by Julia Kent
“I can’t believe I’m here in Hungary. Finally. After all these years.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through so much to get here. I know it’s been hard.”
“That’s the understatement of the century. But I’m here now,” I said, turning my gaze to him. “With my prince. It’s a Cinderella story after all.”
“Your life hasn’t exactly been a fairy tale.”
My hand reached out to his cheek, my fingers tracing the line of his scar. I looked deep into his eyes and saw in them the same longing for peace that was in my heart.
“Neither has yours.”
I visited my mother’s grave again that weekend. Springtime had arrived in full force, and the trees around me blossomed with white flowers. When the wind blew, the flower petals fell like snow onto the warm ground. Sitting there, I felt like every atom in the wind moved exactly the way it should. Life would move on with or without me, and I didn’t need to change myself in order to be beautiful, or happy, or worthy of love. I already was.
Forget the castle, the crown, all of the gilded trappings of royalty that shone brightly but meant nothing. Forget the glass slipper, the horse-drawn carriage. None of that mattered now. Eliot wasn’t a prince, and I wasn’t a princess. We were just two broken people, half-mended, struggling to make sense of the world as best we could.
I once thought that happily ever after was only true in books. Now, I’m beginning to see how the future might play out if my dreams continue to pale before reality. Every sentence I could think of has already been said a hundred times over, by people whose words come out perfect and beautifully formed, where mine die on the tongue or straggle out onto the page, mangled and imperfect. But my story isn’t perfect, because I’m not perfect. Nothing is perfect except maybe in math, in the line that extends forever in both directions. Math is beautiful, I have always known that, but so is life. And I have grown to accept imperfection.
I am living my own fairytale to which nobody, not even me, knows the ending. But I can imagine my life written down, all of my past and future tragedy and triumph and yes, even romance, and the book does not always end in sorrow. For the first time in my life, I can imagine the reader turning to the end, the pages already lighter for being finished, and reading the final few words that an unknown author had scrawled across the last page:
“And they lived happily ever after.”
- The End -
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Aubrey Rose lives in sunny San Diego, where she likes to lay around in a hammock reading her favorite romances. When she’s not writing steamy stories, she can be found dancing naked in front of the mirror to Abba while her cat watches disdainfully.
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If you liked this story, check out the sequel!
Blind Wolf
The sequel to this novella, Perfect Mate, is available now on Amazon!
A brand new novella from New York Times Bestseller Aubrey Rose!
Julia has never been on a date in her life. She’s a curvy girl with no money, no education, and no way out of the town she works in as a library assistant… until Damien shows up. He’s just like the prince charming Julia always imagined would sweep her off of her feet. There are just a few things standing in the way of true happiness: he’s blind, he’s dating someone, and he’s WAY out of her league.
Oh, and he’s a werewolf.
Damien lost his eyes two years ago in a wolf battle. Ever since then, the straggler pack of disabled wolves he leads has been searching for a place to call home. One house seems like the perfect choice, but Damien realizes too late that the person who lives there is the girl he met at the library. The human girl. Damien is torn between loyalty to his pack and raw lusting desire for the girl who haunts his dreams day and night.
She’s a human. How could she be his true mate?
Be sure to pick up the free first story in my Big Girl series!
Big Girl Backstage Pass - Book One in the Big Girl series
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She’s just a college girl who can’t help but dream.
Shannon Locklear just won backstage passes to the hottest concert in LA, Wilder Side. She’s thrilled to be able to meet the band backstage, and when the guitarist takes her aside, the sparks that fly between them could light a bonfire…
He’s a lead guitarist who can’t shake his inner demons.
Julian Bremmer is a musician struggling with alcohol and his band’s newfound success. Girls throw themselves at him because he’s a rock star, but all of the attention doesn’t stop him from feeling empty inside. When he meets Shannon, he can’t help but wonder if she’s just the next girl who wants him for his fame…
Fate has thrown them together, but will the world pull them apart?
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NO REGRETS
By Liliana Rhodes
Chapter One
Deborah
The sun beat down barely giving any escape. Even under the trees there was no relief. Walking past the old brick campus buildings I had my classes in, I wondered why I never felt so much heat radiating off the bricks before. Up ahead in the clearing students and school administrators milled about waiting. Just beyond them were rows of white wooden chairs facing a long stage.
As I approached the small crowd of people in their caps and gowns, I wished I thought to bring my sunglasses. Squinting as I looked around, I slipped the black silky material of my graduation gown on like a coat over the tan jeans and cotton button shirt I wore, grateful to not have to mess my chin length bob.
I hoped to look casual like I didn’t care about graduation, but the truth was I cared much more than I cared to admit. Zipping the gown up the front and then draping the red honors sash over my shoulders, I looked like all the other Canyon Cove University graduates. Except maybe a little rounder and definitely shorter.
My weight had been a sensitive issue since my neighbor Patty asked me why I was so fat. I was four at the time and at chubbiest. I didn’t know what fat was, but by the tone of her voice I knew it was a bad thing. I ran home crying and told my grandmother what happened.
Of course Grandma tried to make me feel better by saying we all come in different shapes and sizes, but it didn’t matter. The damage had been done. Since then I was always aware of how much larger I was compared to others. I knew sometimes it was all in my head, but I couldn’t help it. It was like Patty had permanently taken up residence in my head.
Luckily for me, the older I got the less I cared about what others thought. Sometime in high school when I really began caring about clothes, I realized how unfair it was that big girls couldn’t dress cute.
It was around that time that I would go shopping with my girlfriends at the mall and while they had endless stores to choose from, I was lucky to have one. Usually that one store only carried conservative old lady clothes that I was far from wearing as a teen. I was a young girl, I didn’t want to dress like my grandma. That was when I started making my own clothes.
As I walked around, I looked at the faces of the other graduates hoping to find someone familiar, but didn’t recognize anyone. Between working a couple of jobs and school I didn’t have much of a social life, but watching them hug and smile at each other I felt really out of place and like I missed out on something. It didn’t help that at twenty-five they were younger than me by a few years. Shit, why am I here?!
“Deborah! Deborah Hansen!”
Recognizing Ashley Boone’s voice, I turned around breathing a sigh of relief that I wasn’t completely alone, but thinking it odd to see her. Ashley had been my boss at the Winslow Museum for Motion Pictures and was the sweetest person ever. She even offered me her job when she decided to become a stay at home mom. I was happy to call Ashley my friend.
“Ashley! What are you doing here?” I asked as I walked towards her. Looking beautiful as usual with her long dark hair, pouty lips and an orange print sun dress that hugged her curves, Ashley held her infant son Jacob and I was reminded of paintings of the Madonna and child. “Wait, that didn’t come out right,” I said laughing. “I’m glad to see you, but how did you know? I didn’t tell you about this.”
She laughed as she hugged me. “I know you better than you think,” she said as she grinned at me. “You mentioned graduating this semester so I looked up the date. I knew you wouldn’t miss walking.”
“You’re right, but I really don’t know why I’m here. This is stupid. I don’t even know anyone here and I don’t have anyone here either. Well, I didn’t until you came.”
“You should be happy Deborah. You’re finally graduating! You should walk, be proud! You’ll never get another chance to do this.”
“I know, that’s the only reason I’m here. I don’t want to look back and regret the things I didn’t do. There have been so many things in my life… I almost didn’t finish school, but I knew I’d regret that too. Before my grandma died, she said life was too short to regret the things you didn’t do. She had so many regrets. She made me promise I’d follow my heart and never regret anything.”
“She sounds like she was a wise, wonderful woman.”
“She was something else, that’s for sure,” I said laughing as I remembered her spunkiness. “I miss her. You know, she raised me. I couldn’t ask for a better life growing up even though we had no money. Speaking of money, where’s Mr. Billionaire?”
“He’ll be here later to pick up the baby for his nap. Then you and I are going to Joyeux. Joshua feels awful about not calling you and demanded I bring you by his shop so he could finally meet you in person.”
“That sounds great!”
“Graduates,” a woman’s voice called out over the crowd. “Please line up. Procession will begin shortly.”
“I’ll meet you back here when it’s over,” Ashley said. “Go line up! Make your grandma even prouder than I’m sure she is.”
Ashley gave me a big hug, careful to not disturb Jacob who was sleeping. Smiling sheepishly at her I felt tears fill my eyes and quickly blinked trying to stop them from falling. It was useless though so I blotted the corners of my eyes with my fingertips trying to save my makeup.
“Dammit Ash, you made me cry! I’ll look like a raccoon accepting my diploma,” I joked, hoping to make my tears stop. “Please, go so you can get a seat. I’d feel awful if you had to stand in this heat the entire time.”
As Ashley left, I found my spot in line with the other H’s. Looking around at my fellow graduates, I straightened my honors sash and looked up through the tall trees at the cloudless sky.
This is for you Grandma, I thought. I really hope you’re up there watching. I looked down at the ground. Or watching from down there where you always said you’d be.
As I laughed to myself, Pomp and Circumstance played and the long procession walked under the famed wrought iron arch of the university and towards the stage set up in the grassy campus plaza. I continued to think about my grandma as I walked, remembering her wicked sense of humor and all the things she taught me about life.
As I sat on a wooden folding chair surrounded by a sea full of strangers, the heat of the black graduation cap and gown started to get to me. What I wouldn’t do for a breeze or even a little rain. I knew I should’ve stayed home.
Suddenly the bright sun slipped behind a small dark cloud and it began to rain. Some people ran for cover. Most of the graduates stayed in their seats, grateful for the break in the heat. I laughed and looked back up at the sky. Ah-ha! I knew you’d be up there! Thanks Grandma.
Chapter Two
Deborah
Shortly after receiving my diploma, the steady drizzle became a downpour. I spotted Ashley near the walkway just beyond the graduation arch, kissing Jacob on the forehead as she handed him to a smiling Xander who held an umbrella.
Xander was the perfect handsome complement to Ashley. Together they looked like they stepped out of a magazine. With his perfectly trimmed beard and hair a little on the longer side, I could see why Ashley fell for him. And to watch how he looked at her, you could see the intense love in his eyes. In both their eyes really.
I waved to them as I headed towards my car. They looked so happy. I couldn’t help it, for a brief second I was jealous. It wasn’t that I wanted a family, or even a husband. I didn’t even want to be bothered with a boyfriend right now. The last thing I needed was that kind of distraction. Its just sometimes since Grandma died I felt really alone.
“That was a beautiful ceremony, Deb,” Ashley said once she caught up with me.
“Yeah I guess it wasn’t that bad. Thankfully the rain made them cut it short.”
“We can take my car. It’s in the lot across the street, are you there too?”
“Ha, no. I popped all the money I had into the meter and hoped I wouldn’t get a ticket,” I said as I pointed to the navy four-door piece of shit that used to be my grandmother’s car. “I need to take my car, I’m sure the meter’s up. How about if I follow you to Joshua’s?”
“Sure, I’ll pull around to meet you,” she said before heading towards the parking lot.
I unlocked my car and slipped in behind the steering wheel, throwing the cap and gown onto the seat beside me. Turning the key in the ignition I felt my stomach drop when nothing happened. The car was silent.
“Shit! Not now! No, not now!” I yelled as I turned the key again. But the only sound I heard was the click of my keys against the console. “Please, please please start!” As Ashley pulled up next to me in her beautiful, expensive SUV, I shook my head and begged. “Not in front of her, please start. Don’t make her feel sorry for me.”
Pulling the key out then shoving it back into the ignition hard, the car suddenly came to life. I breathed a sigh of relief before pulling out into traffic behind Ashley.
After a quick drive on the freeway, we got off an exit that brought us closer to the center of the city of Canyon Cove. As we stopped at a red light, I looked over at the car stopped beside mine in the next lane. It was a shiny, black sports coupe and I slowly realized I knew the car. Doug? It couldn’t be…could it?
Doug Murray was my last boyfriend and at almost a year, my longest relationship. We met the first year of college and had an immediate attraction. He played lacrosse and had a laid back style I found irresistible. With spiky brown hair and dimples in his cheeks when he smiled, every girl turned their head to look when Doug entered the room.
Surprised to see him, I stared until Doug turned and looked back at me. I smiled and waved, but I could see by his face that he didn’t know who I was. As recognition slowly filled his face, he covered his mouth with one hand, pointed at me with the other, and laughed.
The traffic light couldn’t change fast enough. I knew I was heavier than the last time he saw me, but his laughter felt like he reached into my chest and yanked my heart out and stomped on it. Wishing I could say something to him and put him in his place, I lifted my hand up and extended my middle finger at him as the light turned green.
When Ashley and I reached the parking lot at Fashion Plaza, I stepped out of my car still shaken up by Doug’s mocking.
“You alright? You don’t look so good.” Ashley said as we followed the path from the parking lot into the shopping area.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I said then sighed. “No, I’m really not. Its just my ex. I just saw him.”
“When? Now? What happened?”
“Yeah, just now. At the traffic light before. Its just so odd because he was just such an ass, but when we were together he really wasn’t. He was actually really sweet. We even stayed friends for a while afterwards, but I guess we lost touch.”
“Sounds like you’re leaving something out.”
“Yeah, I guess I ignored the obvious. I feel bad about that,” I said as I though
t about the past. “Doug went to college full time so he graduated a couple of years ago. It was around that time that my grandmother took a turn for the worse. Between that and all the time I was spending with Doug while he decided what to do with his degree, my grades started to suffer.
“I guess I should’ve been more honest with Doug, but I was so upset about my grandma that I shut down. I broke up with Doug and we decided to stay friends. He’d invite me over and we’d hang out, it was nice.
“I should’ve seen the signs though. I don’t think he was over me. Maybe he thought if we stayed friends we’d get back together. I really don’t know, he never said anything.” I thought quietly for a moment before continuing. “I remember one day he played a song and told me to listen to the end, that those lyrics really made him think of me. Maybe I should’ve paid more attention.”
“What did it say?”
“Something about how he knew I would be the star in another person’s sky and why couldn’t it be his.” I shook my head as I realized what he was saying then. “Eventually he stopped returning my calls. That was about a year ago.” My voice trailed off as I mentally kicked myself. “Boy am I dense.”
“No Deb, you said it yourself, you were going through a lot. Don’t be so hard on yourself. He was an asshole for what he just did. Forget about him and just focus on now and meeting Joshua. You’ll love him, he’s great.”
Entering the store, all my worries slipped away. Ashley continued to talk, but I barely heard her. Mannequins modeled some of the most fashion-forward styles I had seen not only in Canyon Cove, but even on the cover of Vogue. Joyeux was everything I dreamed about for myself.
Ashley’s touching my arm brought me back to reality and I followed her gaze towards the back of the store where she exchanged waves with an attractive man I recognized as Joshua Cane. With his brown hair perfectly slicked back, just a hint of stubble on his cheek, and his welcoming smile, he looked just as perfect as he did when featured in magazines.