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Book Details
- BN ID: 2940150378278
- Publisher: Lavender and Chamomile Press
- Publication date: 10/10/2014
- Format: eBook
- File size: 597 KB
Blurb:
Sam Saunders finally has a quiet life. After years
of unexpected pregnancies, two marriages and subsequent divorces she is
unnerved by how routine life has become. Her life is stable, her kids are
happy, so why does she have a nagging feeling that everything is about to
change? When she finds herself at the center of a practical joke involving her
favorite movie star proposing to her, she finds it hard to keep her-self
grounded. Could this be the change she had sensed?
Jake Jameson has made a career out of romantic
comedies, but his love life is far from it. He's going through the motions and
everyone knows he's lost his spark. After his fake proposal is televised, he
finds that having a family could be what he's been craving. Will the media
scare off his fake fiancé before he figures out what he wants?
Excerpt:
The
following day Sam seemed to float along. The memory of Jake Jameson in her
apartment fueled her. She taught with an energy she hadn’t had in years.
Whenever she had a moment she replayed the memory in her head. The awkward
moment as they danced around each other when she tried to get into the kitchen;
the brief eye contact while they sipped their drinks in the living room; the kiss
on her cheek as he walked out the door. She saw it all with a new glow. It was
too good to be true.
That’s because it’s not
true. She reminded herself. The guy made a juvenile bet and made a fool of
himself on national TV. Now if anyone asks, you’re supposed to play along to
cover his ass. Get your head on straight and don’t turn this thing into
anything more than what it is. She tried to speak to herself harshly as a
reality check, but other thoughts intruded. Your life is pretty boring. This
is exciting; enjoy the moment. Other more disturbing thoughts crowded her
mind. This could be your chance Sam. You can be just as pretty and just as
charming as any actress that guy has dated. Stop! This isn’t real you are not
dating him and you never will be. Her internal debate continued and each
time she replayed the prior evening in her mind she tried to deduce whether or
not there had been an actual spark, a connection, a glimmer of hope or was she
so desperate for change she imagined any of those things. She felt
nervous and ill at ease though equally ecstatic.
***
Jake woke up and began to
finally return phone calls. He chose to start with people who were not as close
to him. He found it easier to lie to them than to lie to those who were closer
to him. The easiest phone calls were to his buddies in Los Angeles
“Becky?” he asked when the
female voice answered the phone.
“Jake! Congratulations!” she
shrieked. “What is going on? I was so surprised when I saw you on T.V.” Jake
laughed nervously as Becky continued. “I want to know everything. How did the
two of you meet? What’s she like? Everything.” If anyone could test how well
Jake could lie, it would be Becky. He met Becky on the set of his first film.
She had been his make-up artist. She was able to give him helpful tips on how
to fit in, in Hollywood Hollywood
“I don’t know where to
begin.” He admitted honestly.
“Well, where did you meet
her?”
“My aunt introduced us.”
Technically that was the truth. He decided to keep his answers short and stay
as close to the truth as possible.
“Okay, that was informative.”
Becky said slowly. “How long have you known her?”
“Oh, we go way back, but
mostly it’s been a long distance thing.” He felt proud of himself for getting
this far.
“What are you hiding Jake?”
Becky asked bluntly.
“Nothing, why do you ask?”
His pride quickly faded into defeat. Becky could always see right through him
even over the phone. There was no way he could succeed with his mother.
“I know you well enough by
now Jake. Something’s going on. Who is she? Is she pregnant?” Becky’s accusing
tone tore through him.
“She’s not pregnant.” He
retorted. At least I hope not. He thought.
“Then why aren’t you talking?
You’re not being yourself. You’re a celebrity, Jake; whatever you’re hiding is
going to come out in the open sooner or later.”
Jake sighed. “I know, Becky.
It’s just she’s not a celebrity. She’s a schoolteacher. She has two girls and
she just floats along as if no one can see her. I’m about to change all that.”
The words tumbled out of his mouth and he repeated them again softly. “I’m
about to change all of that.” That was the reality of it. Real or make belief
everyone was about to meet Sam whether she wanted that or not.
“I didn’t mean to jump down
your throat.” Becky said. “It’s not easy. You managed to keep her secret for
quite some time. Now everything is going to change. Are you afraid of how she’ll
react?”
“A little.” He was once again
being honest. So far he had managed to have a completely honest conversation
based on a fabrication.
“If she said yes then she
must be aware of the consequences also. Right?”
“You know it’s not that easy.
We all think being a celebrity is going to be wonderful. It sets us aside from
everyone else. We travel, make money, go to parties, yadda, yadda. Then you
start seeing your life documented in the grocery stores, on TV, and on the
Internet. It gets to be disconcerting.” It was so easy talking about his
feelings with Becky.
“So you’re worried about it
going to her head?” Becky asked.
“No, not really.” Even from
the little he knew about Sam he found it hard to imagine her ever becoming
diva-like. “I’m more afraid of her getting hurt.”
“Sounds like you really are
in love, Jake. I’m happy for you.” Becky had been happily married ever since
he’d known her. She married her high school sweetheart. They were the kind of
couple that kept others believing in true love.
“Thanks.” He mumbled.
“I have to go, but we’ll talk
more later. I can’t wait to meet her.” The two friends exchanged good-byes and
hung up.
Jake sat back and thought about what he had said. He truly was
afraid of Sam getting hurt and the girls as well. He was surprised of himself.
He had not thought of how this affected him all morning. All he could worry
about was Sam and the girls. She didn’t ask for this. She didn’t even hit on me
like other women probably would have in her position. She seems perfectly
content living her quiet life. I should definitely get her a real ring that she
can keep when this is all over. It’s the least I can do after causing this
trouble. He made up his mind and went shopping right away.
About the Author:
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Dominique
Butler is currently a Special Education teacher with a Bachelors
Degree in psychology and a Masters in Early Childhood Special Education. She
has written stories for educational purposes and is now writing fiction to
entertain. She currently resides in Miami ,
FL
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