When the Heart Falls

IT'S A WEEK of milestones. Tonight we celebrate me, tomorrow, Cade.

I’d be happier about this event, except I’m pretty sure Jenifer is trying to suffocate me by crushing my ribs in this dress. “Does it have to be so tight around the waist? I don’t want to pass out.”

“You’re such a whiny bitch, and I’m pretty sure you’re bloated, because this fit last week.” She’s relentless as she zips me up and glues me into the gown. “You want to look stunning, don’t you? This is your party after all, Miss New York Times Bestseller.”

I still can’t believe it. The Ice Queen hit the NYT Bestseller list the day our court case ended in Paris. Now we’re celebrating with a reading and epic party in the plushest hotel in New York. I’m kind of famous, it turns out.

Cade knocks on the bathroom door. “Ladies, it’s time to head downstairs.”

I check my face in the mirror and smile. I may feel like a mannequin in all this makeup and finery, but I look like a movie star. Jenifer opens the door and ‘reveals’ me with a dramatic wave of her hand.

Cade’s eyes widen, and in three long strides he’s got his arms around me. “You look good enough to eat.”

I laugh. “I look like a cake decoration, that’s why.”

He kisses me. “Sweeter than cake. And tastier.”

“You don’t look too bad yourself, cowboy.” He’s got the yumminess factor down, with his black tux. I tried to talk him into wearing his cowboy hat, but he insisted it wouldn’t be proper.

Jenifer clears her throat. “Don’t mess her up. I spent hours putting her together just so.”

“See? Cake decoration. Or doll," I say. "You might have to carry my corpse home though, because I’m going to run out of air soon, and I can't draw in more thanks to my sadistic best friend.”

He holds out his arm. “Then we’d best get to your party.”

The ballroom at the hotel is decked out in candles, flowers and gorgeous fabrics with a tall Christmas tree in the corner. It’s like a Christmas wedding reception, only with a table featuring copies of my book for signing and a podium where I’ll do a live reading.

There’s even an obscene full-size cardboard cutout of me holding my book. Cade waggles his eyebrows. “We should take that home with us. A threesome could be fun.”

I swat his arm. “You’re a pervert, you know that.”

“And you, my dear, love it. Don’t deny it.”

“I plead the fifth.”

We’re swarmed by hundreds of friends and fans. I do a reading from my book first, then a signing. After, there will be a formal dinner and dance, and all proceeds from the tickets are going to a charity that helps educate and protect girls in violent relationships.

The line for the signing is so long, I’m sure my hand is going to fall off if I have to write my name one more time. But these people spent $200 to come here tonight; the least I can do is give them my autograph.

Cade sits with me the whole time, beaming like the proud boyfriend he is.

Another fan hands me a book, and I look up into a familiar face. “Mr. Posthumus? What are you doing here?” I couldn’t be more shocked to see my old advisor, after his scorn over my chosen path.

His face turns red, spreading to his balding head, and he fidgets with his glasses. “About that. I owe you an apology. You did something I never had the guts to do.” He leans in as if telling me a secret. “Did you know that I always wanted to write a thriller.” He titters like an old lady. “Can you imagine? Me? A thriller writer. But, you inspired me, and so I did it. I wrote it and published it this week.”

I’m stunned. “That’s… that’s amazing. And good for you. Thrillers are topping the charts right now. You could do really well.”

He drops his head. “That’s gracious of you, Winter, especially after the way I treated you.”

All my anger at him disappears in that moment. “If there’s anything I’ve learned these last few months, it’s that we all do the best we can with what we have, and the only way to help others see the light is to be the light yourself. I’m glad you found your path.”

I hand him the signed book, and he bows and walks away smiling.

I turn to Cade. “That was a surprise. Guess you never know what’s inside people, huh?”

“You were kind to him. He didn’t deserve it.” Cade is unforgiving when it comes to those who have hurt me.

I can understand since I feel the same way about him. “If he didn’t deserve it, then none of us do. We’ve all made mistakes, haven’t we?”

Autumn squeezes my shoulders from behind and I turn to her.

Her auburn hair is woven into an up-do that shows off her long neck and the emerald green dress she wears makes her green eyes pop. “Winter, Cade, I hate to be a party pooper, but I have an early flight back to Cairo in the morning. I just came to say goodbye and tell you how proud I am of you.”