The Other Side of Forever

A woman with romance in her life lived as grandly as a queen because her heart was treasured. Nora Roberts Also by Norah Pritchard Northfield Series The Other Side of Forever Maybe Someday With You - coming 2024 Cookbook Dinnertime: Fast and Fresh Family Meals for Every Night of the Week The Other Side of Forever A Northfield Novel Norah Pritchard Copyright © 2023 by Norah Pritchard All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. * * * First edition: June 2023 Cover design by Echo Grayce at Wildheart Graphics For my mom, Linda Scalzo, who shared her love of reading and writing, and encouraged her daughters to read books voraciously, especially the banned ones. And for my husband, Tom, my forever happily ever after. Connect with Norah Northfield Bonus Materials Want to read a bonus scene (featuring Davis’s favorite apron), listen to the playlist inspired by this book, and nab Allie’s apple pie recipe? Sign up for Norah’s Newsletter for all the bonus content! Join Norah’s Facebook reader group for bonus content, sneak peeks, sales, and book news! For many more recipes and updates, visit Norahpritchard.com Continue the Series… Don’t miss Amber’s story next in Maybe Someday With You. A flirty, steamy, enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract match between the bombshell and the boss, Northfield’s straitlaced and sexy mayor, Theo Clairmont. Preorder Maybe Someday With You! Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Epilogue Continue the Series… Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter One Totally faking it. That was the first thought, however inappropriate, that flashed through Allie Hart’s mind when she walked into the bedroom and found her husband with his pants around his knees, banging their neighbor silly. But think it she did, as she observed the truly impressive writhing and moaning. As the one who had been married to Corbin for the last eight years, she had done her fair share of pretending in bed, and she knew the tells of someone faking it. As this pretty woman would soon find out, Corbin was always out for number one, in life, in business, and, tragically, in orgasms. She leaned against the doorframe and took in the scene, strangely dispassionate for someone catching their husband with his pants down. Literally. Corbin’s white thighs quivered behind the woman, whose long blonde hair hung in her face, but Allie knew who it was right away. Dahlia had been babysitting for them for at least a year. Sammy said she was the best cuddler ever. Apparently, his daddy agreed. “Honey, I’m home.” “Jesus Christ!” Like cockroaches, they scattered. Corbin grabbed for his pants first, and Dahlia pulled a sheet over her cuddly self. “Ohmygod, Allie,” she whimpered. “I’m so sorry.” “Hi, Dahlia,” Allie said kindly. After all, she could afford to be magnanimous now. She had taken a decision Allie had wrestled with for far too long entirely out of her hands. After eight years of marriage, Allie had learned she could forgive almost anything of her husband if it meant keeping their family together. Apparently, infidelity was a hard limit. While Corbin and Dahlia scrambled to get dressed, Allie mentally inspected her heart as if it were a bruise she was poking around for any twinges of pain. To her relief, none of those emotions surfaced. Just a bone-deep tiredness. If she prodded harder, maybe she felt even a little bit of relief. She scanned Corbin’s bedroom, noting the cold, modern pieces of furniture. Metal and iron, black and gray. Sharp, steel pieces that masqueraded as art yet looked like weapons. None of it was hers. Her bedroom was down the hall next to Sammy’s. She had begun sleeping there over a year ago when things started to fall apart between them. Her room and Sammy’s were the only spaces filled with color in the apartment. The throw pillows and plants, heaps of books, and Sammy’s toys formed their sanctuary in a place that otherwise felt foreign. Allie turned to leave. “Dammit, Allie. Fuck! Wait! Can you give me a minute?” Corbin was hopping around on one foot, still struggling with his pant leg. She took a second to notice uncharitably how awkward he looked. It was a rarity for him. Her husband was an attractive man if you liked that removed, sophisticated vibe. She didn’t anymore. Corbin had the look of wealth and leisure about him. He was aging well, and his various memberships at clubs kept him in good shape. Soft, elegant hands, subtly highlighted hair, although he would never admit it, and perfectly hydrated skin that only monthly facials could achieve. Once upon a time, Allie had found him wildly attractive. He was somewhat of a fairy tale come true; a rich young prince courting the naive, wide-eyed girl from the wrong side of the tracks, whisking her off to his penthouse in the city. Unlike Prince Charming, however, Corbin wasn’t committed to the happily ever after part. Dahlia probably thought she was lucky to have his attention. Good luck with that. “Take all the time you need,” she said, twisting the heavy diamond and platinum wedding ring off her finger. She set it down gently on the dresser. “I’m leaving.” * * * Welcome to Northfield