Isabella and the Slipper, page 2
Chapter 19 Chase shuffled into the kitchen, his long pajama pants almost covering his socks. His mother sat at the table drinking coffee and reading the paper, her hair in curlers. When he entered, she smiled and put the paper down. “Good morning.” He didn’t like the way she smiled at him. He knew what that meant. “Mmm,” he said in a noncommittal way. “There’s a new casting call that I think would be perfect for you.” He rolled his eyes. “Mom. I haven’t even started filming the one I got yet.” She waved her hand. “That’s going to only take a few weekends. This one is a much bigger deal.”She patted her curlers. He pulled a box of Corn Flakes from the cupboard and groaned. “Mom, I don’t want to do anything bigger.” “But it’s going to be great for your career.” The bowl clunked as he set it down on the counter a little too forcefully. He cringed. “What if I don’t want to be an actor?” he said under his breath. His mother turned wide eyes on him. “What did you say?” Great. Now he’d done it
Chapter 20 Isabella tried really hard not to smirk at Chase. He was jealous of himself. What a weird situation. His crush on Five was cute. But also a bit annoying. Five wasn’t real. She was a girl in his imagination. A girl who didn’t exist in the real world. As long as he didn’t know who she was, Five could be anyone. He could imagine her to be what his heart desired. And that was the danger of revealing herself to him. Because Isabella wasn’t nearly as fascinating as the mysterious, sexy woman he’d conjured up in his brain. Chase pulled out their paper. They discussed a few options and wrote the rest of the paper together. Then they talked about how they would present the materials to the class. After they got all the details ironed out, Chase cocked his head to the side like he wanted to say something, but he stayed silent. Isabella mimicked his stance. “Yes?” “Sorry. Was just thinking.” She gave him a small smile. “About what?” “I don’t know.” He shrugged and made an it-doesn’t-ma
Chapter 21 Isabella’s hopes were dashed when Elenore insisted on her working until all hours of the night each day of the week. As far as Chase was concerned, she spent her days alternating between texting as Five and talking to him at school as Isabella. She wasn’t sure how long she could keep up the separation. It seemed as if things were blending together. By Saturday, Isabella was exhausted. Elenore made her dress up in a little black waitress outfit to serve the guests. At eight o’clock, Delilah came out in her elaborate fall formal dress. The entire thing was silver, with silver buttons and silver lace. The skirts expanded out so large she looked like a giant light fixture. Elenore introduced Delilah and her art. Isabella smiled and clapped at the appropriate times. After a few minutes of mingling, Elenore sent Delilah and Ava off to the dance, a gleeful look of triumph in her eyes. Then she turned to Isabella. “Go get more bacon-wrapped poppers from the back. How did you not not
Chapter 22 Isabella turned away from him, her heart pounding in her chest from the kiss, and from Chase almost finding out who she was. He reached out and touched her shoulder. “I didn’t mean to . . .” Her fingers trembled as she tried to calm her racing heart. He kissed her. And it was amazing. Seriously, it was fireworks in the sky kind of amazing. But she wondered if had he done it just to try to remove her mask? To find out who she really was? “You promised,” she said, hurt lacing her words. He put his arms around her shoulders, pulling her back to his chest. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He stood there for a moment, hugging her close. She smelled his cologne, and it made her knees weak. When he let her go, she took a step away. “Please forgive me,” he said, his voice soft. She turned toward him and swallowed the pain of his kiss. The kiss that didn’t mean what she had hoped it did. “It’s already forgotten.” A breeze raised goose bumps on her skin, and she hugged her arms. “Are you co
Chapter 23 Chase clutched the teal slipper in his hand and watched the red taillights fade into the distance. He’d totally messed up the whole night. How could he have been so stupid? He knew Five was determined to remain anonymous. Why had he tried to reveal her identity? And then Delilah had to show up and make everything worse. The big reveal at the end of the dance didn’t help at all. And now he wasn’t sure if Five would ever text him again. He pulled his phone out of his pocket, wondering if he should text her now or give her time to get over the evening. Delilah came running up to him. “Chase!” He sighed. “What do you want, Delilah?” “Why were you calling her Five?” He shrugged. “Who was that? Why’d she freak about the stupid mask?” There was no way he was going to tell her anything. “I don’t know who it was.” He stuffed the teal slipper in his pocket. Delilah gave him a quizzical look but then smiled. “Guess she decided she didn’t want to be with you after all.” “I guess so,” he
Chapter 24 Isabella’s chest tightened, and she pulled away from Chase. “We can’t have a relationship.” “Why not?” “My stepmother . . . Delilah. I don’t know what they’d do to me.” She blinked, unable to hold back the wave of emotion crashing through her. Chase liked her. And not just as Five, the mystery girl. He liked Isabella. Her spirits soared, despite the circumstances. “We can keep it a secret. They don’t have to know.” He took a step toward her, taking her hand in his. “She’ll find out.” She lowered her gaze. “She saw your texts last night. My phone . . . she crushed it.” Tingles ran through her as he squeezed her hand. “I’ll be more careful.” The thought was tempting. Sneaking away to see Chase on a personal level. She could easily talk herself into that. But it wasn’t very smart. “Even having you here right now is risky. If Elenore came in . . .” “I won’t come to the gallery anymore. We can meet somewhere else.” She bit her bottom lip, wondering if she were crazy to seriously
Chapter 25 The next day at school, Chase came up behind her in the hallway. “Hey.” She turned to face him. A smile formed on her lips, despite the close call last night. “How are you?” “That’s what I wanted to ask you. Did you get into trouble?” His gaze landed on her arm, where the bruises had healed. “No. Delilah thought she heard a guy in my room, but she didn’t find anything.” “I’m a fast climber.” He grinned. “Maybe we should cool things for a while,” Isabella said. When she saw the look on his face, she added, “Just until Delilah’s convinced I’m not sneaking guys into my bedroom.” He reached for her hand but she pulled it back, afraid Delilah would come walking around the corner. He frowned. “I won’t come near your house. Just meet me tonight in the park.” She hesitated, afraid to say yes. “I don’t know.” “Please?” He gave her his movie-star smile. How could she say no to that? She blew out a breath. “Okay. Our regular time.” A foreboding feeling crept into her chest, but she ign
Chapter 26 Chase didn’t see Isabella by her locker or in the hallway where he usually ran into her. It didn’t start to concern him, however, until he entered the lunchroom and saw Savannah sitting by herself. He walked up to her. “Where’s Isabella?” She shrugged. “Sick, I guess. She’s not at school.” A cold feeling started in his chest and spread through him. “She wasn’t sick last night.” Savannah wiggled her eyebrows up and down. “Last night, huh?” Chase shot her a look that said “so what” and stuck his hands in his pockets. “Well, if you hear from her, let me know, okay?” “She can’t call.” “I know.” “She’ll be here tomorrow. Or you can check the gallery after school. Elenore might make her work, even if she’s sick.” That was possible. “Good idea.” Savannah grinned at him. “I’m full of them.” He laughed and left her to eat so he could get his food. He sat at his usual table, looking at the empty spot where Isabella usually sat. He was already looking forward to sneaking over to the ga
Chapter 27 Delilah made a face. “It’s a little loud, isn’t it?” she yelled over the music. Chase pulled her closer. “I like it loud,” he shouted in her ear. As he swayed to the music, Delilah seemed to accept his explanation and kept quiet. They danced through the song, and when it ended, Chase hugged Delilah to him. “That was—” “Shh,” he said, putting his finger to his lips. “Let’s not talk. Let’s feel the moment.” Delilah fell silent, and Chase strained to hear anything that might signal Isabella was locked up in the attic and had heard his song. He listened to his own heart beating in his ears as the seconds ticked by on the clock. Nothing. Disappointment grew heavy in his limbs. Maybe she wasn’t being held up there after all. He pulled back and smiled at Delilah. “That was nice,” he said. She grinned at him. “That’s your favorite song? Seems kind of depressing, don’t you think?” “It’s The Beatles. It’s a classic.” He pocketed his phone, unsure of what else to do. If Isabella wasn’t
Chapter 28 Soft music played from the live band in the corner of the room. Chase straightened his tie and glanced around the large home. This was the kind of house that was meant for lavish gatherings, with the huge chandelier, the open floor plan, and the swinging doors to the kitchen so staff could constantly bring more hors d’œuvres. His mother nudged him. “Mingle.” He walked farther into the room and joined the female costar, Mel, who was standing with an older gentleman, chatting about what a hit the movie was going to be. Mel sipped a glass of sparkling something and grinned. “The screenplay is brilliant.” The man chuckled. “Thank you.” Chase nodded his head. “I thought the dialogue was fresh.” That was his go-to compliment when talking to a writer. The man puffed out his chest. “And you are?” Chase stuck out his hand. “Chase Hawkins.” “Ah, I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.” He went on to talk about the screenplay, but Chase’s gaze had wandered. Suddenly, he froze. Isabe
Epilogue Isabella snuggled her back into Chase’s chest, the fall breeze blowing leaves across the cement. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “This really is a perfect spot.” Chase kissed the top of her head. The bench was wooden, like the one at Flatwater Park. And it was within walking distance from both of their apartments. Isabella watched the children running to catch a football in the grass. “It can be our secret rendezvous while we’re in college.” “But no loose brick to hide notes under.” “I guess we’ll have to be old-fashioned and just text each other.” Isabella grinned up at him, and he ran a finger down her cheek. “You’re brilliant, as always.” A couple of bikers rode past them. Isabella closed her eyes and laid her head on Chase’s shoulder. “I can’t believe Elenore is going to prison.” “She committed fraud and child abuse. I’m glad she’ll be locked up. She’s crazy.” “I got a phone call yesterday.” Isabella was bursting to tell him and couldn’t hold it in anymo
Victorine E. Lieske lives in Nebraska where she writes to support her massive crafting habits. She devours sweet romance books, and loves all things romantic. She loves graphic design, and often designs covers for other authors. You can find more of her books on her website, www.victorinelieske.com Victorine’s Books Accidentally Married Reluctantly Married Mistakenly Married Blissfully Married Acting Married Falling for the Beast Not What She Seems The Overtaking Get a free book when you sign up for Victorine’s Newsletter at www.victorinelieske.com!
This book is dedicated to all those who have helped me with it. I couldn’t publish without you guys! My beta readers: Amy Linnabary Meyer, Crystal Walton, Debbie Jo, Juliann Whicker, Megan Ruff, Melanie Snitker, Michelle Pennington, Rachel John. My editing team: Delores Feeken Schmidt, Hayley Brooks, and Nicole D. And a huge thank you to my husband, who lets me spend long hours with other people. The kind that are just in my head. Love you, honey. I couldn’t do this without all of you. Thank you!
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
No part of this work may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.
Published by Kindle Press, Seattle, 2017
Amazon, the Amazon logo, Kindle Scout, and Kindle Press are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Epilogue
Victorine E. Lieske lives . . .
Dedication
Chapter 1
The school gymnasium bustled with excitement. Isabella winced as a brawny guy crammed onto the bleacher, practically sitting on top of her. He smelled of locker-room sweat, and Isabella grunted as the air squished out of her lungs.
Her best friend, Savannah, turned to glare at him. “Hello? Someone’s sitting there.”
The guy cast Isabella a blank stare. “Sorry,” he mumbled, scooting over a millimeter.
“Maybe look next time before you sit?” Savannah said to him, rolling her eyes.
“Won’t do any good. I’m invisible, remember?” Isabella pulled her phone out of her pocket and sighed. That was the story of her life.
Savannah moved over to give her room and snatched the phone from Isabella’s grasp. “Let me see your new phone.”
The cheerleaders ran onto the gym floor, shouting and waving their pom-poms.
Ugh. There was so much to hate about mandatory pep rallies.
“You have no fun apps.” Savannah nudged her. She had her hair up in pigtails, and she looked like she had just stepped out of an ’80s magazine with her sparkly lips and denim jacket. “You haven’t even put your name in here.”
“I just got it last night.”
“You’d better put a password in, at least. What if someone steals your phone?”
“Who’d do that?” Isabella wanted to laugh but saw that Savannah was serious. “I’ll do it tonight.”
Savannah slapped it back into Isabella’s hand. “At least you have a cool case.”
“I know, right? The Beatles were legendary.” She pocketed her phone. The cheerleaders were forming a pyramid, and she didn’t want to miss it if one of them toppled off.
“I’m still surprised your stepmom let you get a phone.”
“I think it’s because she wants to be able to hound me even when I’m not home. She’s acting like I owe her big-time now. Never mind that Delilah and Ava have had phones since middle school.”
Savannah smirked. “If I were you, I’d have run away a long time ago. Your stepmom is the worst.”
Isabella didn’t want to get into it. She was holding out, waiting for graduation.
Just one more year and she’d be gone. Not even Savannah knew how horrible it was living there, in her father’s house, but not belonging. Unloved and unwanted.
She pushed her glasses up her nose. “You said it.”
A deep voice rang out over the speakers, and Isabella’s heart involuntarily sped up. Chase Hawkins. The most popular guy in school. And an actor. Who could forget the roles he’d had in two major Hollywood movies? Not leading roles, smaller stuff, but still. He was a movie star, and the whole school treated him accordingly.
Chase was her stepsister’s dream man. Isabella had to hear about him every morning as Delilah rushed about, getting ready for school. It made her want to throw up. It might be because Isabella didn’t want to admit to herself that Chase affected her in much the same way as every other female in the school. Especially in physics—he sat right in front of her, and she had to smell his heavenly cologne all period long.
“Are we ready for the game tonight?” he shouted, and the crowd burst into a screaming frenzy. Chase walked to the center of the gym floor with a wireless microphone. “I can’t hear you!”
Isabella feigned boredom but couldn’t help staring at Chase. His dark hair was never perfectly styled, yet it fit his easygoing manner. His smile made her toes curl, and his blue eyes were sigh-worthy. He handled being in front of the crowd with ease. It was in his nature.
“All week we’ve been collecting change for our ‘Kiss the Pig’ contest.” Cheers rang out, and he waited for everyone to settle down again. “I’m sure you’ve seen the teachers’ jars all over the school.” More cheers. “It’s time to announce the teacher who collected the most change and has to kiss the pig.”
Screaming erupted, and Isabella held in a smile. Even though the pep rallies weren’t her thing, she couldn’t deny wanting to see a teacher kiss a pig.
Jason Scott, the quarterback, came out of the locker room wearing his football gear and carrying a squirming pig. It squealed its disapproval at being manhandled. The crowd went nuts, standing and stomping, making whatever noise it could.
Chase pulled an envelope from his pocket. “In this envelope is the name of the teacher who won.”
There was no settling the crowd down now. Even Savannah was screaming. Isabella stood, pulled her phone out, and turned on the camera.
There would be perks to having a cell phone.
She focused in on Chase, zooming in so his face filled the screen. No one heard the click of the shutter on the app—they were too busy hollering.
“Do you want to know who it is?” Chase asked, eating up the attention.
Isabella figured she would probably be deaf after this pep rally.
Chase opened the envelope and tugged the piece of paper out. He grinned and pulled the microphone close to his lips. The gym grew quiet. “Mr. Morgan!” he shouted.
