Kiss Kiss Read online

  Each title in this collection is copyright to their respective authors as noted. All rights reserved.

  Entire collection copyright 2014 by bandit publishing

  All rights reserved.

  isbn 978-1-940652-11-5

  This collection of books is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  bandit publishing

  Flower Mound, TX

  Melissa Brown

  Melissa Brown is a hopeless romantic living in the Chicago suburbs with her husband Chris and their two children. Aside from writing, she enjoys reading and baking. She also has a slight obsession with actor Henry Cavill.

  http://melissabrownauthor.blogspot.com/

  Priscilla Glenn

  Priscilla Glenn lives in New York with her husband and three children. She has been teaching English Language Arts for the past twelve years while moonlighting as a writer, mom, coach, student, and professional laundry-doer.

  If you catch her when she's feeling sophisticated, she'll tell you her favorite things are great books and good wine. In the moments in between, she'll admit her love for anything Ben and Jerry's, UFC fights, and Robert Pattinson.

  Glenn is the author of the contemporary romance novels Back to You, Emancipating Andie, and Coming Home. You can contact her at [email protected]

  http://on.fb.me/1eaH5GF

  Tiffany King

  USA Today Bestselling author Tiffany King is a lifelong reading fanatic who is now living her dream as a writer, weaving Young Adult and New Adult romance tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iphone and ipad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, zombies and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.

  www.authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com

  Tara Sivec

  Tara Sivec is a USA Today best-selling author, wife, mother, chauffeur, maid, short-order cook, baby-sitter, and sarcasm expert. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two children and looks forward to the day when they all three of them become adults and move out.

  After working in the brokerage business for fourteen years, Tara decided to pick up a pen and write instead of shoving it in her eye out of boredom. She is the author of the Playing with Fire series and the Chocolate Lovers series. Her novel Seduction and Snacks won first place in the Indie Romance Convention Reader’s Choice Awards 2013 for Best Indie First Book.

  In her spare time, Tara loves to dream about all of the baking she’ll do and naps she’ll take when she ever gets spare time.

  Tara also writes under the pen name T.E. Sivec. Check out the page for T.E. Sivec for more information.

  http://www.tarasivec.com

  Michelle Mankin

  Michelle Mankin is a young/new adult author, as well as self proclaimed giant… inside her own mind!

  For many years she worked in the insurance industry as an underwriter. Somehow, the boredom didn’t kill her but the hours and hours of looking at facts and figures provided ample time for her mind to wander.

  http://www.michellemankin.com

  Jillian Dodd

  Jillian Dodd grew up in Nebraska, where she developed a love for storytelling, Husker football, and Midwestern boys. She currently resides in Texas with her family.

  http://www.jilliandodd.net

  Charles Sheehan-Miles

  Charles Sheehan-Miles has been a soldier, computer programmer, short-order cook and non-profit executive, and is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books, including the indie bestsellers Just Remember to Breathe and Republic: A Novel of America's Future. Charles and his partner Andrea Randall live and write together in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

  http://www.sheehanmiles.com

  Tammy Coons

  TAMMY COONS lives in Illinois with her husband Casey, and three children Skyler, Sawyer and Savana. She holds a diploma in Health Information Technology and is currently working as a domestic engineer. Writing has always been a passion for Tammy.

  Michelle Pace

  MICHELLE PACE lives in Northern Texas with her husband, Author L.G. Pace III. She has two daughters, Holly and Bridgette, and one son, Kai. She’s a registered nurse who spent her youth studying theater and vocal music. She has a love affair with entertaining and is thrilled to do so as an author.

  http://www.michellepaceauthor.com/

  Andrea Randall

  Andrea is a 2005 graduate of Cornell University and does not currently use her degree in Development Sociology. She does, however, use her people skills and love for writing every day. She and her partner, Charles Sheehan-Miles, live and write together in Massachusetts.

  http://www.andrearandall.com

  J. Sterling

  I got fired from my last job. It's true.

  I know you're sitting there thinking, "Jenn, how could anyone in their right mind fire someone as amazing and awesome as you are???" And i'd love to give you a good reason, but the truth is... being This! Awesome! is clearly very scary to other less awesome people. :)

  So I said screw them and started writing my first book. And you know what I realized? Writing books that mean something to me is a million times better than working my ass off for someone who doesn't really care about anything other than the bottom line.

  My soul feels more satisfied. My heart, more full.

  So thank you for reading, loving and recommending the stories I write. I think you're awesome- and not only am I not scared of other awesome people, I want them on my team!

  http://writing.jennster.com

  Michelle Warren

  Michelle Warren is the author of the Seraphina Parrish Trilogy. She didn’t travel the road to writer immediately. She spent over a decade as professional Illustrator and designer. Her artistic creativity combined with her love of science fiction, paranormal and fantasy led her to write her first YA novel, Wander Dust. Michelle loves reading and traveling to places that inspire her to create. She resides in downtown Chicago, not far from her imaginary Wandering world.

  http://wanderdusttrilogy.com

  Ashley Wilcox

  I live in Upstate New York where I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and two beautiful little boys.

  www.ashleywilcoxauthor.com

  Table of Contents

  Bouquet Toss by Melissa Brown

  Back to You by Priscilla Glenn

  Unlikely Allies by Tiffany King

  A Beautiful Lie by T.E. Sivec

  Love Revolution by Michelle Mankin

  That Boy by Jillian Dodd

  A Song for Julia by Charles Sheehan-Miles

  The Perpetual Quest for the Perfect Life by Tammy Coons and Michelle Pace

  Ten Days of Perfect by Andrea Randall

  Chance Encounters by J. Sterling

  Protecting Truth by Michelle Warren

  Waiting on Forever by Ashley Wilcox

  Bouquet Toss

  by

  Melissa Brown

  Prologue

  It had been three and a half years and the thought of him still made me cry. Three and a half years and I still replayed the scenes in my head: our first kiss, our first date, and eventually, our break-up. I can't banish the days before he left me from my head, the days when I knew what was coming.

  I would never forget the crying, the confusion, and my emails that were never answered. Our brief online chat while he was studying in France was still so fresh in my mind. Seeing him at our favorite bar just two days before graduation, and what happened af
ter would haunt me for the rest of my life. Was it possible that all of these things happened for a reason?

  There must be a reason why I lie in bed at night and think about his voice, his smile, his beautiful laugh. It's been three and a half years, and the simple thought of him evokes just as much emotion as it did when we were together. I wonder if I'll ever see him again. I read books and see movies about lost loves who were simply too young when they met. They magically reunited later in their lives and lived happily ever after. But not us.

  I try to imagine how he would contact me if he chose to do it. And then reality sets in. He's not coming. He's not calling. And he's not going to drive fifteen hours from South Carolina on the chance that I may be home on some random Saturday afternoon. Even if he wanted to, he doesn't have the courage to take a risk so big. That's not him. And I have to deal with that. I just wish the memories would fade. I wish the songs wouldn't bring tears. And I wish that his name would stop making my heart tremble. I want to forget. I need to forget. I deserve to forget. I have to forget.

  #

  Chapter 1

  Bouquets

  "Attention, all you single ladies...please make your way to the dance floor. It's time for the lovely bride to toss her bouquet," the DJ announced. I rolled my eyes and turned towards Elise, my best friend in the world.

  "Will you at least join me out there, please?" I begged. Elise shook her head with a sympathetic grin.

  "No way! I'm getting married next weekend. I don't think I really qualify as a single woman anymore."

  "Ugh, c'mon!"

  "Get out there and make me proud."

  "Will this be lucky number seven, Daph?" Elise's fiancé, Henry asked.

  "If I catch it, yes."

  I scowled at Henry. He and all of my friends loved to tease me about my "gift" or "curse" of always catching the bouquet at weddings. In the past two years, I had attended six weddings. And at these six weddings, I caught all of the bouquets. Every. Single. One.

  The first time it happened, I really was trying to catch it. I almost elbowed the girl next to me because she started to get in my way. At that point, most of my friends were engaged and I really wanted to reach that stage in my life. So I dove for that sucker and caught it. I was thrilled. But two weddings and two bouquets later, I was still single with no prospects in sight. That's when I stopped making the effort.

  It was when I quit trying to catch the damn flowers that things started to get interesting. No matter where I stood, those beautiful floral bunches found their way to me. At one reception, I purposely positioned myself in the far back, behind all the other single women. But as one of the bridesmaids jumped to catch it, the bouquet bounced off her left hand and landed right in mine. At another, I struck up a conversation with a bridesmaid to distract myself from the ball of roses coming at me. It was no use, though. The bride gave it a perfect toss, right into my hands.

  "I think it's kind of cool," Henry said, winking at me. He was such a sweetheart and a great match for Elise. I adored him.

  "I do too," Rob, my date, said. Elise and Henry had set us up so I wouldn't be dateless--again. He wasn't my type at all, but at least I didn't have to feel like everyone's "Pathetic Single Friend Daphne" tonight.

  Ever since we all left college, everyone had coupled off, but the stars hadn't aligned for me yet. I was still waiting for my other half, and I couldn't help but wonder how many bouquets I'd be forced to catch before he arrived.

  I smiled at Rob and begrudgingly made my way out to the dance floor. Holly, the bride, was waiting patiently for all her single friends to gather before tossing the bouquet of roses. She looked kind of tipsy, with a wide grin plastered to her face. A large group of young women gathered in the small space, and for a moment, I was hopeful that my curse might be coming to an end. Kristy, a striking brunette, found me amongst the crowd of single ladies and stood uncomfortably close. I rolled my eyes realizing that someone must have tipped her off. 'Stand next to Daphne if you want a chance at catching it.' Maybe I could pass it to her without anyone noticing and finally be free of this vexation.

  The DJ started the countdown and Holly tossed the bouquet behind her. The red bundle of roses flew directly at my forehead before landing at my feet. Kristy bent down to grab it, but stopped herself when she heard Rob yell from the crowd.

  "Get it, Daphne!" His voice echoed through the banquet hall.

  "Sorry," Kristy said, gesturing for me to claim what was obviously mine.

  I was mortified. The crowd gasped and the flower girls giggled as I leaned down to pick up the bouquet from the parquet flooring below. I couldn't let everyone know how embarrassed I was. So I raised the bouquet above my head and forced a giant smile. Laughter and applause filled the room as I made my way back to my table.

  "Here's to lucky number seven!" Rob raised his glass into the air, mimicking my movement with the bouquet. When he finally stopped laughing, he asked with a slur to his words, "How do you do that? Seriously, it's incredible."

  "Seriously," Kristy said, sounding annoyed, "that thing came zooming through the air like nothing I've ever seen! It's like it was meant for you or something."

  Resisting the urge to become defensive, I simply took a dramatic bow, waving my right hand as if looking for applause. My friends responded with clapping hands. It felt good to laugh at myself. I'd probably cry my eyes out if I didn't.

  Elise sensed the frustration masked behind my fake laughter and dramatic bow. She took my hand gently and led me to the patio.

  "Come on, Daph. I need some fresh air. Come sit with me." I'm grateful to have a friend who can read me so well. I desperately needed a change of scenery, and Elise, as always, came to my rescue.

  Sitting at a vacant table, Elise and I remained silent for several minutes, both looking down at the golf course below the banquet hall. Giggling could be heard at a distance, and I noticed a bright teal bridesmaid dress peeking out from behind two large bushes. Black shoes and pants were also visible, making me grin.

  "Well, someone is having fun down there," Elise observed. "I wonder which bridesmaid that is..." Her voice trailed off as she craned her neck to see the couple's obvious make-out session.

  "Ah, let's leave them alone." I said, giving her a playful smack on the arm.

  "How do you do that?" Elise asked with a smirk.

  "What do you mean?"

  "Two minutes ago, you were really upset after catching that bouquet. And I know you're frustrated with your love life. But you still manage to be happy for everyone else." Elise cocked an eyebrow, tilting her head towards the couple. "Even frisky bridal party members making out in the bushes."

  "I'm a hopeless romantic, I guess. I'm always thinking of Happily Ever Afters."

  "But you keep avoiding your own. You haven't given Rob much of a chance, you know."

  "He's not for me," I said, pursing my lips together. When Elise looked cynical, I continued, "I've been on enough set-ups to know."

  "What's so wrong with him? He's a really great guy. He has his own apartment, a great job, he's funny..." I raised an eyebrow at Elise. She giggled. "Okay, okay, maybe his sense of humor is a little bit cheesy."

  "A little bit? Come on. The guy has been telling me jokes that I haven't heard since middle school. I'm doing my best not to laugh at him. Or roll my eyes."

  "Well, maybe you're not really giving him a chance. That is sort of your M.O., ya know, ever since--"

  "Ugh, please don't say his name, Elise. I can't handle it. Not tonight."

  "Don't you think you'll feel a little better if you acknowledge the emotional hold Mayson still has on you after all these years?"

  "An emotional hold? When did you get your degree in Psychology?"

  "I'm serious. You haven't seen the guy in five years and you still compare every guy you meet to him...every last one."

  "I can't help it. No one compares."

  "He broke your heart," Elise said softly. "Why are you comparing people to that anguish, th
at heartache?"

  "I wish I knew. I haven't felt that way about anyone else...not yet anyway." I paused, taking a deep breath and allowing myself to remember Mayson--gorgeous, charismatic, green-eyed Mayson.

  "Honestly, I haven't thought of him in a long time. Ever since you told me to stop writing in my journal, I sort of blocked him out. But I guess he's there deep in my subconscious, shooing other men away, keeping me single and alone."

  "Ah, the bitterness journal. How could I have forgotten about that? Do you still have it?" Elise asked, leaning forward with curiosity in her voice. She raised her eyebrows again and again.

  "I think so. I didn't have the heart to throw it away." A wave of sadness rushed over me.

  "Maybe it's finally time to get rid of it once and for all. Maybe then you can let go of him. I know he was your first love." I tilted my head at her. "Okay," she conceded, "your only love. But there are so many guys out there who would love to date you."

  "Morgan thinks I should try online dating." Morgan was my cousin, and she, like Elise, wanted me to let go of Mayson and move on with my life.

  "She has a point. Kinda hard to meet single men in a public school."

  "That's the understatement of the year. All the men I work with have been married for decades. That's the curse of working in a middle school. I should apply to high schools where all the young, hot male teachers work." I laughed.

  "So why don't you set up a dating profile?" Elise pushed further.

  "I don't know." I shrugged, avoiding eye contact. "Morgan thinks I'm afraid."