by Roya Carmen
I blow out a breath. “You’re right. I’m so sorry.” I shoot her a smile. “It’s my birthday. I should act like it.”
I want to go on catching up all night but Abe interrupts us. He grabs my hand and pulls me from the couch. “It’s cake and presents time, birthday girl.”
I smile, eager. I’ve eaten tons of lasagna, but funny enough, I still have plenty of space for cake.
The lights are dimmed, and the room falls suddenly silent. Gretchen walks in from the kitchen, holding a beautiful cake, and singing Happy Birthday. Claudia and Mischa are right behind her, singing along. Everyone soon joins in.
The cake is beautiful, most likely bought from the bakery down the street, a white fondant cake covered in pretty pink and coral roses.
“Make a wish,” Claudia urges. “Make it something good.”
I do. This time, I wish for a beautiful baby. Preferably one with Abe’s eyes, sweet smile and musical talent.
I blow out the many candles, and laugh when I miss a few. On my second attempt, I succeed, and everyone claps and cheers.
Cake is served, and we all stuff our faces. I’m feeling a little too full as I sit down on the sectional and ready myself for opening gifts. Claudia and Gretchen squeeze in on either side of me.
Everyone settles in, eager to see. Some sit on the area rug, others on the sofa and on chairs. I tear into my gifts; chocolate, wine, tea, a cozy pajama, comic books and funny socks. Adele gives me a beautiful decorative box. I thank her profusely. The girls have gone in together to buy me a pretty pink Kate Spade bag. I haven’t opened one from Abe, and I’m curious to see what he got me. The last gift, a very tastefully wrapped box adorned with pink ribbon, practically sings to me, Open me. I’m special.
When Mischa hands it to me, I eagerly read the card attached, and I’m surprised to see it’s not from Abe. It’s from Melanie. She smiles sweetly at me. I rip off the paper to discover a tin of teas and biscuits. She knows how I love my tea and snacks in the afternoon. “Thanks so much. I love it.”
“I thought you would.” She grins. “Hopefully you’ll share.”
I smile back at her wondering why Abe hasn’t given me anything. Just as I’m about to thank everyone, Abe closes the distance between us and pulls out a small red velvet box from his pocket. As soon as he kneels at my feet, I know what’s happening. It’s not a complete surprise, but I’m still a little stunned.
He flips open the box. A gorgeous white gold ring stares back at me; a traditional diamond sandwiched between six smaller ones. The design is classic and very me. I love it.
The crowd claps and hollers, and my jaw is on the floor as he smiles sweetly at me. “What do you say? Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me, Abby?”
I’m speechless with joy. I throw myself at him, and wrap my arms around his shoulders.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
When I finally pull away, he takes my hand and gently slides the ring on my finger. Thankfully, I finally moved Gavin’s ring to my right hand a few weeks ago, anticipating this moment.
I stare down at the stunning ring, and then up at him, even more beautiful. Then I glance over at Adele who is crying happy tears. I’d always wanted to be her daughter, to be part of their family, and now it’s finally happening.
The room erupts into another round of cheers of celebration.
Everyone is cheering and clapping so hard, we almost don’t hear the doorbell. Mischa presses a finger to her lips and shushes everyone. The familiar buzz of the doorbell cannot be mistaken.
Claudia and I are quick to run to the door to see who has shown up so late. Claudia checks her watch. “Kind of rude,” she mutters. “I hope they have a good excuse.”
I’m frowning as I swing the door open. To my surprise, it’s the last person I could have expected at my door. Mr. Dark & Mysterious. I’m speechless. Jaw on the floor, I turn to Claudia who is standing next to me, equally shocked.
“I’m so sorry,” Mr. Dark & Mysterious says apologetically. “I had a family emergency.”
“Come in,” I urge. The man looks as fine as always in a dark jacket and suit. He’s holding a gift bag which is clearly a bottle of wine of some kind.
“My son is just learning to drive, and unfortunately, he was just rear-ended a few hours ago. I had to deal with all the ensuing annoyances.”
Okay, well that falls into the good excuses category. He’s instantly forgiven. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Is he okay?”
He smiles and hands me the bottle. “He’s fine… the car, not so much,” he says. “Happy Birthday, Abigail. I hope you like it. I wasn’t sure what to get you. Do you like champagne?”
I smile. “As much as the next gal,” I joke. “Thank you so much. Please come in and meet everyone.”
I’m still wondering why he’s here when Abe joins us and squeezes his hand. “Hey, buddy. Thanks so much for coming.”
“My pleasure.” Mr. Dark & Mysterious shrugs out of his jacket, and Claudia gladly takes it from him. Damn, he’s very nicely built. Of course I only have eyes for Abe, but I’m not completely blind either. I catch Claudia shamelessly ogling.
Abe wraps an arm around our mysterious guest. “I met this guy last week,” he tells me. “Coolest guy you’ll ever meet.”
This turn of events doesn’t surprise me in the least. Abe is one of those extroverts who can strike up a conversation and a friendship out of the blue, with just about everyone. He was like that even as a kid.
Mr. Dark & Mysterious shrugs. He’s clearly uncomfortable, not quite making eye contact with anyone. I desperately want to save him.
“So nice to have you here,” I offer. “Thanks for coming.”
He nods and smiles shyly.
I nudge Claudia in the ribs to knock some sense into her. She’s still gawking. “This is my friend, Claudia.”
“Nice to meet you,” he says politely as he shakes her hand. All the while, she’s staring at him like a lovestruck schoolgirl.
Mischa jumps in and shakes his hand a little too enthusiastically. “I’m Mischa, and this is my husband, Brian.”
The mysterious stranger extends his hand to Brian, clearly overwhelmed by all the people around him.
Then… something strange happens.
His nerves seem to fade into thin air as he locks eyes with Gretchen, who is standing demurely behind us. He studies her for a long beat, and renders her absolutely speechless.
I quickly come to her rescue. “Uh… this is my friend, Gretchen,” I tell him. “She lives in the building too.”
“I know,” he says and offers her his hand. His gaze is still fixed on hers seconds later, and the rest of us might as well not even be in the room.
“I’m Gretchen,” she says, her voice soft and low.
He grins playfully. “Yes… I know. Your friend said…”
“Yes, right…” A quiet nervous laugh escapes her lips. “And you… you are…”
He smiles. “I’m Weston,” he says. “Weston Hanson.”
I tear into my gift, and am happily surprised when I find a bottle of 1988 Dom Perignon. “Check this out, Claudia.”
Claudia is too busy staring at Gretchen and Weston to notice my very expensive bottle of champagne. She grins mischievously, not taking her eyes off them. “I think,” she whispers in my ear. “Gretchen’s dry spell just might be officially over.”
I laugh out loud. She definitely might be on to something there. “Hey, have you seen this? Let’s open this baby!”
She finally notices the Dom Perignon. “Hell, yes!”
The End
A note from the author:
Hi! Thanks so much for reading. Hope you enjoyed Abigail’s story. This one was a bit heavier than my usual books, but it’s a story I’ve been wanting to write for a long time.
It was inspired by my youth, growing up in a trailer park in Norther Ontario, Canada. It is mostly fiction, and Abby’s family is nothing like my own, yet many of the events, tragedies and
characters were inspired by real events and people I knew. Abigail’s emotions were inspired by my own.
I’ve also always wanted to write about first love, since I believe we can all relate to this special kind of love, so pure, passionate and special.
If you enjoyed the book, please consider telling your friends about it, or writing a review and checking out my other books.
Next up is Book 3: Grtechen’s story, THE BOSS UPSTAIRS. It will also be a standalone read. Book 3 releases November 2020, so keep an eye out for it. To stay in the know about all my new releases, sales and freebies, please subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on social media. (Links below).
And for those who haven’t read the first book in the series, THE GIRL HE LOVES is a suspense romance, and is also a standalone read.
Roya Carmen Goodreads
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Cheers!
About the Author
Roya Carmen is a book junkie, self-professed chocoholic and hopeless romantic. A graduate of Ryerson University, she worked in Graphic Communications before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She has always loved writing, finding her passion for romance in 2008. She enjoys spending time with her family, camping, playing billiards, and painting. And of course, there is nothing she enjoys more than sitting down at her laptop and making up stories – and if those stories should include beautiful men, a little romance, and a few steamy scenes, all the better!
Roya lives north of Toronto with her husband and three children.
Also by Roya Carmen
The Ground Rules Trilogy - Bestselling erotic romance trilogy.
The Riverstone Series – A series of steamy standalone reads.
One Week Series - A series of steamy standalone reads.
THE GIRL HE LOVES - Orchard Heights Book 1 - suspense romance
Back to You - A sweet summer romance.
Read below for more detailed info.
The Riverstone Series
A beautiful inherited estate. Three unforgettable love stories.
Loving Amber
(A standalone novel. Book 1 of The Riverstone Series.)
Torn by tragedy. Reunited by love.
A steamy forbidden romance. Two years following her husband’s tragic death, a widow struggles with feelings for the man she holds responsible.
“Loving Amber is a second chance at love story with a twist of the forbidden. This book had so many feels. My heart broke over and over again.” - Sultry Sirens Book Blog
Author's note: contains sexual scenes and some coarse language. This is the first book of the Riverstone Estate Series and can be enjoyed as a STANDALONE read.
Loving Ruby
(A standalone novel. Book 2 of The Riverstone Series.)
A sinful boss secretary romance.
I’ve heard all the rumors: He killed his wife. He’s on house arrest. He’s a vampire. Yet still, when I get a job offer from the reclusive Mr. Hyde, I jump at the chance. Yes, I know I’m crazy.
I’m cautious at first, but then I discover a beautiful, quirky man. I also see a tortured soul who lives in darkness. I know I should run, yet I can’t tear myself away. I want to discover all his secrets. I desperately want to help him. And when he draws me deeper into his strange little world, I want to stay.
Author's note: contains sexual scenes and some coarse language. This is the second book of the Riverstone Estate Series and can be enjoyed as a STANDALONE read.
Loving Jade
(A standalone novel. Book 3 of The Riverstone Series.)
A story about courage and new beginnings.
In an attempt to escape her abusive husband, a woman seeks refuge at a horse estate and falls in love with her equine therapist.
Author's note: contains sexual scenes and some coarse language. This is the last book of the Riverstone Estate Series and can be enjoyed as a STANDALONE read.
The Ground Rules Trilogy
Two beautiful couples. Five simple rules. One hot mess.
Gabe and Mirella Keates are happily married – high school sweethearts, in fact. But by chance, one fateful night, they meet the rich and enigmatic Weston Hanson and his beautiful wife Bridget.
Mirella is instantly drawn to the sexy, mysterious, peculiar man and soon becomes obsessed with him. And when the dynamic couple makes them an unthinkable proposal, Mirella and Gabe accept, driven by lust and desire, despite knowing the risks.
The ground rules are clear, but as Mirella discovers the kind and gentle man hidden under Weston’s cold, rigid exterior, she soon falls hard for him. And as Weston’s walls begin to crumble, he starts to break his own rules as well.
As Mirella falls deeper, she is torn between her feelings for Weston and her love for her husband. And as the volatile and passionate Gabe becomes increasingly jealous, Mirella realizes her entire world is tearing at the seams.
Author's note: contains sexual scenes and some coarse language. This is a trilogy but the first book can be enjoyed as a standalone read. The Ground Rules (Book 1), The Ground Rules Rewritten (Book 2), The Ground Rules Undone (Book 3)
Read the excerpt of Chapter One following this section.
The One Week Series - A series of standalone reads.
One Week
A troubled marriage. A one week hall pass. A married woman falls for a beautiful stranger she meets online, and is given permission by her husband to spend a week with him.
One Week Hating You
One Week in Paris
Stuck with You - A One Week Novella
The Ground Rules - Excerpt - Chapter One
Preface
FEW WORDS were spoken. Yet I knew. I can’t really explain it…physical attraction is a powerful thing, an all-consuming thing. I didn’t want it, and I certainly wasn’t looking for it, but there it was, nevertheless.
I should have run in the opposite direction. But I didn’t. No…I yielded to it.
It’s amazing how life can change so easily—veer off the path. A single moment, a decision you make, however insignificant, can change the course of your destiny.
For me, it all started with a pink dress.
Chapter One
GOODNESS…MY TOES are a disgrace. I haven’t looked at my feet in a while, and as I stare down at the faded, chipped blue polish on way-too-long toenails, I realize I might be letting myself go.
I really need a pedicure.
I can’t remember the last time I gave myself a pedi. Chloe’s toes are perfect little shiny red buds—I just did her nails yesterday.
When did my daughter’s toenails become more important than mine? Probably about eight years ago or so. I first painted her toenails when she was just a baby—just wanted to see what it would look like.
I suppose that’s what happens when you become a mom. One day you have a life. You look hot. Other men (men who are not your husband) want to do wicked things to you.
And then…you’re painting your baby’s tiny toenails.
I sigh as Chloe wraps one of my colorful scarves around her neck, her dark brown curls caught under the silk. We’re playing dress-up.
She twirls in front of the wall mirror. “Do I look grown-up, Mommy?” Her gorgeous eyes gaze at me intently. “Well, do I?”
“Yes, sweetie. You look very sophisticated.” Classier than me, I muse—ghastly toes, shabby sweats, and all. Every time I look at her, I see her father. She looks so much like him—the crazy dark curls, the gorgeous, sleepy hazel eyes and the slightly off-kilter, devilish smile.
She’s precious, standing in my over-sized black pumps and red cocktail dress, a hodge-podge of necklaces draped around her neck.
Her little sister stands on a vanity chair, arms stretched as she reaches for one of my dresses. “How ’bout this one?”
I give Claire the pick of the crop. I never wear them anymore. And I do have a lot of dresses—when a pretty one catches my eye, impulse overtakes me. I never ask
myself, “When am I ever going to wear this?” If I did, I probably wouldn’t have this overstuffed closet.
I’ve taken over the closet, in fact—Gabe’s clothing is stuffed in an armoire, but I don’t think he minds. He’s a simple guy—he wears mostly jeans, T-shirts, and plaid button shirts. He doesn’t need a closet.
Well, that’s what I tell myself anyway…
I study the dress Claire has picked out—it’s one of my favorites, probably the favorite. It’s a fifties-era dress I spent a small fortune on at one of those posh vintage stores—pink chiffon over taffeta, a corset-like bodice with lacy straps, and a flowing skirt that falls just above the knee.
The pink dress brushes the carpet, hanging off Claire’s tiny six-year-old frame. She looks so sweet in it. I can’t help but stare. I’ve only worn it twice—once at the theatre, the other time at a wedding. Gabe’s oldest brother tied the knot on a beautiful July day, which somehow managed to turn into a torrential downpour. We all got drenched. Gabe and I sprinted to our hotel room, undressed in a fury, and made love. Gabe’s wet shirt was plastered on his body, the tribal tattoo covering half his torso peeking through the soaked fabric. It’s one of my favorite (very hot) memories.
I looked really nice in that dress.