Jilted

Jilted

By

Eve Vaughn

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

All trademarks, service marks, registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Jilted

Copyright © March 2016 Eve Vaughn

Electronic book publication March 2016

With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means without permission from the author, Eve Vaughn.

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means electronic or print, without the author’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in Federal Prison and a fine of $250,000. For more information regarding the government’s stance on copyright infringement visit: http://www.fbi.gov/ipr.

Dedication

To my readers who continue to support me in my endeavor to share my stories with you. Thank you so much for the messages, emails and words of encouragement. You guys keep me going when I sometimes fall behind.

Prologue

“You look so amazing, baby. I just want you to know how very proud I am of you. You’ve grown into a beautiful, intelligent, kind and loving young woman. I love you and wish you many years of happiness in your new life with Ashley.” Priscilla Brown leaned forward and gave her daughter a light kiss on the cheek.

She walked into her mother’s embrace. Tears sprang to Skylar’s eyes. She tried not to cry so her makeup would stay intact, but one errant tear escaped and cascaded down her cheek. “Thank you, Mom. I love you too.”

This was it!

Skylar would finally be Mrs. Ashley Hollingsworth. She’d dreamed of this day from the moment she realized she loved him, probably from the second they’d shared their first kiss. Ashley was everything she could have ever hoped for in a partner. He was handsome, witty, extremely sharp, and protective. He was not only her lover and confidante, he was her best friend. She could think of no one with whom she’d rather spend the rest of her life with.

She pulled out of her mother’s arms with a sigh. “I want to pinch myself to make sure this isn’t all just some wonderful dream. I—ouch!” Skylar looked to her left and saw her younger sister Izzy on the verge of laughter.

“Isabelle Maria Brown,” Priscilla scolded. “Don’t antagonize your sister. This is a very special day for her.”

Izzy shrugged. “What? She said she wanted someone to pinch her.”

Skylar rolled her eyes heavenward. Izzy’s sense of humor was an acquired taste. “Uh, that wasn’t exactly what I said.”

“Well, I was just trying to be helpful. After all, isn’t that what a bridesmaid is supposed to do?” The 14 year old beamed and twirled in her frilly mint green gown. The color popped against her mahogany skin. Her usual unruly curls had been flat-ironed and flowed to the center of her back in spirals. A ring of flowers crowned her head, giving her an angelic appearance. Skylar couldn’t stay mad at the kid if she wanted to. Her little sister could be a pain at times like younger siblings, but she adored Izzy to pieces.

Skylar laughed, tweaking her sister’s chin. “You’ve been very helpful, Izzy. Did I get a chance to tell you that you look gorgeous today?”

Izzy did a little curtsey and a spin. “Thank you. And you look so pretty Skylar, just like a princess.” The awe in the girl’s voice brought fresh tears to Skylar’s eyes.

She sniffed, trying to hold them back but to no avail. “Thank you, sweetie.” She gave Izzy a quick hug.

Just then Monica, her best friend, stuck her head in the dressing room. “Hey, are you ladies ready? It’s time to get this show started. The usher is waiting to escort the Mother of the Bride to her seat and I’m going to need you to come on out as well Izzy. The pastor is ready to start officiating.” Monica glanced at Skylar and gasped. “Oh my God! What happened to your face? I told you no crying. Now I’m going to have to touch you up. Ms. Brown and Izzy, you two go ahead; we’ll be out in a minute.”

Priscilla gave her daughter another quick hug before heading out the door. Izzy did a thumbs-up as a sign of her support before leaving Monica and Skylar alone.

“I’ll be quick about this. Good thing I have the emergency makeup kit with me.” Monica scurried to the desk and produced a small floral bag.

“Thanks girl, you’re a lifesaver.”

“I know. That’s why you put me in charge of organizing this thing. It’s a circus out there. I just saw one of our state senators out there and a few councilmen. I knew this family was a big deal but damn girl, you’ve hit the jackpot.”

Skylar knew her friend meant no harm in that statement, but it wasn’t the first time someone had referred to her good fortune of marrying into a wealthy family, and it made her a little uncomfortable. Ashley’s wealth and connections actually made her slightly nervous when she’d learned the extent of them.

Having been a scholarship student at a few of the best schools in the country, Skylar had had more than her fair share of run-ins with people born into money who automatically labeled her as not good enough because of her background. Her experiences with rich people weren’t all negative but she’d had enough of them to be wary. So by the time had Ashley came along, she wasn’t exactly looking for a trust fund baby as a potential life mate. But slowly and surely Ashley had been able to break through Skylar’s defenses until she was able to look beyond his money and see him for the man he was. Now she was glad that she did because she couldn’t be happier than she was right now.

“I’ve hit the jackpot because I found my soulmate.”

Monica patted Skylar’s cheek with pancake foundation. “Well you know what I meant. Besides, I know you’re not marrying him for his money. I’ve never seen two people look more in love than you two. And remember when you have little Ashley and little Skylar, I’ll be first in line to babysit.”

Skylar giggled. “We’re not having kids for at least a few years. I need to pass the bar and establish my career. Besides, we’d like to enjoy our lives together for a little while before we bring children into the equation.”

“Well, you never know, hon. Life has a way of throwing you curveballs. There. All done. You look amazing.” Monica looked her up and down. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride.”

“Thank you. You just repaired my makeup and now you’re going to make me cry again.”

“Don’t you dare!” Monica put away her little bag and grabbed the bouquet of calla lilies off the table. “Here you go.”

Skylar took the flowers. “Thank you so much for helping to make my day special.”

“Anytime, girl.” Monica gave her a quick hug. “Okay, now let’s go!”

The organist played Handel in the background, signaling it was nearly time for her to march down the aisle. Because her father wasn’t in the picture, Skylar opted to walk down the aisle solo. Suddenly the ushers pulled the door open and the music changed to Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Hundreds of people stood up, most of them she didn’t know but it didn’t matter. She only had eyes for one person.

Ashley.

He looked so handsome standing at the altar with his windswept brown hair that looked like he’d freshly raked his fingers through it. His tuxedo was expertly tailored to fit his tall, broad-shouldered form. Heat infused her cheeks as she remembered exactly what was beneath his clothing, a rock hard body that had provided hours of pleasure. The term Greek God came to mind when describing Ashley from his granite like jawline, bedroom eyes the color or jade and full lips made for kissing. He was the epitome of male perfection and he was hers.

Skylar resisted the urge to pinch herself. She couldn’t believe this was happening. She loved this man with all her heart and today they would become one. Praying that she wouldn’t trip as she continued down the aisle, she moved toward him. She smiled. He stared back with an unreadable expression and for a second it gave her pause. Maybe she’d seen too many romantic comedies but she was certain the groom was supposed to show some sign that he was happy to see his bride for the first time. They hadn’t seen each other since the rehearsal two nights ago, and she’d expected a bigger reaction from him.

These past couple weeks he’d been a little standoffish and distant which Skylar thought she’d simply imagined. Maybe it was cold feet because after all, this was a big step in both of their lives. He was slightly older than her so perhaps saying goodbye to his bachelor days was weighing on his mind.

She mouthed the words;
I love you
to him as her march came to an end. He was supposed to take a step off the altar and meet her halfway but he remained rooted in the spot.

What was going on? Why wasn’t he moving? The pastor gave him a quick tap but Ashley wouldn’t budge. He stared at her, gaze unwavering. And then he narrowed his eyes and firmed his lips to a tight line. It wasn’t the face of a man who was happy to see her. Maybe something was going on with him, perhaps he was unwell.

The whispers among the guests began to drown out the music. Skylar walked toward him, not stopping until she stood directly in front of him. “Ashley? What’s wrong, baby?”

He stared down at her, eyes darkening to a stormy shade of green. His breathing was measured, a muscle twitched in his face and it seemed as if he was holding something back, but still he didn’t speak. She moved closer until they were nearly nose to nose. Skylar cupped his cheek in the palm of her hand but he flinched away as if her touch disgusted him.

Skylar recoiled, stunned by his reaction. She noticed the music no longer played and people looked on in silence, some stunned, while a few wore smug grins. Even the pastor took a step back as if he was waiting to see how this scene would play out. “What’s the matter? Why are you acting this way?” she whispered.

“Do you love me?” Ashley asked with no emotion, his expression cold.

The abruptness of his question caught her off guard. It took Skylar a moment to process. However, the second her lips managed to form the word yes, Ashley cut her off.

“No answer Skylar?”

She knew something was off when she made her way down the aisle but his saying her name with such venom confirmed it. “Of course I love you, Ashley. Where is this all coming from? Why are you doing this? Right here? Right now?”

He narrowed his eyes until they became icy slits. “And do you plan to have and to hold me forever? Forsaking all others? Do you promise to be faithful?”

Finally the pastor made his presence known by clearing his throat. “Um, if you two need a place to talk in private, I suggest you take this somewhere else. You shouldn’t do this in front of the guests.”

Ashley shook his head. “No, I think our guests need to hear my lovely bride’s answer. Well, Skylar? I’m waiting to hear you pledge yourself to me in front of all these people. I want you to declare how faithful you’ll be.”

“Have you lost your mind?” Skylar demanded in a raised whisper.

“No. Actually I haven’t. In fact I think I’m thinking clearly for the first time since I met you. You really had me fooled. My family was right about you. But even after learning about the kind of woman you are, I would have still married you. But I now realize I can’t stomach you lying to my face and taking vows you don’t mean. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, we’re done.” And as if he didn’t just rip the heart right out of her chest and stomp on it, Ashley walked away from Skylar. She watched him storm down the aisle and out the church sanctuary.

She wanted to run after him and demand an explanation but her feet wouldn’t cooperate. Her entire body refused to work. The bouquet she’d been clutching for dear life fell at her feet as her world collapsed around her.

This was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Never in a million years would she have imagined that the man she loved with every inch of her being had left her at the altar. And at that moment she realized she’d never be the same.

Chapter One

“Sweetie, I know you’re hurting but please eat something. I made your favorite dish for dinner, spaghetti and meatballs.” Priscilla rubbed her daughter’s back, and Skylar lay on her bed face down, head buried in her pillow.