Mardi Gras Magic

 

How does Sienna Gaudet extinguish an old flame?

With Kirk Ratcliff, her new spark!

Synopsis

Stood Up – What do you do when you’re jilted by your fiancé?

Stand Up – How supportive are you of your best friend’s treachery?

Step Up – When is it time to move forward?

Sienna Gaudet’s determined not to let her ex ruin a good time.

Kirk Ratcliff secretly yearns for a chance with his best friend’s ex.

Why would either succeed?

Mardi Gras Magic

Copyright © February 2019 by Mickie Sherwood

All rights reserved.

Note: Sweet Novella

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are coincidental; and if not coincidental, are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental. No part of this eBook may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited, to printing, file sharing, and email without prior written permission from Mickie Sherwood.

Credits

Editor/Proofreader: www.watchjanewrite.com

Cover art: www.cheekycovers.com

Formatter: authorems.com

Stood Up. . .

Sienna Gaudet took one last critical turn in front of the full-length mirror. The happy look of a newly engaged thirty-year-old beamed back at her. Family and friends awaited her arrival downstairs in an intimate banquet setting. Tonight was the party to officially announce their engagement.

Drew entered from the hallway, having just arrived at the hotel from the office. She applied the finishing touches to her makeup while watching his approach.

“You aren’t ready, yet?”

“Don’t I look ready?” She sashayed in a slow rotation before him, showing off her curvy figure in purple.

Normally, her moves would have spurred an amorous response. Her steady beau of three years only stared.

“Drew?”

A frown marred his handsome, russet-brown, clean-shaven features.

“What’s wrong?”

“Work.” He swiped a hand over his shaved head.

“Come over here.” Sienna dragged him to the bed and patted the mattress. “You’ve been acting funny for weeks now.”

“SiSi, I got the job.”

Sienna threw her arms around his neck. “That’s wonderful, babe. I’m so proud. You deserve this promotion as hard as you work.”

“Yeah. . .about that.” Drew got up. He paced across the room, hands jammed deep into his pockets.

His posture set her on edge. He looked at her as if she was see-through. Smoothing imaginary wrinkles from her party dress, she walked to where he stood. “Tell me what I can do to help.”

He brought the hand she brushed up his chest down to her side. Sienna’s heart sank.

“I’ve been put in charge of opening the new branch of the architecture firm on the West Coast.”

“Is that all?” She heaved a sigh. “Love lasts through long-distance romances.” Sienna cozied up to him, again. “I’ve got your back.”

He circled her waist with his hands. “You’re fairer than any Georgia peach; luscious brown skin; captivating chocolaty eyes; soft kissable lips.”

“That’s because I’m a Louisiana Lady.”

“This is a big deal. Requires my total concentration.” Next, he stepped back.

“What aren’t you saying, Drew?”

“Sienna. I love you. . .”

“But you don’t want to get married.”

“Not at the moment.”

“I can understand the pressures you’ll encounter in this new phase of your life. We can set a wedding date later.”

“You are so sweet, SiSi.”

“I know.” She smiled, accenting the last word.

“However, I believe it best to postpone tonight’s event.”

Sienna shivered, caught off-guard. “Lately, you’ve become standoffish, aloof. I rationalized all wasn’t right on your job. Denied what my intuition tried to warn me about. You’ve got cold feet.”

“The timing is all off. Rather than rush into this and battle future hurt, ripping the scab off allows for faster healing.”

Astonished, she asked, “I’m a scab on your life?”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

As he did when perturbed, Drew crossed his arms, shutting her down.

The lustrous glow of the evening faded. Sienna twisted the diamond from her finger. She exhibited all of her sass, grabbed his hand, and dropped the ring in his palm. Like a regal goddess, she secured her purse and strolled to the door.

“Wait. What are you going to do?”

At that moment, there was a knock.

She opened the door, never taking her eyes off him. “Leaving. What’s it to you? I don’t stay where I’m not wanted.”

“Sienna? Drew?”

The visitor was Drew’s best friend. She skirted Kirk on the way out, hearing his rant.

“Damn, Drew. Did I hear right, man?”

“Stay out of this, broh.”

“Never thought you’d go through with this asshole move.”

Their raised voices reached her even at the elevator. Sienna boarded with a lump in her throat. In a matter of minutes, she walked into the room amidst smiles and calls of congratulations. The looks on her parents’ faces indicated alarm when she looked them in the eyes.

“May I have your attention?” She raised her hands, palms out. The roar in the room quieted. “The engagement is off. All of your gifts will be returned. Enjoy your meal. Thank you for coming.”

She escaped with her head held high and the sound of her name echoing behind. Sienna rushed out onto the street before anyone reached her. All she wanted was air. Her head throbbed. Her eyes burned. Yet, she refused to let the buildup of tears fall.

Roaming aimlessly through the French Quarter, she ended up seated on the lighted levee watching boat traffic on the Mississippi River. A cruise ship, docked at the wharf, readied for departure. Sienna rested her forehead in her palms. Gritty footsteps on the pavement jerked her around.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“But you did. What are you doing here?”

“Checking to see if you’re all right.”

“So, you followed me?”

“It’s dark out, and you were upset.”

“I guess your friend will show up next?”

“Drew beat it out of there ahead of your family’s appearance at the door to the suite.”

Sienna watched Kirk sit on the far end of the wrought iron bench. He clenched his teeth so tightly his jaw ticked. The way he brushed the back of his hand along his cheek seemed to relieve his discomfort. Stretching his long legs out, he leaned with his elbows on the seat back. His eyes focused somewhere in the darkness. Apparently, he was prepared to wait for however long she needed to stay.

“My instincts told me something was amiss. My heart said it was just nerves.” She looked over at him. “How long have you known, Kirk?”

“Long enough to try and talk sense into his stupid head.”

“You could’ve alerted me.”

He lowered his eyes. “I thought my speech prevailed, Sienna.”

“We both see that it didn’t. However, thanks for trying.”

Silence enveloped them.

Sienna allowed her mind to drift. Lapping water crashed against the embankment. Red bulbs blinked on the highest points of the lighted bridge over the river. Wet streams coursed down her cheeks. Salty tears slid passed the corners of her mouth. She made a vow. No more waterworks after this moment.

Wiping away the lines with her pointer fingers, she stood. When he towered over her, even in the muted lighting, she saw exasperation on his face. “I’d better get back to handle my obligations.”

“I’ll walk with you.”

 
“Thanks, Kirk.”

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