S'more to Lose

by Beth Merlin

  I changed clothes and dug around my tote for my largest pair of sunglasses. It was early evening but it seemed the right accessory for my current situation. My father called for a car. When the driver texted to let us know he was downstairs, we headed down to the lobby to meet it.

  As the elevator doors opened, my father took hold of my hand and we walked quickly through the lobby. As soon as we stepped foot outside, we were met by a barrage of flashes and people shouting my name. My father ushered me into the car and we sped off toward the restaurant. I looked back to see if we were being followed, but the driver managed to dodge all the trailing paparazzi. We fortunately managed to make it all the way to Y Ting without being followed.

  The hostess offered us a table in front, but my father slipped her £20 and asked if we could be seated at the table in the far back corner of the restaurant. I could only imagine what kind of date she assumed we were on. She pocketed the money and led us to the darkest corner of the place, well concealed by several large potted plants and a massive fish tank that divided the space.

  “I think you’re okay to take off your sunglasses in here,” Dad said.

  I looked around and then pushed the sunglasses onto the top of my head. The waitress came over to take our drink orders. My father ordered a gin martini and asked me what I wanted. I started to order a vodka gimlet but changed my mind and asked her to bring me out a bottle of sparkling water instead. A clear head seemed the safer route.

  I skimmed down the list of specials. “I’m thinking two hot and sour soups and a Moo Goo Gai Pan.”

  “We should try something completely new.”

  “Yeah? What are you thinking?”

  He perused the menu and then said, “What about sizzling oysters and the prawns in a sweet hot sauce?”

  “Wow, Dad, really stepping outside your comfort zone.”

  He closed the menus and called the waitress back over. We placed our order and handed them over to her.

  “How long are you in town for?” I asked.

  “I’m going to stop over in the London office tomorrow for a bit and then catch the evening flight out.”

  “You really came just to check on me?”

  He smiled and unfolded his napkin on his lap. A short time later, the waitress brought out our dishes. My father served me two heaping spoonfuls from each dish and then served himself the same. He poured us each a cup of tea and lifted it up to make a toast.

  “To my daughter who created a wedding gown for the ages. I could not be more proud of you.”

  My eyes brimmed with tears. Yesterday’s headlines—all the praise and fanfare over Victoria’s wedding dress—had become today’s fish wrap. And today’s headlines referring to me as a “cheater” and “the other woman” were all anyone could talk about. In all the frenzy, even I’d forgotten about yesterday’s triumph. I was touched to know my father hadn’t.

  We spent the next two hours eating and catching up on the wedding, Jamie and Thom’s twins, and Gideon. Finally and inevitably, the conversation turned to Perry.

  “You don’t have to tell me, but if things are really over between you two, why was he in your room last night?”

  “He thinks he made a mistake letting me go.”

  “Well, anyone could’ve told him that.”

  “He said everything I’ve been waiting over a year to hear, only he said it a year too late.”

  My father leaned back in his chair. “Is it ever really too late to try to repair things with the love of your life? Look, Georgie, I know you think I liked Perry because we share a common interest in jazz, MacLellan Whiskey, and The War of the Roses. But, there was only one common interest that ever really mattered to me.”

  I put down my chopsticks. “Yeah? What’s that?”

  “You. Are you sure you don’t want to give him a second chance?’

  “I’m with Gideon. He’s a really good guy. Better than I probably deserve—and after today I’m not sure he wants anything to do with me.”

  My father reached over, placing one hand over my own. He used the other to motion for the waitress. “Let me grab the check and we’ll head back to the hotel. Things will look better in the morning. They always do.”

  He took my hand and we walked out of the restaurant where our black car was waiting for us. My father asked the driver to take us back to The Savoy.

  “Do you mind if we drive around for a bit? I’m not ready to face the firing squad just yet.”

  He nodded and asked the driver to take us on the more scenic route through town. My father opened up his arms and motioned for me crawl in. I leaned into his broad chest and stared out the window as building after building whizzed by. A few minutes later, I could feel his phone vibrating through his pants pocket.

  I sat up. “Dad, you’re ringing.”

  He reached in and pulled out the phone. “It’s your mother.”

  I could only hear his side of the conversation but could easily guess what she was saying on the other end. Just as he was reassuring my mother for the fourth time that I wasn’t suicidal, we passed St Paul’s Cathedral.

  I leaned forward and asked the driver if he could stop the car.

  “Hold on Kate, let me talk to Georgie for one second.” My father took the phone away from his ear. “What’s wrong? Why did you stop the car?”

  “I think I’m gonna go inside the church for a few minutes.”

  “It’s late. It must be closed?”

  I remembered what Gideon had told me on our first date. “Churches never really close. I’ll grab a taxi back to the hotel when I’m done.”

  “No, you take the car. I’ll leave it for you and I’ll get the taxi.”

  I reached over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll be back soon.

  “Take as long as you need.”

  I tiptoed into the church. The evening service had just ended and there were a few worshipers and straggling tourists left in the pews. Immediately, a sense of calm and composure washed over me. I wasn’t a particularly religious person but could see why people sought sanctuary in churches. The troubles of the world remain outside the large iron doors and inside the only person you have to face is yourself.

  I sat down as a boys’ choir shuffled in for their evening rehearsal. I closed my eyes to listen to the beautiful hymns and anthems, getting lost in lyrics about mistakes and redemption—love and forgiveness. So much so, that sometime later, I realized most of the worshipers had gone and I was one of the only people left in the chapel.

  I found a guard and asked him if the Whispering Gallery was still open to visitors. He looked at his watch and told me it would be closing in about 45 minutes, so I’d better hurry up if I wanted to visit.

  I rushed over to the entrance and bounded up the 259 steps to the top, barely stopping to catch my breath. When I got up the landing, I walked to the railing that peered over the main chapel. I leaned in and listened to a guide explaining the acoustics of the room to the last group of tourists still in the gallery.

  “Whisper along the curving wall and—provided there isn’t too much background noise—someone positioned anywhere along that same wall should be able to hear you.”

  The tourists took off in different directions to try it. Maybe they’d have more luck than Gideon and I had our first time here?

  I checked my watch. The gallery would be closing in just a few minutes. I turned around to pick up my bag from where I’d set it down and there—like an apparition—was Gideon standing right in front of me.

  “How’d you know where to find me?” I asked as he approached.

  “I went back to the hotel to talk to you. Your father told me you were at St. Paul’s.”

  I swung my bag over my shoulder. “I needed a quiet place to think.”

  “When I didn’t see you in the chapel, I thought maybe I’d missed you.”

  I shook my head. “I figured I’d take one more trip up here. Who knows when I’ll be back in town next?”

/>   “What do you mean?”

  “The royal wedding’s done. I think it’s probably best if I lay low for a bit. Maybe I’ll travel? Find a small town in Italy or Spain where I can become anonymous for a few months while things die down.”

  “Where does that leave us?”

  I took a few steps toward him. “Look, I understand if this is too much for you. You come from a conservative family. Your parents are friendly with the Ellicotts. We have so many things stacked against us. Distance. Gossip. I’m not even sure you really believe nothing happened between Perry and me and I wouldn’t blame you for assuming the worst.” I stroked the side of his face. “Let’s just part ways here and know it was wonderful while it lasted but that nothing this good lasts forever.”

  “I do believe you.” He lifted my bag back off my shoulder and placed it back on the ground. “I’ll admit those pictures were tough to swallow. But you told me last night that nothing happened, so I know nothing happened.”

  “What about the rest of it? This story isn’t going to die down anytime soon. Perry’s more famous than ever. Last night, Victoria became the future Queen of England. The whole world thinks I betrayed her and her sister.”

  “Gossip’s gossip. People will talk until there’s something else more interesting to talk about. We can wait it out.”

  “And the distance?”

  Gideon took my hands into his. “My offer still stands. Don’t go Italy or Spain. Come to Badgley Hall. Lay low there. Figure out your next move. Be with me, Gigi. I promise I’ll keep the world away. With my bare hands if I have to.”

  I closed my eyes and thought of the deep hedge maze at Badgley Hall. I pictured myself entering it, outrunning all the paparazzi and photographers who chased close behind. Gideon’s steady confident voice coaxing me to the other side while they remained lost in the maze, bumping up against the walls and each other.

  When I opened my eyes, I found Gideon’s sweet and generous face. He meant every word and I loved him all the more for it. He was not only willing to weather the storm, no matter how long it raged on, but to give me shelter from it. He was dependable and honorable. He was a man who kept his promises.

  “If I can’t convince you, maybe this will. Go stand over on that side of the wall.” He pointed to one end of the gallery.

  I raised my eyebrows. “What are you up to?”

  “Just do it. I’m gonna go stand over there,” he said, pointing to the other end of the room.

  I reluctantly took my spot at the far side of the room while he jogged over to the opposite wall. He motioned for me to lean my head in and close my eyes. I tilted my head forward and firmly squeezed my eyes shut.

  Moments later, I heard his whisper as it bounced off the gallery wall. I shook my head in disbelief. I couldn’t possibly have heard that right? I opened my eyes and looked over at Gideon Our gaze locked and he began walking toward me.

  He approached, kissed me softly, and got down on one knee. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautiful antique diamond and platinum ring.

  “Will you?” he asked.

  “Marry you?”

  “I’ve had this ring in my pocket for weeks now trying to figure out the right way and time to do this. But here we are. Fate has led us back to the same place we spent our first date and I couldn’t imagine a more perfect moment. So, I ask you, Georgica Reid Goldstein. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  I threw my arms around him and then asked him to go back to the other side of the room. Before I could give the question a second thought, I closed my eyes, faced the wall, and whispered… “Yes.”

  The series continues with Love You S’more, Book Three in the Campfire Series!

  Releasing July 17, 2018!

  Click here to preorder!

  Having successfully designed the wedding gown of the century, Gigi Goldstein is on top of the world – that is until it all suddenly comes crashing down around her. When the paparazzi captures her and Perry Gillman in a compromising moment the night of the royal wedding, she finds herself entangled in a scandal of global proportion. Convinced her carelessness has ruined every relationship in her life, she’s surprised and moved by her boyfriend, Gideon’s, sudden proposal of marriage and accepts it without a second thought.

  Four months later, Gigi’s living at Badgley Hall contemplating an entirely new kind of life, while guilt, regret, and obligation keep calling her back to her old one. Will Gigi stay in South Gloucestershire, marry Gideon, and become the Countess of Harronsby? Or, will unfinished opportunities and an old flame bring her back across the pond to confront her past and reclaim her future?

  Did you love the romantic elements of One S’more Summer?

  Looking for something with a little more steam and a heavy dose of adventure?

  Check out Rum Runner, Book One of the Key West Escape Series, by Tricia Leedom!

  Click here to check it out!

  English socialite Sophie Davies-Stone has been longing to meet her father since she was a little girl. When he sends her a mysterious medallion and asks her to forward it to him in Miami, she can’t help herself from doing something totally un-Sophie-like. Rather than mailing it as instructed, Sophie hops on a flight to Florida.

  But the family reunion never happens. Instead, Sophie is attacked and almost kidnapped by her father’s enemies. Her savior is Jimmy Panama, a cocky and annoyingly handsome former Navy SEAL. Sophie isn’t the only one who’s annoyed. After years of trying to find a way to pay back his CO, Jimmy never thought his debt would get him mixed up with his commander’s uptight, British daughter. He just wants to put her on the next flight home and get back to his low-stress life in Key West, but fate has other plans.

  As Sophie and Jimmy embark on a heart-pounding adventure through Key West and the Caribbean, Sophie finds herself falling for the snarky American. Still, her head says Jimmy is all wrong for her, and the more she finds out about him – and her father – the more uncertain she is about who she can trust.

  One thing is clear. Sophie is in way over her head, and her greatest adventure might be her last.

  The Key West Escape Series

  1. Rum Runner

  2. Bahama Mama – Coming January 2018!

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to the incredible team at Ink Monster for their continued encouragement and belief in the Campfire Series. To my editor, Danielle Modafferi, for her advice, candor, perspective, and friendship.

  Thank you to my amazing husband, who takes on way more than his share so I have time to write. You are the archetype for every leading man I write. If it weren’t for your unwavering belief and support, none of this would be possible. Finally, thank you to my beautiful Hadley Alexandra, my crowning achievement.

  Beth Merlin, a native New Yorker, loves anything Broadway, romantic comedies, and a good maxi dress. After earning her JD from New York Law School, she heard a voice calling her back to fiction writing, like it had during her undergrad study. Amidst her days in The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs, where Beth majored in Political Communications, she found herself wandering into Creative Writing classes, and ended up earning a minor in the field. After 10 long years laboring over her first manuscript, her debut novel, One S’more Summer, released this past May 2017. International bestselling author Kristin Harmel called it “a fast paced, enjoyable read.”

  In researching and preparing for the storyline of S’more to Lose, she also discovered her passion for British history and aristocracy. She is thrilled to have been able to travel to London on and off over the past year (metaphorically speaking!) through her research and writing of this manuscript. When Beth isn’t working on the Campfire Series, she’s spending time with her husband, daughter, and Cavipoo, Sophie. Find Beth at on Twitter, on Instagram, or at the Ink Monster website. http://inkmonster.net/authors/beth-merlin

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