The Fabulist
Page 30
Carmen’s wedding and event planning business boomed after the show. She opened a second business in L.A. after Bryce proposed. He continues to host The Fabulist and she assists Hogan with party planning for his companies.
Hogan was miffed when she and I decided to get a place together in L.A., but once she moved in with Bryce before the wedding, I finally accepted Hogan’s offer to move in with him. Carmen helped him set up an elaborate proposal and we’re still hounded by the media. Fans of the show went crazy for our love story. We held nothing back. Hogan bought out Herman’s part of the franchise and Hogan runs it alone. He handpicked the next new Fabulist and is helping plot the next round of surprises. I will join him as a consultant when needed. We work incredibly well together when we’re not fighting.
“I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Donahue. You may kiss your bride.”
I cheer loudly as Bryce bends Carmen at the waist and kisses her passionately. I glance at Hogan, Bryce’s best man, and I can tell by the look on his face he knows what I’m thinking. In a few months he’ll be marrying me. I can’t wait to be his wife and have his babies. Oh shit, I can’t wait to practice making those babies.
Carmen and Bryce have their first dance at the reception. She’s so happy. Bryce is a wonderful man and I’m thankful that they found each other. They are both two rays of light in an often dark world.
The next song begins to play and Carmen waves me out to the dance floor. I wander out alone, having no idea where Hogan has gone. Just as I lift my hands up in search of him, Leela James “Fall for You” begins to play.
I glance around and my mouth drops when I see him. Hogan takes a sip of his drink and sets it down on the table. He straightens his tie, fixes his cufflinks, and slowly strolls toward me. My breath hitches. The way he stares at me creates a warmth everywhere but especially in my heart. He starts each morning, telling me he loves me and he ends each night showing me.
He wraps his arm around my waist and takes my hand in his. The power he commands by stepping into a room is sexy as hell. I’m proud to be his partner for life.
“They’re playing our song,” he whispers in my ear.
Carmen smiles at me and winks as Bryce tenderly kisses the side of her head.
Hogan leans his forehead against mine and I close my eyes.
“Do you know what you do to me, Samantha, soon to be Kerrington?”
“What you do to me, I suppose?”
His lips graze my ear. “All I heard was do me.”
I laugh lightly and shake my head. “I think I might be falling for you.”
He stares deeply into my eyes, seeing right through me as only he can. “That’s a lie. You’ve already fallen.”
“If you’re going to act like The Fabulist, you need to speak like him.”
He rolls his eyes. He hates when I make him speak with an English accent, but I think it’s sexy as hell.
“That’s a lie,” he repeats as requested.
I shiver. “God, you’re hot when you’re English. Maybe I’m marrying the wrong side of you.”
“Darling, you’re marrying the entire man. If you fancy me this way, I’ll speak like this for the rest of my life.”
“You’d change for me?” I ask playfully.
He speaks in his normal voice. “I’d do anything for you. You changed me and I’m going to spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to make you never regret coming back to me.”
“A brilliant man once told me life’s too short for regrets, and for the record, it’s you who changed me.”
As we sway to the music he pauses, and I know he’s got something to say. “Maybe we never really changed, we just found our truth together. You are my life, Sam. And that is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
I believe him.
There will always be lies, lies that bind, mislead, hurt, and heal. The worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves when we hold back our own happiness out of fear and possible regret. A wise man once said, “When I lie, I want to lie down with you.”
I want to lie with Hogan forever.
Acknowledgements
This is the hard part. There are so many people who’ve supported me along the journey of writing this book and I’m always afraid to leave someone out. So just in case…Thank you to everyone who offered encouragement, assistance, or a kind word. It means more to me than you know.
To my readers. I am so grateful that you take the time to read my stories. Thank you to everyone who has taken a chance on me. You make my stories come alive. I would be nothing without you. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
To my boys, Tyler and Ryan. You are the reason I breathe. Your love and support gives me courage to push forward. Even though you’re too young to read my books, I love that you get excited by my plot ideas and all my crazy thoughts. I know romance isn’t your thing just yet, but I already know you’re book boyfriends in training. I love you both more than anything in the world. I thank God for you.
To my husband. I know I get crazy when I’m writing and I barely move from the office. Thank you for understanding my dreams and supporting me. Thank you for listening to me ramble on about plot twists and character development. Even though you know the end, the journey is still more fun, I promise.
To my parents. Though you’re no longer with me physically, I still like to think you’re with me every day. None of this would have been possible without you. To my father, Dave. You showed me that hard work and dedication are the stepping stones to success. I believe your enthusiasm for story telling made me the writer I am today. Thank you for always believing in me. To my mother, Diane. My heart breaks that I can’t pick up the phone and hear your voice. Your example of love, grace and courage is one I strive to follow every single day. I love you and miss you both. I hope you know.
To Kim Hurschik. I don’t know what else I can say to you that I haven’t said already. I think you know how important you are to me. You’re my person. Thank you for listening and letting me voice out the big and minor parts of my stories. I know I ruin every book for you, but you never complain. Thank you for believing in me even when I don’t believe in myself. I love you sister.
To Amélie White Vahlé. My dear friend, thank you for your amazing eye for detail, your patience, and your unwavering encouragement. Thank you for always being someone I know I can count on. You have an energy about you that makes me feel I can take on the world. I know I can be a real tit, as you say. But I love you with all my heart and I’m so thankful to have you in my life.
To Nikki Kroll. Thank you for your constant support and love. I’m so grateful to be your friend. I can’t tell you what it means to me to have you read my books and give me your thoughts. I hope you know how much I appreciate you. I really, really do!
To Christine Kuttnauer. I didn’t even have to check how to spell your name this time. That’s progress! Thank you for beta reading for me under tight deadlines and for catching my incorrect TV show dates! I think Alex still works even though Dylan would have been cooler. LOL. Thank you for all you do.
To Andee Michelle. My soul sister. I’m so grateful to have you in my life. Thank you for reading for me, encouraging me, and being there when I need you You’ve gotten me through some really dark days and I don’t know how to repay you. Oh wait, yes I do. Wine. Lots of wine. Love you tons! This girl can write people! Check out “Finding My Forever”, “Raising Landry”, and “Defining Moments”. Some of my favorite books ever.
To Shawn and Tami Roark. Thank you for the hours spent trying to explain the art of negotiating to me. I think I got it. I love you both and I’m so very grateful for your friendship.
To my BSers. You know who you are. You are my people. Thank you for being my safe place and a constant source of unwavering compassion, love, and humor. You inspire me. I love each and every one of you assholes.
To the Minxes. You are my tribe. It’s so nice to have a place to go where people understand you. You are ta
lented, giving and compassionate. I’m blessed to be in the company of such gifted women. You make me want to be a better me.
To Murphy Rae, my editor and cover designer. You know… same thing I always say. You’re kinda alright. I knew I could depend on you to give me a cover I would love and you did it! First time and everything - Boom! I think you’re getting better at reading my mind. Since you know my thoughts so well, maybe you should design my cover before I start writing the next book. Ha! Thank you again for all your hard work. I truly appreciate you and your friendship.
To Julie Titus of JT Formatting. Just when I think I couldn’t love you anymore, I do! You have been such an incredible friend to me, Julie. I don’t know what I would do without you. You’re one of the most talented people I’ve ever known and I feel so blessed to say you’re my friend. Thank you listening with an open heart and for hearing me better than anyone. Without you, I probably would have written a different book. So this one is your fault! HA! Thank you for all you do for me and for creating images that blow my mind. I love you more than you know.
To The Twisted Chick-Lits. Thank you all for believing in me and sticking with me even when I forget to post for weeks. You are the best group ever! Love you all.
To all the bloggers out there who work tirelessly to share and help promote my books, thank you doesn’t seem like enough. A special thanks to Kristin Green from A Beautiful Book Blog and to Angie Cody of AC Squared Book Blog for doing my cover reveal and for always being the first to support me. I can’t tell you what it means to me.
About the Author
Dawn L. Chiletz currently resides in Illinois with her husband, two boys, and three dogs. In the summer of 2014, armed with a dream from the night before, she sat at her kitchen table while her boys played on their computers and began the first words of “The Contest.” She’s been writing and drinking large amounts of coffee ever since.
To find out more information including up-coming book signings, please visit her website at
www.DawnLChiletz.com
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Other Titles by Dawn
The Contest Series:
The Contest
Waiting to Lose
Can’t You See
Enough
The Fabulist
Confessions of a Carpool Captive