No Vacancy

by Stephanie Rose

  “Joe, I …” A sob choked my words before I could say anything. Joe was it for me. I’d known that for longer than I wanted to admit to myself, but now that the moment was here, my head spun as a ton of emotions swirled through me. Tears streamed down my cold cheeks as I remained totally speechless.

  “I meant what I said. I loved you from the second I saw you, and I never stopped. What we have is something I’d never expected. I never thought I had room for anyone else in my life, but I can’t live without you. You are my life. I know we’re together in all the ways it matters, but I want us to be permanent. Forever. Because that’s how long I’m going to love you. Will you marry me?”

  He dug into his back pocket and opened a black velvet box. I couldn’t see too much detail from the dim light of the lanterns or the tears clouding my eyes, but my breathing quickened at the sparkle in the middle of the box.

  “Yes,” I managed to croak out. “All I want is forever with you. Yes.” I grabbed his face and crashed my lips into his. “Can you put the ring on my finger before it freezes off?”

  He laughed against my lips as he slid it on, pulling me down to kneel before he kissed me, long and deep enough to forget about the icy wind surrounding us.

  “When do you want to start forever?” he asked before rolling me onto my back. The sand was frigid, but I didn’t care. I was too lit up inside.

  “How does now sound?”

  Thank you so much for reading Joe and Caterina’s story!

  I cordially invite you to attend their wedding in the bonus epilogue, available for download here.

  You can read about Joe’s sister Bella and Owen in Finding Me, available now on Amazon, or go back to the beginning and read Lucas and Samantha’s story in Always You, also live on Amazon.

  Turn the page for a preview of Finding Me!

  Preview of Finding Me

  Chapter 1 - Bella

  “Are you sure you have everything?” My mother pulled her long, dark hair into a ponytail as she once again tried to delay leaving my dorm room.

  “Yes, Mom. We made a list, packed, and then checked off the list as we unpacked.” I took her hand and ran my thumb along her wrist. The honey-colored eyes that mirrored my own darted frantically around the tiny room. As her jaw trembled, I realized she was willing herself not to breakdown, a battle she seemed to be failing miserably.

  “Yep, I think that’s everything.” Dad put a comforting hand on Mom’s shoulder and squeezed. She sniffled and nodded. Mom was a huge crier. Hallmark commercials, a sad book, and graduations all set her off. Dad was one hundred percent right when he nicknamed her his little mush ball.

  I gazed up at Dad and he nodded with a sad smile. I could tell he didn’t want to leave me either. A wave of guilt rushed over me. I didn’t want to hurt my parents, but I was itching to start my new life. Yes, I really didn’t know anyone on campus, but that was a major plus to me when choosing schools. The drama of my senior year had drained the life out of me. I reveled in making a new start for myself far enough away from home—a place where I could have a true clean slate. I chose Culver University with certainty. Well, as much certainty as I was capable of at eighteen years old. But my sad parents—and soon to be weepy mother—made me wobble a bit. Seeing her sob would draw out my own tears, and I needed to be headstrong and determined today. That would be impossible if I started out my new adventure crying on my mother’s shoulder.

  “Okay.” Mom sniffled as she clutched my shoulders. “I love you, and I’m proud of you, but please call us and let us know how you’re doing. I know you’re fine, but do it for your sappy mother who needs to hear her daughter’s voice. Can you do that for me?” I nodded as tears pricked my eyelids.

  “I’ll try to call as much as I can, Mom. I promise. I love you, too.” I wrapped my arms around her as Dad rubbed her back.

  Mom kissed my forehead and turned to Dad. “I’ll meet you downstairs, babe.” She sprinted out of the room. Poor Dad would have to deal with her weeping all the way down the Thruway and back to our house in Queens. We shared a sad laugh at her quick exit.

  “She’ll be okay. We both will—eventually.” Dad shrugged and cradled my face in his hands.

  “We better hear from you. Joey already misses you, and I need to hear my butterfly’s voice, to make sure she’s okay.” I chuckled at the nickname he gave me when I was five years old. “And if for any reason you aren’t, you call me. I don’t care what time it is. If I need to drive all the way up here to get you I will drop everything and do it. Understand?”

  “I know, Dad.” I reached up and grabbed his hands. His eyes were getting glassy now, too. He was always larger than life to me, six foot four and the vice president of a financial firm in New York City, but when it came to his family, a much bigger mush ball than his wife.

  “All right, I should go see if your mother is okay and that she doesn’t get dehydrated. I packed extra water bottles just in case.” I laughed as he cocked an eyebrow at me. “I love you. I’m proud of you, too. Don’t let the actions of one idiot make you doubt how amazing you are.”

  A rogue tear escaped my eye and ran down my cheek as I giggled. “I love you too, Dad. And I think you’re a little prejudiced,” I choked out as he shook his head.

  “The fact you’ve had me wrapped around your finger since you were five has nothing to do with it. You’re meant for great things. I don’t doubt that for a second, and neither should you.” Dad brushed my tears away with his thumbs but that only made them come down harder. I dropped my head to his chest and it rumbled against my cheek as he laughed.

  “I need to go, and you have a new life to start. Talk to you soon, Butterfly.” Dad pushed me back by my arms and kissed my forehead. His eyes watered as he made his way out of my door. I wiped at my face with the back of my hand and shook off the sadness and sharp pain of homesickness, even though my parents hadn’t left the parking lot yet.

  I strode to the desk in the corner and plopped into the chair. My leg bobbed up and down as the fact I was finally all alone sank in—like I thought I wanted. Starting over at a place where no one knew me, or whispered behind my back as I walked by, seemed like heaven when I decided to come to Culver.

  “Hey, roomie! Nice to finally see your face!” I’d spoken to Laura a few times over the summer once we got our dorm assignments, but never met the petite blonde girl bursting into our small dorm room in person. The guitar hanging over her shoulder almost made her fall backwards as she sauntered further into the room. As she set her things down in front of the bare bed, a blue streak of hair fell across her forehead. Three seconds at college and I would already be known as the boring one to anyone who stopped in.

  “Nice to see your face, too, Laura. I took this bed, but if you want to switch I don’t mind.”

  “Nah.” Laura laughed as she shook her head. “That bed is too close to the window. The sun peeking in would wake me up. I’m a super light sleeper and need total darkness to sleep. Oh God, you don’t, like, snore or anything, do you?” Laura scrunched her face in horror as she flopped onto the bed.

  I shook my head and chuckled. “Not that I know of. I’ll make sure the blinds are nice and tight so the sun doesn’t assault you too early in the morning. I didn’t know you played guitar. Music major?”

  “Yeah, I mean at least I think. It’s all I’ve ever been interested in. My parents are hoping I’ll . . .” Laura held up her fingers in air quotes. “‘Outgrow’ it. So here I am. Any clue what you want your major to be?”

  I nodded. “Probably finance, like my dad.”

  Laura pursed her lips. “I guess liking numbers runs in families. My poor CPA father doesn’t get how it completely skipped his only daughter.”

  I gave Laura a small smile. I was sure she didn’t want to hear the “my dad really isn’t my dad” story yet. My love of finance was something I had in common with him, not inherited from him as we didn’t have the same blood. I still loved overhearing him brag about my math grades and say
“his daughter was just like him.” Lucas was the only real father I’d ever known, even though he never legally adopted me. No one ever talked about Marc, my biological father that I hadn’t seen since I was six years old. As far as our family was concerned, blood lines were inconsequential. I had a father who loved me, even if he wasn’t the one I was born with.

  “I really don’t feel like unpacking right now.” Laura sprang from the bed and sauntered to our door. “I think I saw a Starbucks or some kind of coffee place on the way in. I would kill for an iced coffee. Feel like taking a walk?”

  “Sure, I wanted to see the rest of the campus today. My parents stayed to help me unpack and some fresh air would be awesome.” I let out a deep breath as I followed Laura outside. I tried to block the nerves tingling in my stomach. Empowerment rushed over me like a wave. I could do this and it would be great. I said it to myself about twenty times on the car ride here and I hoped the more times I repeated it, the closer I’d get to actually believing it.

  “Crap, I should have known.” Laura tisked as she perused the menu on the wall. “Fake Starbucks. Bean Shooters? Really? Let’s just hope the coffee doesn’t suck.”

  “You two must be from the city,” a smooth baritone voice noted from behind us. “I’d take a coffee from Bean Shooters over the overpriced garbage at Starbucks any day.” I detected a slight Southern drawl. Even if it was my first day on campus, I wasn’t about to let anyone call me a city snob, no matter how much sexy timbre this guy had dripping off his voice.

  I narrowed my eyes as I turned around. I was prepared to tell him in my thickest Queens accent to keep his city comments to himself when I lost the ability to speak. I never thought I’d see the day a guy with silky ash brown hair almost down to his shoulders and held back with a black bandana would make me want to drool. My eyes traveled down to his tight black sleeveless shirt stretched out by a wide muscular chest and stopped at strong chiseled arms. I rolled my eyes to cover up what I hoped wasn’t obvious ogling and looked away before I spoke.

  “Whatever,” I sneered as my gaze darted to his face. Yep, he was gorgeous. His emerald eyes shone as his mouth twisted in a smirk.

  He raised his hands in defeat. “I wasn’t insulting the city, especially not girls with sexy New York accents. Just saying you should open your mind, is all. I’m Owen. Welcome to Culver.” His smile grew wide and revealed the sexiest dimples I’d ever seen.

  “Thanks,” I choked out. This was the first time a man was so good looking it paralyzed me on the spot. I was dumb to think I could reinvent myself here. No matter where I went, I was still Bella. Sort of pretty but uptight, only-kissed-one-boy-her-whole-life Bella, who was all jittery thumbs in front of an Adonis like this.

  “And you are . . .” Owen raised an eyebrow. The dimples almost made me forget.

  I took a deep breath and faked cool and collected the best I could. “Bella. This is my roommate Laura.” Laura gave Owen a side nod, and I chuckled at the double take she gave in his direction.

  “Nice to meet you, ladies.” Owen gave us both a big smile and a wink.

  “Here you go OT, just the way you like it.” The barista set the coffee on the counter as she gave Owen an obvious once over. He thanked her as he grabbed his coffee, not acknowledging the double meaning. Judging by his cocky grin, I bet a lot of girls at Culver knew how Owen ‘liked it.’

  “Guess I’ll see you guys around. Nice to meet you.” Owen winked at me again before he made his way out the door.

  “Holy hell,” Laura whispered. “He was . . .”

  “Yes, he certainly was.” We both stared at the door as if we just witnessed something miraculous. That face and body were solid evidence of a divine higher power.

  The barista snickered at us. “Ah, the OT spell. Happens to all of us.”

  Laura’s brow furrowed. “Why do you call him OT?”

  “Well those are his initials, Owen Thompson, and he’s the center for the hockey team. When he joined, the team really sucked. But then he started scoring goals at the last minute and forcing games into overtime. OT seemed to stick. Plus, he looks like the type of guy who’s always up for overtime.” Her gaze landed on the door. Poor girl practically had her tongue hanging out.

  I’d planned—or at least hoped—to meet someone new here eventually. But I wanted to get my feet wet first. A gorgeous jock who left a trail of panting girls in his wake was definitely jumping into the deep end of the ocean without a life preserver.

  “Okay, Laura. Focus. Coffee.” I smirked at Laura and nodded at the counter.

  Laura raised her eyebrows at me. “I’m not the only one who needs a napkin for the drool. Isn’t this what college is about? Soaking up knowledge and appreciating a better class of eye candy?”

  I shrugged. “I suppose.” An hour ago, I thought I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Now, I ached for real Starbucks and all the other comforts of home, even if I was forever known as the girl who got dumped. There was comfort in familiarity, no matter how miserable it was.

  It was time to get uncomfortable, and it scared the crap out of me.

  Buy Finding Me on Amazon!

  Acknowledgments

  For once in my writing career, I will try to keep this brief. After a tough year, writing No Vacancy gave me back my joy of writing, and I am over the moon to finally get this published.

  To my husband and son, you both say I’m the nucleus of our family, but you’re the ones who keep me going every single day. I love you more than you could ever imagine.

  To my betas: Amie, Becca, Bianca, Jaimee, Jeannine (all Grease references are dedicated to you) Jodi, Julia, Kristy, Lara, Laura, and Lisa. Thank you for pushing me to make this story something I’m proud of. I’m lucky to have such amazing and brilliant women to call my friends.

  To Christine, you kicked my ass again, and I adore you for it. I’ve learned so much from you, and although I doubted my ability to write, or speak, English for a little bit, I’m a better writer because of you, and I can’t thank you enough for it.

  To Mitzi, thank you for always polishing my words and making them shine, and thank you for your constant support of my books. You teach me something every time.

  To Najla, brilliant, professional, amazing, any other awesome words I can’t think of Najla. Thank you for this gorgeous cover and always being so fantastic to work with.

  To Regina, thank you for this beautiful photo that is so Joe and Caterina, I want to cry whenever I look at it because it’s so damn perfect.

  To Tracey, Kaitie, and Tabitha, thank you so much for being my final checking eyes and ensuring Joe and Cat enter the world as perfect as they can be.

  To Becca, thank you for expressing your love of Joe and Caterina with beautiful teasers.

  To Beth, always my Oracle. Thank you for organizing a flawless promo with Panda & Boodle and for still not blocking me and my neurotic ways. You’re a gem, and I’m happy to call you a friend.

  To Jodi, I don’t know what I would do without you, and I hope I never have to find out. You’re an amazing PA, friend, and human. Thank you for all you do for me and all that you are.

  To all my good author friends I’ve found in this crazy journey, thank you for your guidance and for giving me something to aspire to.

  To my beloved Rose Garden, who has stuck with me from the beginning and continues to grow, thank you for giving me the love and support to keep going. Your excitement fuels mine, and you’re my favorite place on Facebook.

  To all the bloggers and readers who took a chance on me. I strive to give you my best in every book, and I pray I delivered. Thank you for reading Joe and Caterina’s story. I hope you loved them as much as I do. Stay tuned in 2020 for Dominic’s story!

  About the Author

  Stephanie Rose is a badass New Yorker, a wife, a mother, a former blogger and lover of all things chocolate. Most days you'll find her trying to avoid standing on discarded LEGO or deciding which book to read next. Her debut novel, Always You, released
in 2015 and since then she's written several more—some of which will never see completion—and has ideas for hundred to come.

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  Books by Stephanie Rose

  The Second Chances Series

  Always You

  "Always You is the debut novel for Stephanie Rose and I have to say she knocked it out of the park."- Jennifer from Book Bitches Blog

  Only You

  "Paige and Evan's story was beautiful yet so very sad - stunning in its romance, love and friendship. -Jenny and Gitte, TotallyBookedBlog

  Always Us, A Second Chances Novella

  "Alpha daddy Lucas is a sight to behold...damn, I love that man!" - Shannon, Amazon reviewer

  After You

  Some books make you wanna shout them from the rooftops. After You is that book. - Paige, A is for Alpha B is for Books

  Second Chances Standalone Spinoffs

  Finding Me

  "What a gorgeous book. Five whole-hearted stars." - Emma Scott, author of Forever Right Now and A Five-Minute Life

  Think Twice

  "Four people, two love stories, one amazing book." Melanie Moreland, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author

  Standalones

  Rewrite

  "Rewrite gripped me from the start and never let me go." - Award-winning and Bestselling author, K.K. Allen