Dear Reader,
Iâll admit it; I do read celebrity gossip and showbiz news and there are several actors whose careers I have followed over the years. Over time, most of these Hollywood hotties have found their own happily-ever-afters and have tied the knot, dropping off the list of eligible celebrity bachelors. But then there are those few who, despite being drop-dead gorgeous, talented, and personable, remain single. So that got me thinking â¦
What if one of these stars had a youthful, first love that heâd never forgotten? Or what if heâd done something really crazy, like secretly eloped with her, only to have the relationship fall apart? And what if, years later, his first love reappeared in his life?
And so Graeme and Laraâs story was born. Heâs jaded and disillusioned, but heâs never forgotten sweet, idealistic Lara. She wants to finally put him in her past and move on with her life. After all, what they had couldnât possibly have been that good, right?
I hope you enjoy reading their story. I love hearing from readers, so please drop me a note at [email protected].
Hugs,
Karen
JOSIE HEARD the rumble of the delivery truck when it arrived. Leaning over the counter, she peered through the display window with its colorful exhibit of costumed mannequins, toward the street, where a large van had pulled up to the curb. Sheâd been eyeballing Tom, the delivery guy, for two months now, and today she was finally going to let him know she was interested.
Stepping back from the window, Josie glanced down at the costume sheâd chosen. The costume shop, Dressed to Thrill, wasnât big, but what space they did have was packed with variety. In the end, sheâd selected a slave-girl getup, complete with collar and chain. It was a high-end reproduction of the same outfit Princess Leia had worn in Return of the Jedi, after sheâd been captured by Jabba the Hutt and added to his harem.
The bells over the door tinkled, and a gust of cool, autumn air caused goose bumps to rise on her bare flesh.
âHi, Tom. Iâve been waiting for you.â
âHey, Josie,â he said, his eyes running over her as he brought the two-wheeled dolly to a stop. âWow. Thatâs, uh, quite the outfit youâre wearing.â
Josie leaned close to him as she signed the receipt for the cartons of costumes and accessories. âLike it?â
He swallowed hard. âIt looks great on you.â
âSo,â she purred, âhowâve you been? Itâs been a while since youâve â¦delivered.â
Tomâs neck and ears turned ruddy. âYeah,â he agreed with an uneasy laugh. âItâs been a while.â
Josie edged even closer, prepared to really crank up the heat, when his cell phone rang. He smiled apologetically before he reached for the small phone at his hip. Turning away, he spoke into the receiver. âWell, hello there, sweetie,â he crooned.
Sweetie? Josie stared at him in dismay before walking quickly back to the reception counter where a computer beeped loudly, indicating an online order had just arrived. She automatically opened the e-mail request, but her eyes were on Tom as he bent his head and spoke quietly into the phone. The thought that he might be involved with somebody hadnât crossed her mind, not when he looked at her as if he was starving and she was an all-you-can-eat buffet. She wanted to howl with frustration at the unfairness of it all. Just when she was getting up the courage to finally put the moves on him.
With one eye on Tom, Josie scanned the online order from a woman right here in Chicago named Lara Whitfield. She was requesting any costume related to the popular sci-fi television series, Galaxyâs End. Josie was a huge fan of the hit show, which starred sexy Scottish actor, Graeme Hamilton. She read the short note that Lara Whitfield had included at the bottom of her order.
Iâm attending a Galaxyâs End fan festival in two days, so need this shipped overnight express. Iâd prefer something all-concealing, like the shaman costume.
A fan festival, huh? Josie snorted, envisioning a ballroom filled with middle-aged, overweight women, all clamoring for a kiss or an autograph from the famed actor. Lara Whitfield obviously needed a life. It was one thing to crush on a delivery guy; it was another thing altogether to crush on a Hollywood celebrity.