Elaine steps out and looks fantastic in her shimmering smoke blue floor length evening gown by Versace. Her eyes are as big as saucers as she takes in the stars who are all around her. After the premiere, a wonderful book signing has been arranged at one of the after premiere parties. Her handsome escort gently escorts her as she glides into the party.
"It's amazing Lyn. Just look at the tons of people here to celebrate with Elaine." Mary loves her long emerald,empire waist, green gown. It accentuates her assets. She is wearing contacts to match and can barely see in them.
"Just don't break your neck, you know those contacts are not prescription. I can't believe you are wearing them." Lyn is beautiful in her own long maroon gown. Swarski crystals glisten as she stands on heels much too tight and much too high for her.
"You should talk, you can barely stand." Mary chuckles and grabs Lyn's arm. "Come on, Sharon wouldn't want us to argue today. Her quest keeps her from being with us. But don't kid yourself, she has eyes everywhere."
The huge room where the signing party is taking place is so Hollywood.
Beautiful dresses, suits, tuxedos, clothing made by the greatest designers fill the place. The evening decor is enchanting. Faery like lights cover the ceiling, reminiscent of fireflies. Tables are covered with crystal, china and silver.
There is a pastel and white theme all around the room and the clusters of palms, schaefflera trees, and different sized ferns give the feeling of being outdoors in a fantastic garden.
Oliver, nods approvingly. His instructions have been followed to the letter.
There are so many kinds of foods. Fresh fruit compliments the many dishes, and there is sherbert to cleanse the palate.
Endive and smoked trout with papaya relish, mini chicken and three cheese quesadillas with coriander fused sour cream, Parmesan pear crisps with Forme d’Ambert blue cheese, Moo shu wraps of orange beef rolled with celery, green onion and red bell peppers, Straws of applewood-smoked bacon-wrapped asparagus, Grape tomato, fresh basil and seasoned mozzarella (on toothpicks),
and for desert the richest of Chocolate lava cakes with creamy french vanilla ice cream, and fresh strawberries, just to name a few mouthwatering dishes that are to be served this evening. Flutes of champagne are carried on trays and handed to guest after guest.
The girls find their table near Elaine's and waste no time in welcoming her and wishing her luck on her new release, Return Engagement.
"Lyn, do the honors will you dear friend." Mary is a bit shy, believe it or not. She is also nervous, everything has to go well tonight, but there is suspense in the air.
Lyn clinks her silver spoon against her glass to get everyone's attention.
"Attention. Attention everyone!!
We are here to welcome and introduce our guests." She nods to the celebrities all around the room. Brad Pitt cannot help a whistle and gets a pat from Angelina Jolie. "Elaine Cantrell is signing her new book as I speak." Then, "let the dancing and celebrating begin!" she exclaims with a thrill in her voice
Loud applause follows as Elaine starts to sign her book for the long line that immediately forms around her book table.
"This is gonna be a hollywood blockbuster party Lyn!" Mary excitedly tells Lyn, but when she turns, Lyn has already taken her place in line and is flirting shamelessly with the guy behind her.Mary raises her glass and Lyn winks back! Let the roast begin!!
Excerpt: Return Engagement This takes place after Richard and Elizabeth have met on a California beach ten years after his father broke them up.
Richard tugged on her hand. “Let’s sit down and watch the moon awhile.”
Elizabeth willingly sank into the damp sand and cuddled close beside him. My gosh, the man had muscles she hadn’t known even existed!
“Richard, about this evening…”
“Elizabeth, about Alex…”
“You go first,” Elizabeth urged. Her shoulders marginally relaxed. She wasn’t looking forward to telling him she couldn’t see him again.
“All right, I will.” Richard turned slightly, an almost angry look on his face. “What the hell do you think you’re doing getting yourself engaged to Alex Crawford? It’s obvious to a blind man that you don’t love him. You’ve been teasing me and flirting with me all evening. You’ve even kissed me.” He stirred up the butterflies in her stomach when he gently caressed her shoulder. “Right now your body language makes me think if I wanted to take this snuggling any further you’d be willing.”
“Wha…” Elizabeth sputtered.
“You don’t strike me as the type of woman who’d pick a man for a night of sex and then go back to her fiancĂ© like nothing had happened. If that’s true I don’t think you love Alex as much as you think you do. The question is: what are you going to do about it?”
Elizabeth moaned and hid her face in her hands. Richard expected this surprise meeting to lead to something more than a hot dog on the beach, a casual meeting between two old…friends. I’ve done enough damage for one evening; I’m going home before I cause any more trouble. I’ve betrayed Alex and given Richard hope for a relationship with me when there is no hope.
She tried to jump up, but Richard grabbed her and held her close. “The wind is cold, and you can think just as well, no better, in my arms.”
Elizabeth gave up the effort to get away from him. There was no way she could argue with those hard, muscled arms. “Yeah, right. Being in your arms clarifies everything! I’m so confused I don’t know if I’m coming or going,” she cried. “I do love Alex. I do! That’s why I agreed to marry him, but with you I feel like a different person.
“I know I shouldn’t have flirted with you and kissed you, but I couldn’t help myself.” Her eyes misted with tears. “I didn’t want to help myself. It’s like it was ten years ago only better because now nobody can accuse me of corrupting a minor. You asked me what I’m going to do, but to tell you the truth, I don’t know. The only thing I’m sure of is that I don’t think I can stand it if you walk away again.”
Elizabeth threw her hands over her burning face again. “What kind of woman am I? I haven’t seen you in ten years, yet here I am leading you on and encouraging you to… What’s wrong with me!”
Richard tugged on her hand. “Let’s sit down and watch the moon awhile.”
Elizabeth willingly sank into the damp sand and cuddled close beside him. My gosh, the man had muscles she hadn’t known even existed!
“Richard, about this evening…”
“Elizabeth, about Alex…”
“You go first,” Elizabeth urged. Her shoulders marginally relaxed. She wasn’t looking forward to telling him she couldn’t see him again.
“All right, I will.” Richard turned slightly, an almost angry look on his face. “What the hell do you think you’re doing getting yourself engaged to Alex Crawford? It’s obvious to a blind man that you don’t love him. You’ve been teasing me and flirting with me all evening. You’ve even kissed me.” He stirred up the butterflies in her stomach when he gently caressed her shoulder. “Right now your body language makes me think if I wanted to take this snuggling any further you’d be willing.”
“Wha…” Elizabeth sputtered.
“You don’t strike me as the type of woman who’d pick a man for a night of sex and then go back to her fiancĂ© like nothing had happened. If that’s true I don’t think you love Alex as much as you think you do. The question is: what are you going to do about it?”
Elizabeth moaned and hid her face in her hands. Richard expected this surprise meeting to lead to something more than a hot dog on the beach, a casual meeting between two old…friends. I’ve done enough damage for one evening; I’m going home before I cause any more trouble. I’ve betrayed Alex and given Richard hope for a relationship with me when there is no hope.
She tried to jump up, but Richard grabbed her and held her close. “The wind is cold, and you can think just as well, no better, in my arms.”
Elizabeth gave up the effort to get away from him. There was no way she could argue with those hard, muscled arms. “Yeah, right. Being in your arms clarifies everything! I’m so confused I don’t know if I’m coming or going,” she cried. “I do love Alex. I do! That’s why I agreed to marry him, but with you I feel like a different person.
“I know I shouldn’t have flirted with you and kissed you, but I couldn’t help myself.” Her eyes misted with tears. “I didn’t want to help myself. It’s like it was ten years ago only better because now nobody can accuse me of corrupting a minor. You asked me what I’m going to do, but to tell you the truth, I don’t know. The only thing I’m sure of is that I don’t think I can stand it if you walk away again.”
Elizabeth threw her hands over her burning face again. “What kind of woman am I? I haven’t seen you in ten years, yet here I am leading you on and encouraging you to… What’s wrong with me!”
Purchase 'Return Engagement'
Biography: Elaine Cantrell
Elaine Cantrell was born and raised in South Carolina. She holds a Master’s Degree in Personnel Services from Clemson University and is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary sorority for women educators. She is also a member of Romance Writer’s of America and EPIC authors.
Her first novel, A New Leaf, was the 2003 winner of the Timeless Love Contest and was published in 2004 by Oak Tree Books. At present she teaches high school social studies. She spends her spare time collecting vintage Christmas ornaments, reading, and playing with her grandchildren.
http://www.elainecantrell.com/
http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com/
Elaine Cantrell was born and raised in South Carolina. She holds a Master’s Degree in Personnel Services from Clemson University and is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary sorority for women educators. She is also a member of Romance Writer’s of America and EPIC authors.
Her first novel, A New Leaf, was the 2003 winner of the Timeless Love Contest and was published in 2004 by Oak Tree Books. At present she teaches high school social studies. She spends her spare time collecting vintage Christmas ornaments, reading, and playing with her grandchildren.
http://www.elainecantrell.com/
http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com/