by Mia Kayla
I should have been excited. I should have been anxious.
But as my heartbeat thrashed in my ears, all I felt was dread.
I sat on the stool, staring at the girl in the mirror. I wondered who this girl was. I wondered where the old girl had gone and how I could get her back. The problem was I couldn’t. The lie was so deep, the charade so long that there was nowhere else to go, but to move forward.
It was an out-of-body experience as the chaos of the circus around me was happening. I hardly noticed the woman in front of me as she swished her little brush of pink gloss on my pouty lips.
Everybody was getting ready for the big day.
My big day.
Four photographers were scattered around the room, catching every moment and every detail from the shoes to the invitation to the flowers.
Orchids.
Orchids didn’t give off a scent like every other flower. Too much water would drown them. Not enough sunlight would kill them. They were useless and high maintenance.
So, when the florist had asked me what kind of flowers I would like for my bouquet, I’d said, “Orchids.”
It was the flower I despised the most. It wasn’t because of its lack of beauty or its uselessness, but I didn’t want anything that I would pick for my real day.
The photographers moved to the king-sized bed, and they snapped pictures of the regal designer wedding gown. This was another thing I never would have picked for myself. I remembered my last fitting. I had barely squeezed into the strapless couture dress. I would never choose a dress that I couldn’t walk, dance, or eat in. I hated it, and that was the reason I’d picked it.
My stomach growled from starvation. I had no appetite the night before, and today Kendy, my maid of honor, wouldn’t allow me to eat. It was so unlike her. I guessed it was for my benefit because I could barely fit into my dress. Either way, my stomach was eating itself because it had nothing else to feed off of.
The time went by slowly as if it were dragging on purpose to punish me for living the biggest lie of my life. Everyone always said their wedding day had flown by. This day was killing me, killing me softly and slowly.
All I wanted was for it to be over, but the day had just begun.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. If I can only get through this day…this one day…
I just needed to get through today.
Pick up your copy of Marry Me For Money today!
Marry Me For Money - Forever After Book 1
Also by Mia Kayla
The Forever After Series
Marry Me for Money - Forever After Book 1
Love After Marriage - Forever After Book 2
The Scheme - Brian’s book -Forever Love Book 1
Naughty Not Nice - Forever Love Book 2
Stand Alone
Everything Has Changed
About the Author
Mia Kayla is a New Adult and Contemporary Romance writer who lives in Illinois. She is the wife to the husband of the year and mommy to three unbelievable cute little girls who have multiplied her grey hairs.
In her free time she loves reading romance novels, jamming to boy bands, catching up on celebrity gossip and designing flowers for weddings.
Most of the time, she can be caught on the train with her nose in a book sporting a cheeky grin because the main characters finally get their happily-ever-after at the end.
She loves reading about happy endings but has more fun writing them.
HERE IS WHERE YOU CAN FIND MIA KAYLA:
JOIN HER READER GROUP
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GOODREADS
Acknowledgements
It took an army to get this done and to final form and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help and encouragement of the following people.
First and foremost I want to thank God for that creative side of me that can’t keep quiet and for the stories in my head that I have to share with the world.
To the real rockstar in my life—My husband. I love you because you support me in everything I do. And you watch the kids when I have to write.
To my writer friends that keep me accountable with daily word counts and keep me sane by listening to me vent — To Michelle, Tracey, Danielle, El, Laura, Jaimie, Faith, Ryleigh, Celeste and Kristi. Only writers understand the struggles and insecurities of this journey and I appreciate each and every one of you.
To my family at Indie Chicks Rock, Alphas & Fairytales and Sassy Savy— To Autumn, Molly, Kaylee, Allison, Willa, Jeanne, Dani, Sasha, Emery, Melanie and Claudia. Thanks for giving me a place to meet new readers, share my ARCs and party.
To my PA—Emily, you keep me organized and sane and happy. I’m so glad I met you. Thank you for all you do for me and our reader group. You are always keeping me on my toes and I appreciate you.
To my friend Jenn—Thanks for helping me from the very beginning. From organizing my sales to pimping my book, I know I can always count on you and your constant support of the Indie Chicks.
To my PR team from Sassy Savy Fabulous—Kristi, you are the bestest from the restest. Thank you so much for helping me market this book and pointing me in the right direction. Marketing is definitely not my strong suit so I appreciate your guidance and support.
To my rock star editing team — Oh my goodness, what would I do without you? Produce crap. That’s what!
To my developmental editor, Megan— I heart you so much. So much! Thank you for helping me flesh out these characters and for always being honest with me even when the truth hurts.
To my copy editor, Jovana— You truly have an eagle’s eye. Thank you for catching all my repetition and editing this book like it was your own. I’m the queen of repetition and I appreciate you keeping me in check.
To my proofreader, Shawna— Thank you so much for taking on a new client last minute. I’m confident after your last look that this manuscript is in tip-top shape.
To my formatter, Christine—You are the best in the business. Thanks for beautifying my books with your graphics.
To my cover designer—Sommer, you’ve got talent and an eye for cover hotness. Thank you for putting your magic touch on my covers.
To my beta readers—Hot Tree, Amy, Alyssa, Emily, Lisa, Kaitie, Michelle and Sarah—I appreciate your feedback and also your friendship. Without you, this book wouldn’t be what it is now.
To Kristi—Thanks for being my post beta reader and for loving this book as much as you do.
To Margie and my RRR Immersion partners—Thank you for Colorado and pushing me to become the best writer I can be. I continue to learn from each of you.
To the bloggers that have consistently supported me from my very first book to now. I heart you! Thank you for following me on this journey.
Last but not least to my readers— From those who have followed me from my very first book and to the new readers, thank you! thank you! thank you! I write for you.