A Borrowed Life (Carly and Liam #1) by Stephanie Cholette Read Free Book Online Page A

to see him again.”
    “We'll see,” she says with a shrug.
    She hands me the box of chocolates, offering some to me while I sit beside her and watch a broadcast show in Spanish.
    “Are you understanding this?” I ask.
    “He's a dance teacher and she's a rich client, married to a very powerful businessman. A real bastard.”
    “Since when do you speak Spanish?”
    “No need to speak the language to understand what's happening, it's rather obvious.”
    I watch the soap opera and realize she's right. The tone of their voices, the way they speak, and the expressions on their faces convey their emotions better than anything else. The scenes speak for themselves.
    “So? How was your secret admirer?” she inquires.
    “Mmmm,” I exclaim, thinking back to my evening.
    “That good, huh? Did he kiss you?”
    I shake my head, swallowing a chocolate.
    “Oh,” she says worriedly.
    “What?”
    “Well, in general that’s not a very good sign.”
    “He's a gentleman.”
    “A gentleman kisses the girl when he takes her home.”
    “I didn't want him to take me home.”
    “What? Why?”
    I shrug.
    “Did you at least show him you were interested?”
    “Yes. Well, I think so.”
    “Then he has no excuse. He should have kissed you if he was interested.”
    “Do you think I'll see him again?”
    She looks at me, hesitating to respond. She wants to tell me the truth, but doesn’t want to hurt my feelings. She twists her mouth and her eyes express empathy.
    “I wouldn't wait for his call if I were you. I'm sorry.”
    I sigh in, falling against the bed.
    “Hey!” She says, quick to reassure me. “That's his problem. If he's too stupid to see what an amazing woman you are, then he deserves to spend his life with a dull and superficial woman who will go only after his money.”
    “And he will want her only for arm candy and it will serve him right! He'll never have everything I could offer him.”
    “I couldn’t have said it better! Anyway, it's a dead end story. It never would have worked after this trip. You guys aren't from the same world. And you my dear, aren't made for one-night stands.”
    “I know. Still, it would have been nice even it was just for one night.”
    “Well, remember this evening for what it was. A good time, short but unique.”
    I sigh. It’s true. After this cruise, there will be no more gourmet dinners, dances, free performances, and people cleaning for me. No more high society living and elegant, couture dresses; Cinderella will return to work. It’s not so bad when I think about it. This is all so unique for me because it's not part of my everyday life, but for them this is normal and in the end, they are dependent on it. Would they know how to live in an 800 square foot apartment with a roommate, on a diet of macaroni and cheese, working to serve people who think you’re invisible? I don't think so. They aren't safe from it, though. If they lost it all, they would be completely helpless.
    “I’m gonna get some air,” I tell Liv as I get up.
    “Are you sure you're okay?”
    “Yeah, I just need to walk a little.”
    “Do you want me to come with you?”
    I shake my head. I'd rather be alone, actually. I get out of our room and head down the stairs, sighing. I really blew it. Why is it affecting me so much? I don't even know the guy well enough to care about him! It’s not like I had high expectations for this date. Plus, I wouldn’t have been able to maintain a relationship with him after this cruise. But this terrible feeling that I lost a chance at true love clings to me; like my Mr. Right has no interest in me. I'm condemned to stay single for the rest of my days!
    Walking down the hallway, I see two young women heading back to their rooms. A blonde and a redhead; tall, thin, and tanned with perfectly manicured nails. Their hair and makeup is still impeccable. When I entered my room, I found that my locks had fallen flat, my makeup was practically gone, and I was bloated from