A COLLISION WITH LOVE Release



Excerpt
Copyright 2025, Tricia T. LaRochelle
I moved to the edge of the loveseat. “I need to get back to work.” His long, wavy hair pulled back into ponytail, Daniel placed both hands against his head in exasperation. “No fucking way are you rushing back to work.” He glared at me, his eyes filled with outrage and fear. “Are you trying to kill yourself?” Tears threatened to spill, my throat thick with anguish. “But Isabella—” “I don’t give a flying fuck what Isabella told you or wants.” He grabbed my shoulders as though to jar me. “Look, I love you, but I refuse to watch you kill yourself for that place. You’ve given them seven-and-a-half years of your life. And what have they done to show their appreciation? Your office is a closet. You’re still working around the clock. And all they can do is dangle senior partner in front of your face, so you’ll keep busting your ass for them.” He tightened his jaw, his eyes glassing over as emotion battled against his anger. I could see it. He cared so much it hurt. I dropped my face into my hands. “I don’t know what to do. I need to finish this job for her. After that, I can come help you.” I felt like a child and about as powerless as one. “Please, Daniel. I need to make senior partner. Then everything will be good again. I can take care of us.” He released his grip on me, his forearms rested on his thighs. “Cassie. It’s not your responsibility to take care of us. We can do that together. Why do you put this solely on your shoulders? Don’t you see? Life is passing you by. When are you going wake up? How long are you gonna wait for that promotion that may never come? They announced the partnership a year ago. It’s bullshit.” He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pulling me close. And that was when I lost it. Tears ran down my cheeks as though the dam had broken. And it had. I wept for this trap of an existence I had confined myself to. I wept for the constant struggle that refused to relent. And I wept for the uncertainty of what was to come. My intentions were pure. I only wanted what was best for both of us. My mother’s voice rang in my ears. “You are the only one of us, Cass boo, who finished college. And we never thought we’d have a lawyer for a daughter. Your father and I are so proud of you.” Her eyes, a paler shade of green than mine, grew distant. “I wish I had . . .” Pursing her lips, she stopped herself from revealing something that had obviously weighed heavily on her heart. Suddenly, she reset herself, her shoulders back and her resolve strong. “Promise me you will never compromise your principals or your ambition for anyone. You deserve to follow your dreams. All the way to the end of that rainbow.” She had pulled me into her embrace, the scent of rose petals lingering on her skin from her perfume. “Just remember. No one can make your dreams come true but you.” It was the only time she’d ever said this to me. And it was the only time she had to. Oh, Mom. Why does everything have to be so hard?
About Tricia T. LaRochelle

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