Macey ducked into the bathroom, avoiding the two stalls, she went straight to the sink. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. What was wrong with her? After six years, she should be smarter. But the moment his arms were around her, it was like time stood still. As much as she tried to deny it, she still loved him, still wanted him. And it seemed like he wanted her too. Was she getting her hopes up? She couldn’t shake the fear it would eventually fall apart. The door opened, but she paid no mind to the newcomer. Macey gave herself a final glance before turning to see a blonde in a short, black dress that was mostly lace and left very little to the imagination. She struggled to keep her expression neutral. Other women had enough confidence to wear such provocative clothes, but Macey wasn’t one of them. Vicki was, but even she had limits, saying there was a difference between sexy and trashy. Macey was pretty certain Vicki would put this dress into the lat
“I promise you,” Rose said, “everything I said is the truth. Julius loves you. He always has, even if he was too stupid to realize it before. You are the only woman he wants in his life—well, you and Aria, but that is it.” A smile crept into Macey’s face despite her reservations. Those were words she always wanted to hear, but she wanted to hear them from Julius. She wanted him to acknowledge her and love her the way she always loved him. “Come on, let’s get back out there. Ask Julius about that woman. I promise, he’ll say the same thing I have.” Macey nodded, following her out. Rose led the way back to where she had left the brothers after she spotted Katherine coming out of the bathroom. The other woman had such a distasteful smirk it gave Rose a bad feeling. She was glad she followed her intuition. Rose couldn’t believe how spiteful that woman could be to try to ruin Julius and Macey’s happiness. “We’re back,” Rose announced
Victoria stared at the strange woman who suddenly accosted her. She had been surprised when the invitation for M. Gray’s latest show arrived coupled with the grand opening of a new gallery devoted to Gray’s art. It was an unexpected move, but Victoria never missed a new exhibit and rearranged her schedule to make it possible to attend. The last thing she expected was to be recognized as she had never attended an event in America before. Frankly, she found Americans overbearing and self-absorbed and the blonde in front of her was the perfect example. Tonight was meant to be a black tie affair and the blonde was practically wearing lingerie. Without so much as an apology, she had barged into a private conversation she and Paul were having with a new acquaintance. Now, she was practically demanding Victoria make her a one of a kind wedding gown. Was she serious? Paul raised an eyebrow at the shameless tramp, gripping Victoria’s hand like a long-lost frie
“Wait! What?” Katherine suddenly interjected. She looked from Victoria to Macey. “You are M. Gray?” “Yes, that is right,” Macey said with a sigh. Her secret was finally out. She thought she’d be more self-conscious, but surprisingly, she felt at ease with it. “And you know each other?” “Of course. We went to school together,” Victoria said. “We would have graduated together if someone didn’t have to take remedial French.” “Well, maybe if I had a better tutor I wouldn’t have needed it,” Macey challenged, earning a mock gasp from Victoria. She glanced at Katherine, asking, “So, how do you know each other?” “We don’t,” Victoria said. “She recognized me and demanded I drop all my projects to design a unique wedding dress. Oh, and she wants you to be her photographer for the wedding too.” “Oh, is that so? And who’s the groom?” Macey let her gaze slide back to Katherine, raising a brow. Katherine ope
“Guilty as charged,” Macey shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Just call me Macey, please.” “Very nice to meet you, Macey,” Franklin smiled. He was surprised when he received an invitation to the gallery’s opening. Though he always made a point of supporting the arts, the grand opening was an exclusive event and not many invitations had been sent out. Several of his friends were jealous when they heard about his luck and offered to buy the ticket from him. Franklin wasn’t certain why he had received the invitation, but refused all offers to take it off his hands. He had always admired M. Gray’s work, but he never thought he’d get the opportunity to speak to the artist who was known for being difficult to meet. He certainly wasn’t prepared for her to be a gorgeous and friendly redhead. “Can I ask you a question about your latest series?” “Of course. Fire away.” “Well, I know you work in color and in blac
“Aren’t men so adorable when they are jealous?” Victoria joked, earning Julius’s glare. “You know I could tell you exactly how that trip went, but I don’t think I will. Best to leave it to your imagination.” “Aria, did you show your aunt what we saw earlier?” Macey asked, hoping to change the subject. “Oh! Tante, did you see the huge bowl of cocktail shrimp?” Aria excitedly clapped. Shellfish was Victoria’s favorite food. “Really? No. I didn’t!” “We’ll show you!” Aria excitedly pulled her brother along. “This way!” “Oh! Wait for us!” Victoria grabbed Macey’s arm, dragging her after the twins. While she couldn’t get all her answers tonight, she was definitely going to get some of them. She hooked her arm around Macey’s before transferring her glass to her other hand and reaching out for Rose. “Are you coming dear? Girls bond best over shellfish.” Hesitating only a moment, Rose took her hand and allowed hers
Barely a month into their second tour, they found themselves caught in a deadly ambush. They were in a kill box, surrounded on all sides. Augustus still had trouble remembering that night. What he did remember was waking up miles away with Carl standing guard as they waited for their evac chopper. There were only three other survivors from their squad and the story they told was hard to believe. In the heat of battle, with their comrades dropping like flies, Carl grabbed his knife and disappeared into the night. At first, they thought he had abandoned them until enemy fire suddenly began to fall silent. When Carl returned, he and his knife were drenched in their enemies’ blood. Slinging Augustus’s inert body over his shoulder, Carl led them to an open area large enough for a chopper to set down. Augustus was honorably discharged and sent home after he recovered, but Carl was placed in another unit. He tried and failed several times to reconnect with Ca
Paul still remembered the first day he saw her on campus, her belly beginning to show. Victoria introduced them and Paul thought he was looking at an angel. Only later did he learn the truth, that her husband abandoned her and the baby. He was furious. If he had known who her husband was he would have hunted him down, but Macey never wanted to talk about him. He only saw her break down a couple of times. Paul was always there to comfort her and be a sympathetic ear. Yet, though he longed to be more, she always kept him at arm’s length. He assumed her reluctance was because she didn’t want to be hurt again. After the twins were born, Paul thought it was his chance to show her he wasn’t like her ex. At first, the twins responded well to him, but as they got older they too started to keep him at arm’s length. It was odd. Paul had been in their lives from the very beginning, but they already knew he wasn’t their father. Or was it because their mother ke
“Mom and I were planning to play later,” Alexis said. “You can too if you want.” “Really? Thanks,” Caden immediately brightened. “…So you based the décor on the diner you used to work in,” Macey said after listening to Ava’s brief retelling of her past. “Were you thinki
Silas’s embrace tightened. He hated thinking about the trials she went through without him. Ava leaned against him relishing his comfort and support. Their past was not as important as their future. “You two aren’t going to go all kissy-face, right?” Theo asked. “We’re in public and
Two Months Later The restaurant was lively. Guests had been arriving for the past two hours eager for a unique dining experience. The staff was well-trained providing exceptional service despite the rush. They had been drilled in their duties by the restaurant’s manager, a tyrant the
She nodded. “Going down?” Silas repeated. “Just what have you three planned now?” “It was more like a hunch,” Lexi said. “Sean found something real interesting when he deep-dived Ryker Holdings. So we asked Duncan to keep an eye on someone, just in case.” “D
“Late? A test for what?” Silas asked not following. “Are you serious?” Tracy snorted a laugh. “Ava, you’re going to have to be a little clearer,” Opal chuckled. “Remember, it’s his first time.” Silas glanced from one to the other even more confused. Looking
“There you three are,” Tracy said as the trio returned to the party. “We were just about to send the search party to find you.” “Auntie Tracy, you’re so silly,” Alexis giggled. “How are you feeling mom?” Ava hugged her tight but Alexis didn’t feel any tension or strain in
Finding no support anywhere Jenna finally fled. No one paid her further mind as they watched the kids swarm around their parents comforting their mother. It was a sweet and tender scene and many began to see Silas in a completely different light. * * * Jenna screamed as she storme
Jenna stepped forward intentionally shoving her shoulder and made Ava stumble back. “W-What is—” Jenna stuttered as the video paused. “Who was calling who shameless?” Alexis demanded standing next to her mother arms crossed in front of her chest. “So playing with people’s
The music started slowly with just a few notes announcing the beginning of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. The simple melody became more complex as notes overlapped and weaved a new organic pattern but always maintaining the integrity of the piece. Conversation lulled as everyone turned their