Thirty-Eight Days: Thirty-Eight, #1

By Len Webster

Ask yourself, how many days does it take to fall in love?

Nolan Parker and Clara Lawrence never saw eye to eye. In fact, if you asked Clara she would tell you that Nolan hated every thing about her. They never shared any form of connection besides Alex Lawrence.

She was Alex’s bratty sister and he was Alex’s best friend, they never stood a chance.

Five years have passed and almost 12,000 miles have kept them separated, both living completely different lives. Unchanged perceptions and expectations should have kept them apart but when Nolan returns, the foundations of their ‘relationship’ is sure to change.

Their story was meant to end the day Nolan left for Stanford. But what if seeing each other after five years was the game changer? What if this was their one chance to rewrite their relationship or were they always destined to never be more?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Len Webster
• Release date: Jun 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781498963992

Len Webster

Associate Professor Len Webster has expertise in educational policy, educational development, quality development and flexible learning. Currently he is the Educational Adviser in the Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT) at Monash University, Australia. He previously was the director of an educational development unit in the Faculty of Law, Monash University, where he was the Faculty Quality Development Coordinator. He has also been a reviewer of the Australian University Quality Agency conference proceedings.

Book preview

Sometimes Moments

Thirty-Eight Series

Forever Starts Today (Thirty-Eight #.5) Coming Soon

Thirty-Eight Days (Thirty-Eight #1)

Thirty-Eight Reasons (Thirty-Eight #2)

What We’ll Leave Behind (Thirty-Eight #2.5)

What You Left Behind (Thirty-Eight #3)

All We Have (Thirty-Eight #4) Coming 2016

The Ribbon Duology

The Ribbon Chasers: a short story (Ribbon #0.5)

The Ribbon Catchers (Ribbon #1) Coming Soon

The Ribbon Release (Ribbon #2) Coming Soon

Clara Lawrence never thought one simple word could define the rest of her life. She has a decision to make. But the constant lingering thought that she's held for the last six months has made it difficult. The past never seems to go away. No matter how much she tries to run from it, Nolan Parker haunts her.

Nolan Parker finds himself with everything he could ever dream of, except one thing, the love of his life. Clara Lawrence broke his heart and now he's slowly living a life after her. But when he sees her in his lobby months later, will they reconcile or will they pick up where they last left off, breaking each other's hearts all over again?

For my grandparents, Elsie and Denis Webster.

My belief in true love is because of you both.

I believe, I will always believe.

True love isn’t running away, it’s staying and fixing the little things. It’s about spending the rest of your life with that one person.

Your forever.

Thank you for making me believe that true love is always endless, like a Celtic knot.

Ask yourself, how many days does it take to fall in love?

Fifteen Years Ago

They formed a circle around the water tap against the brick wall of the house. One by one, they filled a box with different coloured water balloons. As Noel tied one of the balloons, he quickly turned to see his teenage brother laughing and shaking his head at them.

Make sure Mum doesn’t catch you, Nolan! George yelled out. His parents had named him after his grandfather, who’d served in Vietnam. His family called him Nolan while others called him Noel, the name he preferred. He was the only Nolan in a class filled with Jakes and Daniels.

I won’t! Noel shouted as he turned his attention back to his group of friends. He gave them all a stern stare. He didn’t want to get in trouble for ruining his parents’ party.

We can hit those annoying girls across the road with the water balloons. If we get them enough, then they’ll leave us alone, Alex said. Noel looked at his best friend and handed out the small water balloons.

"Alex, don’t lie! You like like Sarah!" Rob teased. For an eight-year-old, Rob towered over their group of friends. Ever since prep, they had all been in the same class. Except for Rob’s brother, Julian, who was a year younger. Alex gagged at Rob’s teasing before turning off the tap.

Sarah’s pretty, Max pointed out with a shrug as he stared at the blue balloon in his hand.

Alex let out a laugh. Yeah, pretty annoying!

Max’s face contorted at Alex’s comments. Noel nudged him with his shoulder and offered a reassuring smile.

Can we not hit Valerie? She helped me home when I fell off my bike last week, Noel said. He took a few balloons from Julian, whose small hands were unable to carry as many as the other boys could.

Fine! We won’t hit her. Rob, go get the water guns and we’ll surprise them from the bushes of old man Peter’s garden.

Rob nodded at Alex. Then Noel placed the water balloons in his shorts’ pockets. He adjusted his baseball cap as he quickly rolled up the sleeves of the long-sleeve shirt his mother chose.

We should go before we get caught! Julian warned. Noel led them to the side gate of the fence. Once Alex had reached up and unlatched the door, he held it open for their friends. Noel waited until everyone made it through the gate and towards the driveway.

Nolan Parker! his mother yelled. Noel let out a heavy sigh as he nodded at Alex to go ahead before closing the gate. He turned around to see his mother tapping her foot at him.

Are you going hit those nice girls with water balloons? she asked, eyeing the balloon peeking out of his pocket.

No, Mum! I swear. I wasn’t, he lied.

Don’t you lie to me, Nolan. The corner of his mother’s mouth twitched. Noel stuck his hands in his pockets and felt the water balloons. His eyes fell on the concrete path instead of his mother’s disapproving green eyes.

The footsteps that tapped along the concrete gained his attention. Noel raised his head as his father walked over to stand next to his mother. Come on, Louise. He’s just being a kid, his father defended.

Marcus, I don’t want those poor girls’ parents at our doorstep, his mother explained, the irritated tone of her voice was clear. Noel glanced at his father and silently pleaded for mercy.

We weren’t going to hurt them, Mum. We were just gonna scare them, honest. Noel crossed his arms over his chest as his head dipped down. He knew his mother hated it when he pouted. It was her form of weakness, and he hoped it would get him off the hook.

Your mother is right, Nolan. You could hurt those girls. How about you come and help me with the barbecue? Then you can go play with the other boys. What do you say? his father asked. Noel watched as both his parents looked down at him. He let out an irritated huff as he pulled his hands out of his pockets.

It’s not fair, Noel had mumbled before following his parents back to the party.

When he reached the barbecue, he waited for his father to instruct him on his punishment for an act he hadn’t yet committed. His mother bent down to face him. He had squinted at her before he crossed his arms. His mother’s green eyes mirrored his, but hers were shinier than Noel’s. She brought her hands to either side of Noel’s cheeks and pressed her lips to his forehead.

Mum! Noel whined as he pulled away. His mother laughed as he quickly wiped her red lipstick off his forehead.

Mama loves you, Nolan. Help your father out before you go play with your friends. I’ll be with Gillian if you need me.

Noel nodded his head.

His mother walked over to Alex’s mother, Gillian, who stood near the drinks table. Gillian’s long, brown curls flew with the warm wind. She didn’t look very happy, but when her eyes met his, she smiled.

He took off his baseball cap and set it on a clear spot on the table near the barbecue. Noel took the large, silver tray and held it out for his father. One by one, cooked sausages were placed on it. Minutes later, hamburgers and steaks followed.

Noel’s arms started to tire as he held on to the heavy tray of barbecued meat. His father looked down at him before taking the platter from Noel and placing it on the table. Thanks, champ. Just between us, you go and chuck some water balloons at them girls. But don’t make any of them cry, Nolan. Your mother won’t be happy. Got it? His father winked at him as he turned over the skewers.

Sure, Dad! Noel said as he quickly turned around and made his way to the steps of the deck. He jumped off the final step and ran past a group of younger children on his way to the gate.

Can I play, too? he heard a small girl’s voice ask.

No! Go away. We don’t like you! he heard another little girl shout. Noel turned around to see his best friend’s little sister’s face sadden. The other little girl laughed as she ran away with the other children. Clara’s curly ponytail swayed as she turned around and ran to her father. Noel watched James Lawrence frown as he lifted his daughter and set her on his lap.

A smile returned to Clara’s face as those golden brown eyes shimmered. Noel smiled at the sight. He had always secretly looked out for Clara when Alex couldn’t. Once, when Alex and the other boys played football, Noel held Clara by the hand and took her out to the local ice cream truck. Ever since he could remember, he’d always liked to see her smile.

Noel had noticed her father whisper in Clara’s ear before she jumped off his lap and ran towards the end of the garden. James then stood up and walked into the house. Noel could see her run towards the edge of the garden before she fell over. Without even thinking or alerting Clara’s father, Noel ran to her.

Her small cries filled the air as he reached her. Dirt covered her dress and blood smeared her knee.

Clara, are you okay? he asked sweetly as he sat on the ground with her.

Go away, Nolan! I want Alex!

Noel reached out for her small hands, but Clara pulled away.

No! I hate you! she shouted, and Noel let out a laugh.

No, you don’t, he corrected. Then he took her hands and brushed off the dirt. Noel scooted forward, wiped his hand on his shorts before brushing Clara’s tears away. Clara stopped crying, and he smiled at her.

His hand reached up his right arm and started to unroll his sleeves. He looked down at Clara’s scraped knee. It’s going to sting a little bit, Clara, Noel warned before wiping her bloody knee with his sleeve. Clara had let out a small cry before her tears returned. He didn’t like to see her in pain. He wanted to distract her so he could help her get back to their parents.

Looking around, he noticed his mother’s purple tulips. He remembered the times when Clara was over and she would always walk to the flowerbeds.

Mum’s tulips will do.

Not caring about getting in trouble, Noel pulled out a purple tulip. He shook off the dirt and broke the roots. He faced Clara to see her smile return. His own smile developed at the sight of hers.

Here, Noel said as he held out the flower to her. Clara’s smile grew as her golden brown eyes twinkled.

Clara took the purple tulip in her small hand and said, Thank you, Nolan.

Noel smiled and then shrugged. It’s just a tulip. No big deal. He watched Clara twirl it between her fingers as that smile of hers stayed.

Mum is going to kill me, but I don’t care.

Not like it’s anything important.

It’s just a flower. She won’t notice it missing anyway.

Hey, Nolan. Did I wake you? Alex Lawrence’s hazy voice asked over the phone. Noel rubbed his eyes to see that it was ten past seven in the morning and groaned.

Nah, what’s up? Noel replied as he climbed out of bed and opened the window to the smell of Boston in the morning. As he looked out at the grey and cloudy view of the city, he could hear his best friend sounding frustrated over the phone. Noel shook his head in an effort to properly wake up before making his way out of his bedroom and into the living room.

Noel and Alex had been best friends since they were babies. They both had the same dreams and went after their own pursuit of happiness. They worked hard at school and grew up in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. When Noel and Alex were accepted to Stanford University, they were the talk of the town as two Melbourne boys headed off to the States for college. Noel owed everything to Alex. If it weren’t for him, then Noel would never have survived Stanford or received the promotion in Boston, which he felt Alex had deserved instead of him.

But Noel knew that Alex wouldn’t call him at such an hour if it weren’t important. Even at seven in the morning, Noel knew the importance of Alex’s early call from the New York office. They both worked for G&MC, one of the leading accounting firms in the country. Although New York was lucrative, Noel held one of Boston’s head office positions, practically Alex’s boss.

Mate, you know the Owens account? Alex asked as the clatter of papers and erratic typing pitched higher.

Yeah.

IRS is looking into it, claiming fraud. G&MC’s in trouble, Noel. I could be fired. I handled the account, remember?

Shit! That could be our asses on the line. What the hell happened? Noel asked, utterly shocked at the circumstances his best friend was in. Having once worked in the New York office, by association, Noel would also be looked at.

Fraud’s gone back long before we picked up the account. But it doesn’t look good, even for us. This account could ruin the company’s reputation.

Anything I can do?

Nah, I don’t want to put this kind of pressure on you. You have your own problems in Boston. But listen, I do have one favour to ask, Alex asked as Noel moved towards the kitchen counter.

Anything, Alex. For all the times Alex had come through for Noel, this was the time to be the best friend.

Go back to Melbourne without me. Get your ass home. I know we were meant to meet up in L.A. together, but I’m going to have to stay here in New York till this gets sorted. But could you please take care of Clara? I booked flights that land back home a day earlier than she expected just to surprise her. She’s going to be disappointed that I’m not there for her birthday. He could hear the desperation and pleading in Alex’s voice.

You want me to babysit your sister? Noel blurted out. He hadn’t seen her since he and Alex had left for Stanford, almost five years back. She had been fourteen when he left Australia. And after he was gone, he never really thought much of her.

Please, Noel, you know our folks are cruising all around the world, and she needs company right now.

Doesn’t she have a boyfriend or something? Noel asked, hoping he could offload Clara to anyone else.

Don’t get me started on that little shit. Wait till I get my hands on that son of a bitch! Alex was never angry, not even when Tori, his ex-girlfriend, had told him it was over. She was tired of Alex’s dedication to his job rather than to her.

What’s Little Shit done for you to be angry? Noel laughed as he settled into the barstool next to the counter. He watched as rain started to pour down on the streets below. Tomorrow he’d be on a plane back home to Melbourne.

He cheated on Clara, that’s what he did! He’s been sleeping around with another girl for months. If this Owens audit hadn’t come up, I’d be on that plane back to Melbourne and straight to his door to rip his balls right off! Alex fumed.

Shit. Sorry to hear that. Poor Clara, is she okay? Noel hadn’t even recognised the concern in his voice for her.

She’s okay. That’s why I don’t want to leave her alone. With her birthday coming up, she’s going to be dragged through hell once she finds out I won’t be there. So, what do you say? Stop by and look after Clara?

Noel heard Alex’s name being called and knew this was important to him. He sighed, knowing he would do this for his best friend.

Fine. I’ll stay at Clara’s until you get back. Just make sure this Owens account gets sorted quickly. Noel sighed heavily.

Thanks, man. I owe you big time! I swear it’ll be a week tops, only seven days with my sister, Alex replied as the sounds in the background started to pick up. Gotta run. The meeting with Mercer is about to start. Thanks again for helping out Clara.

No worries, Noel replied before he hung up his phone. He wasn’t helping the heartbroken Clara. In reality, he was helping his best friend.

The rain started to pick up and Boston was up for a day of what looked like a torrential downpour. Noel had eight weeks off work and was meant to spend that time with Alex in Australia. Picking up the remote on the kitchen counter, he turned on the TV. He watched as the Owens case and G&MC were all over Good Morning America. Noel knew once he saw the case being covered by the media that he wouldn’t be seeing Alex for a long time. It would be weeks, not days, until he’d see Alex Lawrence back in Melbourne.

You have five minutes left of your examination, Clara’s sixty-something-year-old examiner said. She peeked up to check the clock and took sight of the examiner. She didn’t look very old. She had bright pink lips like most seniors did. Her recently permed hair looked more like a bouncy afro, and her arms, hands, and neck were covered in gold jewellery. How she was able to carry that kind of weight in gold was beyond Clara.

Her mind started to linger and she realised she only had a few minutes left to finish her employment relations exam. She took a deep breath, held her pen tighter, and started to write.

After what appeared to be a paragraph of decent information, she set her pen down. Clara sighed in relief. She had finally finished her last exam for the year. She was thankful that she could leave this year of university behind her. There were times when she’d wanted to drop out, but she couldn’t do that to her brother. His potential disappointment in her had always prevented her from filling out the forms.

When the examiner took her paper from the table, Clara stood up and grabbed her bag from under her seat. Exiting the doors, she went down the stairs of the building, thankful that she’d spent her time focusing on her exams rather than her actual breakup. But now, Clara had no distractions, and the thought of it started to creep up into her chest, the familiar tightening returning.

She’d heard the whispers throughout campus. She’d also heard the praises Darren got for having kept such an affair a secret for so long. Only a handful had sympathised with her. Those who knew her brother felt sorry for her, siding with Clara purely because of their loyalty to Alex.

But their support only did Clara so much. She didn’t have a true friend she could really lean on. She only had Alex, but he was on the other side of the world. And she couldn’t go and tell him about Darren. Alex had enough on his plate, and she didn’t want to tarnish his visit with news that would no doubt anger him.

So Clara kept it to herself. But she knew Alex would find out; he always had a way of finding out. One of his friends would no doubt tell him. Clara knew it would only be a matter of time until he’d confront her and make her confess what the dirt bag did to his little sister.

Alex had always enlisted the help of his friends and their brothers to help take care of Clara. Her brother wouldn’t let Clara go through high school without any kind of protection. Alex and his best friend, Noel, had ruled their high school. All the girls loved them and all the boys wanted to be associated with them.

Clara knew it would have been worse for her if she didn’t have her brother. She owed him everything, especially her three-bedroom apartment in the city away from their parents. Alex had paid for everything that came with the apartment: the bills, the maintenance, and the furnishings. Although Alex denied it, Clara knew he’d used some of his trust fund money to pay for her living expenses. She loved her brother with all her heart, and the fact that he was coming home from New York in a matter of days made her smile.

Clara, hey! Clara had just reached her car with the keys in her hand, ready to go, when someone had yelled out to her. Turning, she saw Annie Jenkins running towards her.

Annie had always been nice; it was hard for Clara to shrug off her kindness. The fact that she was pretty and popular always raised Clara’s eyebrows. Annie wanted to be Clara’s friend, and ever since the scandal with Darren broke out on campus, she had let Annie sneak into her life.

Oh, hey, Annie. How’s it going? Clara asked as she shuffled her car keys from one hand to the next. All she wanted to do was go home and cry—unravel all the pain and just let it out.

She didn’t need to put on a persona anymore. She could cry in the comfort of her own home, but Annie Jenkins was stopping her.

Bless her beautiful soul and all, but I’m starting to really hate her constant comforting.

Nothing much. How’d you do on that employment relations exam? she asked with bright, sparkly eyes. Annie always had those sparkly eyes flashing every time Clara saw her.

Was a bitch. Clara breathed out a heavy sigh before realising what she’d said and quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Crap, sorry, Annie. I shouldn’t have used that kind of language. The exam was tough, but I got there. Clara watched Annie’s reaction carefully. Annie was a good girl who never smoked or swore. She was the perfect example of a girl raised by wholesome parents.

Annie’s eyes crinkled, a large, perfect smile developed, and a laugh slipped through her lips. At first, Annie’s laughter had scared her, but then it started to warm Clara.

No worries, Clara. I kind of liked the way you just described that exam. It was a real piece of work, wasn’t it? Annie replied after her laugh settled and she was her smooth and graceful self again.

All Clara could do was smile at her. When she was with Darren, she wasn’t up for making friends; she’d had her boyfriend and her best friend. The word had started a fire in her chest and tears started to prickle her eyes. Clara held them at bay. Annie was too kind to see her fall apart.

God, I’m a mess.

So, what do you say? The sparkle in Annie’s eyes started to subside, turning into a murky blue instead of that vibrant colour she was jealous of. The way her brows bunched together and her lips curved down said it all, Annie was worried.

Uhh… Sorry, Annie, I didn’t get what you just said.

Oh, no bother. Me, Jarred, Ethan, and Bridgett are hitting up the coffee shop across the road. I was wondering if you wanted to come along, you know, celebrate that we finished university for the year, Annie explained, and the smile returned to her face.

Clara looked over to see Jarred grinning at her. They had a class together this semester, and he was nothing short of lovely. It was Clara who’d introduced Jarred to Annie. They had always been nice to her, and she didn’t want to turn them down, but Clara had suspected that she was only invited because of Annie.

She would be the fifth wheel to what seemed like a couples kind of date. No place for the newly single Clara Lawrence.

Thanks, Annie, I really appreciate the invite, but I’m tired. Exhausted, more like it. Plus, I’d be intruding. You guys have fun, though.

No, you wouldn’t be intruding. We want you there. Please? She was fighting for her presence, and that made Clara smile.

Thank you, Annie, seriously. With recent events, you’ve been so kind to me that it’s unfair. I think you need time away from me. Go off with your friends, and we’ll catch up next week. I have your number, and I’d like to hang out with you. Not a single lie came from Clara’s mouth. She really did owe Annie for her compassion and wanted them to be friends.

Okay, sounds like a plan, Annie agreed with such excitement that she clapped her hands together.

Great. Well, I better go. Long drive back to the city. I’ll see you next week.

Bye, Clara. Drive safely now. Annie walked in the direction of her friends before she quickly stopped and turned around. Clara, they’re your friends, too, Annie said without taking her eyes off Clara. A satisfied smile spread across her face as she walked back to the group.

My friends?

Clara laughed at Annie’s words and unlocked her car. Slipping in, she sat in the driver’s seat. They couldn’t be her friends. Clara had no friends. No one wanted her; not Darren and not even her parents. She was desperate to find that one person who would claim her, want her, and need her. Not spend time with her because they pitied her or expected something in return. Clara inserted the key into the ignition and turned her Lexus—another present from her brother—to life.

She didn’t want anyone like Darren Porters to get as close to her as he did. She wouldn’t allow for it to happen again. She would rather be alone against the world; not even Annie would break through her wall. Clara smiled tightly at herself in the rearview mirror.

No one will ever hurt me again, she whispered to herself. Then she pulled out of the car park and drove towards the city in the direction of her apartment. She would start anew. She’d find a way.

Having cleared customs, Noel stepped foot on Australian soil for the first time in over a year. He didn’t like the circumstances he was in, without his best friend and babysitting his best friend’s sister. It would be some homecoming.

He took in the smell of the Melbourne air; Noel smelt taxis and tourists, but the air was different here than in Boston. He loved it. He took out his phone and scrolled through his contacts for Alex’s number.

It was four p.m. in Melbourne, and Noel knew it would be twelve in the morning back in New York. He also knew Alex would be waiting for his call to announce his arrival.

How was your flight? Alex asked softly once he’d answered the call. Noel knew he was tired. Alex had been working on the Owens account for hours at a time, starting early and finishing late.

Long. I got sat next to a twenty-year-old, and she was a little grabby, if you know what I mean. Had I not been strapped to my chair with about a hundred other people on the plane, I might have said yes. She was cute, but he wasn’t up for any kind of fling during his stay in Melbourne.

Jesus, Noel. God help me if you think of my sister that way. She’s not one of your one-night stands, got it? I trust you to not lay a finger on her. It was more of a demand than a question. Noel knew his best friend would rip him apart, balls and all, if he tried to touch Clara. The threat did little as Noel laughed into the speaker of his phone.

Don’t worry, Alex. Your poor heartbroken little sister won’t be rebounding with me. I can assure you, Noel said, almost too proudly.

Shit! You better make sure she doesn’t go and throw herself at the next guy she sees. Her head isn’t working properly, Noel. And I don’t want her rebounding at all! No matter how much she wants to go home with a guy, you tell her no! Alex was almost growling.

Is he serious?

Alex was one protective bastard over his sister. Noel always knew it, but this time it was different. But what did he know? He only had his older brother, George, who was sailing around Greece with his bride-to-be, Penelope.

All right, Alex! No guys trying to get into your sister’s pants. I got it. So, does little kiddo know you aren’t coming for two weeks now? Noel asked as he shuffled his bag in front of him.

Crap! Alex fumbled the phone and then a bang sounded. He must have punched the table again. It had been a frequent sound whenever Noel spoke to Alex recently.

You didn’t tell her you’d be a week later than expected, did you? Noel asked, raising the eyebrow he knew Alex wouldn’t see.

I didn’t even tell her I wasn’t going to be there for her birthday, let alone two weeks late to see her, Alex said, sounding defeated.

Don’t worry, man. I’ll let her down easy for you. Just concentrate on that account so you can get your ass down here.

I owe you one. Thanks for doing this for me and for checking in on Clara. I’m one lucky bastard to have you as my best mate, Alex said with pride. Noel felt the same sense of pride through him. He was everything to Noel, practically his brother, blood or not.

Remember, not a hand on my sister, got it? It was another demand. Noel shook his head and let out a bothered breath of air.

As if I’d lay a finger on my mate’s sister, let alone little Clara.

She isn’t little anymore, I’ll tell you that.

Yeah, yeah, Alex. She’s still your little sister to me. I better go; a taxi’s just pulled up, Noel said as the driver lifted up the boot and put his bag inside.

Thanks again, Noel. He noted the heavy sigh Alex let slip. A warning bell sounded, and he started to worry about Alex. The feeling in him was unnatural. Such circumstances were normally the other way around between the two of them.

No worries. I’ll call you later, Noel replied and hung up the phone. There were times in his childhood that he remembered Clara to be annoying. Noel pointed it down to her clinginess with her brother. But besides the framed picture of Alex and Clara in their dorm room, Noel hadn’t seen her since he’d left for Stanford.

Clara looked at the mess in her living room. It resembled the aftermath of a bomb. She looked around the room to find two wine bottles and several noodle boxes from the Chinese restaurant down the street on her coffee table. A box of chocolates lay scattered across the floor and her TV was paused in the middle of the movie that had been playing. Clara walked over to her coffee table and picked up the two wine bottles. They were both empty.

She didn’t even remember stopping by the bottle shop on her way home from her exam. Clara was never one to drink. She had always thought she couldn’t handle her alcohol, but it seemed she could. She had drowned herself with two bottles the night before. She’d promised herself forty-eight hours to mourn her expired and crumbled relationship with Darren. Forty-eight hours was all she needed to expel her lying, cheating bastard of an ex-boyfriend out of her system.

In twenty-four hours, her brother would be coming home, and he didn’t need to witness her fall from grace. Clara drew back her curtains and was met with the reality of her mess. In the light of day, she saw a red wine stain on her rug, and the scattered chocolates that had made their way to her window seat, some distance from the couch.

Clara was surprised at the sight of her apartment. She prided herself on self-control, but the sight made her feel ashamed. She had let her failed relationship get under her skin. She had let him cheat on her, and she had let herself crumple behind closed doors. All of it was truly her fault.

Sighing, she started to pick up the pieces of white chocolate nut squares from the floor. They had never been her favourite, and she understood why they settled where they did. She presumed an emotional fit of rage during her intoxicated state of mind had chocolates flying. As she stood up, Clara noticed what she had been watching last night. She cringed at the sight.

Katherine Heigl… of course!

27 Dresses was her go-to movie when she was upset. It had the right mix of heartbreak and happy ending. Clara winced at the thought that she had probably belted out Bennie and the Jets along with Jane and Kevin. It seemed so fitting. Clara walked over to the kitchen and disposed of the chocolates in the bin. Returning to the living room, she collected the empty wine bottles and noodle boxes, placing them on the kitchen bench. As she glanced around her apartment, Clara was satisfied that it looked better than it did before.

Alex would be home this time tomorrow, and she could concentrate on spending time with her brother. Clara had missed him more than anything. The last time she saw Alex was when they met up last winter in Switzerland for their ski trip in the Alps.

There were times when Clara wanted to desperately speak with him. But it always felt like an inappropriate time to call, and she knew Alex needed rest before flying out to Melbourne. She walked over to her bedroom and leant against the doorframe. Her room was painted a violet colour and her white French bed was against the

Reviews for Thirty-Eight Days

[kendall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This story really kept me hanging on. I was up and down in emotion. I was so angry at him and then she drove me nuts. They both drove me nuts! It was killing me for the end of the second book which I had to go somewhere else to read because I couldn't handle waiting for it to be available. Scribd drives me crazy sometimes with not having things available. This definitely had me going to the end. I wondered how so much time was going to be filled and the author just kept things happening without boring me with endless pages of filler. I was actually uncertain and worried as to how this was going to end. I'm hoping the next books in the series are just as worth it. I do wish there could have been a little more delving into Alex and his Kiera. I especially wish there had been more scenes involving Kiera. It wouldn't have hurt to have her more involved.