Something Beautiful

By JoJo Prince

It was supposed to be one night, no complications, two people brought together by unknown forces and go with it, see where the night leads. But sometimes we don't get a say, sometimes fate decides for us...

Interior Designer, Alexis Garrison's world falls apart after divorcing her unfaithful husband. She reaches a turning point in life and has to make some important decisions. Her dream job and a promise of a new life in New York are calling her. Will her new life be all she dreamed of or could there already be a different path laid out for her?

Never a believer in fate or second chances, when she comes across a man from her past and secrets are painfully revealed, Alexis begins to realize she may not be as in control of her life as first thought.

Can she overcome old wounds and give into love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JoJo Prince
• Release date: Aug 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310658280

JoJo Prince

Living my very own romance novel, in leafy England.I've been an avid reader of romance novels both contemporary and historical, since I purchased my first eBook many years ago. One day, I decided to open up a word document and Alexis and Blake's story started to pour out.I hope you enjoy their journey as much as i have exploring it!JoJo Prince

Book preview

Something Beautiful

by JoJo Prince

Copyright 2015 JoJo Prince

ISBN 9781310658280

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may not be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Thank you for downloading this eBook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favourite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Something Beautiful

by JoJo Prince

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Get in touch

Other books by Jojo Prince

Chapter One

Alexis

The tiny patch of lace isn’t so much a problem, what terrifies me more is the evil looking threadlike strings dangling from it that I take umbrage with. ‘Erm maybe this isn’t such a good idea Jen?’ Cringing as I hold up the barely there lingerie to the light. How do women wear these things? Lacy thongs like this belong around the body of a slinky Ann Summers model that can pull them off with ease, not around my average hips.

Resembling a bomb disposal expert, I take a steady breath and gently lay them on the bed, hoping they won’t detonate and carefully step back. If this was a Skype call, Jen would be in hysterics right now. Good thing she called on the landline, otherwise she would never let me live it down.

Safe to say the various pieces of string assembled into so called ‘panties’ will be waiting until last – until I can pluck up the courage to put them on. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked the girl in the shop for something sexy and stuck more to what I know? This is a really, really bad idea and it’s all Jen’s fault!

‘Trust me; he’s going to love it. Any man would, and if he doesn’t, then his head seriously needs examining.’ Easy for my best friend to say when she is living the life of sex in the city in New York with her Mr Big. My man is more Mr Big-On-Avoiding-The-Wife recently. I shouldn’t moan; Tom, my husband, has been flat out working late and is knackered by the time he gets home. That’s when he does get home; since qualifying as an architect he often works away. It’s not uncommon for a week to go by without seeing each other and when we do there is barely time to talk. Ships in the night comes to mind.

‘Earth calling Lexi, you’re doing that far away thing again. Glam up and go get him, before I catch a flight over there and kick your butt.’

‘Okay, okay, here goes nothing. Wish me luck.’ Trying my best to sound ultra-confident, but failing miserably.

My bedroom floor doesn’t help alleviate my low spirits, it’s barely visible. Worrying about the thong exploding was misplaced, because it looks like the inside of my wardrobe has and my clothes are the casualties, multi-coloured shrapnel layering my carpet. All this effort for my neglectful husband better pay off. Fingers crossed, because if it falls short I have no idea where we go from here.

‘Stop letting doubt creep in, you’ll knock him dead. I know you are out of practice, but ...’

‘Ha, out of practice.’ I echo. ‘I’m practically a virgin again; it’s been that long.’

Six months, six long months without the slightest hint of affection from him. Kind of understandable for a couple married for decades, but we are barely into our third year. Love at first sight didn’t happen for us and we’re both the first to admit it. Hardly made for the movies, it was a gradual romance; we met at university, after that we started working together and grew closer, until love eventually blossomed. We married a year later and everything was perfect ... until recently.

‘You crack me up sometimes Lexi. I hate to be the one to tell you, but you can only be a virgin once my dear.’

‘You know what I mean.’ Rolling my eyes as I reply.

‘I think you need to find your alter ego and let her lead. Pep talk over; doll yourself up and go get your man.’

My alter ego has been in a state of coma for a while; I may need to dust her down when I bring her round.

‘Roger, Roger. Signing off boss, talk to you tomorrow. Love you; say hi to Mark and Ellie for me.’

I miss her so much. I know we talk on the phone all the time, but it’s not the same. Jen moved over to the States after she married her Mr Big, Mark. Ellie, her little bundle of joy arrived earlier this year and I haven’t had a chance to fly over there to meet her. A trip to the big apple is definitely well overdue.

‘Love you too sweet cheeks. With any luck you guys will be too busy tomorrow to call me, if you catch my drift?’

‘No chance of a naughty lie in for us; Jazmine is staying over at her friend’s and is getting dropped off in the morning.’

Jazmine is my two year old daughter, or as she likes to correct everyone - two and three bits, so technically three. To her, being nearly three is much more impressive. She was born before Tom and I got together. Luckily for me being a single Mum never bothered him; he treats her like his own, when he is around that is.

‘Oh well, make the most of tonight then. I know what you’re doing, stop stalling and go!’ The order comes in before she hangs up on me, so I can’t argue. She knows me so well. I will do anything to not go through with this ridiculous plan of hers. Unfortunately one of us has to spice things up and Tom doesn’t appear to have the time or inclination. So it’s down to me to try, before it falls apart completely.

Scanning the room, the bedside table seems like the safest place to put my mobile, so I don’t have to hunt for it later under the mountain of dispersed clothes. Our wedding photo occupies the space next to my phone, weirdly all I feel when I look at it is emptiness. Bizarre, but sad, considering it was one of the happiest days of my life. Not exactly how I pictured our marriage panning out, I guess real life gets in the way of the plans you once made.

Time to get things back on track, I think...

****

After hours of preening, my mood has lifted and stepping out of the house I’m actually excited. Shivering slightly as the crisp night air catches me, I do up the last button on my coat. Thank god it’s thick and warm; the winter has begun its descent over Leeds and Jack Frost is having a glitter party on the ground. Under the street lights he might look all sparkly and pretty, but wearing these heels it’s like watching Bambi on ice.

It doesn’t sound like the sexiest way to exit the house, but when only I know what’s hidden underneath, it’s strangely arousing. My coat covers a multitude of sins; the newly purchased lingerie - including evil thong; a lacy suspender belt flashing just enough leg before the silky stockings work their magic all the way down to the only thing fully visible, some kick ass heels. Funny how an outfit can change your whole stance, well in my case its lingerie, but I feel like a different person ... a desirable one. Hopefully Tom will relish the change.

Panic ascends me when I park up at the office, I remain in the car for a moment to compose myself. Enjoying the warmth the heaters offer, the minutes tick by as I contemplate what I'm about to do. This is stupid. There is something about offering myself like this to a man, even if that man is my husband, which leaves me feeling vulnerable. Visualising the sexy smile on his face when he sees what’s under my coat helps. My fearless alter ego steps into the ring to psych me up.

Just walk in his office, shut the door, drop your coat and let the good times happen.

I grab the handle with new found determination and swing open the door. ‘Let’s go get him,’ I mutter to myself stepping out into the almost empty car park. Tom’s car is parked in front of the building, it spends more time here than anywhere else. Good sign though, it means he’s alone. The plan is coming together nicely – que evil laugh.

Most of the lights in the office are off when I creep out of the lift; everyone has gone home - to their families, unlike Tom. Working late is a way of impressing his father. A hard man, who expects his son to work his way up the company exactly the way he did. Even if that means working day and night, missing out on his family life in the process. It’s frustrating as hell!

Tiptoeing closer to the light coming from under his office door, I hear another voice in the room with him. Oh crap, he isn’t alone. Idiot, he is probably working with his father, what was I thinking? Plan aborted!

Embarrassed, I turn to leave, but pause when I click that his Father’s car wasn’t in the car park. That man doesn’t go anywhere unless he’s in his flash Mercedes. Who is in there then? The answer comes in the form of a breathy voice calling out his name the other side of the door and a shiver rides the length of my spine, not in a nice way. Against my better judgment, I turn back. My hand slowly rotates the handle and the door opens effortlessly.

Time decelerates and life suddenly turns into a painful slow motion movie. The image awaiting me will no doubt stay ingrained in the darkest recesses of my mind for life. Sarah, one of my so called friends and trusted colleague, is sprawled on her back across his desk, wearing nothing but her creased unbuttoned shirt and pure satisfaction written all over her face. Tom is standing at the end of the desk with his trousers hastily dropped around his ankles, hands on her hips ... fucking her. My hand flies to my mouth to cover the gasp I think is coming, but no sound escapes. It’s as if someone has their hands wrapped tightly around my throat, blocking my cries even though I’m screaming inside.

Sensing movement, Sarah turns her head towards me and that satisfaction is wiped clean away being replaced by panic. She emits a raspy whisper. ‘Alexis.’

‘Don’t go getting a conscience now,’ Tom groans to her. His head back, eyes shut like some alpha male, completely unaware of the third person in their party. My eyes flick back and forth between the two of them, not quite believing what they are seeing.

‘No, Alexis,’ she shouts. Pulling away from him she sits up and fumbles with the buttons on her shirt. With the abrupt end to his fun Tom snaps open his eyes and follows her line of sight.

He holds his hands out to me and steps towards me. ‘Alexis ... I can ...’

Does he seriously think I'm stupid enough to believe any of the bullshit that’s about to come spilling out of his mouth?

In a daze, completely numb, I stand and stare. No idea how long, life has frozen, none of us moving or saying anything. It’s like a standoff straight out of a western movie, only I don’t have a gun. Under the circumstances it’s probably for the best.

Trying to muster together what little self-respect he has left me; I walk out of his office and out of his life.

‘Alexis, wait.’ He yells, but my legs are intent on moving. It doesn’t take long for me to reach the lift and I frantically hit the button.

Come on, come on!

The doors finally open; I leap in like I’ve just managed to catch the last train home and push the down arrow hoping he doesn’t stop them in their tracks. Keeping my eyes glued to the floor, I don’t look back. I can’t. Supporting myself against the cold mirrored wall, I breathe a sigh of relief when they eventually close.

Quickly removing my heels, I sprint out as soon as the lift touches down. I’m one of life’s runners, if shit gets tough that’s what I do best. Confrontation isn’t my thing; I’m just no good at it, even when I’ve been made a complete mug of. No idea where I’m running; I stop only when my lungs give way and my body collapses on a bench in the park, a safe distance away from the office. On a complete adrenaline rush, I rub my hands on my legs trying to alleviate their shaking.

The silence and peace of the park I normally relish on my lunch break, doesn’t work in my favour this time; it allows my mind to revisit what just happened. As the state of shock passes, the sick feelings in the pit of my stomach firmly take root. Deja vu has a twisted sense of humour - weirdly my mind recalls the very same feelings when I was informed of my parents’ accident. Gut wrenching heartache, an enormous sense of loss, mixed with anger at everyone and everything, making me feel physically sick. Leaning forward on the creaky wooden bench, I clench my stomach fighting the urge to retch. It’s like I'm reliving all stages of grief in one big hit.

The cold has well and truly taken hold of my bum making it numb, not surprising really considering what little I'm wearing beneath my coat and despite having no sensation in my feet, I know they are cut up from running without my shoes. I guess in the grand scheme of things that’s the least of my problems.

Realisation seeps in. What a bastard! To think I have been wracked with guilt about all the pressure he has been under and all this time...

That’s all it takes to open my flood barriers and I know the tears won’t stop, not until my tank is empty. I haven’t cried like this for a long time, I could be here a while.

Great, I haven’t even got a flipping tissue to hand!

Sitting alone like some jobless hobo, I literally sob my heart into my hands. Crying for my loss, for Jazmine’s and most of all, I cry over how foolish I’ve been.

****

‘Alexis, please let me explain,’ his voice says softly. Damn. He found me; my legs didn’t carry me far enough.

Lifting my heavy head from my hands, in a single moment my entire view of him alters. The man I love no longer stares back, it’s as if a complete stranger stands before me. I tilt my head and scrutinise him. No, definitely not the same man I have spent all these years building a life with. I’m watching his mouth move, but it would seem someone has pressed the mute button on the remote. I snigger.

Lucky really, I’m sure it’s just more lies.

My mind races with questions I’m not sure I want answers to; why, where, how long? The list is endless, but most importantly - how could you? He snaps me out of my hellish thoughts by yelling at me, ‘say something damn it.’

So I say the only words I can muster, ‘it’s over.’ I stand up to leave, but he grabs my wrist tight to stop me. My blood boils. Glaring at him with venom in my eyes, I yank my wrist free.

‘That’s all you’re going to say?’ He scoffs, throwing his arms towards the sky.

My mouth unhinges itself, the gall of the man! After months of silence and no shows, now he wants to have a conversation. ‘What do you expect me to say Tom?’ I shrug, exacerbated.

‘I don’t know. I’m just trying to explain things, please Lexi don’t make this any harder on me.’

‘Ha, you’ve got a nerve Tom.’ My voice hits a few octaves higher and I shake my head.

‘I didn’t mean it to come out like that. For what it’s worth I'm sorry you had to find out that way.’ On the surface he looks sincere, but now I know the real Tom I can see straight through it. Shame I was blind to it before.

‘Bet you are. You’re just sorry you got caught.’

‘Sarah means nothing to me, it’s just sex ... was sex.’ Freudian slip huh?

‘Sex you couldn’t stand to have with your wife. Now I understand why. It’s over Tom.’

Walking away seems like the safest option, before I consider doing something I can get arrested for. There is absolutely nothing left to say to him anyway. He chose this path, he can walk it.

‘Don’t go Lex, please I made a mistake.’

Unable to hold in the dig, I twist back to add one more in his ribs. He deserves it after all. ‘Just the one, I’d say it was a few more than that?’

Head hung like a guilty man, ‘I'm sorry.’

‘Like I said, it’s over. You can pick up your stuff tomorrow.’

‘Please.’ He drops to his knees and begs.

Even if he licked my grubby feet clean, I still wouldn’t forgive him.

‘There is no going back, the damage is done. Either pick your stuff up tomorrow or it's being put out for the bin men.’ With my piece said, I hobble back to my car leaving him to wallow in my pool of tears. He isn’t my problem anymore, she is welcome to him.

While I'm waiting for my old banger to warm up, I inspect my feet and contemplate my next step, literally.

Infidelity is unforgivable in my book; I was brought up better than to live in a loveless, faithless marriage. My parents adored one another; they clearly belonged together, everyone could see it. That’s what I hoped for from my marriage, pure unending love and devotion. For people to take one look at you together and know that you are made for each other. It’s not what Tom and I had in the end, I‘ve been fooling myself. Sensing something was wrong, I naively ignored the signs. Not something I plan on repeating. No asshole is going to get the chance to ruin me again.

So here I am, twenty five, single mother with deeply cut soles, my world giving way beneath me, having to start all over again ... again.

Chapter Two

Alexis

A blurry year later...

Packing, what a nightmare! Boy am I glad this is the first and last time I plan on moving half way around the world.

Slumping to the floor with shear exhaustion, I use one of the sealed boxes to lean against. Ever the lady, I wipe the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand and scan what’s left in the living room - the last room. Thankfully.

Maybe it’s just my imagination, but I’m sure I heard the kettle calling me. Beavering away all morning, I think I deserve a break from the endless boxes of stuff. Stuff that use to mean something to me once. Coming across the champagne flute glasses Tom and I were given as a wedding gift, hidden in the back of a kitchen cupboard, got me teary eyed. Covered in a thick layer of dust, no sparkle anymore - the epitome of our marriage towards the end.

Whoa, definitely brew time.

Heading towards the kitchen, the doorbell chimes. The unmistakable figure of Joan, our neighbour, can be seen through the panel of frosted glass in the centre of the front door. Joan is your typical grandma; a petite, well rounded elderly lady – working a never to be missed weekly salon styled blue rinse. Her smile warms me the second I open the door, as much as a cup of tea would if I made it that far. I’m going to miss her.

‘Only me dear, just popping over to let you know my Steven will be an hour or so late bringing the van around. Something to do with his boss being … well he used some expletives anyway.’ Flaying her arms in the air, she passes me into what remains of the living room.

‘Honestly Joan don’t worry about it, as you can see I’m running a bit late myself.’

Her hands cover her mouth. ‘Oh sweetheart, look at this place.’ The pity is evident in her eyes when she looks at me. I have to turn away, the brooding mood I’m in today she could send me toppling over the edge. She doesn’t take the hint. Wagging her finger at me she says, ‘that man has a lot to answer for. Making you pack up your life like this.’

‘Nothing in life is guaranteed Joan, things change for better or worse.’

Tom and I bought this house with the best intentions of making a life together. All that’s left of those intentions are now being packed up and given to the local charity shop. That’s where her son Steven comes in, he has kindly offered to help me transport it all in his van. A clean break after our divorce is what I need, plus I can hardly ship all of it to America with us. That would be crazy and I think Jen would have something to say about it considering we are crashing at hers for a while.

Sympathetically rubbing my shoulders, she forces me to make eye contact. ‘The last year has been hard on you and little Jazmine. I don’t know how you got through it, you deserve a medal dear, you really do.’

‘I’ve had no choice but to carry on. A move is just what we need, a fresh start.’

After a year of agonising meetings, the divorce is finalised, there is nothing here for me anymore. No husband, no family – apart from Joan who I consider my adopted Grandma - and my best friend thousands of miles away.

‘I was really worried about you for a while, you weren’t eating or really talking. I was close to calling the men in white coats to come pick you up.’ She nudges me in jest.

In a different place now, I can smile about it. ‘Divorce is something I never thought I would have to experience.’ The whole ordeal has drained me both emotionally and physically. The first few weeks after we split, I was a mess, a walking zombie, scarcely functioning. Only made it through because of Joan’s unwavering company and her home cooked meals. I went back to work when I was able to focus again, but being in the same office as Tom became unbearable, so I quit.

‘I know sweetheart, but it’s over now and you can move on with your life. It’s just a shame you are going so far away, I’ll never see you. You know it’s full of Yankees, don’t you?’ Must be an age thing calling them Yankees?

Giggling, I hug her tight. ‘Yes I know Joan, it’s the home of the Yankees.’

‘You will keep in touch won’t you dear?’ Concern etching her voice.

‘Of course we will. I’ll speak to Steven about getting you internet and then we can Skype call, it’s free.’

Pulling out of my embrace, she shakes her head. ‘Oh I don’t know about that, best to stick with what I know.’ I smile. What is it with the older generation and their mistrust of new technology? ‘I will let you get back to your packing dear, no need to see me out. And remember Steven will be late.’

I smile again. ‘Got it, thanks Joan. See you before we go.’

‘Okay dear,’ she replies waving as she walks down the hallway.

****

Right, before I get back to business, there is a tea bag in the kitchen with my name on it.

Passing the stack of boxes in the living room, the