The saleslady smiles. “Mr. Livingston, why don’t you look around while I get your fiancée’s ring size?” She takes me by the arm and guides me away while Kris looks like a lost puppy. “Would you prefer a single diamond, or do you want other stones in the setting?”
“I don’t mind.”
Clearing her throat and patting my arm, she says, “It’s best to give him some guidance. Would you like colored stones in the setting?”
I shrug. “I’ve always like tanzanite. But honestly, anything he picks will be fine.”
“Well, tanzanite gives me something to work with.”
I watch Kris as she shows him around the store. Occasionally, he glances at me, and right now, he’s tilting his head from side to side as though he’s trying to decide. Finally, he nods, and the saleslady looks incredibly pleased with herself.
Hopping foot to foot, I impatiently wait as the saleslady puts the ring into a box and one of those cute little blue bags—something every girl wants. Kris dangles the bag in front of me then holds it behind his back as he pulls me in close with his other arm.
“Let’s go to city hall and get a license and get married tomorrow.”
Barking out a laugh, both my hands flutter to my throat. “But what about our families?”
“I want you to have my name. I want to tie you to me, Athena. I need you to know you’re the one for me.”
My insides melt at his words, and I nod while tears spring from my eyes. Kris Livingston has always been the man for me, and now he finally realizes I’m the woman for him.
***
I feel like Alice in Wonderland, and everything is topsy-turvy. I’m dressed in a simple white dress that ends just above my knees. I have on a pair of glittery gold six-inch heels that will probably kill me before the day is out, but I had to have them. Kris and I decided to get married at city hall, but we’ll have another ceremony later with our family and friends. This ceremony is just for us, a celebration of our love. Kris said he didn’t want me walking to city hall, so he’s hired a car. I’m waiting in the lobby for him.
He’s a little late. I’m tapping my foot and pacing. He’s been gone for nearly two hours, and he’s not answering his phone. I’m nervous, but every time I look at my engagement ring, a thrill runs through me, and I know he wouldn’t leave me again. The princess-cut diamond with a pear-shaped tanzanite on either side, sparkles in the light. I find myself holding it in the sunlight and marveling at how beautiful it is.
“Miss Goddess?”
I turn to a member of the hotel staff. “Yes?”
“Is everything all right? Can we do anything?”
“I’m waiting on my boy… fiancé.” Smiling, I continue, “He’s running a little late.”
“Would you like us to call him?”
“No, I’m sure he’ll be here.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Kris
Gabby, my assistant, for whatever reason, organized for me to hire a car from the East Village. I’m standing in line when a guy comes up to me. He’s looking me up and down, nodding and smirking.
“You’re that movie star, Kris something.”
I nod. “Yep.” I hold out my hand. “Kris Livingston.”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s it. Livingston.” He shakes my hand. “What brings you to New York? You working on a movie?”
“No. Nothing like that.”
“Like what then?”
He’s not in my world, in fact, he didn’t even know my name. The guy is dressed in jeans, a dark red silk shirt, and a long leather coat. He looks more like a pimp.
“I’m getting married.”
His mouth drops open. “Married? To that Athena Goddess?”
Shuffling back a step, I give him the once over. “How do you know, Athena?”
Flaring his nostrils, he lifts his chin. “Saw you in the paper.”
“But you didn’t remember my name?”
Holding his hands out to his side, he shrugs. “I’m into chicks.”
“Right. Well, you have a good day.”
The guy spits on the sidewalk and laughs. “Yeah, you, too.” He points to the reception desk. “Drive safe and tell Athena I said hello and wish her all the best.”
He’s weird. I turn my back on him and proceed to the desk. “Hello, I have a car on order.”
“Certainly. What name?”
It’s so refreshing to find someone who doesn’t know me. It’s another reason I love Athena so much, she doesn’t see the movie star, she sees me.
“Livingston.”
Candy runs her finger down a list and finds my name. “Ahh, yes, here you are. Do you have any identification, Mr. Livingston?”
Pulling out my wallet, I hand over my driver’s license, and she fills out the forms.
“It’s a good thing you preordered. Your car is in spot twenty-five. There’s an envelope with your name on it on the windshield. Thank you for choosing Speedy Car Hire and have an awesome day.”
I tap the keys on the counter and smile. “Thank you.”
I put my license away and saunter over to the car. Written in big letters on a manila envelope is Livingston. Subtle. With a shake of my head, I pull it out from under the wiper and get into the car. As I drive out of the lot, I see the guy in the red silk shirt. He’s wiping his hand and gives me a grin and a two-fingered wave. Some fans are just weird.
Checking the time, I’m a little behind schedule, so I give the car some gas. Weaving through the traffic, I quickly make my way through the cars. Coming up, I need to make a right-hand turn, so I put my foot on the brake, and nothing happens. I pump my foot up and down on the pedal, but the car’s not slowing. Fear fills me as I grip the steering wheel, my training from Colton Donavan kicks in, I can make the bend. I move over to the far lane so I can take the curve. Turning the wheel, the car starts to slide. It’s then I see the woman running to cross the road. If she keeps going, I’m going to kill her. I jerk the wheel in the opposite direction for a moment. The car sort of skips, and then it flips over and over and over. Metal and road grind together, the airbags go off, I’m upside down, and it feels like the car is sliding forever. The noise is overwhelming. Suddenly, the car stops, jerking me sideways, my head connects with the window, and the world goes black.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Athena
Three hours I’ve been sitting in this lobby, waiting for Kris and our new life to start. He’s left me again. Like a fool, I believed his broken promises. Pulling my cell out of my clutch, I check the messages. There’s nothing from him. Standing, I walk toward the elevator, time to change and go back to being the Athena who’s happiest on her own.
“Ms. Goddess?” I turn, and Tyson, the hotel manager, is standing behind me.
“Yes?”
“Have you seen the news?”
I shake my head. “No, I haven’t.”
The man’s face pales, his gaze darts away from me, and he taps his lips repeatedly. “It’s all over the news. Kris Livingston has been in a car crash. It…” he pauses and grabs my shaking hand, “… it doesn’t look good.” My knees give way, and Tyson quickly moves to support me. “I’ve got you, Ms. Goddess.”