”—Lesbian News Book Review
Too Close to Touch
“This is such a well-written book. The pacing is perfect, the romance is great, the character work strong, and damn, but is the sex writing ever fantastic.”—The Lesbian Review
“In her third novel, Georgia Beers delivers an immensely satisfying story. Beers knows how to generate sexual tension so taut it could be cut with a knife…Beers weaves a tale of yearning, love, lust, and conflict resolution. She has constructed a believable plot, with strong characters in a charming setting.”—Just About Write
16 Steps to Forever
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16 Steps to Forever
© 2020 By Georgia Beers. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 13: 978-1-63555-763-3
This Electronic Original Is Published By
Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
P.O. Box 249
Valley Falls, NY 12185
First Edition: December 2020
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Credits
Editors: Ruth Sternglantz and Stacia Seaman
Production Design: Stacia Seaman
Cover Design by Ann McMan
eBook Design by Toni Whitaker
By the Author
Turning the Page
Thy Neighbor’s Wife
Too Close to Touch
Fresh Tracks
Mine
Finding Home
Starting from Scratch
96 Hours
Slices of Life
Snow Globe
Olive Oil & White Bread
Zero Visibility
A Little Bit of Spice
Rescued Heart
Run to You
Dare to Stay
What Matters Most
Right Here, Right Now
Blend
The Shape of You
Calendar Girl
The Do-Over
Fear of Falling
One Walk in Winter
Flavor of the Month
Hopeless Romantic
16 Steps to Forever
Acknowledgments
Anybody who knows me knows that I’m a pretty orderly person. I’m organized. I like things just so, please don’t mess them up, thank you very much. That includes the inanimate objects in my living space as well as the thoughts in my head. Everything in its place. Because of that aspect of my personality, I write a lot of orderly characters, but this time, I wanted to take one a little closer to the extreme. I wanted to give this one many of my own traits but also give her a past that would compound those traits, exacerbate them, so that not only does she neatly box up her home and work stuff, she boxes up her thoughts, her heart, herself. What would that do to a person, especially when she unexpectedly falls for someone? How would she handle something messy and disorganized, being as neat and tidy as she is? What would she be like? Allow me to introduce you to Brooke Sullivan. I hope you like her. I do.
As always, thank you to Radclyffe, Sandy Lowe, and the entire staff at Bold Strokes Books, for making a process that could be tense and stressful neither of those things. I am grateful.
My editor, Ruth Sternglantz, for her patience and her help. She makes me look good, as does Eagle-Eye Stacia Seaman, my copy editor. I have a terrific editing team and I couldn’t be happier.
Big thanks to my friends that make up my support team; I don’t know what I’d do without them: Melissa (title guru, review filterer, and direction pointer), Carsen (word counts and cheerleading), Rachel (sends periodic “How you doin’, Boo?” messages to warm my heart), Nikki (my own personal comic relief and cat story sharer), Kris (chart expert), my family, and more. I am a lucky woman and an even luckier writer to be surrounded by the support system I have. I am forever grateful.
And to my readers: thank you from the bottom of my heart for your undying support and love. I am happily upholding my end of our deal: you keep reading and I’ll keep writing.
Chapter One
Cat puke.
She knew it the second she tried to put on her shoe.
“Sweet baby Jesus on a cracker.” Macy Carr began to hop on her left foot as Emily’s voice sounded from the speaker on her iPhone.
“What? What happened?”
“There’s cat puke in my shoe, which I didn’t see, so I put my foot in, and it squished through my sock and between my toes and I’m so grossed out and I don’t have time for this.”
Captain Jack sauntered away, head held high, and Macy squinted at him as he went. “I see you, you little punk. It’s a good thing you’re so cute. And that I love you.” The cat looked back at her over his kitty shoulder. “He just winked at me. Swear to God.”
“Is it possible to wink when you only have one eye?”
“It has to be because he just did it.”
Emily’s laugh was musical, like notes on a xylophone. “He’s still mad at you for leaving him, huh?”
Macy peeled off her sock, made a face as she walked using just her heel to the downstairs powder room, and lifted her foot high enough to get it into the sink. “I was only gone for two nights.” It was a whine. She knew it, and she didn’t care. Just washed between her toes. Squirted some soap on her foot. “I explained to him that it was a conference for work. That work stuff helps me make money so I can keep him in catnip.”
“Made no difference to him.”
“Apparently not.” Done washing, she grabbed the hand towel off the rack. “Thank God the dogs are outside, or they’d be trying to lick this off me right now.”
“Ew, now I’m grossed out,” Emily said, and Macy could picture her wrinkling her nose. “Thanks for that.”
“Good. Why should I be the only one? You’re welcome.” Three sets of eyes peered at Macy through the sliding glass door off her small dining room, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “All right, let me go. I have to find other shoes and take care of the pack.”
“See you soon. I’ll have a vanilla latte.”
A grin and a shake of her head and Macy hung up, tucked the phone into the back pocket of her jeans. Shoe in hand, she slid the door open and let in the troops, watching as twelve paws brought April into her house, and it marked its territory with wet and brown—the two key elements of March and April, as far as Macy was concerned.
“Damn it, I liked these shoes,” she muttered as she dropped the shoe in the sink to be dealt with later. Dog towel in hand, she said, “Hey, come here, dirty doggies.”
Pete, an eight-year-old golden retriever and the sweetest boy on the face of the earth, stood obediently next to her as she wiped each of his paws, then kissed him on the head. Priscilla, her twelve-year-old dachshund, was already all comfy on her pink dog bed in the corner of the living room by the fireplace, so Macy went to her, was gentle with the old girl who’d begun to suffer from some joint pain in the past year. From behind her, she heard the telltale rowr from Angus, her four-year-old Scottie, whose life revolved around Tennis Ball. Sure enough, when she turned around, he had one in his mouth, the yellow felt muffling his demands, his tail wagging madly, his dark eyes almost impossible to make out under all that black fur.
“Aw, buddy, I don’t have time for Tennis Ball now. You can discuss that with Captain Jack, if you want.” Angus blinked at her, rowred again.
On the floor. Macy spent more time there than on her furniture, and she dropped there now. “Let me wipe your feet, and I’ll throw it.”
Angus seemed to contemplate this deal offering as Macy grabbed the ball. She’d never get it out of his mouth if he didn’t want her to, but surprisingly he let her have it. Ball tucked under her thigh, she wiped all four of his paws, then dutifully threw it into the kitchen and grinned as stubby-legged Angus toddled after it.
Back on her feet, Macy turned to the cat tree. Captain Jack sat in the top tier looking out the window, pointedly ignoring her. Jellybean, on the other hand, stood from her perch one level down. Macy bent to eye level and scratched her as the tiny tiger cat bumped heads with her. A sign of affection, and Macy loved it.
A run upstairs to find new shoes, a chewy to all dogs and treats to both cats, and Macy was out the door. A glance at her cozy house as she backed out of the driveway sang of impending spring. Big flowerpots of brown and wilted flowers left over from fall, just waiting to be refilled with color. Lawn peeking through the mud and puddles in patches, trying its hardest to be green. Birds exploring the bird feeder she needed to fill. Macy turned on the heat, slid mirrored sunglasses onto her face, and turned up Lizzo’s latest tune as she got on the road.
A quick stop at Starbucks later, Macy parked her car and entered the back entrance of Stage One Property Staging. Located on a shop-lined stretch of Main, the office wasn’t large because it didn’t need to be. Two desks, a small conference table, a refreshment area. That’s all Macy and Emily needed in their office space, as the bread and butter of their business was in a warehouse fifteen minutes away. Emily owned Stage One, but Macy’s goal was to become her business partner in the near future, and then take it over once Emily retired.
“One vanilla latte,” Macy said and set the cup down with a flourish on Emily’s desk. “You look lovely today, Ms. Baxter.”
“You say that every day,” Emily replied, removing the lid and taking a deep inhale from the coffee cup.
“Because I think it’s nice to hear it every day.”
“Well, thank you.”
“Well, you’re welcome.”
Emily took a pointed look at Macy’s feet, now clad in brown ankle boots rather than the cute wedges she’d planned on.
“Puke-free,” Macy told her with a roll of her eyes, then hung her coat on the antique coat tree in the corner and took a seat in her chair.
Having their desks on opposite walls was a good way to make the small space seem larger. Important, as that’s what they did: made spaces look a certain way. Bigger. Smaller. Cozier. Roomier. More modern. Less modern. While there wasn’t a lot in their office itself, the way it presented to potential clients was important. The walls held framed photos of different properties they’d staged, shots of open concept homes, modern penthouses, lakefront cottages. Both Macy and Emily kept the personal items on their desks to a minimum—which was easier for Emily than for Macy. One framed photo each. Macy had a succulent in a bright purple pot. Emily had a small crystal vase of fresh flowers, while a larger one served as a centerpiece for the table between them.
