I pick up the book with a bright yellow sticker on the front that reads “The Finale. Lana Hale’s last book.”
I turn it over and read the back.
Julie Cross wants love. She’ll do anything for it. But when true love eludes her, she takes a trip around the world in search of Mr. Right.
“Do you see this, Sophie?” I show her the book.
“Don’t read that one,” says a soft voice to my side.
I turn my head and find a petite brunette staring up at me. Jerry’s niece.
She adds, “Everyone hated that book. I’d go with Nookie Cookie Magic, Fanged Love, or even Accidentally King—you can’t go wrong with those. But The Boyfriend Collector,” she crinkles her nose and glances at my ringless finger, “your girlfriend will hate it.”
I look at the cover again. It shows a woman in a red dress sitting on a white couch, surrounded by a bunch of men in tuxedos. “Why did everyone hate it?”
“No happy ending. It’s like”—she exhales with deep thought—“Lana Hale didn’t want us to find love there. Almost like she rejected romance in the end.” She shrugs. “Honestly, I wish I knew, because that was the last book she wrote before she died, and I don’t think any of her fans understand it.”
I hold out the book. “I’ll take it.”
“Are you sure? Because it’s—”
“Ring it up,” I repeat.
“Okaaaay.”
I know Rose has read these books, and I wonder if there’s something in this one that will help me understand her. Because the truth is, I really want to.
I pay for the book, walk home, and that evening I read it. Cover to cover. When I finally put the book down at three twenty in the morning, my eyes are burning with exhaustion. I know I’ve made a huge mistake. I slammed the door in Rose’s face when she reached out, offering her heart to me.
I pick up my cell on the nightstand and dial Rose. It goes to her voicemail like I expect. “Rose, it’s me. I just want to say…” I inhale slowly. “You were right to be pissed. I’m a fucking asshole, and I’m sorry. Call me back.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Bex
It’s a few days to Rose’s birthday, and I’m at the edge of insanity. This past week, the only thing I’ve learned is that I can’t get Rose Marie Hale out of my mind. I’ve seen forty patients, I’ve called her and hung up as many times. I’ve gone to her home, knocked on the door, and driven away. I’ve pulled myself back and pushed myself forward, only to come to one conclusion: I am in love with her. Nothing is going to change it.
I was a fucking idiot to offer that goddamned proposal of waiting a year, and not to trust her. She had the balls to say what I knew from the first moment we met.
Sitting in my parked car, I spot Rose stepping out of her building, and I can’t begin to explain how happy I am to see her. It’s almost her birthday, and I want her to know how I feel before she makes any mistakes. I am “the one” for her, and she is perfect for me. We’re meant to be together.
I leave my car with a present in hand, feeling more anxious than I’ve ever been. When she sees what I brought, she’ll understand. She’ll forgive me. She’ll know I’m all in no matter what.
A tall man with thick dark hair exits the lobby and comes up behind her. He smiles down on Rose, and she beams up at him. They kiss passionately.
It’s like a fucking bullet through my heart because now I know I’ve been waiting my entire life for someone as special as her. My only regret is not leaping.
But you didn’t.
I slide the present into my pocket and get back into my car.
Rose
Give me a week, and I’ll show you a new woman. I can’t thank Bexley Hughes enough for turning me down, because he was right. My feelings for him weren’t real. And had he taken me, my life would have become another painting. His world. His rules. And I would have gone willingly, because I was afraid to face what happened to me. Maybe I still am, but the only way forward now is to stop denying who I truly am and what I know to be true: Love is a fantasy that belongs in books.
My mother wasn’t trying to warn me about staying single. She was trying to show me the way. Trust no one. Understand that they’ll hurt you. Fight like hell for what’s yours. All reasons I told the lawyers, “Game on.” I’m contesting that ridiculous will, as I think I was meant to all along, and anyone who tries to come after what’s mine will fucking regret it, starting with my grandparents. They’re in jail now, along with Gustavo, who regrettably didn’t die, but I’m not stopping there. I’m going to be sure they’re left without a pot to piss in if they ever get free. I’m fighting back with everything I’ve got.
“Thanks, Markus.” I push up on my tiptoes and kiss his lips, lingering just long enough to make sure he’ll taste me long after I’ve left.
“Are we on for your birthday?” he asks.
What he’s really wondering is if we’re going away together. He booked a hotel in Manhattan and a private table at some restaurant with a view of Times Square. He knows I’ve never slept with anyone, and he wants to be my first. He wants it to be special.
“Yep.” I peck him on the lips. “I can’t wait.”
He kisses me again and looks down at me with so much affection. I soak it in. I like it, even if I don’t need it.
“Are you sure? Because I’ll understand if you want to wait.”
I shake my head and smile. “I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do on my birthday, or anyone else I’d rather be with for my first time.” For the record, I still plan on dating other men—Chad included. I’m even planning to go to Italy next week with Waylon. Still feels off going to Europe with a man I don’t know, but he called yesterday and begged. Poor guy sounded panicked, like he might cry if I turned him down. Hates traveling alone or something. Anyway, he said he’d consider it a big favor, and I’d already decided to go to Florence with or without him. It’s the perfect place for my first big trip.
Markus blinks. “Why do I sense that I’m more nervous about your first time than you are?”
I laugh and swat him playfully on the chest. “I could find someone else to do the honors.”
“Don’t you dare.”
I won’t. I wouldn’t. I’ve already decided he’s the right man for the job. But what this poor bastard doesn’t know is that he’ll never truly have me. From here on out, I decide who has my body and what piece of my heart they’ll get. Markus will own the real estate near Sentimental Central because I know he won’t abuse it. But a complex woman like myself will never give herself to one man. Maybe that’s what my mother really wanted me to learn. And only now, free, independent, can I see it.
I’ll never settle down. I’ll never allow anyone to rule me, especially a man. Because for the first time in my life, I am alive, in full color.
I am the boyfriend collector.
To Be Continued…
Ready for Part Two (of two)? Head to my bio at the back of this book and click the link to sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss the next juicy piece of the story…COMING SUMMER 2019.
Dr. Bex Hughes knows he’s in love with his patient, the fiery beauty, Rose Marie Hale. But Rose, after growing up as a real-life Cinderella, is now free, wealthy, and trapped in another story. One where she’s convinced that love is used to hurt people, family tries to murder you for money, and no one can be trusted. It’s all she’s ever known.
Bex knows he can help Rose find her way to real, lasting happiness, but to do it, he’ll have to continue their sessions and endure listening to the details of Rose’s sexual escapades with other men.
Will his love for her be strong enough, or will his jealousy get the best of him?
FOR MORE INFO, including updates on releases for this series:
www.mimijean.net/boyfriendcollector
Author’s Notes
Hi All,
I hope you enjoyed part one (of two). I can’t do the story breakdown just yet, because it will giv
e away some of the twists to come. But for those of you who’ve read my stories, you KNOW something’s coming! I never, ever tell a story in a straight line.
If you want a hint, I suggest you look closer at the men. Each of them represents something different, and one of them is a little more special than the others (apart from Bex).
In the meantime, be sure you’ve signed up for new release alerts so you don’t miss part two! (Link is in my bio at the back of the book.) Or check here for updates:
www.mimijean.net/boyfriendcollector
WANT A FREE SIGNED BOYFRIEND COLLECTOR BOOKMARK? You know what to do!
Step One: Have a hot date with me!
Step Two: Test our compatibility in…Just kidding!
1. Email me at [email protected]
2. Provide your full name and complete shipping address (country needed if you’re outside the US).
3. MENTION if you were an awesome reader and posted A REVIEW, even if SHORT AND SWEET. I don’t care! If I have extra goodies, like fridge magnets, I will include one. (While supplies last, so hurry.) At the minimum, you will get a thank-you from me if you show the BOOK LOVE!
4. Be patient with slow-poke Mimi! It sometimes takes a month to get to all of the emails and requests, but I do get to them.
As for what comes next, I shuffled the release dates for 2019 a bit, and I plan to make more changes, so be sure to check my monthly emails. Right now, I’m working on BATTLE OF THE BULGE (OHellNo, #4). I had actually meant to write COLEL next, but I couldn’t get Mitch Hofer, our Australian Olympic swimmer (aka “the Bulge”) out of my head. Plus, I really need a good laugh, and that story makes me giggle like a crazy person. So, I hope my Cimil fans forgive me about delaying Book #5 of the Immortal Matchmakers two more months. (Not like she’s going anywhere anyway, all stuck at the bottom of the ocean. Hehehe…)
Until next time!
XOXO,
Mimi
P.S. Want to see my visual inspirations for this story, head on over to my Pinterest board:
www.pinterest.com/mimijeanromance/the-boyfriend-collector/
What songs did I write the story to? My insanely long Spotify playlist is public
https://spoti.fi/2AKI6Kd
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A big hug to everyone who took the angsty ride with me to create book #36! Su, Dali, Kylie, Karen, Pauline, and Paul.
And, as always, a big thank you to my guys. They’re always there to make sure pets get potty breaks, food gets to my writer’s cave, and the coffee is hot. I love you.
Mimi
COMING SOON!
FOR MORE INFO: www.mimijean.net/bulge
FOR MORE INFO: www.mimijean.net/colel
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a New York Times bestselling author who’s sold over one million books around the world. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dream. Mimi lives with her Latin lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and the rat terrier duo, Snowflake and Mini Me, in Arizona. She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.
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