Happily Ever After: A Contemporary Romance Boxed Set

by Piper Rayne

  I nodded as he pulled the covers up around us and I laid my head against his chest as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He saved me months ago and didn’t even know it. I guessed I couldn’t hate him anymore. Maybe because I kinda loved him.

  Epilogue

  Perrie

  Three months later

  “What does that do?”

  I silently laughed as the nurse smiled at Ash. “It’s just alcohol to sterilize the area.” For five days straight, two times a day, I was given a bone marrow stimulant. It’s now D day. I flinched as I moved to change positions. Before I could even ask, Ash placed the heating pad on the area of my back that had the most tenderness.

  “All your vitals look good, are you ready?” I nodded as they prepped my arm with the needle injections as well as anywhere else on my body. Ash was already paling but still decided to be a trouper and held my hand. “Deep breaths, in and out, in and out,” the nurse spoke softly to me. After a few minutes, she stood up. “Alright. Eight hours. You got this, okay?”

  I nodded, relaxing against the recliner. I looked to Ash who still looked pale as he stared at my arms. “Hey,” I said to him. “You better get it together, we’re back here tomorrow.”

  He winked at me. “Wherever you are, I’ll be, babe.”

  I sat back and closed my eyes. The past few months had been absolutely insane. Once word got out about the secret recordings, shit hit the fan. That so-called sponsorship Frank claims we had? Totally false. The company even released a statement expressing their disappointment that not only were their names used in an attempt to advance a place of work, but also volunteered to cover all legal fees for any of the women that wanted to come forward.

  Frank was fucked. Frank also got sixty years, on top of the other sixty years from the Federal Government. It turns out Frank didn’t like paying taxes but loved embezzling. Oh, and there was that weird fact that he associated with terrorists.

  Bad Frank.

  Those with access to the website didn’t fare any better. There were two hundred and sixty members. The secretive spying was nothing compared to everything else they found. I imagined bigger prisons would need to be made.

  As for Ash and me? Well, sometimes things change. Sometimes things are said and done for a reason. Sometimes greater things have to happen for you to get your shit together. But don’t worry, I don’t hate him.

  “I can’t believe I’m taking you home to meet my parents.” I threw a few more things in my suitcase then mentally looked everything over to make sure I had enough.

  “Well you know, when two people fall in love, it’s only natural they meet each other’s family. It’s like we’re officially serious now.” I rolled my eyes and hit him with a pair of balled-up socks. “But truth be told, I can’t pass up Thanksgiving food. It’s why I packed all my sweatpants,” he said, coming to stand by me while I surveyed the items in my suitcase. Ash grabbed the snorkel from my suitcase and threw it across the room.

  “I mean this with no judgment, but you can’t even swim, when would you need this and why?”

  I shook my head. “You never know, we could suddenly pass an ocean that needed to be snorkeled.”

  “It’s a three-hour drive, Perrie.”

  He was no fun. I zipped my suitcase up and prepared to lift it when he yelled and practically shoved me out the way. “No heavy lifting. Did you just forget you donated stem cells?” Of course, I couldn’t forget. The back pain still reminded me. “I’ll load it into the van, you about ready?”

  I nodded, looking around the room. Most of everything was in boxes, with a huge pile going into storage and a very small pile of what was going in my van. Or I should say, our van. When I was resting in between treatments, Ash was finishing the van for me. I didn’t even have to tell him my vision, he knew where I was going with it and got to it. The best part? The toilet/shower. After the holidays, we planned on putting the rest of our things in storage and hitting the road. I took one last look around before finally locking up and joining Ash. A few hours later we pulled up to my parents’ house. “You nervous?”

  “A little. I mean it’s always nerve racking bringing your lover home to meet the family,” I found myself admitting.

  “Lover. I like that word; it sounds almost forbidden.”

  We both got out of the car and walked up to the door, and I took out my key.

  “Hello!” I shouted out. “We’re here.”

  “Perrie?” I nodded, running over for a hug, but also being mindful that I was still healing.

  “How was your drive?”

  “It was great, the roads weren’t too bad.” I turned toward Ash who was still by the door and I waved him over. “This is Ash.” Ash put out his hand for a handshake but that was just stupid on his part as he was engulfed in a hug, taking him by surprise.

  “Ash, these are my parents, Walt and Martha.” It still made me a bit emotional referring to them as my parents. It was a few weeks after everything occurred that they gave me the chance to change my life…

  “Now, we know you’re an adult, and you’ve grown into a fine young woman and we couldn’t be prouder.” I looked from Walt and Martha, Martha already tearing up. “We want you to know that you don’t have to say yes to this and regardless, we will always love you as our own, just like we always have.”

  Walt took a deep breath and nodded to Martha, who held out the huge envelope she was holding. “If you would allow us to, we would love to adopt you.”

  I stared at the envelope in complete shock. With my father deceased, and Jacqueline giving up her maternal rights when I was five, I was technically still an orphan. Looking to the both of them, tears streaming down my face, I said, “I thought you would never ask.”

  * * *

  Martha practically pushed me out the way, latching onto Ash. Walt stood at a distance eyeing him up and down as if any moment he was going to demand Ash do a thousand pushups. Since Walt is a retired drill sergeant, I had no doubt he would expect Ash to do just that, and Ash better if he knew what was good for him.

  He finally walked closer, arms still crossed. He said nothing as he stared him down but Ash never looked away. “Do you put raisins in your potato salad?”

  Ash was taken aback by the question but quickly straightened. “Sir, raisins in a potato salad is an absolute abomination and anyone that says otherwise should be tarred and feathered.”

  Walt grunted and kept the stern look before his body relaxed and he finally smiled. “Welcome to the family.”

  * * *

  The End

  About the Author

  Marie Skye is an Amazon and International Bestselling author. She's your average career driven woman by day, and a hidden lover of all things dirty by night.

  She currently resides in Austin, TX where there really is a difference between breakfast burritos and breakfast tacos, but she really doesn't know what the difference is.

  * * *

  If it's dark and full of inappropriate material. She's attracted to it. She prefers making her characters work for their happy ever after if they get one, and she has no problem making sure they endure every obstacle to try to get there. She's known as not having a filter, and if she's asked for an opinion, be prepared to get a response that's most likely a mixture of sarcasm and bluntness.

  Marie is the type of person that can be friends with anyone, but if you have cake, you're pretty much her best friend.

  Subscribe to her Newsletter for up to date content.

  Once Upon That Time He Was Stuck in the Friend Zone

  By Maria Ann Green

  Maria Ann Green

  Once Upon That Time He Was Stuck in the Friend Zone

  Emma and Colton have been best friends for years, but on vacation unexpected sparks start heating them both up.

  * * *

  Emma is about to go on a fantastic vacation with most of her best friends. The only problem is that it’s a couples vacation, and suddenly she’s not part of a
couple anymore. But, as stubborn as she is, Emma won’t skip the trip to paradise. Though, she doesn’t want to go alone either.

  * * *

  Luckily she has Colton, her best friend, who agrees to go with her on the trip so she doesn’t have to feel like a fifth wheel. He makes her laugh, keeps her company, and it mostly doesn't bother Emma every time some chick flirts with Colton.

  * * *

  Because he’s her best friend. And she doesn't date friends.

  * * *

  Only with the abundance of sunshine, cocktails, and inside jokes...something starts to change. Everyone always joked that Colton secretly had a thing for Emma, but she always brushed it off. Until now. Now she’s wondering if she should break her own rules and chance it with Colton. The only thing that holds her back is the fear of losing him as a friend if their fling ends badly.

  * * *

  Can Emma figure out what she wants more - to follow her rules that keep her heart and friendships safe, or to chance it all on the man who’s pretty much her everything?

  ONCE UPON THAT TIME HE WAS STUCK IN THE FRIEND ZONE © copyright 2020 Maria Ann Green

  * * *

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Prologue

  Me: Girl I just want what you have

  Me: Okay

  Me: Is that so much to ask?

  Charli Girl: What I have…what?

  Charli Girl: I’m going to need some context here. You came in out of nowhere with a brand new conversation. And I need coffee

  Me: Well, can’t you read my mind?

  Me: You should know what I’m talking about through brain waves by now

  Charli Girl: Okay bye bitch

  Me: You know you love me

  Charli Girl: I don’t know WHY I put up with you though

  Me: My charm

  Me: Okay

  Me: So anyway…

  Me: I want what Claire and Tom have. What you and Ray have! I want a relationship that feels real. Ya know?

  Charli Girl: Nothing is perfect

  Me: Well I know that, dummy

  Charli Girl: Besides you have Dan

  Me: Yeah, I know. But…oh idk

  Charli Girl: You’ll find a happy medium, I know it.

  Me: Okay, okay Momma Charli

  Charli Girl: Oh shut up

  Charli Girl: Besides, be careful what you wish for. There’s something to be said for too much of a good thing.

  Me: You’re bananas

  Me: Okay, but Hawaii

  Charli Girl: What about it?

  Me: I want to talk about it!

  Charli Girl: We’re leaving in a few days. What is there left to talk about?

  Me: Omg I can just FEEL your enthusiasm through the phone. You’re Riveted.

  Charli Girl: I’m done with you

  Me: Never!

  Charli Girl: Ray’s calling me. Let’s talk about it at dinner tonight.

  Me: Love you

  Charli Girl: xoxo

  “Hi, you’ve reached Emma. If your number isn’t already saved in my phone, you better leave me a message after the obnoxious beep, or I’ll never call you back. And if this is you, Mom, I still won’t call you back… Kidding!”

  *Beep*

  * * *

  “Oh my god, you need a new outgoing message. I mean seriously, your mom only gets more pissed off every time. Also, would you rather have unlimited margaritas—yes I know, blended—for the rest of your life, or every other kind of drink but never another margarita again? It’s a tough one. Tell me yours, and I’ll tell you mine at dinner.”

  “Hi, you’ve reached Emma. If your number isn’t already saved in my phone, you better leave me a message after the obnoxious beep, or I’ll never call you back. And if this is you, Mom, I still won’t call you back… Kidding!”

  *Beep*

  * * *

  “It’s Dan. Can I come over? I need to talk to you about something.”

  1

  “Okay, I changed my mind; I want your answer now. I need some major cheering up after the hellacious date from last night. The one you didn’t even let me complain about yet,” Colton shouts in no particular direction.

  He doesn’t knock on the door before barging into my apartment, but that’s not abnormal. I don’t think he’s knocked in the last ten years at least. Not that I normally care, considering he’s my best friend, but today…right now…

  “Do you mind?” Dan says after clearing his throat with this phlegmy sound that makes me want to puke all over his stupid sport jacket. I mean, who wears elbow patches—and not ironically under the age of sixty anyway?

  Looking over, I watch as Colton’s head snaps up from his phone, and his hand pulls from my doorknob like it tried electrocuting him.

  “Oh shit,” he says, still in the doorway. “You good?”

  I’m not going to tell him to go away, no matter how hard Dan keeps staring at me. Glaring. If it’s going to come down to my best friend and the guy who’s literally in the middle of dumping me, who the fuck does he think I’ll pick?

  And as he stands over me, Dan really is trying to get me to pick with those beady eyes of his. I’m still on the couch, because—really—if I’m going to sit here for this, then at least I’m going to be comfortable while he paces and looms, spouting off his rationalizations.

  Colton’s green eyes flick around the room, taking in what he’s walked into, and honestly, it’s hard not to laugh at the sour look on his face. It’s like he just ate something his grandma made, but he doesn’t want to tell her that she forgot several important ingredients.

  Poor guy.

  Okay, well, poor me too. But it feels better to focus on Colton at the moment.

  And I take a second for my eyes to leave Colton’s to look around me, at what he’s seeing. So I understand the wide eyes and pulled-back lips and the hands that he suddenly forgot what to do with, like they’re new for him.

  Both Dan and I have our arms crossed over our chests.

  I can feel the heat filling my torso from that pissed-off flush I can never control. I should look shocked too, but I think that’s passed. Now, in its place is a bit of melancholy.

  And Dan. Fucking Dan.

  He’s tapping his stupid loafers on my hardwood and making the most annoying anti-rhythm as he stares Colton down like Dan might actually do something.

  P.S. he would never.

  He’d claim it as civility, but he’s just a chickenshit.

  “Anyway,” Dan says when he gives up on any sort of answer from the doorway. Then he turns to me, and his face fills with this disgusting pity. For a second, I want to tell him where he can shove that look.

  I swallow the urge, but only barely.

  “Well, I guess that’s it then if you’re not going to ask for privacy. I’m sorry it had to happen this way. But it’s for the best,” Dan says to me, letting his gaze float up to the ceiling, out the window, anywhere but on me.

  “Weeeeeeell. I really have great timing, don’t I?” Sweet Colton tries to make a joke, because that’s what he does.

  “No,” Dan says—like a spoiled brat.

  “I guess what they say is true then,” Colton replies. And I see the glint in his eye. It’s a litt
le mischievous and matches the tick in the left corner of his mouth. Together they spell trouble.

  And I am so here for it.

  “What’s that?” Dan asks has he stomps toward that door, his arms still crossed, showing off those damn elbow patches to no one who cares. At all.

  “Oh, it’s not something I’d say to your face. But they’re right,” Colton replies. Then he winks at Dan. Colton, I could kiss him, winks while somehow holding back laughter.

  The burst of giggles comes from me before I even realize it’s going to happen. It’s the kind of laugh that hurts my nonexistent abs right away. The deep-down kind of laughter.

  The good kind.

  When I pry my eyes apart again, even if it is a little blurry from the tears, it’s hard not to immediately narrow in on Dan’s incredulous look. He’s lasered in on me, and screaming with his eyes for me to defend him.

  Him.

  Defend the dude who just broke up with me without even saying the actual words.

  Ummm, no thanks. But thanks anyway.

  “Right. Guess this is over then,” Dan spits out, like the words taste worse than molding leftovers. “And if you want to know why, you can figure it out,” he adds with a wide sarcastic smile.

  Colton steps aside, letting Dan storm the last two steps over the threshold of my apartment, into the hallway. And Dan starts sucking in a breath, turning as he does, to add something—surely something godawful—but Colton slams my door on my now ex’s face before a single syllable comes out.