Hearts & Arrows Read online

“Well, I never want that to be an issue for us. In sickness and in health, for better or worse, I want you by my side forever, Ray.” She tilts her head up and gazes into my eyes with love. Right now would be a great moment to be able to read her mind, but alas, I don’t possess that superpower. In fact, I feel pretty helpless right now with a sick girlfriend I can’t help and dashed plans.

  I exhale and let all of the tension in my body fade away. There’s no use in getting worked up over spoiled plans.

  “In sickness and in health?” She questions as I look down at her beautiful face. She’s luminous.

  “Yes. No matter what. For better or worse. In sickness and in health.” I sigh as I decide to tell her about my surprise. “I had today all planned out. One thing after another stalled it. I was going to take you to Valters for dinner and then ask you to marry me. I can’t wait any longer to propose to you, Ray. I’ve been counting down the days until you become my wife.” Not pausing to take a breath, I go on, “Plus, I know it would mean the world for you to have a summer wedding, and I want to give that to you. I’d planned to propose with my mother’s ring. But Shelby had told me that she’d always wanted it. Then you got sick. Now, I’m ringless and planless. But you know what? I’ve got you in my arms. And none of that other stuff matters. The plans, the ring—nothing matters other than making sure you’re with me...that you’re mine.” I smile at her and realize that I no longer need to ask her to marry me in a big elaborate way. I’m doing it now, and the elation’s spreading across her gorgeous face with that perfect smile.

  “Rayleigh, will you do me the honor of marrying me?” She doesn’t respond right away, and tears begin to trickle down her cheeks. My anxiety comes in at full force causing me to ramble. “I can get on my knees and ask you properly. Maybe I should have waited as we talked about for Valentine’s. I can take it back. I can postpone it. Man, I suck at this. I can—”

  She interrupts my words with a soft kiss. I take it further and press in, my mouth consuming hers. This is what I need. Our lips tangle in passion and I get lost in the moment with her. I just proposed. I did it. The thought lingers over in my mind.

  She pulls away from me. She’s breathless, her expression full of admiration and desire. I want her to always look at me like that. “Mason, you’re an amazing man. And I would be blessed to have you by my side forever.”

  I sit up and clasp her hands in mine.

  “Really? Soooo...that’s a yes?”

  She chuckles sweetly. “Yes, Mason. My answer is yes. A thousand times, yes.”

  “Yes! You said yes!” I pump my fist up in the air as excitements radiate through me. “So, this summer we’re getting married. Right? You want a summer wedding?”

  I don’t even give her time to answer. My mind is running a million miles an hour. I realize at that moment that I didn’t even get down on one knee. Regret courses through me. I need to make it right, so I get into position.

  “In all seriousness, Rayleigh, will you marry me?” I ask again, placing my hands in front of me as I pull hers inside of mine. “Will you be my wife? I promise I’ll do all I can to make you happy. I mean, I tried to take your sickness away, but I’m not that powerful. But sweetheart, I’ll do whatever I can to make you happy.”

  She laces our fingers together and in that moment I feel like we’re already one.

  “You silly man, I’ve already said yes.” She crawls into my lap and kisses me with so much passion I think we might explode.

  “Forever yours. Through sickness and in health. You are my man, Mason St. Claire. I'll be honored to take your name as my own.” She wraps her arms around my neck and cuddles into me as she says, “I’m so lucky you were made for me.”

  I chuckle as I stand up and spin her in a slow circle. I’m ecstatic that she’ll be my wife. Forever.

  The End

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  SNEAK PEEK OF TAILOR MADE

  A FULL-LENGTH NOVEL

  Chapter One

  “You’ll never believe what I just did for you!” Kat pauses, her blue eyes lighting up like a disco ball while her body vibrates with excitement. “Now, you have to swear on our friendship that you’ll hear me out and just trust me! Got it?”

  We move up in line at our favorite lunch place as I glare at her, swinging my honey colored hair over my shoulder. The last time she’d said those words, she took me on an all-expenses paid vacation to Maui. Awesome, right? Except I’m terrified of sharks, and I’d refused to get in the ocean. Granted, we’ve been best friends since our freshman year of college, so, I guess I can trust her . . . maybe.

  “Kaaaat.” I drag her name out, knowing that what she’s about to say can only mean one thing . . . I’ll be in even more in debt to her. “What did you do?” I cross my arms as we approach the cash register to place our order.

  We both order the same thing—a Greek salad with grilled salmon and lemon basil dressing.It’s honestly to die for. The flavor positively explodes in your mouth. Kat hands the woman a twenty and pays for my lunch too. We grab our order number and head to our favorite spot in the back. We always arrive a little before the lunch rush so we can avoid the crowd and get the best table.

  Kat squeals her excitement as we sit down. That squeal is high-pitched enough to hurt your ears, and I shush her before people start to stare. “I set you up on a blind date.” Before I can even open my mouth, she rushes to add, “Okay, it’s not a blind date, per se, but it kind of is. So yeah, it is. But . . . just trust me!” Her eyes are pleading with me to listen to her argument as she reaches into her massive purse and pulls out some papers. I cock my eyebrow at her, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  “Here, just read the ad.” I grab the papers from her and plop into my chair as the server approaches with our food. Kat finally sits down and digs in to her salad as I read aloud about the next exciting adventure she has lined up for me.

  Tailor Made

  The Ideal Date for an Ideal Time

  Tired of arriving alone at family parties? Need a date for a special event? Want a few hours with a man or woman who’s just right for you? Tailor Made is here for you to tailor the date to your exact needs. Call TODAY for details and pricing.

  For a moment, I’m speechless. Literally . . . there are NO words. Then, I yell,“You signed me up for an escort service?” My voice screech. Kat presses her hand against my mouth and looks around. She relaxes a bit when she realizes no one is paying attention to my outburst.

  “Really, Ray?” She hisses as part of her blond bob moves in front of her face. Reaching up she moves it out of the way, “Seriously . . . I know you better than that! Tailor Made is simply a dating type service, not an escort service. See? It’s there in the small print.” She’s pointing at the bottom of the ad. Yep . . . there it is, in black and white. Okay. Shoulders dropping, I relax a bit and look more closely at the ad. It’s very professional looking and posh with the black and gold lettering. I set the paper down and take a bite of my salad. Carbs, I need something with sustenance before we continue this conversation. We should’ve hit up our second favorite place for lunch. Suddenly I’m craving gourmet burgers and garlic fries as I need the carbs and grease, not a healthy salad, to survive the rest of this conversation.

  “Well?” Kat questions. Eating a few more bites, leaving her hanging while I gather my thoughts a little more. We’ve known each other for six years, and have been through a lot in that time. She pretty much saved me from each of my crazy ex-boyfriends. And she was there for me that one time I dated a guy who was cheating on me. We found out the hard way . . . when he hit on Kat. Good ti
mes. So I know I should trust her. Definitely. And her crazy ideas. Maybe. But still . . .

  Glaring at her as I form the next few words. “Okay. I know my dating life is less than stellar, but seriously? You want me to pay a man to take me out on a date? Talk about pathetic, Kat!” I’m outraged that she would even suggest this. And truthfully? I’m a little hurt.

  She reaches across the table and places her hand on my arm, trying to soothe me. “I told you to trust me on this. Come on! You know I don’t think you’re pathetic, but you do tend to choose the crappiest guys out there to date. This will give you a chance to date a good guy and see that you deserve better.” I scowl at her, even more upset with her for voicing what I was just thinking about.

  “Come on, Ray,” Kat continues, “you know what I’m saying is true. Right now, you’re just hangry and overworked. You need a little excitement in your life. I always have your best interest at heart, so stop giving me that look! Remember Steve?” She pauses, allowing my memories of the cheapest man alive I could find to date to surface. Turns out he was a cheapskate who had no job and used me to pay for everything.

  “Don’t forget Regan,” she plows on, “the skinny little punk rocker that thought weed was a dietary substance. And Rex? Why did I not list him first?” His name packs more of an emotional punch. His idea of a relationship was controlling everything and belittling my every move, mentally abusing me. I had thought he loved me. But what did I know about that word?

  Mom and Dad had fallen out of love so long ago; I barely remember the enchanting looks they would give each other. After Dad’s accident, it was as if he shut down and, in the process, shut Mom, my little brother, Kaiden, and me out. Leaving Mom to play the role of mother and father.

  Holding my hand up to stop her before she can go on. “I know I allowed those men to walk all over me. That’s why I’ve taken the last year off and haven’t dated. I just work, work, and work some more!” No, really. I’m not exaggerating. I finally landed a decent job, only to get hit with a warning for something that I didn’t do, meaning no commission or bonuses for me until the gala that will be held later this month. If I rock that, then I’m back to getting my commission and bonuses, which means nothing can go wrong with the event.

  With that realization, I dig in to my salad with a little more force than necessary, reading the ad once more. Normally, this salad is something I look forward to each week. Most of the time I just eat a cheap homemade sandwich. This is the only luxury that I allow myself because Kat usually pays.

  Stabbing more of my salad as if I’m trying to kill each spinach piece, I glance up and see Kat enjoying hers with a knowing smile plastered on her face. She has me. My track record with men has been piss-poor. More like downright horrible if I’m being honest with myself. I tend to find the biggest loser of a guy and throw my all into him, hoping that I can change him and make him this perfect man. But he doesn’t. And he isn’t. He’s really just an entitled jerk that, eventually, Kat drags me away from after forcing me to realize what I’ve done.

  Reaching for the ad, I read it for the third time. “Fine!” I huff out. “Pull up the site and tell me how this works, exactly.” I can’t help but shake my head back and forth as Kat starts to stomp her feet and clap her hands as if she’s a two-year-old excited for snack time. Pulling out her phone, she brings the site up and asks, “Are you a female or male?” I roll my eyes at her as she giggles at herself.

  “Are you seeking a male or a female?” When she giggles some more, I give her a death look and shake my head at her again. “Really?”

  I assume she clicks on the correct buttons and starts to read aloud. “Our men come with excellent training on how a woman should be treated. They will compliment you, give you advice (if asked), dote on you, and even cook for you. They won’t perform any sexual services. We don’t do that here at Tailor Made. She throws me a side-eye before continuing.

  Need a classier man for that dreaded cousin’s wedding? Maybe you want some eye candy to adorn your arm for a night out on the town? Or perhaps you just want a guy who knows about basketball as much as you do and expresses enjoyment of the game. Whatever you can dream up, our men can provide.

  Our guys are trained in a world-class course of chivalry; it isn’t a dying art after all. Each man will be able to predict your needs before you even realize what they are. Yes, they will reach the door before you AND open it for you! Need some water after an evening out drinking? Don’t worry, he’s got a bottle of water waiting in his outstretched hand.

  Women, you deserve to be treated special. You deserve to be cherished, and our men will be there to provide you with exactly what every woman deserves to feel.

  Each client gets to name the man of their dreams, thus keeping their real identity a secret, or you can use their real name but keep in mind that their last name won’t ever be given. These men are playing a role, and it’s no fun to unmask that. None of our Tailor Made men will pose for photos, so make sure you keep those cameras away while you’re being adored. This time is all about you, and not your social media.

  In addition, you even get to dress them, choosing from one of several outfits. Want him in a tuxedo with a bowtie? Or do you like a more artistic flair with skinny jeans, a t-shirt, and a beanie? He wears what you request. Don’t forget, you’re the mastermind behind our men. And no, he won’t come naked. For that you want a stripper, not Tailor Made.

  Our gentlemen are ready to cater to you. What are you waiting for?

  To book your own Tailor Made date click below. Our men are available for up to three hours at a time. You’ll need to sign a contract prior to setting up the date.

  *Note: Once you sign up for one of our dates, you have the option to meet in a public location or have him pick you up, the choice is yours. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible.

  “So, a hundred bucks an hour?” I muse. “I guess you’re taking the liberty upon yourself to pay for this? Because, girl, I can’t even afford this salad in front of me, let alone an hour with one of these guys.” Kat smiles at me all cheesy and big because she knows she has me hook, line, and sinker.

  “Of course! And I’ll even tip him at the end of the night for you as well because tips are welcome.” She smirks, and I watch her finger swipe on her screen as she stands and moves around the table to crouch beside my chair.

  “Here, I want you to see these men. They’re to die for!”

  “Someone’s been on this site a time or two.” I eye her up and down and she just giggles in response.

  “Maybe once or twice. I had to vet it for you, make sure it’s good enough.” She winks at me as she shows me her screen. We scroll through their images.

  “Stop!” I shout at her, and she clicks on one of the images. He has a short tagline underneath his picture. “Nice guy next door,” Kat reads aloud. Dipping my head to the side I shrug my shoulders. Yeah, he could work. Making eye contact with Kat, I watch as she winks at me. “Let’s keep looking, sista.” She presses the back button on her Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and scrolls to another guy’s photo. This guy has the man bun down to a “T” with the tagline, “Likes chopping wood.” We both giggle as I read that one out loud.

  “What kind of wood do you think he likes to chop?” Kat blurts out, chuckling some more as she makes her way back to her chair. I shake my head at her innuendo. “Anyway, Rayleigh, you get to choose your man then pick out his outfit, give him a name if you want, and request any kind of date you desire. You get up to three hours with him. I spoke with a girl on the phone to try to get you more time, but it was a firm no, three is the max. I’ll text you the account login so you can get this started.” She grabs her Coke and takes a long swig of the sugary drink.

  “How can you drink that stuff and not gain any weight? I just look at the thing and gain ten pounds!” She shrugs her shoulders and brushes my comment off as we both stand up, knowing without looking at the clock that our time is up, and it’s back to the grind for both of us. Kiss
ing Kat on the cheek, I say my goodbye and cross the street to head back to work. My phone rings with a call from my mom and I quickly answer it, stopping at the entrance of my building to talk. No one in the office needs to hear my conversation.

  “Hey, Mom. How’s your day been?” I ask her, already knowing what this phone call is about.

  “Hey, sweetie. It’s been good, same old stuff. Just wanted to check and make sure that you’re still good if I drop off Kaiden on my way to the office?” She sounds tired. Granted, if I had to work as much as she did, I’d be just as exhausted. Oh wait. I do work as much as she does.

  “Yeah, Mom, of course. I should be home. I’ll message you where I’m at, if you’ll text me when you’re on your way. Then if I’m not home yet, I can meet you somewhere to get him,” I tell her, kicking a rock with the toe of my shoe.

  “That works. I’ll make sure Kaiden has a change of clothes and his backpack with his reading sheet. If you guys can read the books that they send home, that would be great. We haven’t gotten to it yet today.”

  “Sure. I’ll be happy to read with him.” I always feel a little awkward on the phone, as I generally hate talking on it. All this information can be sent through texts, but Mom always wants to call no matter how many times I ask her to simply text me. She says it has something to do with hearing my voice.

  “Thanks, sweetie! I’ll call you when I’m on my way. I love you.”

  I tell her the same, and we hang up. Walking inside, I say a silent prayer to the universe to give my mom the energy that she needs for all that she does. She works two full-time jobs, or so it seems. As the lead accountant at one firm, she works Monday through Friday from seven a.m. until three p.m. so she can be home with Kaiden after school for a few hours. Three days a week, she works part-time in the evenings for a few smaller accounting firms, keeping their books. Needless to say, her plate’s more than full.