Jeff's contribution to this debacle was that he set up the fake vendor accounts, hacked into his employees' emails, and authorized the payments. Seems that Nic had fucked away his common sense and dignity. The last remaining shreds disintegrated when his wife walked away from their marriage with his children and dog in tow.
"That chapter of our lives is over. It’s time for new and better things." Garrett stood and walked into his closet. He pulled out a navy Michigan duffel bag and plopped it on the dresser before he unzipped it and shuffled through the layers of workout clothes. "Thank you for inviting my family to spend the holidays. I didn’t realize how much I needed to reconnect with my brother. You’re so thoughtful. It’s one of the many reasons why I love you. Do you know how much I love you?"
I shook my head. I knew that he loved me, but I enjoyed hearing him say it.
"I love you so much that I've spent the last two weeks shuffling this bag between my closet and the loft. Each night, I silently prayed that you wouldn't grow a wild hair and look through a bag filled with Michigan t-shirts and sweatpants."
He stopped searching the bag and gave me a look that made my insides melt.
"Three weeks ago, I met your father for lunch. I said that it would happen at the party, but I can't wait. The moment feels right."
My heart beat faster when he pulled a robin's egg blue leather box from the bag and opened it. Briefly fumbling before he sank to one knee, he opened the box, and inside was a bright and blingy Asscher cut diamond in a classic platinum setting. I wondered how much Alexandra had to do with the ring selection because it was the style that I'd long admired.
"Jasmine Monique Carmichael, you've already taken my heart, now I ask that you take my name. Your beauty captured me, but your bossy attitude, intelligence, and love kept me here. It would be an honor and a privilege to spend the rest of my days with you. Will you marry me and be my lifelong partner?"
A tear raced down my cheek. This was the moment that I'd dreamed of, the man that I loved had asked me to be his wife. I glanced at my Christmas pajamas and the trickle of sweat rolling down his forehead. Leave it to Garrett to propose when we were both messes. He was right, the moment couldn't have been more perfect. This was the story that we'd share with our family and friends . . . and our future children.
"Yes, Garrett Hamilton. I'll marry you."
He slid the ring over my knuckle before standing. I let out a rush of air when he effortlessly swept me up into his arms. The unexpected move caught me by surprise, and a giggle escaped from my mouth. I wrapped an arm around his neck and kicked my feet as he walked to the master bathroom.
"What are you doing?" I squealed.
"We're going to consummate our proposal."
The End
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Thank you!
Wow. Book number two. I’ve been shown an incredible amount of support throughout this journey. I would be remiss if I didn’t say a few words of gratitude.
My Family: Your continued support and encouragement gives me the confidence to put myself out here. I love y’all!
The Vodka Soda, Red Wine, and Lemon Drop Shots crew: Thank you for patiently listening to me read passages, allowing me to text screenshots of the steamy parts and providing me with pages upon pages of inspiration. The first round is on me.
To Tanja: Thank you for enthusiastic support and critical eye. I’m still waiting for your debut!
To my squad: TK Cherry, M Jay Granberry and Paula D. Thank you for motivating me and providing hours of laughter. You all are incredible!
To my editors: Marnie, Kristen and Dawn. Thank you for polishing my words. I appreciate that you don’t hold back along with your commitment to quality.
To my cover designer: Tiffany, once again you’ve overdelivered. Thank you for taking my random bullet points and creating a masterpiece.
To my readers: Your feedback is invaluable. Your love is phenomenal. Thank you for supporting my work. You are the reason that I do this.
Love,
Michelle Karise
Michelle Karise is a St. Louis-native who lives with her temperamental Shih Tzu, Rooney. The sassy, Type-A personality is a member of several professional organizations, notably the Romance Writers of America.
Travel, martinis, and wit are her jam and nuance is her butter. She constructs stories featuring intelligent female leads and the confident and strong men that love them. Sometimes the hero and heroine don’t do what she likes, but she’s always confident that love will prevail.
Interested in what I’m doing next?
https://www.michellekarise.com/
A Sneak Peek of “Kandi’s Crush”
Kandace
Ten Years Ago
My heartbeat echoed in my ears. I ran down the dark and narrow hallway as if my life depended on it.
His approaching footsteps grew louder as he gained on my lead. His legs were almost a foot longer than mine and far more powerful.
When I turned to look behind me, the turquoise of his polo shirt filled my view. For one second, I contemplated throwing my arms up in surrender and screaming ‘uncle’ while flashing a pretty little smile. But the look on his face said he wasn’t in the mood for games.
Run, Kandi! Run faster!
I pumped my arms harder and harder hoping they would become wings, allowing me to fly away from the chaotic scene. The rapid movements only made my chest ache as if someone had reached inside and squeezed my heart.
I was the fastest girl in my fifth-grade class, but I was no match for a high-school football player.
Two hours ago, we’d been in the middle of a weekly trip to Winn-Dixie when the piano riff ringtone on Mama’s new iPhone 3 blared over the noise of the busy grocery store. As she’d searched for the cellphone in her purse, I had prepared to run down the aisles for another last-minute request from my aunt. Mama rolled her eyes and immediately switched to her soothing and caring voice. It was the tone she reserved for old people, little kids, and Mrs. St. Clair.
Mrs. St. Clair’s shrill voice pierced the hum of the crowded store. Her frantic and hurried tones were so loud, I wondered if Mama had her on the speakerphone.
“Yes. I’ll make sure everything is okay, Genevieve,” Mama soothed. “I’m sure everything is fine. I’ll call you when I get there. Try not to worry and enjoy your vacation.”
A tacky person would call my mama a maid. She preferred to be called a household manager. My mother was the chef, laundress, and housekeeper for the St. Clair family. She also supervised the gardener and the evening housekeeper.
Mrs. St. Clair’s phone call had worried me. She always ruined my time with my mother. Today was Mama’s day off, and she’d promised we would hang out. Going to the grocery store and stopping by the St. Clair house wasn’t my idea of fun.
A groan escaped my lips as we’d pulled into the driveway behind the house, but the sight of Chadwick’s blue bicycle lying in the driveway put a tiny smirk on my face. Now, I could entertain myself. Chadwick was a fancy teenager who thought he had better things to do with his time than play with me. I loved getting under his skin.
We weren’t but a few steps into the kitchen when Mama presented me with a grape soda and bent down to look me in the eye.
“Go to the sun parlor. Sit in the chair and read your book. Don’t wander through the house. Don’t touch anything. Don’t break anything. And don’t push any interesting buttons,” she’d ordered.
Why did she always bring that up? How was I supposed to know it was the silent alarm? Nobody had gotten hurt.
“Do you hear me? Don’t start trouble.”
“Yeah. I heard you,” I’d answered. My eyes had wandered around the large white kitchen while I searched for something fun to do.
“Excuse me?” The sharp tone and hands on her hips instantly reminded me of my manners.
“Yes, ma’am,” I’d corrected softly.
Following Mama’s instructions, I had walked directly to the screened-in back porch and took a seat in one of the white wicker chairs. I reclined with my feet on the floral pillowed ottoman and found the page I’d marked in “Little Women.”
I’d only read three paragraphs when yellow and black wings fluttered over the pages of the book and my eyes traced the movements of the swallowtail butterfly until I lost sight of it. It was unusual to see butterflies in the late spring, and I wanted to see the beautiful creature up close.
Amidst the gentle hum of crickets and evening cicadas, I’d heard quiet voices. I strained to make out a low pleading whisper followed by a girlish laugh. Propelling myself from the chair, I had tiptoed across the gray slate tiled floors and peered through the window screen. Chadwick sat on the garden bench, his arm wrapped around a skinny blonde girl.
Is this the reason he ignores me? I’ll fix him!
Holding my breath, I carefully opened the screen door and stepped onto the staircase leading to the gardens. I breathed a sigh of relief when the screen door closed without alerting my presence. I crept down the stairs until I reached a large green shrub. The greenery dwarfed my tiny frame, hiding me from view as I leaned forward to peer around it.
The hand that wasn’t around the girl’s waist had inched upward beneath her t-shirt, and her rosy pink lips parted when Chadwick’s fingers tickled her bare flesh. She’d giggled while playfully swatting his hand away.
The light hits hadn’t stopped Chadwick. His hand continued its slow trek along her skin until it reached its intended destination. He whispered in her ear before dropping his head and kissing her on the neck.
Yuck!
His lips then glided up her neck and stopped at her mouth. He’d licked her lips and then their tongues touched.
They were licking each other’s tongues! Gross!
I had averted my eyes as I struggled to keep my lunch down when the sound of a zipper shattered the silence and pulled my attention back to the two. I leaned further around the bush, hoping to get a better view of the scene.
“Come on, Regan. Touch it for one minute,” Chadwick moaned.
“Nooooo!” she’d squealed. Lowering her voice, she added, “That’s nasty.” She rapidly swung her head back and forth, looking at the neighboring houses. “Someone will see us.”
“It’s just us. We’re the only people out here. Look at what you do to me.”
“My mama told me I would get pimples if I touched a boy down there.”
“Not true. Your mama would be one big zit.”
She’d gasped in speechless shock at his statement.
“Chadwick St. Clair! I’m going home!”
“I’m fucking with you. Please, baby. Don’t go. Besides, God intended for us to populate the earth,” Chadwick had pleaded in a half-moan and half-coo. Regan seemed to soften reluctantly.
“Okay. But you have to promise you won’t tell.”
“Mmm. I won’t tell a soul. Don’t stop. Pump me . . . stroke me.” He sucked in a breath. “Yeah. Like that.”
“Wow! It’s like a snake. So big and thick.”
“I’m close. Keep going.”
I had risen on my tiptoes but lost my balance, and I crashed into the shrub. My fall interrupted the couple, and they’d both turned toward the noise. Regan stood to get a better view of the backyard while Chadwick frantically zipped his pants.
“Who’s there?” asked Chadwick. His face had been red with embarrassment as he stood.
“Don’t stop! Keep going!” I parroted, giggling.
“Kandi? I am going to murder you!”
I’d run for the stairs, and my nerves caused a brief struggle to open the screen door. After what felt like minutes, I jetted for the interior French doors.
“Wait until I get up there! I will kill you!” he screamed.
“Don’t you need to control your snake? I can’t wait to tell my mama!”
He ran along the garden pathway with Regan jogging close behind. I’d closed and locked the interior doors behind me, watching as Chadwick bound up the stairs and into the sunroom. He’d stalked over to the glass door and glared down at me. I stuck my thumbs in my ears and wiggled my fingers.
“That’s what you get, you ol’ nasty boy.” I sang the classic rhyme. “Chadwick and Regan sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love. Then comes marriage . . .”
I won!
I had cheered inwardly, grinning with satisfaction. After years of trying, I’d annoyed him and get away with it. For a minute, I’d held my arms up like a champion. He fished in his pocket and pulled out a key, but I was sprinting down the hallway toward the kitchen before he could open the door.
I ran down the hallway until I reached the kitchen and collapsed in my mother’s arms.
“Kandi, what is all of that commotion? Did you see a spider?” I was afraid of spiders, and it was my mama’s job to take care of them.
“No, Mama. Chadwick’s bothering me.” The corners of my mouth curled at the satisfaction of winning. For the first time, I got away with teasing Chadwick.
On cue, Chadwick plodded into the kitchen. Red-faced from embarrassment and anger, he bent over and placed his hands on his knees to catch his breath.
“Hi, Celeste.” His words came out in a rush. “Kandi disturbed me and my . . . friend.” He gestured toward the front window, and we watched Regan stomp through the wrought iron gate. Her blonde hair bobbed as she hurried down the sidewalk toward her house. Chadwick threw his hands up in frustration. “Great! Look at what she did! Regan’s going home.”
“Did your mom give you permission to entertain in the house?”
“We weren’t in the house. We were outside.” His expression showed no emotion. Even I knew he was being less than truthful.
Mama rolled her eyes. Since I no longer had their attention, I snuggled in closer to her, taking shelter in the warmth of her body and embrace. I turned to look at Chadwick. You could light a fire with his expression.
“Young lady, I told you to stay out of trouble,” Mama scolded me. “Chadwick, run after your friend. Wait for me in the garden dining area. I’ll bring sandwiches, lemonade, and iced cookies.” She spun to face me. “Kandi, you stay where I can see you.”
“Thanks, Celeste.”
When Mama turned her back to me, I stuck my tongue out at him. He groaned in response, glaring at me again. I followed him as he walked to the front door. I was afraid that he was very angry with me. I watched from the front window as he hurried down the stairs, running a few yards before catching up with Regan.
“Kandi, why did you do that?” Mama looked at me
“Because it was fun,” I shrugged.
Mama would never get it. Chadwick was so cool.
I didn’t understand his friendship with Regan. Why was she such a big deal? Was she the top reader in the library’s summer book club? Could she recite pi rounded off to twelve digits? Did she break the school’s record by rotating a hula hoop around her waist one hundred and fifty-seven times in a minute? I was smart. I was funny. What did Regan have that I didn’t?
Read Kandi’s Crush today!
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