CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Bex
It’s a few days to Rose’s birthday, and I’m at the edge of insanity. This past week, the only thing I’ve learned is that I can’t get Rose Marie Hale out of my mind. I’ve seen forty patients, I’ve called her and hung up as many times. I’ve gone to her home, knocked on the door, and driven away. I’ve pulled myself back and pushed myself forward, only to come to one conclusion: I am in love with her. Nothing is going to change it.
I was a fucking idiot to offer that goddamned proposal of waiting a year, and not to trust her. She had the balls to say what I knew from the first moment we met.
Sitting in my parked car, I spot Rose stepping out of her building, and I can’t begin to explain how happy I am to see her. It’s almost her birthday, and I want her to know how I feel before she makes any mistakes. I am “the one” for her, and she is perfect for me. We’re meant to be together.
I leave my car with a present in hand, feeling more anxious than I’ve ever been. When she sees what I brought, she’ll understand. She’ll forgive me. She’ll know I’m all in no matter what.
A tall man with thick dark hair exits the lobby and comes up behind her. He smiles down on Rose, and she beams up at him. They kiss passionately.
It’s like a fucking bullet through my heart because now I know I’ve been waiting my entire life for someone as special as her. My only regret is not leaping.
But you didn’t.
I slide the present into my pocket and get back into my car.
Rose
Give me a week, and I’ll show you a new woman. I can’t thank Bexley Hughes enough for turning me down, because he was right. My feelings for him weren’t real. And had he taken me, my life would have become another painting. His world. His rules. And I would have gone willingly, because I was afraid to face what happened to me. Maybe I still am, but the only way forward now is to stop denying who I truly am and what I know to be true: Love is a fantasy that belongs in books.
My mother wasn’t trying to warn me about staying single. She was trying to show me the way. Trust no one. Understand that they’ll hurt you. Fight like hell for what’s yours. All reasons I told the lawyers, “Game on.” I’m contesting that ridiculous will, as I think I was meant to all along, and anyone who tries to come after what’s mine will fucking regret it, starting with my grandparents. They’re in jail now, along with Gustavo, who regrettably didn’t die, but I’m not stopping there. I’m going to be sure they’re left without a pot to piss in if they ever get free. I’m fighting back with everything I’ve got.
“Thanks, Markus.” I push up on my tiptoes and kiss his lips, lingering just long enough to make sure he’ll taste me long after I’ve left.
“Are we on for your birthday?” he asks.
What he’s really wondering is if we’re going away together. He booked a hotel in Manhattan and a private table at some restaurant with a view of Times Square. He knows I’ve never slept with anyone, and he wants to be my first. He wants it to be special.
“Yep.” I peck him on the lips. “I can’t wait.”
He kisses me again and looks down at me with so much affection. I soak it in. I like it, even if I don’t need it.
“Are you sure? Because I’ll understand if you want to wait.”
I shake my head and smile. “I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do on my birthday, or anyone else I’d rather be with for my first time.” For the record, I still plan on dating other men—Chad included. I’m even planning to go to Italy next week with Waylon. Still feels off going to Europe with a man I don’t know, but he called yesterday and begged. Poor guy sounded panicked, like he might cry if I turned him down. Hates traveling alone or something. Anyway, he said he’d consider it a big favor, and I’d already decided to go to Florence with or without him. It’s the perfect place for my first big trip.
Markus blinks. “Why do I sense that I’m more nervous about your first time than you are?”
I laugh and swat him playfully on the chest. “I could find someone else to do the honors.”
“Don’t you dare.”
I won’t. I wouldn’t. I’ve already decided he’s the right man for the job. But what this poor bastard doesn’t know is that he’ll never truly have me. From here on out, I decide who has my body and what piece of my heart they’ll get. Markus will own the real estate near Sentimental Central because I know he won’t abuse it. But a complex woman like myself will never give herself to one man. Maybe that’s what my mother really wanted me to learn. And only now, free, independent, can I see it.
I’ll never settle down. I’ll never allow anyone to rule me, especially a man. Because for the first time in my life, I am alive, in full color.
I am the boyfriend collector.
To Be Continued…
Ready for Part Two (of two)? Head to my bio at the back of this book and click the link to sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss the next juicy piece of the story…COMING SUMMER 2019.
Dr. Bex Hughes knows he’s in love with his patient, the fiery beauty, Rose Marie Hale. But Rose, after growing up as a real-life Cinderella, is now free, wealthy, and trapped in another story. One where she’s convinced that love is used to hurt people, family tries to murder you for money, and no one can be trusted. It’s all she’s ever known.
Bex knows he can help Rose find her way to real, lasting happiness, but to do it, he’ll have to continue their sessions and endure listening to the details of Rose’s sexual escapades with other men.
Will his love for her be strong enough, or will his jealousy get the best of him?
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