Have you ever had a best friend, only to find out that he or she may be your soulmate? Meet Lyric….. Lyric is a very attractive woman who is engaged to marry Devin, the man of her dreams, a very handsome and accomplished attorney. But, will a blast from the past threaten to ruin their happiness? Meet Maurice..... Maurice is an extremely sexy and skilled artist and graphic designer. After 16 years of being best friends and (1) time lovers, Lyric thought that she was over Maurice. That is….until Maurice came back into Lyric’s life and revealed that he still loved her. When shocking truths are revealed after Lyric’s wedding rehearsal, will Lyric go through with her wedding to Devin? Or, will she follow her heart and rekindle her relationship with Maurice, her one and only true soulmate?

Prologue Dear Maurice “I can’t believe I’m getting ready to do this, but here it goes. It must be done! I’m engaged to be married to Devin. He’s the perfect man for me. He’s extremely handsome and he’s a successful attorney. What more can a woman ask for?” While trying to convince herself that Devin Blake is the man for her, Lyric begins to write her final email to Maurice. “Dear Maurice, After our last conversation, I have decided that it would be best if we do not keep in contact at all, including emails. I know you said that you didn’t want to lose all contact with me, but we don’t want to hurt Devin and Lisa. Honestly, we can’t have it both ways. If it’s over, then we need to truly let go. It's too painful for me, and I seriously doubt, even with time, if it will ever change. There are some strong feeling still there that I thought were buried. After so long (16 years), I truly believed they were gone, but they are not. I still feel the same way now as I did back then. Honestly, I have been feeling you like this since high school, but I just didn’t want to admit it. This is how I know that you were not just some fly by night casual interest. All those nights we spent on the Navy Pier, man….no words can describe the way you made me feel! In many ways, I feel connected to the soul with you, and I am really hurting right now. Even though I moved on with Devin, I never forgot about you. I just subconsciously put you out of my mind. So, as the old saying goes, “Out of sight, out of mind.” However, since you came back into my life about a year ago, things have not been the same. In fact, I’m torn, again! Since our last conversation this summer on the Navy Pier, it has only intensified, and that's probably because I thought, until you revealed otherwise, that you had no feelings for me and were moving on with your fiancée, Lisa. Believe me; I had no idea when you came back into my life again, that things would be this way. I have so much respect for you, as well as for myself, and I do not want to do anything else to further compromise my integrity. Since running into you again, I have defensively held onto my integrity, and I do not want to cross the line with you, again. That's why I refused to see you when you repeatedly asked... because I knew that it would be too risky to see you (for I was not in denial about what I knew was still there). I did not want to see you physically and not, as you said....be able to express how I felt. You are not mine! You will soon belong to Lisa. I’m just glad that I got the chance to be a part of your heart. You allowed me to experience the nature of a real man, and how that man is to treat a real woman. I will NEVER forget you for that because I have not experience that since then! Well, not like Devin doesn’t treat me like a real woman, but you know what I mean. Anyhow, I will always treasure you and our friendship! Maurice, we had such a wonderful journey, and although I’m about to marry the man of my dreams, he will never be able to replace or take away what you meant to me. I am crying within as I write this final email to you because I know (deep in my heart) that I have to let go of one of the greatest persons that I have ever known! This is why I can’t have your presence at my wedding to Devin. I mean it Maurice ...this is it for us! It’s over! Unless you are either sick or dying, please do not contact me. Again, thank you so much for treating me with tender love, integrity, and most of all, RESPECT! You will always have a special place in my heart, forever! Take care! P.S. I hope you now understand why I cancelled the painting session that we had scheduled to paint a portrait of me as a wedding gift for my fiancé, Devin. Although, it greatly pained me to know that we couldn't be around each other. You will never hear from me, again! Tag, you’re it! Sincerely, Lyric Forever “Whew! Writing that letter was heart-drenching, but it had to be done. Besides, I’m happy with Devin. He’s the only man of my dreams, and I need to let Maurice go. After all, he’s engaged to be married to Lisa. She’ll be the perfect woman for him, and he’ll be happy with her.” Lyric paused and rolled her eyes. “So, if I really believe this, then why do I feel like crap?” Smacking her head, Lyric walked around her luxurious condo, and blasted the stereo. “Snap out of it, Lyric! You are about to marry your soulmate!” Then, Fantasia Barrino’s “Truth Is” song began to unexpectedly play on the stereo. Jumping out of her clothes, Lyric slid into the jacuzzi and listened to the song lyrics. “Can it be? Is this song playing right now, at this time, a sign that Maurice, not Devin is the one?” thought Lyric. With her eyes closed and still feeling torn, Lyric continued listening to the song lyrics, relaxed in the jacuzzi, and mentally prepared her mind for her wedding rehearsal tomorrow. Then, it all hit her! Lyric opened her eyes!

Shatton A. Claybrooks has been an inspiring writer since the age of 12. As a Detroiter, but current Novi, Michigan native, she has always dreamed of becoming an actress, news broadcaster, screenplay writer, or an accomplished author. With "Letting Go," she will finally be living one of her many dreams. Professionally, Shatton is an educator of 17 years, and is currently a Writing Specialist for a public school district located in Michigan. She hopes that “Letting Go” will inspire true love in its purest form. Google Shatton Claybrooks on the web! She has been a published, Contributing Writer for Suite 101, which is an online publication magazine company since December of 2009.You'll be sure to enjoy reading from one of her many articles! Visit Shatton on her website at: www.lettinggonovel.webs.com or email her at: lettinggo123@yahoo.com .