“You were on a dream vacation with your boyfriend, expecting your own ring and happily ever after. I wasn’t going to dampen your excitement over your future with my drama!” I exclaimed, hearing the bell chime from the front of the store. I always had two employees working up there, so I ignored it
BAILEE By the time I got into the car to end my day, I was hot and sweaty. My hair was sticking to my face, and my shirt was uncomfortably damp from walking the giant bouquets of roses up and down the street, giving them to other businesses. Twenty-Six. He had sent me twenty-six bouquets.
BAILEE I had just put Brinley down in her new bed when I heard voices downstairs. My back went rigid, and the hairs on my arms stood in terror as I scanned my surroundings for something I could use as a weapon. Only the hallway was bare except for a few picture frames. There was nothing for me to
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Some loser sent them to me. I’ll throw them away tomorrow. Just like I did with all the others.” Alex’s face hardened, the muscle above his jaw flexing as he pressed his teeth together. “Others? Is some guy harassing you?” Ben asked, looking angry, but he relaxed
ALEXANDER “I need a favor!” Ben exclaimed, storming into my office with a smiling Brinley in tow. She had purple paint all over her face in the shape of a butterfly, and her hair looked like she had been attacked by a second-grade classroom with unlimited access to colorful ponytails and clips.
I hadn’t even realized he had been invited. His parents would normally be there, but Caleb hadn’t made his name big enough on its own yet to be included in most of the functions I attended. “Really?” I leaned back further, instinctively twisting my chair a few inches each way to rock Brinley as s
BAILEE “Bye, Bailee!” Lila, one of my employees, yelled as she jogged out of the shop. She was a good employee, but I refused to let her job come before her school and told her I would close for her so she could get ready for her school dance. “Have fun!” I shouted as I adjusted my bun. Ben h
I was sick of being treated poorly. These girls probably didn’t deserve my threats, but even if I wasn’t going to press charges, I wanted to at least scare them into being semi-decent people one day. Caleb, on the other hand, deserved nothing but pain and misery. “Don’t be such a Karen!” The se
HAVEN When his hand moved back up, I almost let out a cry as he went back, gently sliding along one side of my clit before going back down the other, touching it just enough that it was throbbing with need but not enough to give me the release I desired. “Benjamin Evans, I swear to God…” I snappe
HAVEN The fire in Ben’s eyes was something I hadn’t seen in years, and my chest rose and fell sharply as he leaned in and captured my lips in a kiss. “You drive me crazy.” He said, pulling away before lifting his thumb to my lips. “The feeling’s mutual,” I whispered, stunned by the dominating w
BEN She was shutting down. Haven’s smile was gone, as was the shaking of her hand in mine. It was as if she had become empty, devoid of emotion, as she stared blankly at the officiant. I knew she had been nervous about getting married and wanted something intimate and romantic since her last wed
HAVEN My hands were shaking as we left the hotel. The photographers snapped a few pictures of me getting my dress buttoned, pictures of me and Siri, and then some of the three of us together before leaving me with security and running off to get in position for the first look. The breezeway that
HAVEN I turned to look at Cynthia, feeling guilty and remorseful that they had dragged Max into this. She had told me it was fine and that no matter what they said about him, it wouldn’t matter because we knew the truth. It wasn’t like their lies could have an impact on Max, his career, or his li
HAVEN It had been exhausting to plan a wedding in only three weeks, but somehow, we managed to get it done. The best part was that no one outside of immediate family and friends knew where or when it would be, despite the press trying to get the information out of us. We had gone from a Hollywoo
HAVEN “Excuse me?” I snapped, and Ben’s eyebrows rose in amusement as I moved my shoulder in front of his and faced the microphones. He didn't need me defending him, but I was furious. “You have a lot of nerve making that accusation. Benjamin Evans is a good man and never forced himself on me. He r
HAVEN: “Our daughter’s name is Siri, and she is three years old, about to turn four,” Ben said, and I could see the excitement light in the eyes of the reporters like vultures watching their prey fall to the death for easy pickings. “I did not know about her until recently, but it wasn’t for lac
HAVEN Siri refused to leave Ben’s side the next day, and I was relieved because Diana had several notes for me on my statement and demanded that I get them fixed that morning so the press conference could be in the afternoon. As soon as Ben was done with his physical therapy and massage, I went i