Fairy Tale Flirts! 5 Romantic Short Stories
Page 18
Shawna held out her left hand and wiggled her fingers, showing off a beautiful engagement ring. “I’m about to become a wife and stepmother to seven kids.”
Veronica came from behind the table and reached for Shawna’s hand. “I just have to say congratulations. I’m sorry for any trouble I caused you two.” Then she dropped her voice to a whisper. “And I do hope you’re a better stepmother than I was to you.” She plucked a muffin off the table and offered it to Shawna. “Apple strudel muffin? I made it myself.”
She held up her hand and took a step back. “No thanks, I think we’re good.” And with that, they headed across the ballroom.
“Cupcake or a muffin?” Veronica offered Goldie. “Are you feeling naughty or nice?”
More like nervous, she thought. Is there a dessert for that? A pumpkin muffin certainly wouldn’t help. “A cupcake, definitely a cupcake.” She took a beautiful treat and wandered over to the auction table. Certificates for weekend stays in Europe and the Caribbean were being auctioned off, with the silent bidding already in the thousands. Jewelry and Jiminy Shoes were available for bids. And next to a crystal vase sat her painting of kids playing along the shore at the cottage. She bit her lip before getting the courage to look at the bids written down. When she glanced at the paper, she gasped. Six hundred dollars?
“I’m surprised it isn’t higher.”
She spun around, shocked to see Blake standing there, smiling. “I didn’t think you were coming,” she said.
“I suspect my mother told you that just to make sure you came.”
She pursed her lips. “Blake, it’s not that I don’t like you, it’s just that I don’t like where I’m at right now. You know?”
He stepped closer to her. She could smell his aftershave and tried not to inhale. “I know,” he said. “You made me realize I feel the same way about myself. Which is why I quit my job.”
She covered her mouth. “What?”
“You were willing to be homeless to pursue your passion. I gave up my passion just to have nice things. I figure there’s got to be a middle ground for the two of us.”
She hugged her arms around herself, not wanting to believe what he was saying. “What are you going to do?”
He grinned, looking entirely pleased with himself. “I’m opening my own law firm specializing in contract negotiation for writers and artists. It’ll be a much easier schedule that’ll leave me time to write.”
She couldn’t help it; she launched herself into his arms. “I’m so happy for you.”
He held her tight. “Me too. I’m excited. And I’m so grateful to you for inspiring me.” His smile disappeared. “But I can’t afford my place anymore. I’m going to be moving out.”
She reached for his hand and squeezed it. “That’s too bad. I know you love it.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll find a new place. And I sure could use a roommate to help pay the rent.”
Her heart dropped. Roommate? Did he only think of her as a friend? She let her hand slide out of his.
But he grabbed it back with a grin. “Especially if that roommate is someone I’m falling in love with.” Then he tipped up her chin and kissed her. “Shall we go apartment shopping tomorrow?”
“You’ll let me keep my cello, there, right?”
He laughed. “Absolutely. Now come on, I want you to meet a few people who will be crazy for your art.”
Blake introduced her to the prince who was throwing the ball to benefit the hospital that saved his future father-in-law’s life, and performed plastic surgeries on the prince’s scars. “I’ll have to commission you to paint a picture of my future wife, Belle. I’d love to unveil it at the wedding.”
Belle rolled her eyes. “Only if she does one of you.”
His hand went to his face, fingering his scar.
“I don’t have to include the scar,” Goldie said, softly. It was noticeable, but not horrible.
He shook his head. “No, you do. It’s part of who I am now. I’m not ashamed.”
“And I could build gorgeous frames for them,” Belle said, the gears her mind obviously whirling.
“You do framing? Custom frames would be incredible.” Goldie fished out a business card and handed it to her. “Let’s talk this week.”
Belle took the card with a smile. “I’ll call you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to find my father.”
The prince shook his head. “Leave him be. He’s talking with my neighbor, Kate Robinson. I have the feeling they don’t want to be interrupted.”
Goldie looked over at the older man and woman nearly head to head sharing a joke. “It was so nice to meet you both,” Goldie said, leaving them to their other guests.
“See?” Blake said as they headed for the balcony. “You’re going to have more work than you know what to do with.”
As they headed outside, they realized a couple was already out there, kissing. It was the butler who’d let her in and a woman in a maid’s outfit. They quickly broke their kiss. “Yes, that will be all for now Mrs. Downing,” the man said, clearing his throat.
“Of course, Reginald,” she said, smoothing her hair back in place.
Goldie quickly ducked back inside to give them their privacy—and promptly bumped into another couple.
“I’m sorry,” Goldie said. Then she froze. “Hey, you’re the girl with the crystal shoes! I met you at a bar during that crazy week of yours!”
“Yes, I’m Cindi.”
Goldie looked at the woman’s feet. “I thought you had to give them up. How’d you get them back?”
Cindi grinned. “An early wedding gift from the Jiminy Shoes owner.”
Goldie whistled, imagining exactly how she’d paint them if given the chance.
Rose’s grandmother, Kate, approached them. “Goldie! Just the person I was looking for.”
“Mrs. Robinson. I can’t thank you enough for buying my work. I don’t know what to say.”
“You’re very talented. After seeing your work at my granddaughter’s bakery, I’d like to hire you for a new ad campaign for Jiminy Shoes. Think you can paint Cindi in those crystal shoes? We’re launching a new line of affordable versions and I want something special to kick off the campaign.”
“You work for Jiminy Shoes?” Goldie asked.
Mrs. Robinson winked. “You could say I got my foot in the door when it first started.”
Goldie handed her a card with promises to talk later in the week.
Blake led her across the ballroom and snatched two glasses of champagne for them. “To our new start,” he proposed, holding up his glass.
“To our new apartment,” Goldie said, clinking his glass. “We’re going to have to find a place with a studio for me now that I’ve got all this work lined up.”
“Nothing too big,” he said. “We won’t be able to afford it yet.”
“But nothing too small. Miss Sniggles has her standards, you know.”
He leaned toward her and stole a kiss. “I know we’ll find something just right.”
“How do you know?”
“Everything’s been right since you broke into my apartment.”
She tried to protest, but he stole her words with a kiss that promised a happy ending no matter where they landed.
They were interrupted by the ringing of a bell. “Ladies and gentlemen,” announced the butler. “Please line up in the hallway. We are promptly commencing with rides down the banister.”
You’ve just read Fairy Tale Flirts! 5 Romantic Short Stories. Check out the first volume—Flirts! 5 Romantic Short Stories, Amazon Kindle Store. volume 2, Beach Flirts! Amazon Kindle Store. and volume 3, Holiday Flirts! Amazon Kindle Store.
You might also enjoy Lisa’s romantic novella, Spouse Hunting. Amazon Kindle Store.
About the Author
Lisa Scott is a former TV news anchor who now enjoys making up stories instead of sticking to the facts. She’s dreamed of writing a book ever since she was in second grade and received lavish pr
aise from her teacher for her short story on a group of crafty elves. (“So creative!” is the exact quote.)
When not begging her husband and two kids for a few minutes of peace to write her stories, she works as a voice actor and putters around in her koi pond and garden in upstate NY.
If you liked this story, tell a friend, leave a review, or drop her a line at readlisascott@yahoo.com. Like “Read Lisa Scott” on Facebook to get the latest news on upcoming releases, or visit her website, ReadLisaScott.com. Look for Wedding Flirts! Spring 2012
Table of Contents
Cindi
Red
Belle
Snow
Goldie
About the author