Forever is Mine

By Wendy Louise

(Book 1 in the 'Forever Series')

Every so often someone special comes in to your life and it is so monumental that it marks time. It’s like a date is forever imprinted on your heart. After that, everything before pales in comparison and you wonder what you ever did without them....

Feeling the need for a change in life, Ava Lucas boards a plane for LA to work with her movie star sister. After making a vow to steer clear of men while she is there, she comes face to face with danger and temptation - all wrapped up in a 6 foot, blue-eyed, smoking-hot package. Her promise to herself is compromised as soon as she locks eyes with her sister’s gorgeous co-star, but already knowing his reputation with women, can she resist?

Ethan Drake is Hollywood royalty. Hot and charismatic. A total player. He sets his sights on Ava from the moment he lays eyes on her and what starts as a conquest turns in to more as she manages to chip away at the walls he has built over the years to protect his heart.

Can Ava resist the powerful lure of Ethan and stay true to her promise? Can Ethan bury his demons and turn his back on his playboy ways to convince Ava to be his?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wendy Louise
• Release date: Jun 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9780994237927

Wendy Louise

I am so excited to share my novels with you. I’ve had a wonderful time over the last 18 months, writing and dreaming up stories. I never thought I would have so many ideas, and there have been days where my fingers couldn’t type quickly enough to get the words on to the page. It has been a long journey but now that I am ready to let my ‘book babies’ go, I am so proud of the final products. In my ‘normal’ life, I am married with two young children living in Melbourne, Australia. Reading is my favourite pastime, and I usually have one or two books on the go at a time. I can’t devour them fast enough. Somehow I managed to get my first book written while still working full time, raising two busy children and still reading a couple of books a week! Most nights you will find me curled up on the sofa with a good book, a block of chocolate and a trashy TV show playing in the background. I hope you enjoy my 'Forever' series books, as much as I enjoyed writing them. Please feel free to make contact with me. I would love to hear from you and I look forward to your feedback. Happy Reading!

Book preview

I roll to my back and toss the condom to the floor. As I stare at the ceiling, the hottie to my left rolls to her side and places her head on my chest. Her dark hair fans out over my arm, tickling it as it pulls across my skin. She starts to run her fingernails across my abs, scratching as she goes. Before the sex, this would have turned me on, now it’s annoying me.

Wanna do that again? she says in a sing-song voice as her hand trails lower.

That’s my cue.

My cue to leave.

I gently remove myself from under her and search the floor for my jeans.

You’re leaving? she says, sitting up quickly and tossing her long hair over one shoulder.

Yep, I say as I button my fly and grab my t-shirt from under the bedside table.

She gives me a tight smile and says, I guess what they say about you is true.

Yeah and what’s that?

This girl is starting to piss me off and the fact that I can’t remember her name is not helping.

You really do use women for one thing…

Now she’s really pissing me off.

She only wanted me for one thing last night and she got it.

Twice.

Not to mention the fact that she has bragging rights – I bagged Ethan Drake!

So what the hell is her problem now?

I never promised you anything but great sex and that’s what you got sweetheart, I throw back.

"The great Ethan Drake, she says through her teeth, the Sex God with no emotions."

I’ll take that title as a compliment, I say as I try to find my car keys.

You’re a pig, she says as I start to head out of the room.

I’m not going to argue with that assessment either. Call me what you will, Sex God, Pig, I can be either of those things.

The women I sleep with only want me because of who I am and what they can get from me. So I flaunt it. Who wouldn’t? But at the end of the day, doesn’t that make them the same as me? They use me in the same way as I use them.

I make my way to the door to leave and toss a Thanks over my shoulder.

Hey I’m not a total asshole!

I manage to get through the door before the shoe she throws at me hits the other side. I can hear her yelling at me from her position on the bed, but she is already a memory to me. I won’t be going there again.

I never do. No repeat performances for me.

I push the button for the elevator and take a deep breath. I’ve just had great sex with a hot chick. Most guys would give their left nut to have a night like I just did.

So why do I feel so hollow inside?

Hollywood here I come

I’ve never been good at saying goodbye. I stress and worry over the moment that I have to actually do it for weeks on end before it is upon me, and then I generally fall apart.

Leaving behind moments in time has never been easy for me. Change has always been a dirty word.

I have been worrying over the goodbye that is now staring me in the face for weeks.

"Don’t forget to call if you need anything….. my mum says, emphasizing the last word in a drawn out way; …and say hello to your sister for us, give her a big kiss."

She embraces me in a warm hug. I shut my eyes and tighten my grip on her. This one will have to last me for a while. I inhale her scent, all jasmine and daisy, and commit it to memory. It makes me feel safe.

Dad wraps his large arms around us both and squeezes. He can sense Mum’s imminent emotional crumble. Stay safe over there kiddo, he says with a smile. Don’t go falling in love with any American men; I want you to come back! One daughter living over there is more than enough.

I pull back from their double embrace and raise my eyebrows at my dad. That’s the last thing you need to worry about Dad. I am steering clear of the men over there.

Good girl, just go and enjoy yourself. He smiles his charming smile and passes me the handle for my hand luggage. Give Olivia a big kiss from me too.

I will. I love you both. I pull them both in for one last hug and then bend to grab my bag.

Mum’s eyes are starting to gloss over so it is time for me to head off. I can’t see her cry; it will just set me off too. After a final glance over my shoulder and a wave, I make my way through the departure gate and in to Customs.

On my way to a new life.

Change.

That word keeps swirling through my brain but I push it back. The normal panic that I feel whenever I think about the change I’m undertaking gets squashed down as I breathe deeply and focus on the task at hand.

After 4 years of studying for a Journalism Degree at Melbourne University in Australia, I’m about to board a plane for the bright lights of Los Angeles and leave behind everything and everyone that makes me feel safe and comforted. I always like life to be safe and comfortable, so right now I’m wondering what on Earth I am thinking in agreeing to fly half way around the world to work for my sister.

My older sister is Olivia Lucas, upcoming Hollywood Actress and star of what is hoped to be one of the highest grossing movies of the year – Forever is mine.

As I stand in line at the Customs counter, waiting to have my passport stamped I think of the new job that awaits me in LA. Olivia needs a Personal Assistant on set and begged me to come and work with her. She said that she didn’t want some ‘Hollywood type’ that would be mindlessly at her beck and call, sucking up at every opportunity. She wants someone she can trust and confide in, and that’s me.

We’ve always been close despite the 4 year age gap. She has always been my best friend and confidante, even since she has been living in the States. We always make sure to talk at least twice a week to catch up on each other’s lives.

After getting through Customs, I decide to peruse the duty free shop to kill some time. I have an hour to spare before my flight boards. I want to bring something for Olivia, so I settle on a small bottle of her favourite perfume before paying for it and heading to the Ladies Room to freshen up.

I’ve dressed comfortably in my Levis, pale blue converse and a loose fitting cardigan that drapes warmly around my body. My long, naturally wavy brown hair is pulled back in to a ponytail and I have kept my make up to a minimum thinking of the fourteen hour flight ahead of me, and not wanting ‘panda eyes’ when I land. Although I’m sure they are inevitable.

I am so ready for this trip. I need to escape the reality of life for a while and move outside my comfort zone. Life for me has always been about doing the right thing. Working hard at school, because that’s what was expected; studying at University because that was the natural progression to take. Being with the right guy, the nice guy, because that’s what someone like me does.

Well, didn’t that turn out great!

I was with Cole for two years until I found out that he had been cheating on me with not one but two other girls.

I was devastated.

Completely ripped in half!

The weird thing about it all now is that the more I look back on our relationship, the more I realise that I was with him because he was comfortable and he represented what everyone thought was right for me. Good job, good family, good looks. In hindsight, that was all deceiving, and he was so wrong for me on so many levels. Breaking up with him was the best thing I could have done two months ago, but it still hurts. I miss the friendship and companionship - but not him.

They finally call my flight, so I gather my handbag, my carry on case and my magazines and join the queue ready to board. I take a deep breath and look out the large airport windows one last time at the Melbourne sun, shining brightly and casting warm rays across the carpet.

Here goes nothing.

I’ve packed my ipad and loaded it up with books and movies to help me get through the long haul flight. I know the in-flight entertainment is there, but I wanted to read. There’s nothing better than getting lost in a book. Once situated in my economy class seat at the back of the plane, I pull it out and start to read to pass some time. An older lady sits next to me and nods to say hello. She settles herself and pulls out a book. I am hoping that we will both sit and do our own thing for the next fourteen hours. I am not averse to talking to people on planes, but I don’t want to make small talk for the entire journey.

Following a light lunch of pasta, salad, chocolate mousse and those little crackers with portion control cheese – I love those - I decide to put my headphones on and listen to music while trying to settle in to sleep. I decide on Adele, because her music is really soothing to me. While listening to her singing about Turning Tables, I must have succumbed to sleep because I don’t wake until the Flight Attendants are starting to serve juice and coffee in preparation for breakfast.

I am now only 3 hours from my destination and the butterflies in my stomach turn into bats and begin to flutter. I am so excited, yet nervous, not knowing what to expect in this new city that I will call home for the next twelve months.

Once the Captain announces that we are about to make our descent in to LA, I am scared. My heart is beating so fast behind my ribs; I need to calm myself with a few deep breaths. How do people do this when they don’t have anyone to meet them at the other end? If I didn’t have Olivia here with me, I would be a basket case. I take a few more calming breaths and peer out the window to see the land below while ensuring that my seat belt is securely fastened.

As I step through the doors at LAX I am welcomed by the bright morning sunshine streaming through the large glass windows. It reminds me of the sight I left behind in Melbourne. That somehow makes me feel a little more at home.

A little more at ease.

I come across a smartly dressed lady ahead with a sign stating my name, standing near the exit. She looks like a cross between a security guard and a chauffeur, with her pressed black slacks, crisp white shirt, black tie and black hat. I don’t recognise her but make my way over to her, dodging all the travellers as I go. Not an easy task with the luggage trolley. This airport is so busy, it blows my mind.

Hi, I’m Ava Lucas, I say as I reach her, offering my hand for her to shake.

Good Morning Miss Lucas, I’m Miranda. Your sister sent me to collect you and asked me to drop you off at the Studio. She hopes that you don’t mind, but she had an early call time this morning.

No worries, I reply, handing the luggage trolley over to her as she reaches for it.

Miranda is all efficiency and professionalism in one smart package. She helps me to navigate the airport and car park with my luggage and soon afterwards I am situated in the back of a sleek black SUV, heading towards the freeway and the studio. The car is very luxurious and smells of new leather seats. It makes me feel like someone important and suddenly I get a small glimpse of what life must be like for my soon-to-be-superstar sister.

I’m in awe of the city as it flies past the windows. I cannot believe how many freeways there are here and how they wind their way around each other. I will never be able to work out which one to take or where to go. In Melbourne we only have a few freeways and they pretty much go in a straight line compared to this. They are easy to navigate, but these look terrifying. Suddenly the thought of driving in my adopted city sends a chill to my stomach.

Miranda seems completely at ease weaving her way through the mountain of traffic, so I nestle back in my seat and try to take in as much as I can. The palm trees, the billboards, the city buildings, it is all so exciting. As we continue, I start to see landmarks that I have only ever seen in movies, or on TV. The sight of the Hollywood sign up on the hill to my right makes me squeal as we pass it. Miranda looks at me in the rear view mirror in a way that tells me that I am not the first person to have that reaction in her presence. I apologise to her for my little outburst and return to my city gazing out the car window, silently. She doesn’t seem the type to chat.

We continue for some time until Miranda tells me that we have arrived at our destination. I am excited to see that we have pulled through the gates at Universal Studios. I try to contain myself this time so that no unexpected squeals leave my throat. I need to act professionally; there are going to be many OMG moments now that I’m here.

We meander our way through parking lots and roadways that lead us to the back lot of the studios. I watch as eager tourists are undergoing a tour of the area in a little train car. They’re all madly snapping photos and videos of everything around them. I feel like I belong in the train car with them rather than wherever I’m currently headed.

The car pulls up outside a huge warehouse-like building with Studio A written on the side of it. Miranda opens my car door and leads me through the large door. We walk down a long corridor to an area that looks like it is reserved for guests.

Please wait here Miss Lucas, she says, someone will be with you shortly. I’ll ensure that your luggage makes its way to your sister’s apartment.

Thank you Miranda.

I turn to take in my surroundings. The room I’m in has a large dark leather couch and a long table against the wall that is full of beautifully presented food and drinks. I’m feeling quite hungry but I’m too scared to touch anything in case it isn’t permitted, so I sit myself down on the inviting looking couch and wait. I’m exhausted so I pull out my ipad to read while I wait. I need to make sure that I don’t drift in to sleep.

Fifteen minutes and one chapter later I hear her before I see her.

There is no mistaking the Australian accent or the gorgeous laugh that echoes down the hall towards where I am waiting. Rounding the corner is my beautiful sister. I rise out of the chair, but her beauty stops me in my tracks.

She’s wearing a long white fluffy robe. Her long dark hair has been curled to perfection and is bouncing against her shoulders as she moves, and her make-up, although heavy, accentuates every feature on her flawless face. She is quite simply - dazzling.

Olivia always knew that she wanted to be an actress. When we were young she would put together theatre shows with all the local children in our neighbourhood and charge the parents and neighbours a small price to watch them. They were always pretty amateur and we would all giggle our way through the dialogue, but Olivia always took them so seriously. She was really good, even back then. I’ve always envied her drive and the fact that she had a dream and she is going for it.

Most people don’t have the courage to do that. Especially in a town like Hollywood that can eat you up and spit you out in the blink of an eye.

My attention turns from Olivia to the cute guy behind her who is hanging on her every word. He holds an ipad and it sounds as if he is trying to schedule some time with her, for what, I don’t know. As she spots me, her face lights up and she almost runs to engulf me in the biggest hug. As her arms go around me, I realise that I’ve missed seeing her so much. Her hug alone makes me feel welcome and a little less stressed about this whole adventure I’m undertaking. It feels like a little bit of home is here with me.

Ava I missed you so much, I’m so glad that you’re here. She squeezes me hard, her fluffy robe enveloping and calming me along with the scent of her perfume.

I pull back. Hi Sis, I missed you too. How are you? I ask as I take her in, raking my eyes from her head to her toes.

She looks happy and exclaims, I’m great, wonderful really, this is all so exciting. I’m undergoing costume fittings and styling at the moment, hence the robe, so please excuse the look! She sweeps her hand theatrically down her body to highlight her attire.

I don’t know what she’s talking about. She looks amazing.

She leads me back to the couch and gestures towards the young man that has followed her in. Ava, this is Joshua; he is Ethan Drake’s Personal Assistant. You two will probably get to know each other really well, so I wanted him to come meet you as soon as you arrived. Joshua, this is my sister Ava.

Ah yes, Ethan Drake.

Olivia is starring alongside true Hollywood royalty, or at least the son of.

Ethan Drake is playing her romantic lead. He is a true Hollywood celebrity, but this is his first feature film role. Ethan is the son of one of Hollywood’s most loved leading ladies, Elizabeth Drake. Elizabeth was a huge movie star in the 80’s and 90’s, but to this day she is still looked upon as ‘America’s Sweetheart’, in the very same way that Australia has adopted Liv. This country loves her.

Joshua steps forward pulling my attention.

Hi, Joshua Roberts, great to meet you Ava. Olivia has been so excited about you coming. I feel like I know you already with what she has told me.

Joshua is tall, but shorter than Olivia. He has dark brown hair that has been styled in to choppy spikes on top of his head. He has deep green eyes and an amazing smile, and is dressed casually in cargo pants and a tight black t-shirt that accentuates what looks to be a great body underneath. He smiles and gives me his hand. He is a real cutie.

After shaking my hand for what feels like forever, he drops it to continue his conversation with Olivia.

So Liv, he says. Ethan wants to run lines on the scene you’re filming tomorrow. Have you got some free time today?

What time Josh?

Ethan has a window free from 11am for an hour. Would that work?

Perfect, tell him I’ll see him then.

Joshua turns on his heel but before leaving the room, glances back at me, and smiles. I can’t wait to work with you Ava! I’ll see you soon.

I’m grateful that he seems like a nice guy and will be easy to be around. I was worried that everyone was going to be snobby and difficult to work with. I mean I’m from Australia and have never worked in this Industry before, so I’m sure that will be frowned upon by some.

So tell me everything about home Ava, how are Mum and Dad? Liv asks as she sits down.

I proceed to update her on all the news from home and tell her how proud of her everyone is.

I’m so sorry that I couldn’t pick you up from the airport today. I got called in early. We should be able to head back to the apartment mid-afternoon. I can’t wait to show you around LA.

I can’t wait to see the apartment and LA. I am so happy to be here with you Liv.

Not as happy as I am to have you here. I have missed you all so much. She stands and grabs a bottle of water and a fancy looking sandwich from the table for each of us. Come on, she says, I want to show you my dressing room and I need to introduce you to a few people.

For the first time since arriving, I feel the excitement creep back in, taking the place of my nerves.

Meeting the Ethan Drake

I follow Olivia back down the long corridor and around another corner. We arrive at a door that has a name plate on it stating - Olivia Lucas - in bold gold letters. It also has a gold star to the side of her name.

Very clichéd, but so Hollywood.

I’m so proud and excited for her that I quickly grab my iphone and snap a shot of it. Once I sort out what network I can use for my phone over here, I’m going to text that shot to everyone back home. They will all be so impressed.

Olivia just breezes past it like it is no big deal and opens the door to her dressing room, gesturing me through.

It is huge.

There is a wall of mirrors with a white marble bench along it. The bench holds cosmetics, hair products and perfumes. There are so many of them that I can’t imagine that one person could need all that. There are two very comfortable black leather seats under the bench that I assume are used when Olivia is being made-up and pampered.

The wall opposite has a long black leather couch with silver scatter cushions. It looks so comfortable, and I would be quite happy to lie down, curl up, and take a nap at the moment if I could.

The bathroom is here if you need it, Olivia says as she opens another door at the back corner of the room. The white marble theme is continued in here with a huge tub and a large shower. More mirrors grace the wall over the vanity and little light bulbs rim the mirrors.

Very movie-star-esque.

Here Ava, let’s sit and eat, you must be hungry.

My stomach answers her question with a growl and we both laugh.

There is a special office down the hall that will be yours. Joshua works from there too. He’ll be able to show you the ropes around here, and he is a great guy.

He seems very sweet, I say as I take a bite of my sandwich.

He is. Ava, I’m so happy to have you here, I like knowing that I have someone I love with me. This place can feel like it is eating you alive sometimes. Not everyone is as genuine as Josh, so you need to be careful. There are so many jealous people around, people who will do anything to get ahead.

Thanks for the warning, but I’m sure I will be able to tell the difference between the genuine ones and the assholes.

I’ve always prided myself on my ability to read people.

I guess I let myself down where Cole was concerned though. I push him from my mind and take another bite of my lunch.

Olivia smiles. You’ve always been such a sweetie Ava, and I just want you to be careful and guard yourself. Hollywood can be a tough place.

She replaces the cap on to her bottle of water and places her half eaten sandwich on to the side table. Come on, let me show you your office, I’m sure Josh is back there by now, he can help you get settled.

Olivia starts to walk towards the door of her dressing room and turns to me. "One more thing. Ethan may be in the office with Josh. He can seem very Hollywood," she says, using her fingers to accentuate the word.

As you know, his mother is in the business so he has grown up in this industry. He is used to getting what he wants and can make life difficult for newbies. He doesn’t seem to trust people he doesn’t know, a side-effect of growing up in this business I guess. Don’t let it intimidate you. Once you get to know him, he’s actually a pretty decent guy, it just takes time. She shrugs as if she is deep in thought before adding, Oh and Madeline Rose, well she’s a whole other story! Olivia rolls her eyes.

Madeline has been cast as one of the lead supporting characters in the movie. She is a huge young Hollywood star and from what Olivia has told me, she personifies all those attributes that make her a starlet – she is conceited, demanding, and in short - a bitch. She already has two highly popular movies under her belt.

Thanks for the warning Liv, but I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself you know. She laughs as I follow her out the door.

You’ll always be my little sister Ava and I feel like I need to look out for you.

I’m here to look out for you in case you’ve forgotten. That’s my job now.

Liv laughs again as I trail behind her.

I can see Joshua ahead talking animatedly. I assume that this is my new office. Olivia enters the room and I follow close behind.

As I make my way through the door I smile at Joshua and then my gaze turns and locks on to a pair of deep sapphire-blue eyes.

They are staring right at me, like they could burn a hole to my soul.

They’re the deepest blue eyes I’ve ever seen, framed by long, thick, dark lashes. The type that any woman would pay good money for.

When I manage to tear my eyes away from the gaze, I notice the thick, sandy-brown hair that is tousled in such a way that you know it has been done effortlessly, but it looks like it has been styled for a magazine shoot.

Moving down, I take in the sharp angled jaw and the flawless crooked smile, and I know I’m staring at the face of Ethan Drake.

He is even more breathtaking in real life than he is in magazines.

If that’s even possible.

I ignore my sweaty palms and the increase in the rhythm of my heart.

Thump, thump, thump…..

Ethan begins to rise off the chair he is casually sitting in and moves towards me. My heart literally skips a few beats before my breathing starts to falter. He’s wearing tight black jeans that fit in all the right places, and a long sleeved grey t-shirt layered with a black one over the top. He has black converse on his feet and a black leather cuff on his right wrist. He oozes sex appeal and could easily have been on the set of a catalogue shoot, ready to grace the pages with his beauty.

He is utterly gorgeous.

And utterly dangerous!

I feel like a deer caught in the headlights.

The closer he comes towards me, the faster my heart thumps against my ribs. I begin chanting to myself in my head, calm down Ava, breathe, calm down Ava, breathe…..

This is OMG moment number 2.

The Hollywood sign has nothing on this.

N.O.T.H.I.N.G!

He stops in front of me and cocks his striking head to the side. You must be Olivia’s sister, she told me you were coming, but she failed to mention how beautiful you are. I’m Ethan Drake.

His voice is deep and dreamy, surrounding my senses like melted chocolate.

Yes, melted chocolate!

Gooey.

Sweet.

Sugary.

Heaven!

When those words leave his mouth, I can understand why women fall at his feet. He holds his hand out to shake mine, but as our hands make contact, instead of shaking mine, he pulls me towards him and places a kiss on the back of it. When his lips touch my hand, I feel the electricity flow through me in a flash from the flesh on my hand to the very tip of my toes…

Oh my, he is good.

His inhumanely beautiful blue eyes stare in to mine, and for a moment I lose my ability to speak. He gives me a small crooked smile and I can tell he knows he is getting to me. This must happen around him a lot.

Once I find my tongue I say, Nice to meet you Ethan, I’m Ava.

I’m proud of myself for keeping my voice even and maintaining eye contact while he is still holding my hand and continuing to stare in to my eyes. All I want to do is swoon at his feet. I remove my hand from his and take a step backwards to try and maintain some distance to gain back my composure.

He is too hot for his own good.

I need to clear my head. I have to work with these people and I’m not about to embarrass myself in front of any of them on our first meeting.

Ethan looks past me towards my sister and says, Hey Liv, ready to run some lines?

Yep, she answers as they move to leave the room. My eyes can’t help but follow them out the door, and as they do, Ethan looks back at me and gives me a wink before he disappears from view.

Olivia calls out to me, I’ll be back soon Sis. Once we finish rehearsing you and I can head out and I’ll get you settled at the apartment.

I reply with a quick, Okay Liv, and they are gone.

I turn towards Joshua who is smiling his toothy grin, with a questioning look in his eyes.

What? I ask with a shrug.

Did the magic work on you? he says.

What magic are you talking about Joshua?

I know exactly what magic he is talking about!

"C’mon Ava, the Ethan Drake magic…. ‘She never told me how beautiful you are’, that magic." Joshua smiles.

Oh that, I try to say casually as if it hasn’t affected me at all. I’m sure he says that to all the girls he meets. I can feel my face flushing and duck my head so that Joshua can’t see my reaction.

He laughs and shakes his head. Come on; let me show you to your desk. You can sit right here by me. I’ve cleared this area for you and this lap top has been set up, ready to go. You even have an email address ready and waiting. The Studio is good at keeping their talent happy, and as soon as Olivia decided that she wanted you as her PA, the Studio made sure everything was arranged for you. There is also an ipad and iphone here for you.

Josh continues, The talent like us to be contactable at all times. Believe me; Ethan calls me at all hours of the day and night. He rolls his eyes but I can tell that he loves his job. He is very passionate about it when he talks.

Josh begins to fill me in on the movie. Forever is mine is a bestselling book, in the genre of Young Adult Romance. There are three books in all, and the roles in the first movie were coveted by all the top American actors. The Producers of the trilogy wanted relative unknowns to take on the two main leads. The anticipation surrounding this movie is enormous.

After an hour of talking, Joshua turns to me changing the subject. So are you a tea or coffee girl?

I’m a tea drinker, you?

I love coffee all the way, he states with a little nod. He really is a cutie. I think I’m going to like working alongside him.

Well seeing as you’ve had a long flight and I’m sure you’re exhausted, let’s head to the Studio café and I’ll buy you a cup of tea.

That sounds like heaven. I grab my purse and rise out of my seat.

We head to an area that opens out in to a large café, with both indoor and outdoor seating. It has a large bar for making sandwiches and a big display cabinet full of delicious looking hot food. The smell in here is divine. My stomach begins to growl and I realise that I am still quite hungry, despite the sandwich Liv and I just shared. It is probably meal time back in Australia and my body clock is still set to that schedule.

Hey Josh, a petite blonde girl calls out from behind the counter. Her voice is high and sounds almost like she’s singing. From the way she is looking at Joshua I can see that she is interested in him. Her smile is huge and infectious and she is batting her eyelashes without realising it.

Hey Chelsea. This is Ava. She’s Olivia’s sister and her new PA. Josh gives her a crooked smile and puffs out his chest.

Chelsea is very pretty. She has long, perfectly straight blonde hair, pulled back in to a high ponytail. I would love to have hair that straight. My hair is wavy – not straight and not curly, just in between. She has green eyes and a cute little button nose. She comes out from behind the counter to shake my hand and bounces as she walks. She gives me a wide kind smile. It’s nice to meet you Ava, welcome to the family here. Let me know how you like your coffee, I’ll be the one making it for you each day.

I’m actually a tea drinker, but thanks anyway. I state kindly.

Well we stock every type of tea here. Ethan Drake is a tea drinker too, so he made sure every variety would be at his beck and call. Which is your poison Ava?

Um, I like green tea actually. But don’t worry….

Chelsea cuts me off and says, Oh we have every type of green tea, green tea with mint, green tea with jasmine, green tea with…

I stop her before she recites the entire tea menu. Green tea with mint would be great. Thanks Chelsea. I think we are going to get along really well too. She seems very sweet. I love her energy.

She smiles widely. Go sit, I’ll bring them over. Usual for you Josh? Her eye lashes are batting again. I wonder if she realises that she is doing that.

Yes, thanks.

Joshua gestures for me to go ahead and we make our way to the tables outside. The weather is stunning and the air is warm and humid. The tables are covered in large white market umbrellas that shade them perfectly. I pull my large black sunglasses from my bag and place them over my tired eyes. Joshua gives me a full megawatt smile and cocks his head to the side as he folds his hands on the table between us.

So tell me Ava, what do you think of our town so far?

"I

Reviews for Forever is Mine

[Jessica Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I liked it! it was a great read. Now onto the next book