Cinder & Ella Read online

  Kaylee stopped primping and turned in her seat to look me over with scrutinizing eyes. After a moment her lips curled up into a smug smirk. “How ironic. Hollywood’s favorite heartbreaker doesn’t date because he got burned by a girl.”

  Clenching my jaw, I cut my glance back out the front window. I didn’t talk about Ella with anyone, least of all Kaylee.

  Kaylee laughed again. “Wow. Whoever she was, she certainly did a number on you.”

  I glared at her. “This topic is off limits. Drop it, or I dump your ass on the curb and find someone hotter to amuse me for the night.”

  Kaylee’s smile disappeared and her eyes glinted with malice. “This relationship is going to skyrocket my popularity. I’m not going to let you ruin it for me because someone dumped you. If you mess this up, I will ruin your career. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll have to move to the North Pole in order to escape the drama I will bring to your life.”

  As much as I hated to admit it, Kaylee’s threat was real. This may have been her first film, but her parents were some of the most powerful people in town and she had even more powerful friends—hence the reason she landed a part she wasn’t good enough for in the first place. Her father was the head of the studio that had green-lighted The Druid Prince.

  I had some star power behind me and acting skills that couldn’t be ignored, so I had a little breathing room to stand up to Kaylee here and there, but if I ever pissed her off badly enough, I had no doubt that she could do some serious damage to my career. I was really stuck in this nightmare—at least through award-voting season. If I could just get my nomination and show the Hollywood A-listers that I was worthy of being one of them, then I could dump Kaylee and they’d probably congratulate me for making such a smart choice.

  I leaned back against my headrest, closed my eyes, and sighed. “You amaze me sometimes, Kay. I’ve never met anyone who can pull off bitchy as naturally as you do.”

  “I don’t have to be a bitch, Brian.”

  I cracked a wary eye open, and Kaylee gave me a sultry smile. “You may not like relationships, baby, but you’re in one now.” She leaned over and spoke softly into my ear. “I can make these next few months a living hell for you, or I can make them very, very pleasant.”

  She went to work trailing sensual kisses down the side of my neck while her hand fell to a dangerous place on my inner thigh. Her long nails scratched through my jeans with just enough pressure to drive me crazy.

  I sucked in a breath. I didn’t want to give in to her, but this Kaylee was definitely more pleasant than the whiny, cruel version I would be stuck with if I didn’t play along. Carefully, so as not to piss her off further, I pulled her hand away from my lap. “In two more seconds I won’t be able to get out of this car. Unless you want to skip dinner and get straight to dessert, I suggest you keep your hands to yourself.”

  Kaylee chuckled as she moved back to her side of the car and reapplied her lip gloss, yet again. “Tempting. But we need to be seen together before we can get to the fun stuff. Plus, I’m hungry.”

  “Right.” As if she was going to have anything more than bottled water and a few bites of lettuce. “Whatever.”

  I let out another breath and finally opened my door, immediately finding my “public” smile, when people started shouting for my attention. All thoughts and feelings turned off. The numbness that helped me survive the last year took over. I welcomed it, embraced it.

  The chaos faded out as I smiled for the crowd. Acting was a skill I did well, a game I loved. This date with Kaylee was just another act, so I would perform, and I would do a damn good job of it.

  I walked around the car, and, like the perfect gentleman, opened the door for Kaylee. Once I helped her from the car, I slipped my arm around her waist. “Smile for the cameras, princess,” I teased loud enough for our audience to hear and then placed a soft kiss on the sensitive spot of skin behind Kaylee’s ear.

  Kaylee shivered with pleasure. As we walked into the restaurant, she murmured into my neck. “Mm, maybe you do deserve an award. I almost believe you want me right now.” See? I totally deserve an Oscar.

  Twenty minutes later I was so bored stiff that I nearly cried tears of joy when my phone dinged, informing me I had an e-mail. It was probably just Scott sending some change in my schedule, but even that was more appealing than listening to Kaylee drone on about the details of our upcoming engagement. She had the proposal all planned out from the time and place I was going to do it down to the very last line I was supposed to say to her. Shoot me now, I thought when she mentioned needing to plan an engagement party.

  I reached for my drink at the same time as I pulled my phone out of my pocket and then froze when I opened my e-mail.

  You have 1 unread message.

  From: Ellamara

  Subject: Cinder?

  “Holy shit!”

  My glass slipped from my fingers and fell to my plate, sloshing red wine all over both Kaylee and me. Restaurant staff came flying from all directions when Kaylee shrieked, but I hardly noticed. I couldn’t take my eyes off of my phone.

  “Holy effing shit!”

  “Brian!” Kaylee screeched. “What the hell is the matter with you?”

  I ignored her, and, with a shaking hand, opened the e-mail, praying this wasn’t some kind of sick joke.

  To: [email protected]

  From: [email protected]

  Subject: Cinder?

  Dear Cinder,

  It’s taken me weeks to build up the courage to write this e-mail. I’ve just had no idea how to say hello after so much time passed. I never messaged you back that day because I was in a car accident. I was in a coma for a while and then stayed in the hospital for a long time after that.

  I couldn’t hold back my gasp. I always figured it was something like that, but having it confirmed made the nightmare real in a way it hadn’t been before.

  Ellamara and I had always been just anonymous e-mail friends, but the last time I spoke to her, I asked for her address so that I could mail her something. It was a huge step in our relationship, but I was to the point where I was willing to chance it. I needed more from her. Wanted to be more to her.

  I took a risk, got her a gift I hoped would win her heart, and asked for her address. She called me a creepy Internet stalker, but I was sure she was kidding—until she never messaged me back. At first I figured her phone died, and then when she didn’t get back to me that day I briefly worried that I had scared her away. But then she missed her First Sentence Friday post on her blog the next day and I knew something was wrong.

  I wrote her e-mail after e-mail, and waited day after day for her to write back, or at least post on her blog again, but after a few weeks I gave up hope. I knew that even if I completely freaked her out that day and made her never want to talk to my creepy Internet-stalking ass again, Ella would never have given up on her blog. Ever. Not unless she was dead. Which was the conclusion I finally resigned myself to when an entire month went by without word from her. For months, I mourned the loss of my best friend and the girl I’d fallen in love with—was still mourning her loss up until five seconds ago.

  Swallowing a lump that had suddenly risen in my throat, I read the rest of the e-mail.

  My mother died in the accident, so I had to move in with my dad and his family. He packed up my apartment and it was rented out again long before I got out of the hospital. I never got to go home. I never got to see any of my old friends. I never got to say good-bye to anyone. Not even my mother. I missed her funeral.

  I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to write this e-mail, and I still don’t know if I’ll be able to click SEND. It’s just everything is so different now, and thinking about the past hurt so much that I couldn’t face it. I haven’t contacted anyone from my old life. I thought about starting my blog again, but my dad got rid of all my books while I was in a coma and now I don’t have the heart to do it anymore.

  I’m so sorry that I just disappeared.
I’m sorry if I hurt you. I didn’t mean to. I hope you can forgive me. I just want you to know that your friendship always meant a lot to me. (It still does.) I think about you all the time.

  Miss you,

  Ella

  I sat in my chair, staring at the e-mail while the room spun around me. Ella was alive. Ella had e-mailed me. And she missed me. It was almost too miraculous to believe.

  I swallowed again, but this time I was fighting off nausea as well as emotions. I was reeling over the fact that she was alive, but to hear that she’d been through something so awful, too? She lost her mother and had to move in with a father that had abandoned her years ago. The thought of Ella going through all of that was agony.

  The emotions spiraling out of control inside me were almost impossible to contain. I couldn’t help the elation I felt, the relief and joy in knowing that she was alive, but at the same time, my heart was breaking all over again. I was sick with worry for her. She must have felt so alone all this time.

  “Brian!”

  Kaylee’s shrill voice snapped me out of my shock. Blinking a few times, I met her questioning glare over the table.

  Someone else interrupted, saying, “Mr. Oliver? Are you all right?”

  I shook my head, trying to clear away the last of my daze, and looked up at the restaurant manager hovering over our table. The woman was holding out a cloth to me. It wasn’t until she urged me to take it that I noticed I’d spilled my wine. I accepted the cloth and dabbed at myself. “I’m sorry about the mess.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” the woman said. “I’m more concerned about you. You look so pale. Are you unwell? Do you need some sort of assistance? Should we call a paramedic?”

  “What? Oh! No. I’m all right. I was just startled. I’m so sorry.” I pulled the valet slip out of my breast pocket and handed it to the restaurant manager. “Could you have the valet bring my car around? I’m afraid I need to leave. And it’s urgent, so…”

  The manager nodded, but the look of concern in her eyes intensified and she frowned. “Of course, Mr. Oliver, but are you sure you’re all right?”

  Was I all right? If this woman only knew. I was better than I’d been in over eight months. The missing piece of my heart had just come back to me. Ella had e-mailed me! And I hadn’t responded yet…

  “Mr. Oliver?”

  Waving the woman’s concern off, I hit the reply button.

  To: [email protected]

  From: [email protected]

  Subject: RE: Cinder?

  Ella!!!!! I AM FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW! Out to dinner with a friend. Give me ten minutes. Do NOT go anywhere!!!!!!!

  As soon as I hit SEND, I jumped to my feet and slipped the manager some cash and a card. “This is my personal assistant’s number. Would you please contact him about the bill—for dinner and for whatever mess I’ve caused? Thank you for everything, and again I’m sorry for the trouble.”

  I didn’t wait for a reply. I made my way out of the restaurant as fast as I could and was already climbing into my car when Kaylee came scrambling out of the restaurant behind me.

  “Brian!” she hissed. She forced a smile at all the curious paparazzi and softened her voice. “Baby, are you sure you’re feeling okay? Do you need me to drive?”

  Oh, yeah. That.

  I’d forgotten all about Kaylee, but the look she gave me over the top of the Ferrari made me remember the act I was supposed to be putting on for the public. Truthfully, I didn’t care anymore if Kaylee had a tantrum and tried to destroy me. The only thing that mattered was that Ella was alive and she was waiting for me to talk to her. But starting a fight would take longer than keeping Kaylee happy, so I flashed her a panty-dropping smile. “I’m fine, baby. I just feel terrible for ruining such a sexy dress, and I think it’s important that I get it off of you as quickly as possible.”

  Surprise flashed in Kaylee’s eyes, but her whole face lit up and she beamed at me. “You’re so naughty.”

  She giggled and then turned to say something to the men with their cameras, but I didn’t wait around to hear what it was. I climbed in the car, buckled my seat belt, and rolled down the passenger window. “Babe, stop flirting with the cameras and get your sexy ass in the car now. I can’t wait any longer!”

  Kaylee shot another smile at the paparazzi and climbed into the car. As I sped away from the restaurant, she unleashed the tirade she’d been holding back while in public. “Have you lost your mind? What the hell was all that? You made us both look completely stupid, and you ruined my dress! Those photographers just got pictures of me with wine down my front!”

  “I don’t give a shit about your stupid dress. Ella e-mailed me and I need to get home so I can talk to her.”

  Kaylee gasped.

  I was driving too fast to take my eyes off the road, but I felt the heat of her stare. It was hot enough that I feared she might spontaneously combust. If she burst into flames and ruined my leather seats, I was going to be pissed.

  “This is all because some girl e-mailed you?”

  “Ella’s not just some girl. She’s the girl. The only girl.”

  “WHAT?”

  “This is a damn publicity stunt, Kaylee. Our relationship is fake. Don’t forget that.”

  “Maybe, but if you think I’m going to let you sneak around with some skeezy bitch while you’re supposed to be dating me—”

  “This isn’t about you!” I snapped. “I just found out that the most important person in my life didn’t die eight months ago. She’s been in a freaking coma and she just e-mailed me to tell me that she’s still alive! I’m a little freaked out right now, so don’t give me any more shit! I need to talk to her.”

  Miracle of miracles—I managed to stun Kaylee speechless.

  Five minutes later, I pulled through the security gate of my Hollywood Hills home. When I turned the car off and started to get out, Kaylee gaped at me. “You’re just going to go inside and call this Ella person?” She spat the name with loathing. “What am I supposed to do?”

  As if I cared? I shrugged. “Call a cab.”

  “A cab?” Kaylee shrieked in horror. “You expect me to take a cab home? This was our first public outing together. You know we were followed after we left the restaurant. There is no way in hell I’m going to be photographed leaving your place right after we got here, alone and in a damn cab.”

  Kaylee was fuming and clearly looking for a fight, but I didn’t want to take the time to get into it with her. “Then come in. Stay the night for all I care, and I’ll take you home in the morning.”

  Kaylee followed me in the house, still raging. “You’re damn right you’ll take me home in the morning. After you take me out to a nice breakfast to make up for this bullshit, and you’ll even give me a shirt to wear like a real boyfriend would.”

  Irritation swept through me. All I wanted to do was talk to Ella, and Kaylee was worried about some stupid publicity stunt. I took off my blazer and ripped the shirt I was wearing underneath over my head. “Enjoy it, princess,” I grumbled as I threw it at her. “It’s the closest you’re going to get to me tonight. The guest room’s down the hall on the right.”

  I stormed off to my bedroom, slamming and locking the door behind me.

  I did it. I e-mailed Cinder. And less than five minutes later, I got a reply. The second I read his e-mail, my entire body relaxed. I was just so relieved. It was Cinder! I’d spoken to Cinder! He sounded the same as he always had, and he seemed eager to talk to me. Maybe I did have one friend left in the world.

  A small piece of my dead heart came back to life, and I took what felt like my first real breath since the accident. My hands shook with anticipation as I logged into my instant messenger and waited. My stomach was a mixture of all kinds of butterflies—nervous, excited¸ fearful, happy…

  The minutes ticked on. Ten minutes passed, then fifteen, and finally twenty. I thought I would go insane. I thought I would reach through the computer and strangle him for taking too l
ong if he made me wait another minute. And then he was there.

  Cinder458: So sorry. It took me longer to get home than I thought it would.

  EllaTheRealHero: Home? You left your friend? You didn’t have to do that.

  Cinder458: Are you kidding? Ella, I thought you were dead.

  EllaTheRealHero: Are you serious?

  My heart dropped into my stomach. He thought I was dead? I wondered if all my friends back home thought that, too. I wondered if I should let them know I wasn’t. I didn’t think I could handle the questions.

  Cinder458: What was I supposed to think? You disappeared mid-conversation! I wrote you a million e-mails. I checked your blog and your Twitter every day for months. I couldn’t think of any other reason that you would just suddenly stop blogging.

  I know you can’t actually hear emotion in an e-mail, but Cinder sounded so upset. I felt awful that he had to go through all that. I know if the shoe had been on the other foot, I’d have been crazy with worry.

  EllaTheRealHero: I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have let you worry like that for so long.

  Cinder458: Don’t apologize to me, Ellamara. You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m just glad you’re okay. I still can’t believe I’m talking to you. I nearly fell out of my chair when I got your e-mail.

  Cinder458: My date thought I was insane, by the way. Definitely not getting any from her now, and she’s really hot. Totally your fault.

  For a second, I burst into laughter. He was the same old Cinder. Then I realized what he said, and my heart skipped another beat.

  EllaTheRealHero: You were on a date???? Cinder! I can’t believe you ditched her. What a jerk.

  Cinder458: Eh, she was too high maintenance, anyway.

  EllaTheRealHero: Cinder!!!

  Cinder458: Get over it, woman. It was a stupid date. You were more important. That e-mail almost made me cry. Effing tears, Ella! Why are we even talking about me? I can’t imagine what you’ve been through. I know how close you were with your mom. And you had to move in with your dad? You haven’t seen him in years!!! How are you? Is there anything I can do? You want me to fly out there and steal you away from him? Or at least punch him in the face? I can’t believe he got rid of your books.