A few months ago I had arrived here a total mess. My boyfriend of twelve years, Sam, had dumped me when I was expecting him to propose. Oh, and I had gotten fired that day, too. I had to move out of the house we shared. Rather than stay at home with my folks and tired of too many awkward conversations with meddling neighbors at the grocery store, I declared I was moving to New York to write a novel.
Madness, that. I just wanted everyone—especially myself—to think I was running to something instead of just fleeing the wreckage of my life.
Then I met Roxanna, whose practical joke on Facebook got me involved with Duke, and my relationship with him provided the inspiration I needed to write not one but two historical romance novels I published to great success.
With Sam I had my life all planned out. And to think . . . I would have missed living and loving in New York City if everything had gone according to plan.
I pulled open the door to the bar on Elizabeth Street and spotted Duke right away. There was just something about him—confidence, determination, drive—that declared him Someone Important even though he tended to wear free T-shirts from other startups, perfectly broken-in Levi’s and sneakers.
He glanced up and caught my eye. God, that smile. So roguish. So mischievous. It was a smile that made a girl believe in once upon a time and heroes who swept a girl off her feet. It did things to me every time. He stood and strolled through the bar toward me. The crowd just melted out of his way.
If I had gotten the life I had always planned, I would have missed this: Duke pulling me into an embrace. His mouth crashing down on mine for the kind of deep, passionate kiss that left no doubt as to how he felt about me or what we would be doing tonight.
Later I would think about this kiss and remember it as the one sparkling moment where everything was just right and my biggest problem was which party to attend. It was the moment before my past reared its ugly head, making happily-ever-after seem unlikely. It was the moment before the storm hit, leaving unfathomable destruction in its wake. It was the moment before I got an idea for a new story—but at a price I didn’t want to pay.
Chapter Two
* * *
A few nights later
258 West 15th Street, Jane and Roxanna’s apartment
AFTER A LONG day working at the New York Public Library, I came home to write for a few hours before heading over to Duke’s apartment. I wanted to see him before his flight to San Francisco—if it was still on. A hurricane was expected to hit the city and already tons of flights had been canceled.
It should be noted that “by writing for a few hours” I meant staring at the bright white screen of a Word document devoid of any actual words other than Untitled Wallflower Novel #3.
I added by Jane Sparks.
Then I deleted it and replaced it with By Maya Rodale. That was the pseudonym I published under.
I drummed my fingers lightly on the keyboard, which only served to draw my attention to the fourth finger of my left hand, which only served to remind me that I had lost my fake engagement ring for my fake engagement with Duke.
I stood up and checked my jewelry box—I could have sworn I’d left it there! I looked under the bed, in pockets of various handbags and in my desk drawers. It was gone, and with it—all my good luck.
No ring. No idea of what to write.
I had more bad luck, too: The dry cleaner had lost my favorite cashmere sweater-set. The train line I took to work was under construction so my commute was more hectic. We had a new neighbor who loved to blare club music really loudly, really late. I had forgotten my mom’s birthday. My book sales were leveling off. Ok, tapering down.
It seemed I was on a losing streak.
Duke, on the other hand, was on a winning streak of epic proportions. Soon he wouldn’t be the Bad Boy Billionaire who had foolishly lost a billion dollars thanks to some bad decisions and bust of his first two companies. He wouldn’t be the guy who was a startup failure—twice. It seemed the third time was a charm—this company was a success and built to last.
Third times a charm. Untitled Wallflower Novel #3.
I decided to check Facebook. Perhaps that would provide some inspiration.
Sam Chase: Wondering what it’s all about.
2 Likes 1 Comment 0 Shares
Milford High School: Just a few more days until the big anniversary celebrations!!! Make sure you RSVP ASAP!!!!
53 Likes 14 Comments 1 Share
Kate Abbott: Love life sucks but work life is fantastic!
Miranda Sparks: Thank you for the lovely birthday wishes!
22 likes 8 Comments 0 Shares
Sam Chase: Losing Streak.
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When my Facebook newsfeed became a deluge of wedding and baby pictures, I shut the browser window and checked Twitter instead.