Modern Fairy Tale: Twelve Books of Breathtaking Romance

by Kristen Proby

  “Understood,” she replies, and I turn away, pulling out my phone and connecting to the on-board Wi-Fi.

  I bring up my browser, find the land for sale in front of Jenna’s mountain property, and contact the agent.

  Dear Sir,

  I would like to purchase this property. I’ve already seen it, so no need to take me out there. Please advise on how you’d like to proceed. I’ll pay full asking price.

  Sincerely,

  Christian Wolfe

  * * *

  I do not want to do this.

  I’ve made it through the past ten days without feeling much of anything. I’m a robot. I saw my mother, and that went as well as it always does.

  Full of frustration and mistrust.

  Thankfully, she’s recovering at home, and Nina is looking in on her.

  I’ve been in New York and London to promote Tender Graces, and now we’re back in L.A. for the premiere tonight.

  The movie is already garnering huge critical acclaim, and my name has been thrown around with the possibility of another Oscar nod.

  And I don’t care.

  I’m sitting in the back of a stretch limo with Serena Holmes perched as far away from me as humanly possible. We haven’t said two words to each other on this tour when it wasn’t in front of a camera.

  We can’t stand each other.

  But we’re really, really good at faking it.

  “I can’t wait until this is all done so I don’t have to do this with you anymore,” she hisses between her teeth, glaring at me.

  “Sweetheart, I couldn’t agree more.” I watch the crowds on either side of the car. No one can see inside, which is good.

  I don’t want to have to touch her more than necessary.

  When we park in front of the red carpet, Serena slides over to me, plasters on her fake smile, and we climb out of the car. I turn to offer her my hand and escort her down the carpet, stopping on our marks to smile for the cameras.

  A thousand lights are flashing around us, video cameras are pointed at us, and every gossip columnist has a mic in their hands, hasty to thrust them in our faces as we approach.

  Serena lets me do most of the talking, per the studio’s request. She wasn’t happy with that, but they’re paying her paycheck, so it is what it is.

  I assume my normal stance, one arm slung around her low back, and my other hand tucked into my pocket. The crowd is deafening, and the lights are blinding.

  This used to excite me. It pumped up my adrenaline, and I lived for moments like these, when all eyes were on me, and the people couldn’t wait to hear what I had to say.

  And now, well, I don’t enjoy it like I once did. I even resent it.

  I need a break from it.

  “Let’s go,” Serena says in my ear, making it look like she’s kissing my cheek. “These lights are giving me a fucking headache.”

  I don’t say a word as I gesture for her to go ahead of me, and I follow behind, careful not to step on the train of her dress.

  That happened in New York, and I got the verbal beating of a lifetime when we got back into the limo on the way to the hotel once the after party was finished.

  She’s fucking exhausting.

  Serena and I won’t be watching the film tonight. Instead, we’ll come back for the after party, and then I’m done. There isn’t a European leg of this tour, thank God.

  I don’t have anything until I report to Vancouver to start filming Luke’s movie in February.

  What I’m going to do with a month on my hands, I have no idea.

  Except, I want to go to Jenna. To talk some sense into her and find out what really happened that last day because I don’t believe for a second that she just turned off her feelings like a light switch.

  * * *

  “You should go somewhere tropical,” Nina says the following morning. We’re having breakfast in my outdoor space, which overlooks downtown and all the way to the ocean.

  The view is killer.

  “Not in the mood.”

  She sighs and takes a bite of her fruit, looking at stuff on her computer. I’m reading the newspaper, trying to ignore her. I’d rather be alone, but she won’t leave.

  “You can’t keep moping,” she says. “Christian, you’re starting to worry me.”

  “Don’t worry about me,” I reply, shaking my head. “I’m fine. I just don’t want to go somewhere fucking tropical. Why, do you want to go and you’re hoping you can tag along?”

  “I mean, that wouldn’t suck.” She bats her eyelashes, but I don’t think it’s funny. “Are you just going to mope around here until it’s time to go to Vancouver? Jesus, you just spent weeks in the frigid cold, I would think you’d be clamoring for somewhere warm.”

  “We’re sitting outside, aren’t we? It’s warm enough in L.A.”

  “You’re so damn moody.” She returns to the computer, and a few moments later, I hear, “uh-oh.”

  “What?”

  “Well, you’re going to see it sooner or later, so I guess I’ll be the one to show you.”

  She flips the computer around to face me, and there on the screen are side-by-side photos. One of me kissing Jenna’s cheek in Sweet Scoops, and the other of her hugging and smiling up at a strange guy in Drips & Sips.

  The headline says, Brokenhearted ex-lover of Christian Wolfe has moved on!

  “What the fuck,” I mutter and skim the article. It’s one paragraph about how she was spotted getting cozy with some guy in Cunningham Falls.

  “She moved on pretty quickly,” Nina says, and I glare at her, shutting her up.

  My blood is on fire. Every muscle in my body tense and ready to deck someone.

  I stand and pace the patio, then stop and stare at the view.

  None of this is worth a damn without Jenna.

  “I mean, it hasn’t even been two weeks.”

  “Shut the fuck up, Nina.” I whirl around, and her eyes are wide. “Jesus, just shut up. I love her, and you’re just talking about her like she’s meaningless. She’s not.”

  “Christian—”

  “No. Stop talking. I’ve had it up to my fucking neck with you talking shit about her. I don’t know what your deal is, but you got your wish. We’re not together. But I don’t need you rubbing it in my face every damn day.”

  “That’s not what I’m doing.”

  “Yes. It is. And I’ve had it.”

  “Have you tried calling her?”

  “I’ve called. I’ve texted. She won’t answer me.” I pace away again, frustrated. “It’s like something happened, and a switch was thrown. She went from loving and affectionate to completely closed-off from me, and I don’t know what happened because she won’t talk to me.”

  “Well,” Nina says, and I turn at the sound of her voice. It’s weaker, the way it is when she’s about to confess something. “I might know what happened.”

  “What, Nina?”

  “I said something to her.”

  “When?”

  “When you went to pack your things.” She swallows hard. “Christian, she’s not meant for your life. She’s a small-town girl, and you’re People magazine’s sexiest man alive. How could that ever work out?”

  “Who the fuck are you to decide that we’re not right for each other?”

  She cringes, but I don’t stop.

  “Jesus, Nina, you’re my manager and my sister, but you’re not my keeper. You don’t make my life decisions for me, and you just sabotaged the best thing that has ever happened to me. You don’t even know her.”

  “I know that she made you forget your responsibilities,” she fights back, standing from the chair at the table. “You never would have let someone take a video of you kissing someone before. You know what shit like that can do to your image, and you were finally recovering from the DUI shit storm.”

  “That shit storm was my life. But you don’t care. All you care about is my image and what it does to my bottom line.”

  “That’s not tr
ue.”

  “It’s exactly true. I love you, Nina, but maybe I’ve given you too much say in what happens in my life.”

  “Christian, I didn’t know that she meant that much to you. It’s not like you called to talk to me about it. I saw everything through the press, and it looked like she was worming her way into your life and causing you to make mistakes. We can’t have mistakes. And don’t forget, I’ve spent my entire life watching people around you try to take a piece of you, including our own mother. I am your manager and sister, and goddamn it, I’m your protector.”

  “I’m a fucking human being!” I throw my hands into the air and stare at her like she’s crazy. “Of course, I make mistakes, Nina. And let me just tell you right now, Jenna is not a mistake. She is amazing. She works hard, and she doesn’t want to ride on my or anyone’s coattails. I don’t need to be protected from her. Her brother is Max Hull.”

  Nina’s eyes widen again. “Really?”

  “Yes. She already has access to more money than she’d ever need, but she doesn’t ever ask her brother for a handout. She works her ass off, and her business isn’t just successful, it kicks ass. You saw the tree houses.”

  “They are really cool.”

  “Fuck, Nina, what did you do?”

  “I’m sorry.” Her voice wobbles, but it’s not enough to soften me up. “I overstepped.”

  “Understatement of the fucking year.”

  I pace away from her, pushing my hands through my hair. Jenna didn’t send me away because she doesn’t love me.

  My idiot sister talked her into believing that she’s not good enough for me.

  And that pisses me off. I’m angry with both of them.

  “Just to play Devil’s advocate here,” Nina says. “What does it say about her that she let a couple of words from me end things between you?”

  “Nina, I know you. You can be ruthless, so I’m going to guess that it wasn’t a few innocent words.”

  She swallows hard.

  “Did you tell her that she’s not good enough?”

  “Maybe.”

  She sighs. “Okay, I fucked up. Bad.”

  I shake my head and reach for my phone.

  “We need to fix this,” she continues, already typing on her computer. “I’ll call the plane, and you can fly out today.”

  “I don’t want you to touch this,” I reply coldly. “You’re not fired, yet. But I’m not ready to forgive you.”

  “Christian.”

  “No. You’ve got to learn that you don’t control me or any aspect of my life except my schedule. That’s it. I’m going to get to Jenna. Today. And I’ll deal with you later.”

  “I’m so sorry,” she says, gathering her things. “Please don’t stay mad at me.”

  “You told the love of my life to get lost. I’m going to be mad for a while.”

  * * *

  I can’t get to her.

  Cunningham Falls is under the blizzard of the century. No planes are leaving or landing right now, and it’s not supposed to let up for another three days.

  Three fucking days.

  Every day since I left her has been misery, and now it’s only worse because the cell towers are down, and I can’t call her.

  Besides, what I have to say needs to be said in person. Not over the phone where she can just hang up on me.

  No, I need to look into her eyes and touch her skin. I need to see her.

  So, I make arrangements for the plane to leave first thing as soon as the storm clears, get dressed, and start to head to Rodeo Drive to do some shopping but then stop short.

  I can’t be recognized when I do this, and I don’t know where else to go.

  Fuck.

  I call Nina.

  “If you’re still mad at me, I’m hanging up.”

  “I’m so mad at you, but I need to set that aside for right now. I need your help.”

  “What’s up?”

  “I need to buy an engagement ring without the paparazzi finding out.”

  She’s quiet.

  “Nina?”

  “Wow.” She sniffles. “Christian, this is so great.”

  “I haven’t asked her yet. She’s still not speaking to me, but I can’t get to her for a couple of days, so that gives me time to get ready. Now, where do I go to get a fucking ring?”

  “I know just the place. Pick me up.”

  I’m at her place in fifteen minutes, and she jumps into my little convertible with a smile on her pretty face.

  “Which direction?” I ask.

  “We’re headed to Long Beach. There’s a Cartier there. The one on Rodeo Drive will be swarming with the paps.”

  “You could have just told me this on the phone.”

  “Yes, but then I wouldn’t get to help you pick it out, and that would just be sad.”

  The drive to Long Beach takes forever, thanks to traffic, and parking isn’t exactly a breeze. But we’re finally in the store, and I’m suddenly completely overwhelmed.

  I have no idea what Jenna would like.

  “Good afternoon,” the saleswoman says. “I’m Genevieve, and I’m happy to help you today.”

  “I’m looking for an engagement ring. I hope I can trust that this is a confidential visit.”

  Genevieve raises a brow. “Of course. Is this your special lady?”

  Nina chuckles. “No, I’m the meddling sister. I’m just here to help.”

  “Excellent. I’m sure we have something perfect for her. May I see a photo?”

  I nod and thumb through the photos on my phone, find the one of Jenna and me at the ice skating rink, and show it to her.

  “Oh, she’s just lovely.”

  “Yes. She is.”

  “What does she do for a living?”

  “She’s in real estate, and she’s sometimes in the middle of construction zones.”

  “So, she would need something that doesn’t snag,” Genevieve says as she pulls an open red velvet box from under the counter and then goes in search of a couple of rings to show me. “And correct me if I’m wrong, but she looks like a classy woman. Someone who would enjoy something traditional and simple.”

  “I think so,” I reply with a nod.

  Genevieve returns with five rings in different styles, but I know it as soon as I see it.

  “This.” I point to a ring with a massive diamond, set down in a halo of more diamonds.

  “I thought you might like this,” she says, pulling it out and passing it to me. “This one doesn’t have any prongs, so it won’t snag on anything. And it’s simply beautiful.”

  “Oh, I love it,” Nina breathes.

  “The diamond is a cushion cut, and every diamond surrounding is a round cut and chosen by hand. The total karat weight is five karats.”

  Nina whistles, and I toss her a grin.

  “We’ll take it.”

  “Don’t you want to know the price?” Genevieve asks.

  “I don’t care,” I reply honestly. “This is her ring. I’ll take it.”

  “Excellent.” Genevieve takes it back and sets it in a red ring box. “I’ll be happy to wrap it up for you.”

  “They do a great job with packaging,” Nina says with a nod, but I shake my head no.

  “It’ll go in my pocket,” I reply. “She won’t open it like a gift.”

  “Of course.” Genevieve nods. “I’ll just have to fill out your certificate of authenticity, and with this large of a transaction, we wire the money directly from your bank.”

  “I understand.”

  Two hours and three coffees later, Jenna’s ring is tucked safely in its box in my pocket, and I’m driving back to Beverly Hills.

  Now, to get to my girl so I can make her mine permanently.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Jenna

  “This lemon poppy seed is to die for,” Grace says as she pulls her fork out of her mouth and eyes the next piece of wedding cake on her plate. “But this strawberry looks amazing, too.”

  “
The strawberry goes so well with the white chocolate ganache,” Maisey Henderson, the owner and baker of the wedding cakes says with a wink. Her sister, Brooke, is pulling samples of flowers to show Hannah, as well.

  We’re in Brooke’s Blooms, the hottest new flower shop in town. Brooke also sells pretty gifts and cards, and I’ve decided that I need to come in here more often. They’ve done an amazing job of making today special for Hannah, with a pretty bouquet on our table that Hannah gets to take with her, and a congratulatory cake for her to take home, as well. They’ve absolutely gone the extra mile, and I’ll happily recommend them to other friends in the future.

  “I can’t believe that we’re at the tail end of the blizzard of the century outside, and yet it feels like springtime in here,” Hannah says, taking a deep breath. “It’s just so pretty.”

  “This is such a breath of fresh air,” Willa says. “I’m so sick of being in my house.”

  “You should host parties here,” I suggest and take a bite of the chocolate mousse and immediately sigh in happiness. “I’d come in for flowers and cake every week.”

  “That’s actually a great idea, and something we’re working on,” Maisey says with a wink. “Hannah, you need to try this huckleberry filling.”

  “I want huckleberry filling, too,” Grace says, making us all laugh.

  “Trust the pregnant woman to like everything,” Hannah says, rubbing Grace’s round belly. “I’m only serving about a hundred people, Grace, not a thousand. I won’t need that much cake.”

  “I’ll take home the leftovers,” Grace says with a laugh.

  I love my friends, and I’m so happy for Hannah and that she found the love of her life. She and Brad fit so well together, and being a part of their special day is an honor.

  I will not let my own sadness interfere with having fun with my friends today.

  “Willa, what do you think of the peonies?” Hannah asks, pointing to the book. “I wish they were in season so we could see them in person.”

  “Peonies are always a yes,” Willa replies, nodding emphatically while munching on her cake. “And, of course, some lilies.”

  “Let me show you a bouquet that I did a couple of years ago,” Brooke suggests, typing on her laptop. “I have a folder on Pinterest with previous designs, and you’re welcome to go look anytime. Here we go.”