Thorneless (Rose of Thorne Series)

by Michelle, Mia

  When she is a safe distance away, I glance towards her and see her get into the old red car that I parked behind earlier. It refuses to start on this cold morning, and I feel an enormous pang of guilt when I think about how she must be struggling. After several failed attempts, her car engine finally roars to life, and I bravely chance another glance as she pulls slowly around to the exit. Strangely, I find that when she leaves the cemetery, I am still drawn to her. I make my way to the grave marked ROSE, where she stood only moments before, and I reach down to place my hand on the stone in the same place that I saw her touch. In some crazy way, it is as if I am feeling her touch upon my skin. I look down at the picture of the two smiling faces. The words I pray for each time, yet again, do not come. As I continue looking at their picture, I think about how I have robbed this family of their lives together, all because of my stupid decision to get behind the wheel that night. It is a mistake that a stupid kid made with consequences so powerful that they can never be made right. I manage the only words that can ever seem to come out of my mouth. “I am sorry. I am so, SO sorry,” I say as I lay the pink flowers on top of their marker. Placing them in the vase is simply way too personal.

  The rest of my day at work is absolutely horrible because all I can think about is her. She has captivated my heart and invaded my thoughts. I keep wondering what her voice sounds like, what her hair smells like, hell…I even wonder how soft her skin feels. But mostly, I just find myself wondering what her life has been like all this time. Who is the girl? I want to know all I can about her. I don’t know what is wrong with me, but I cannot seem to get her out of my mind. Right now, I can’t figure out if it is curiosity, guilt, or perhaps even borderline obsession that I’m feeling for her. Either way, I am sitting in this boardroom meeting with nothing but dark curls and her angelic face on my mind. It’s a good thing that I had not seen her eyes today because I know that if I had it would have been my undoing. I pull out of my phone and text Max Harrison, my employee who serves a wide variety of roles for my company. Most of those roles are not legal and not necessary to go into. Let’s just say he is paid well for his confidentiality.

  ME: Harrison, I need everything you can find on a Skylar Rose, and I need it immediately.

  HARRISON: Yes, sir, I’m on it.