My heart melted as I watched him cross the stage, making his way closer to me.
“I wish I could do something to express my feelings for you so publicly too.” I smiled up at him, yearning to see his eyes.
“You can, just like this,” he said, pulling me in.
Then, in front of four hundred guests, he kissed me as he’d never kissed me before, making me feel like I was his one and only.
Epilogue
Staci
A Few Days Later…
I walked to the room and opened the glass door of Greg’s new office. I found him with his back to me, his hands in his pockets, staring out of the window. He had someone talking on the speakerphone, and it was business as usual at Nast Publishing. It hadn’t taken long for Greg to fill his father’s shoes. He was smart and creative … and mine.
He turned to catch me staring. “Jack, I have to let you go. I have a beautiful woman in front of me I need to take care of. See you tonight at the Volary Bar.”
“Hi,” I said, closing all the blinds and shutting the door.
“What are you doing?” He chuckled.
“Fewer distractions.”
“If you want to yell at me, can you do it some other time? I’m having trouble trying to figure out next month’s issue. Our writers have several ideas, but none of them are aligning with the theme we want to achieve.” Greg sat back in his chair, and I perched myself at the edge of his desk.
“I’m not here to yell.” I laughed. “I caused much of the drama between us, huh?”
“Definitely.”
I nudged him. “You weren’t supposed to agree so quickly.”
Greg leaned over and kissed my mouth. “Let’s start over. I’ll take you out for lunch, and we can pretend we’re strangers again.” He allowed his eyes to roam over me. Who knew what kind of thoughts he had in that head of his?
“I don’t want to be strangers.” I frowned, sliding off his desk and placing myself between his legs while holding his face with my hands. Now I had his full attention. “I want to keep things exactly how they are. You make me vulnerable, and that’s not a bad thing.”
“It isn’t, as long as you understand I’m not going to hurt you, and I’ll always be here when you need me,”
I stood, folded my hands, and paced around the desk. “I guess a small part of me felt … as a writer, I was inferior to you.”
Greg grabbed my hand as I passed, and he pulled me down again into his lap. “We’re equals, Staci. I never saw you as anything else.”
“I know that now. I was caught up in my head, constantly reminding myself of that chubby nineteen-year-old who had a crush on you. Sometimes, I thought you could see right through my charade. I’ve had an amazing time with you, but there was always a voice telling me that I didn’t belong with you.”
“You belong with me, never doubt that,” he said and I felt the heat radiating off him. “But this would make a good theme for one of our magazine issues,” he said, kissing my nose. “We could talk about men and women our age who still have insecurities that high school kids can relate to. We’ll get video submissions of people telling their stories about mistakes in relationships and the deeper meanings behind their actions. Your story will be the first because women need to know who you are.”
“My followers already know too much about me.”
“They know the surface,” he said, poking my chest. “But they don’t know this part. The imperfections and the doubts. We can turn the past into your strength. Maybe then, Times magazine will truly see you, in your work.”
“You really turned down a job for me?”
“Anything for you.” His gaze locked on mine and my heart wanted to burst.
“I never had anyone sacrificing something that big for me.”
“I meant every word I said in that article,” Greg said, propping me up on the desk in front of him. He grabbed my hands and gently swung them. “I’m in love with you, Staci Cortés. I’ve never loved anyone as strongly as you.”
I tried to remain serious, but a giggling smile broke out on my face. Pushing off his desk, I pulled Greg up, throwing my arms around him. Standing on my tiptoes, I brushed my lips against his ear. “I’m in love with you too, McAdams,” I said in a low tone.
“Why are you whispering?”
“You didn’t want me to yell at you.”
“That I wouldn’t mind hearing at full volume.”
I threw my hands in the air and screamed, “I love your hot sexy body!”
Greg leaped towards me, covering my mouth, holding me close. “Keep your voice down,” he hissed but couldn’t hold back his laughter. “Do you really want people to hear that?”
“I don’t care what they think.”
“That’s the Staci I know. I saw you let your walls down the first day I took you out on my motorcycle. You were finally acting like yourself.”
“Because I was enjoying myself. Nothing was serious with us yet.”
“Until now. Why don’t we go out to dinner tonight, talk about where we’re going to live?”
“What?”
“Well, my place is too small to house all of your shoes, and your place is … let’s just say, four is a crowd.” His lips curved into a smile.
“You want to move in together?”
“I want more than that.” Greg pushed his chair behind him with his foot and got down on one knee. He glanced up and grabbed my hands.
“What are you doing?” I frowned.
“What do you think? I’m trying to look up your skirt.”
“Oh, stop it.” I giggled until he pulled a velvet box out of his pocket.
“I know this might feel too soon, but I can’t picture my life without you.” His sparkling eyes met mine. “Will you do me the honor— be my one?”
I nodded my head as if I’d just come out of a daze. “I’ll be your one and only … forever.” My eyes blurred as I leaned into a kiss.
“I need to call my family,” I said, half in a daze. “My mother and grandmother will be so relieved.” I giggled.
I can’t believe this was happening.
“We should celebrate tonight with Jack and his new girlfriend at the Volary Bar,” he said, kissing my neck. “Feeling up to it?”
“Sounds fun,”
“But first, I want to get you out of those clothes.”
“What? Here?”
“Don’t you think it will be more exciting?” he asked. “We’ll have to be super quiet, which I know will be a challenge for you.” He chuckled, and I slapped his shoulder.
“I’m so turned on right now,” he said, backing me up, pushing his palms into the wall on either side of my head. “Can’t wait to start our lives together,”
“Me too,” I said, moving my lips closer to his.
Just then, Jackie barged in. “Oh, gosh! I’m sorry.”
“Jackie!” I squealed. “What is it?”
“Mrs. Crawford is here, asking for you.”
“From the New York Times?” I asked.
“Everyone in the office is talking about it. She’s out front waiting to meet with you,” Jackie said, out of breath.
I gasped and looked between Greg and Jackie, speechless.
“Greg, did you have something to do with this? Is she here because you asked her to come?”
“No, she’s here because of your work and integrity. She wants to steal one of my best writers, and I will allow it to happen,” he said, glancing down with loving eyes. “Go talk to her. I’ll be here waiting.”
I was excited and sad at the same time.
“What’s the matter?” Greg asked.
“What about According to Staci and Greg?”
“There will always be Staci and Greg. This—what we have here, you in my arms—is all I need. As for the magazine, it will be called something else, written by someone else. Hopefully it will bring them much luck as it did with us.” He smiled. “We’ve had a good run, haven’t we? I’ll miss working with you
, but I don’t want to get in the way of your dreams.” He dropped his arms down. “Just go”—Greg kissed my forehead—“before I change my mind.”
“I’ll be right back.” I leaped to the door leading to the hallway and then ran back to where Greg was sitting. I fell into his lap. “I love you, McAdams.”
I kissed him one last time, and then I sauntered out of the room, giving him time to admire my figure before I went to set up a meeting that could potentially change my life.
Author’s Note
Thank you for taking the time to read my book! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I had writing it. Please take a moment to leave a review on Amazon for The One & Only. I would greatly appreciate it! Reviews help authors so much!
Hugs,
Maria
Next In The One Love Series
Want more of Jack Turner?
Cover coming soon!
Just One Look, coming May 2019.
What do a hotshot lawyer and a moonlighting beauty have in common? Not much, but when they have to put their differences aside for a good cause—anything can happen, maybe even love.
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2RpRiL8
Also by Maria La Serra
The Proverbial Mr.Universe
Olivia Montiano is moving forward—without her unfaithful and controlling fiancé and without her father’s unrealistic standards that have ruled her choices for twenty-three years. Olivia can now make her own decisions about life and love. But when mysterious, handwritten letters appear, she’s baffled—and influenced by their very personal nature.
Nick Montgomery’s life hasn’t gone as expected. He’s a washed-up artist and has decided that he doesn’t need romance—until he meets Olivia. The universe then intervenes in their lives, making their paths cross again and again. But Nick is hiding something that he thinks could affect their relationship.
Will the universe bring Nick and Olivia together? Or will the mysterious letters and Nick’s own secrets keep them apart?
Chapter 1
Olivia had found an escape route on the far left, a red exit sign beckoning salvation but somehow she couldn’t find the courage to venture out the door.
“Congratulations!” said an elderly woman, one Olivia didn’t recognize.
“You look lovely. Are you having a good time, dear?”
“Thank you … yes.” She would have been, if the circumstances were different. If she weren’t an absolute crazy mess.
Loud music and laughter circled around Olivia as she stood in the middle of the crowded room. Who were these people? They were too busy living their lavish lives to notice that hers was coming to an emotional standstill.
“Wow, some shindig you’ve got going on. I feel like I’m at the … what’s the name of that award show they do in Hollywood?” Paul asked, taking his place next to her.
“Are you talking about the Oscars?” She frowned.
And the Oscar goes to … Olivia Montiano, for Sham of a Life. Too bad it had taken her five years to realize it.
Paul slightly nudged her arm, handing her a glass. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, sure … Why?”
“Well, you look a little pale.” Paul playfully rested his hand on her forehead.
“Can you stop?” she laughed, slapping his hand away. “I’m fine.”
Her brother Paul had always been handsome, tall and lean, but something was different about him these days. Maybe it was his light hair, freshly cut to a shorter length. Or maybe it was because he’d gotten his act together and now worked for their father.
“Yeah, I guess I’m a little overwhelmed.” Olivia glanced down at her glass.
“Shit, do you even know these people?”
“Some,” she said, smiling weakly. “It’s overdone, right?” Olivia had had no part in any decision-making when it had come to planning her engagement party. Everything from the menu to the tablecloth was the work of Dario and the event planner.
“Well, your fiancé sure knows how to throw a party.” Paul brought the glass to his lips but stopped midair. “Hey, isn’t that the new mayor?”
Nodding, Olivia took a sip of her drink. “Geez, what is this?” She scrunched her nose.
“Whiskey.” He chuckled. “Okay, drink up. It seems like you could use it.”
Olivia wasn’t much of a drinker—maybe a glass of red wine occasionally. Never in her life had she gotten drunk, because Dario thought it was immature. So Olivia had strived to be responsible … maybe even a little boring.
Without hesitation she shot back the glass, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
“I didn’t mean for you to chug it down. You’re supposed to sip it.” Paul grinned, taking the monogrammed glass, with the initials D&O, from her hand.
She cast a glance over her shoulder and whispered. “Paul, do you have your cigarettes on you?”
“You don’t smoke.” His eyebrows gathered up.
“I’m an adult … do you have one for me?”
“You’re serious? I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Come on. I feel like doing something destructive.” Who was she kidding? She had never done anything bad in her life.
“I don’t know what the big deal is. It’s just a cigarette.”
Paul peered around him, as if in deep thought. “All right, only this once.”
“You’re such a hypocrite.”
“Do what I say, not what I do,” he said, quoting their father.
Olivia rolled her eyes. “Where are you going?”
“I left them at coat check. I’ll meet you outside in five.”
She watched her brother make his way through the crowd. All night she had kept her composure: smiling, talking to her guests, even laughing at their not-so-funny jokes, never showing a clue about what was going on inside her. Today is the day, she told herself. She had reached the point of all she could bear. She needed to escape from this room, filled with people who believed social status and wealth were the only things that gave someone importance. At some point, she had been one of them, too.
Dario approached her from behind. “Olivia, come with me. I want you to meet Mr. Belanger.”
“Who?”
“Come on. You know who he is.” He cast her a look. “He owns half the commercial buildings downtown.”
“Can it wait? I was—”
“Well, no. I don’t want to keep him waiting.” Catching his reflection in the glass window, he straightened his blue silk tie. He gave her a side glance. “I told you, you should have worn the blue dress. At least we would have matched tonight.”
Who were they, Laverne and Shirley?
“I don’t believe this shit. I’ve been trying to close this deal for weeks.”
Dario had been irritating her throughout the night. And now, she was less than excited at the prospect of being paraded around the room like she was the show’s main attraction. Her fiancé seemed to have missed the point of what should have been a joyous occasion. Instead, he had made it out to be something else entirely. Olivia wondered how she had allowed herself to get lost in someone else’s life. Was there any hope of getting her own back?
She nervously spun her ring around, itching to take it off like a cheap wool sweater. This ridiculous, massive diamond ring would have made most women happy.
Not her.
Dario hadn’t proposed the way she’d dreamed of; instead he'd brought up the subject of marriage like it was a proposition for a business deal. She knew he wasn’t much of a romantic, but still … When they were ready to take the next step in their relationship, she’d never have thought it would feel like a hostile takeover.
He quickly glanced at her. “God, Olivia, would it hurt you to smile?”
She closed her eyes, held on to her last breath, and walked away.
“Olivia?”
Turning the corner, she opened a door leading to the large terrace. As soon as it closed, there was an instant quiet and serenity. Only the
faint sounds of cars and trucks heading east and west came from below. The Place Ville-Marie had the most spectacular panoramic view of the entire metropolis, and this was the reason Dario had wanted to have their engagement at the penthouse. She let her long red dress drag through the snow, walking closer to the end of the gallery.
The beacon light flashed across the sky, forcing her eyes back up, landing on the biggest star. She had a feeling that something was about to happen, something exceptional.
What would she wish for? Happiness? Love? A great career? Didn't she possess those things already? Most of her friends thought so. But Olivia knew the reality: when it came down to the fine print, it was a different story. These days the thread had been unraveling quicker than she could ever have imagined.
For several weeks, Olivia had struggled with the feeling she was not living the life intended for her. Olivia thought about Dario. Even if she had believed in soul mates to begin with, it was clear that Dario wasn’t hers. Over time, Olivia had thought she could change him, but it turned out it had been Olivia who had done the changing instead. At first she had told herself that Dario only wanted the best for her.
Lies.
She had thought she could live with the fact Dario was a workaholic, like her father, and it didn’t bother her.
More lies.
She had believed Dario was marrying her because he loved her, and not because of her father’s wealth or connections.
More. More. Lies.
The truth had been in front of her all along, but she’d refused to see it for many reasons.
“Olivia? What are you doing out here?”
She turned around and found her sister Nina standing there, with the door half open. Her purple dress fit Nina like a glove. Her honey-colored hair, pinned up, gave her the allure of old-Hollywood glamour. Nina was four years older, but everyone said they looked alike. Olivia had never thought they resembled each other much, except that they both had inherited the same big caramel eyes from their mother. Growing up they had been close; all three siblings had their place in the family: Nina was a daddy’s girl, and Paul was a mama’s boy…and Olivia fell somewhere in between.
The One & Only: The One Lover Series Book 1 Page 14
