Authors: Ella Celestine
The next morning Andrew was dragging from a long sleepless night. After leaving Courtney’s house he wandered the streets before heading home and drowning his sorrows in a very expensive bottle of vodka given to him by a Russian oligarch whose daughter had won
Built for Two
, one of AGP’s most profitable franchises. The bottle was more than half gone, but a quick shower and a black suit was enough to make him look half normal. He felt like crap but looking the part was enough to keep most people from prodding too deeply.
“Andrew I’m glad you’re here,” David greeted him with a wary smile. “Your father and Mr. Temple were talking and they’d like to use the footage of your aborted engagement in a new way. Per the contract you both have to agree to repurpose the footage.”
“What purpose?” Arms crossed, he glared first at his parents and then at Charlotte. “Don’t everybody fucking speak at once,” he roared.
“Andrew dear,” his mother began in that placating tone he hated. “we could turn this heartbreak into ratings gold.”
“I’m not heartbroken and I’m not interested in using that footage for another purpose. Let’s just consider this charade a mistake that won’t happen again.”
His father frowned and stood glaring at him. “We’re going to use the footage shot so far for a Bachelor style show. You’ll be the bachelor and we’ll find you a new wife.”
He looked around at all the smiling faces and felt his anger boil over at the way they were all making plans for his life. His future. Again.
No, not this time
. This time he was living his life on his terms. With his woman. “That’s not happening,” he told the room, casting a glare over them all before stomping out of the room. He needed to see Courtney, to talk to her and tell her how he felt. He breezed past her assistant and straight into her office, locking the door behind him. “We need to talk.”
She looked up at him, cool brown eyes that could freeze a man dead. “I don’t think we do. We’ve said everything necessary, Drew.”
Her sad eyes grabbed a hold of his soul, his heart. “You said plenty last night but you didn’t give me a chance to say anything.”
The ice melted and fiery anger replaced her cool reserve. “That’s what you always do, what’s so different now? That’s your move, not saying anything, right?”
He wanted to shout her down to stop her vitriolic flow of words but he couldn’t. “It was, but some things have changed.”
Her stare was blank, emotionless. “Oh, is this the part where I jump for joy that yet again you didn’t stand up for me, for us? Instead you waited for your faux fiancé to do the hard work.” Head shaking in disgust, she looked up at him again. “No thanks. I’m all out of joy. Take care of yourself Drew.”
“Oh I don’t think so. I told you things were different this time and you don’t believe me. I guess I’ll just have to show you.” His smile was predatory as he stalked to her, grabbing her hand and wrapping it around his arm before pulling her back to the conference room.
Conversation came to a halt as each person in the room noticed the two new arrivals. “We were just brainstorming girls to be your bachelorette, dear.” His mother’s silly smile was enough to make him scream like an idiot.
“Mom I’ve already told you, all of you, that I am not doing another silly show. I refuse. Unconditionally.” She was shocked but he detected a hint of pride in the small smile that crossed her face. “Now I know you were counting on this but it isn’t going to happen and you all need to find a way to be okay with that.”
“We’ve already got plans in motion, Andrew. You will do this.”
He stared at his father, looking at angry jade eyes that were so similar to his own, as he glared back. Andrew had never stood up to his father, finding it easier to just do what he wanted rather than argue about it nonstop. It was the coward’s way and it had cost him five long years without Courtney. His gut ached when he thought about all they had lost, what they could have had by now if only he’d been a stronger man. “You can easily stop those plans and you will. Because I didn’t agree to any of it which means if you even think of using that footage, you’ll have a PR nightmare.”
“I guess I have you to blame for this mess,” he told Courtney. “You tried to take him years ago and I wouldn’t allow it. I still won’t.” That knowing smirk told Andrew all he needed to know.
“The difference this time is me, Dad. I’m not your puppet and I am not a kid. I am in love with Courtney. No, I am
still in love
with Courtney and this time I have no problem making the right choice. I choose her. Unconditionally.”
Nicholas laughed. “Let’s see how unconditional her love is when I cut you out of the will and replace you at AGP.” He sent an icy glare to Courtney, who returned it without raising her heart rate.
“I hope you do cut me out, Dad. You’ll prove to me that I was an idiot to let her go five years ago and a bigger idiot to agree to this crazy plan of yours. What kind of parents would ask this of their children? Sick, depraved people who don’t give a damn about anyone but themselves, that’s who.” He grabbed Courtney’s hand in his own and turned to face her. “I do still love you Courtney and I know I did a shit job of proving it to you then and now. But give me another chance and I swear to you I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Proving to you that I am worthy of your love.”
With tears in her eyes, she palmed his cheek and scanned his face, in search of something. What, he had no idea. Andrew only hoped to god that she found what she was looking for in him. “Don’t you know, Drew? I’ve always known that you were worthy of my love and a whole lot more. I was waiting on you to figure it out.”
“Of course he’s worthy, he’s a Stanton!” Nicholas’ bombastic roar startled everyone but Andrew and his mother.
“Nick sit down! It’s about time you let our boy live his life, seek out his own happiness for a change. He tried to help you and it failed. Let it go and find another way to boost ratings this season.” Her arm rested calmly on her husband’s shoulder and she only applied pressure when it looked like he might thunder out a reply. “Drew sweetheart, I’ve always liked Courtney and if she’s the one who has your heart and your love, your father and I both accept that.” She winked at him and Andrew smiled.
His mother was on board. He had an ally. “Thank you, Mom.”
Courtney weaved their fingers together and took a step forward. “If you’re still searching for an idea, I might have one. Right now most people aren’t too pleased with the ultra rich like the two powerful families in this room.”
“They can work hard just like the rest of us, dammit. Bunch of leeches,” he grumbled in her direction.
Unaffected, Courtney continued. “How about we film the Temple and Stanton elders on a road trip. You pack for the climate and you won’t find out what you’re doing until you get to your destination. You’ll crisscross the country and it will be a classic fish out of water story.”
“I love it,” Andrew told her with a smile so full of love and affection he swore he heard her gasp. “Play on the hate of the one percent by letting them laugh at you try to eat a deep fried candy bar or go to an amusement park. Ratings gold,” he said, gaze fixed on his father and daring him to disagree.
His mother Emma and Charlotte’s mother, Marley were all smiles. “We think it’s a wonderful idea,” Marley cooed. “We get those vacations you always promise but never make time for, and we get to be on TV!” She clapped her excitement, Emma joining in talking about all the places they could visit while the men yelled and argued against it.
Andrew turned to Courtney, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. “You saved me again. Great job, but you’re fired. And I love you.”
Her smile told him everything he needed to know about how she felt about him. It was written in those brown depths. “I love you too, even if you did just fire me. Or we could let David handle it.” He let her pull him down for a kiss that was far too hot and intense for the group seated at the table.
“What would we do?,” he asked with a smile in his voice.
“We’re in love Drew. We can do whatever the hell we want.”
His body shook with laughter. “I like the sound of that. As long as I do it with you and it never ends, I’m in.” And then, without regard for his parents or his former future in-laws or her employees, Andrew kissed her.
The End
Chapter One
“You don’t have to do that Anthony. It’s my job and you’re making me look bad.” Jade Summers rolled her eyes and gave her best friend an indulgent smile. He was a gentleman that was for sure, but he was also a pain in her oversized butt.
Anthony Morelli smiled at her, light brown eyes sparkling with amusement. “Nothing could make you look bad, sweetheart.” He flashed a wink and those long legs carried him through her front door where his van waited.
Jade followed with a few decorate vases filled with tulips. Anthony used her flower shop every week to fill the beautiful Italian restaurant he owned. The décor, just like the menu at Morelli’s Table, was a blend of classic and modern Italian cuisine. She was happy to provide the flowers because the place was beautiful and homey. “Don’t try to charm me, Anthony Dominic Morelli. This is my shop and my job. Sit your butt down and I’ll take the flowers to the van.”
Picking her up and moving her aside, Anthony laughed when she smacked his ass. “I don’t think so, babe. You worked hard on the arrangements, so the least I can do is the heavy lifting. Besides that dress was made for sitting around and looking pretty.”
She glared at him but felt herself grow warm at his words. A girl always liked to hear someone thought she looked good. “Thanks, but I can do it in an evening gown if I wanted to.”
Light brown eyes looked at her, slightly confused. “What happened to the customer is always right? Isn’t that a thing in the service industry?”
She flashed a sickly sweet smile up at him. “The customer is always right, but sometimes they need to be lead to the right answer. That’s what I do.” Patting his cheek gently she skirted the glass counter and headed to the refrigerator for more vases. Her
former
best friend grabbed them right from her hands and strolled out, whistling. Whistling! All she could do was shake her head at his antics. They’d been friends since the third grade when he’d been the new kid everyone picked on daily. Until one day Jade shared her Twix with him.
“You’re my new best friend,” she told him with an adorable smile and took a bite of her candy.
With a shrug, Anthony gave her a nod and simply said, “Cool.”
They’d been pretty inseparable ever since. His parents moved to the house across the street from the home she shared with her grandma and they’d spent every spare moment together. They played together, studied together, double dated, and even when they’d gone to separate colleges in the same city they managed dinner together most nights.
“You two make a lovely couple, dear.” Mrs. Arlington with her slightly pink tinged silver hair smiled and touched her shoulder.
Jade frowned. “We’re just friends, Mrs. Arlington. I’ve got some of those Texas bluebells you love so much, let me show you.” Luckily the woman was easily diverted, being an even bigger flower enthusiast than Jade. She’d inherited
Nipped in the Bud
from her grandmother when she retired, after spending her childhood working beside her favorite person in the world and learning everything about flowers and floral arrangements. Now it was hers and it was her baby.
“Friends,” she scoffed. “Yeah, my Monty was a friend too before I snatched him up and made him my husband.” She bent to smell the deep purple flower. “Trust me, you and that handsome boy are more than just friends. If you open your eyes, you might get more time with him than I had with Saul.” Her husband died when Jade was in the eighth grade, yet she still talked about him with so much love, she was almost envious.
Jade gave her an indulgent smile before turning the conversation back to flowers. But the idea of Anthony being a boy, well that just amused her. The man was over six feet tall with broad shoulders and a lithe frame any swimmer or runner would envy. Despite working in one of the best restaurants in town, there wasn’t an ounce of fat on him. Mostly because it was all on her. “I found some of those English roses you love, and they’re just about ready to bloom. What do you say.”
Seeing she wasn’t going to get any answers from her favorite florist, Mrs. Arlington nodded and followed. “Fine Jade, you play coy with me. I expect an invitation to the wedding, your grandmother Mae is a damn fine woman , one hell of a florist and one of my best friends and that makes you and me family, kid.”
Jade wrapped an arm around the old woman and smiled. “Thanks, Mrs. Arlington. I always wanted a meddling granny with an engraved flask in her purse.” They laughed, and the woman held up a finger.
“In her
designer
purse, thank you very much. Now let me see those roses so you can get back to your young man.”
Before Jade could remind her they were just friends, Bob Jarvis walked up to the refrigerator. “You and that Morelli boy finally official?”
She choked on the denial she was about to issue. When did all the senior citizens in town start focusing on her love life? Or pathetic lack of a love life? “No Bob, we’re friends. Only friends.” They had tried to date once. In high school. He’d taken her to a nice restaurant and then to a local production of
Grease
, but they’d both been too nervous to have any fun. So after an awkward kiss, they decided to go back to being friends.
Shaking his head, Bob swiped his hand in her direction and wandered off muttering about ‘blind young folks’ and something about getting their heads out of their asses. “I’ll have two dozen of those purple tulips. The lady I’ve got my eye on loves’em.”
“Then you’ve got great taste, Mr. Jarvis,” Anthony clapped him on the back with a friendly smile. “Need a ride? I just have a few more arrangements to get, and I’m headed your way.”
Hands on her hips, Jade glared up at him. “Don’t you mean
I
have a few more arrangements to put in your van? Because that’s what I heard.” Her hazel eyes dared him to disagree.
Anthony grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him, dropping a kiss on her forehead that, for a minute, made her forget who’s soft lips those were. “Of course sweetie, that’s exactly what I said. Didn’t you hear me say that Bob?”
“Sure did,” he mumbled, waving a dismissive hand as he stared out the window. “Trouble again. Those goons are back,” he grumbled.
Her heart sank at his words, and she moved closer, listening as the confrontation grew louder by the minute. What she saw out the window brought tears to her eyes. Julio owned the pizza shop a few doors down. He was a nice man with a friendly family, and some giant of a man was pounding his meaty fists into Julio’s face. “God, Jake!” She cried out and buried her face in his chest, clutching his shirt in her fists.
“It’s okay,” he tried to soothe her, but she was beyond being soothed. There had been rumors that mobsters had made their way to Silver Creek, a growing town about ninety minutes outside Portland. So far the strip of businesses, including hers, on the old Main Street had been safe. It looked like those days were gone.