The Fall Up (The Fall Up, #1)

by Aly Martinez

My life was fine. My job was fine. My house was fine. My love life was fine. My friends were fine. God, I was sick of fucking fine. I needed something—anything—to be great.

But I would have spent my entire life tearing it down if I could have only predicted what was on the other side.

“My name is Samuel Nathan Rivers. I’m twenty-seven. Aquarius. No criminal history. I have a clean bill of health. I’m a democrat, but for God’s sake, do not tell my mom. I own a furniture shop and clear six figures a year. I’m not interested in your money. I’ll show you my tax return if need be. I’m also not a super-fan interested in your fame. But, for the love of all that’s holy, I need you, Designer Shoes, to come home with me.”

Four months ago, my mentally ill sister went out for a stroll on the bridge. Two days later, they recovered her body from the bay.”

I more than like you. I hardly know you, but I want to keep you. Just the way you are. Maybe forever.”

“I’m not perfect, and I’d like to pretend you aren’t, either.”

“There isn’t a woman in the world who doesn’t have demons of some sort. No matter who I end up with, it’s always going to be a struggle.” I kissed her hair again, letting it linger as if my lips were able to transfer the truth of my words. “Levee, I’d like to struggle with you.”

You were never a distraction to me, Sam. You were always my reprieve.”

“I fell in love with you when I was at rock bottom. But I’ll never be able to look back on those dark days with anything but a smile. I wanted to jump, Sam, but I never once expected the fall to go up.”

I knew, from the depths of my soul, that Sam was the rest of my life. Everything else would fall into place.