Happily Ever After? (Sleeping Handsome Sequel) by Jean Haus Read Free Book Online

to
nitpick. Really, I’m sure it was one hundred percent.
    Okay, I’m not going to
lie. Your dinner with Amanda has me a bit upset. You, Amanda, and
even Drake at a table together freaks me out. But I understand you
were blindsided. However, I’m not sure I want Drake knowing about
my past. It’s just so embarrassing I acted like that. Maybe you
could just let him know you don’t really care for her or something?
That you don’t want to be around her.
    Like as soon as
possible.
    And yes, one huge squee on
the twelve days!
    My squeal beat an Emily
squeal hands down.
    Love ya,
    Paige
    Though I feel much more anxiety than
my email reveals, I hit send. I’m trying very, very hard not to let
the past define me.

~8~
    Zach

    Worked sucked today. The day was never
ending, yet there was one major reason for the suckage. And I’m
somewhat afraid of disclosing today to Paige. Especially after her
forthright email about dinner the other day. But I will.
    “ Dude, why are you home so
late?” Drake asks from his ever-present spot in front of the TV as
I walk inside the apartment. “You missed a major online shoot
out.”
    Drake works days. I mostly work
afternoons and evenings. He spends his nights gaming or partying. I
try to spend the nights I’m home doing homework, reading, or
writing. If Paige were here, I’d be spending time with her. “Did
the hat help?” I ask, referring to the green plastic on his
head.
    “ Definitely. Luck O’ the
Irish, you know?” He nods over his shoulder. “That came for you
today.”
    I move toward the box on the counter.
Paige’s handwriting is scrawled across the top. After searching
amid the junk drawer—how we’ve accumulated so much junk in less
than two months is beyond me—for scissors, I cut the string around
the box. Inside above the tissue paper lies a note.
    Wanted to make our plans
for a winter ski trip to Mammoth Mountain official. Hope you like.
Made in Finland it’s supposed to be the best.
    Love,
    P
    Under the tissue, I find a
dark plain cap with the tag Finnsvala across the front. With the
smooth fabric—something Paige touched—in my hand, the gift brings a
longing for her deep inside of me. Then guilt at the sight of my
hand holding something hers did. Though I shouldn’t feel that way,
I do.
    Something thuds on the carpet. I’m
guessing a controller.
    “ She sent you a hat?”
Drake says, suddenly behind me. “Tight. It’s kind of plain
though.”
    “ It’s for skiing not for
parading around the apartment.”
    “ Now parades, they have
some cool hats in them.”
    Resisting an eye roll, I grab the hat,
the box, and the note then head to my room.
    “ You gonna play tonight?”
Drake shouts from the living room.
    “ No. I’ve got some stuff
to do.”
    “ More love letters?” he
yells then adds with a laugh, “You are so whipped.”
    Shutting my door, I cringe. If only it
were a simple love letter. I’m afraid today’s email is not going to
go well. At least that’s what my gut is communicating.
    I grab my phone, lie on
the bed, and hit random on the music. I need to collect my thoughts
before I email Paige. Somebody That I Used
To Know plays in my ears. Shit. Like I
need to hear this right now. I rip my earbuds out then toss my
phone on the dresser. The damn song feels like an omen.
    Yet I have to believe Paige trusts
me.
    I reluctantly reach for my
computer.
    After a crap load of sighing and
temple rubbing, I begin to type.
    Hey Paige,
    I miss you so damn much,
but I hope everything’s still going excellent for you. I’m
expecting to be wowed—as usual—by your performance on the big
screen.
    Today was one odd day.
Although I was booked solid, they wanted me to do my two-week
performance review. And I’m not sure how it happened, but Amanda
was my trainee. Maybe wanting to be a trainer someday, she
volunteered?
    I’m aware this is probably
upsetting. However, other than a bit of chitchat in the beginning
and end, she acted like the model