Sawyer
Chapter 1
Meesha Kingston wrinkled her nose as she pulled a glittering lime green cocktail dress off the clothing shelf in a small boutique in Greenville, North Carolina. “Meh.” It was pretty and eye-catching, but it’d make her look like a tall Sour Patch Kids.
Her sister, Kayleigh, looked up, shook her head, and did the same nose wrinkle. “Oh, no. Not your color.”
With nearly a year to find the perfect dress for her high school reunion, she’d been unhurried, but faster than she expected, her time had run out. Now she was in a frantic, last-minute rush because she had a flight to Miami to catch in less than twenty-four hours. Since there’d been no luck in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, she’d driven the little over three hours to Greenville, North Carolina, hoping her sister, Kayleigh, could help.
Pulling another dress from the rack, Meesha grumbled under her breath and put it back. This dress needed to be perfect, especially since her high school rival, Anna Mears, would also be on the reunion Caribbean cruise. Much like high school, they’d butted heads at least once during each planning committee video call.
Not only did she gush about her perfect life as a fashion designer in New York, but five months ago, she’d met the love of her life because, of course, she had. It was one more thing Meesha didn’t have, and she’d snapped, claiming she’d met a nice guy too. It wasn’t love at first sight, but she had high hopes.
With each call, she’d refused to put the shovel down. There was no harm until two weeks ago, when Anna said she was sure her boyfriend would propose by the end of the cruise. Without so much as a blink, Meesha had opened her big mouth, and said her boyfriend would come with her too. It was too soon for a proposal, but he couldn’t go nearly two weeks without seeing her.
The call had ended, and the hole she’d dug was so deep there was no getting out of it. No way was she admitting she’d lied the whole time. She’d been vague about his looks, so at least in that regard, she’d been smart. She’d immediately logged into her Mr. Matchmaker account and put out a call for a fake boyfriend. Single was the only requirement, and they’d get an all-expense paid trip to the Caribbean.
The next couple of weeks, she met guy after guy, finally settling on Glen Hughman. He’d won mostly because he was available, and she was so unattracted to him there was no chance for anything more. She’d also failed to mention her elaborate lie to her sister, and she was keeping it that way. Knowing her sister and her curiosity—and the fact that she worked at Guardian Group, a private security firm based out of North Carolina—Meesha was also smart enough to have Glen book his trip separate from hers.
“Oh, I like this purple.” Kayleigh lifted the dress so Meesha could see it.
She eyed it for a moment, eventually shaking her head. “No, too dark.”
Kayleigh sighed. “What’s really going on? I get wanting a nice dress, but this feels like it’s something deeper.”
“I…” What did she say? That she didn’t want to feel like a loser? It’d been ten years, and her teaching position in Paris was old news after her ex-boyfriend, Noel Petit, had ripped it from her. At twenty-seven, what exactly did she have to show for herself since she graduated? A big, fat goose egg. “I just…I don’t want to be a loser Kayleigh.”
Kayleigh walked around the rack and faced her. “Meesha, you’re not a loser. You’re a fantastic teacher. The kids in Myrtle Beach love you. I know because I see all the little things they bring you, telling you they love you. You taught in France at a prestigious school, and it wasn’t your fault you had to quit.”
She gave a small shrug. “I know. Anna just gets to me. I’ve always come in second, and just once I’d like to be first.” She turned her attention to the rack and gasped. “Look at this one.” She pulled out a dusty blue sleeveless dress with a V-neck and flowing skirt and held it against her. “Oh, I like this one, and it hits just above my knees.” At five-eleven, it was hard to find dresses that hit just right.
“Oh, my gosh, I love it too.” Her sister gushed.
“Okay, this gives me five dresses to try on. One of them must be it.” She walked with Kayleigh to the dressing room she’d used to hang her other four picks while she looked for the fifth, and slipped inside.
The first dress wasn’t all the way on before she took it off. “Nope. It’s pretty, but it’s not pretty on me. Rose is not my color.”
“Aw, I liked that one.”
“Well, it didn’t like me at all.” A montage of trying on dresses played in her head, and she grimaced. Instead of leaving the dusty blue until last, she grabbed it and slipped it over her head, grinning as the soft fabric fell into place. She pulled the door open and stepped out. “I love it.”
Kayleigh had taken a seat a few feet away, and her mouth dropped open as she pushed out of the chair. “Oh, my goodness.” She closed the distance, fluffing one of the flowy panels on the skirt. “The wide cinch at the waist accentuates your figure so well. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it was made specifically for you.”
Meesha twirled, the skirt flaring out. “I feel pretty and confident in it. And it’s super comfortable.” She turned one way and then the other, placing her hand on her stomach. It was the prettiest dress she’d ever tried on. Her ocean blue eyes seemed to pop, and it even worked with her dark brown hair. “It’s perfect, and I already have some sandals that will go with it.” She exhaled in relief. That saved some time too, now that she wouldn’t be shopping for shoes. “This gives me enough time to get home and finish packing.”
“Okay, well, Tru and I are paying for it. So—”
“What? No, I can pay for it,” she scoffed. “I mean…I appreciate it, but you guys don’t have to do that.”
Oh, how she wanted a relationship like her big sister. Tru was a wonderful man, and their entire family loved him. The affection he poured on Kayleigh was enviable. They hadn’t met under the greatest circumstances, but no one could deny that they loved each other.
If only Meesha could find a guy like him. Sweet, kind, protective, and loving. She wanted to look a man in the eyes, say those vows of loyalty and long-lasting, long-suffering love. The kind that held a person up when they were weak and cheered a person on as they ran the race. Relationships weren’t easy, but with the right guy next to her, they could weather storms and build a future together.
At least, that’s what she hoped she’d have one day. Although, her last relationship had left her seriously gun-shy. He’d seemed so great at the beginning. Eight months later, it’d ended with her life turned upside down and so unsure of herself that she hadn’t even attempted to date. And that was exactly why she’d picked Glen. Zero chance of a romantic connection.
A smile lifted her sister’s lips. “We’re not taking no for an answer.”
Meesha groaned. “I feel bad when you guys pay for things.”
Her sister shrugged. “We know things are tight with you working for such a small salary. It’s the first time you’re going somewhere that we won’t be right there, and we just want you to have a good time with a little extra spending money during port stops.”
She hugged Kayleigh. “Thank you.”
When she’d returned from France, Guardian Group suggested protection, but she’d declined. There didn’t seem to be a need when Noel was on a travel ban. Another kind offer from Ryder Whitaker’s wife, Kennedy. Learning she’d survived similar situations made it infinitely easier for Meesha to talk to her, too.
Five months later, she was confident enough to move out of Kayleigh’s place to Myrtle Beach, a town that was a hop and a skip away. It gave her just enough space to feel like she was on her own without being so far away in case anything happened.
Kayleigh held her out by her arms, smiling ear to ear. “I’m so proud of you. You are so strong and beautiful, and one day, you’re going to meet the guy of your dreams. Until then, no one is rushing you either. Okay?”
Smiling, Meesha nodded. “I know, and thank you.” She slipped inside the dressing room and quickly took the dress off and handed it to Kayleigh as she used the door to cover herself. “I’ll be right out.”
“Okay, see you up front.”
After dressing, she met Kayleigh at the store’s entrance, and together they walked to the car. They’d agreed that if they found the dress quick enough, they’d have a super-fast late lunch before she headed back to Myrtle Beach.
As Meesha got in the car, her phone rang. Thinking it was Glen, she answered without checking the caller ID. “Hey Glen, what’s up?”
“Mon amour, my Meesha.”
My love? My Meesha? Noel? Her stomach twisted. She’d changed her provider, her number, and used a VPN. How had he found her?
Meeting Noel Petit had wrecked her life. They’d met at the Louvre during a school event, and he’d been so wonderful and charming at first. Eight months later, when she broke it off, he began stalking her. In the end, she’d made the tough decision to give up her position to get as far away from him as possible.
Meesha scrambled out of the car, spinning in place, scanning the area for him. “Noel, why are you calling me? We’ve been over for a year now.”
“I wish I had the time to tell you, but since your sister seems to be alarmed, we’ll have to talk another time. Perhaps you can wear that blue dress.”
The line went dead as Kayleigh’s head popped up over the hood of the car. “Was that Noel?”
Nodding, Meesha slowly met her sister’s gaze. “He knew you were in the car with me, and that my dress is blue.”
Kayleigh’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. “He’s here?”
“I…I don’t think so. He was on a travel ban to the states.”
Her sister mulled the information for a moment. “Let’s go to Guardian Group and speak to Ryder and Mia. If Noel is here, they’ll find him.”
Meesha’s heart sank. If they couldn’t find Noel, they’d pressure her to cancel her trip. After spending so much time and money on it, it made her want to cry. Kayleigh just wanted her safe, and while she understood that, giving Noel one more thing made Meesha sick. He’d taken her job, forced her to move back to the states. If he took this, she wasn’t sure she’d recover.
A fire of determination lit in her belly. No, he wasn’t going to rip this trip from her. She wasn’t going to let him. Whether Ryder and Mia found him or not, she was still going on her cruise. It was a risk she was willing to take.
Her sister, Kayleigh, looked up, shook her head, and did the same nose wrinkle. “Oh, no. Not your color.”
With nearly a year to find the perfect dress for her high school reunion, she’d been unhurried, but faster than she expected, her time had run out. Now she was in a frantic, last-minute rush because she had a flight to Miami to catch in less than twenty-four hours. Since there’d been no luck in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, she’d driven the little over three hours to Greenville, North Carolina, hoping her sister, Kayleigh, could help.
Pulling another dress from the rack, Meesha grumbled under her breath and put it back. This dress needed to be perfect, especially since her high school rival, Anna Mears, would also be on the reunion Caribbean cruise. Much like high school, they’d butted heads at least once during each planning committee video call.
Not only did she gush about her perfect life as a fashion designer in New York, but five months ago, she’d met the love of her life because, of course, she had. It was one more thing Meesha didn’t have, and she’d snapped, claiming she’d met a nice guy too. It wasn’t love at first sight, but she had high hopes.
With each call, she’d refused to put the shovel down. There was no harm until two weeks ago, when Anna said she was sure her boyfriend would propose by the end of the cruise. Without so much as a blink, Meesha had opened her big mouth, and said her boyfriend would come with her too. It was too soon for a proposal, but he couldn’t go nearly two weeks without seeing her.
The call had ended, and the hole she’d dug was so deep there was no getting out of it. No way was she admitting she’d lied the whole time. She’d been vague about his looks, so at least in that regard, she’d been smart. She’d immediately logged into her Mr. Matchmaker account and put out a call for a fake boyfriend. Single was the only requirement, and they’d get an all-expense paid trip to the Caribbean.
The next couple of weeks, she met guy after guy, finally settling on Glen Hughman. He’d won mostly because he was available, and she was so unattracted to him there was no chance for anything more. She’d also failed to mention her elaborate lie to her sister, and she was keeping it that way. Knowing her sister and her curiosity—and the fact that she worked at Guardian Group, a private security firm based out of North Carolina—Meesha was also smart enough to have Glen book his trip separate from hers.
“Oh, I like this purple.” Kayleigh lifted the dress so Meesha could see it.
She eyed it for a moment, eventually shaking her head. “No, too dark.”
Kayleigh sighed. “What’s really going on? I get wanting a nice dress, but this feels like it’s something deeper.”
“I…” What did she say? That she didn’t want to feel like a loser? It’d been ten years, and her teaching position in Paris was old news after her ex-boyfriend, Noel Petit, had ripped it from her. At twenty-seven, what exactly did she have to show for herself since she graduated? A big, fat goose egg. “I just…I don’t want to be a loser Kayleigh.”
Kayleigh walked around the rack and faced her. “Meesha, you’re not a loser. You’re a fantastic teacher. The kids in Myrtle Beach love you. I know because I see all the little things they bring you, telling you they love you. You taught in France at a prestigious school, and it wasn’t your fault you had to quit.”
She gave a small shrug. “I know. Anna just gets to me. I’ve always come in second, and just once I’d like to be first.” She turned her attention to the rack and gasped. “Look at this one.” She pulled out a dusty blue sleeveless dress with a V-neck and flowing skirt and held it against her. “Oh, I like this one, and it hits just above my knees.” At five-eleven, it was hard to find dresses that hit just right.
“Oh, my gosh, I love it too.” Her sister gushed.
“Okay, this gives me five dresses to try on. One of them must be it.” She walked with Kayleigh to the dressing room she’d used to hang her other four picks while she looked for the fifth, and slipped inside.
The first dress wasn’t all the way on before she took it off. “Nope. It’s pretty, but it’s not pretty on me. Rose is not my color.”
“Aw, I liked that one.”
“Well, it didn’t like me at all.” A montage of trying on dresses played in her head, and she grimaced. Instead of leaving the dusty blue until last, she grabbed it and slipped it over her head, grinning as the soft fabric fell into place. She pulled the door open and stepped out. “I love it.”
Kayleigh had taken a seat a few feet away, and her mouth dropped open as she pushed out of the chair. “Oh, my goodness.” She closed the distance, fluffing one of the flowy panels on the skirt. “The wide cinch at the waist accentuates your figure so well. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it was made specifically for you.”
Meesha twirled, the skirt flaring out. “I feel pretty and confident in it. And it’s super comfortable.” She turned one way and then the other, placing her hand on her stomach. It was the prettiest dress she’d ever tried on. Her ocean blue eyes seemed to pop, and it even worked with her dark brown hair. “It’s perfect, and I already have some sandals that will go with it.” She exhaled in relief. That saved some time too, now that she wouldn’t be shopping for shoes. “This gives me enough time to get home and finish packing.”
“Okay, well, Tru and I are paying for it. So—”
“What? No, I can pay for it,” she scoffed. “I mean…I appreciate it, but you guys don’t have to do that.”
Oh, how she wanted a relationship like her big sister. Tru was a wonderful man, and their entire family loved him. The affection he poured on Kayleigh was enviable. They hadn’t met under the greatest circumstances, but no one could deny that they loved each other.
If only Meesha could find a guy like him. Sweet, kind, protective, and loving. She wanted to look a man in the eyes, say those vows of loyalty and long-lasting, long-suffering love. The kind that held a person up when they were weak and cheered a person on as they ran the race. Relationships weren’t easy, but with the right guy next to her, they could weather storms and build a future together.
At least, that’s what she hoped she’d have one day. Although, her last relationship had left her seriously gun-shy. He’d seemed so great at the beginning. Eight months later, it’d ended with her life turned upside down and so unsure of herself that she hadn’t even attempted to date. And that was exactly why she’d picked Glen. Zero chance of a romantic connection.
A smile lifted her sister’s lips. “We’re not taking no for an answer.”
Meesha groaned. “I feel bad when you guys pay for things.”
Her sister shrugged. “We know things are tight with you working for such a small salary. It’s the first time you’re going somewhere that we won’t be right there, and we just want you to have a good time with a little extra spending money during port stops.”
She hugged Kayleigh. “Thank you.”
When she’d returned from France, Guardian Group suggested protection, but she’d declined. There didn’t seem to be a need when Noel was on a travel ban. Another kind offer from Ryder Whitaker’s wife, Kennedy. Learning she’d survived similar situations made it infinitely easier for Meesha to talk to her, too.
Five months later, she was confident enough to move out of Kayleigh’s place to Myrtle Beach, a town that was a hop and a skip away. It gave her just enough space to feel like she was on her own without being so far away in case anything happened.
Kayleigh held her out by her arms, smiling ear to ear. “I’m so proud of you. You are so strong and beautiful, and one day, you’re going to meet the guy of your dreams. Until then, no one is rushing you either. Okay?”
Smiling, Meesha nodded. “I know, and thank you.” She slipped inside the dressing room and quickly took the dress off and handed it to Kayleigh as she used the door to cover herself. “I’ll be right out.”
“Okay, see you up front.”
After dressing, she met Kayleigh at the store’s entrance, and together they walked to the car. They’d agreed that if they found the dress quick enough, they’d have a super-fast late lunch before she headed back to Myrtle Beach.
As Meesha got in the car, her phone rang. Thinking it was Glen, she answered without checking the caller ID. “Hey Glen, what’s up?”
“Mon amour, my Meesha.”
My love? My Meesha? Noel? Her stomach twisted. She’d changed her provider, her number, and used a VPN. How had he found her?
Meeting Noel Petit had wrecked her life. They’d met at the Louvre during a school event, and he’d been so wonderful and charming at first. Eight months later, when she broke it off, he began stalking her. In the end, she’d made the tough decision to give up her position to get as far away from him as possible.
Meesha scrambled out of the car, spinning in place, scanning the area for him. “Noel, why are you calling me? We’ve been over for a year now.”
“I wish I had the time to tell you, but since your sister seems to be alarmed, we’ll have to talk another time. Perhaps you can wear that blue dress.”
The line went dead as Kayleigh’s head popped up over the hood of the car. “Was that Noel?”
Nodding, Meesha slowly met her sister’s gaze. “He knew you were in the car with me, and that my dress is blue.”
Kayleigh’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. “He’s here?”
“I…I don’t think so. He was on a travel ban to the states.”
Her sister mulled the information for a moment. “Let’s go to Guardian Group and speak to Ryder and Mia. If Noel is here, they’ll find him.”
Meesha’s heart sank. If they couldn’t find Noel, they’d pressure her to cancel her trip. After spending so much time and money on it, it made her want to cry. Kayleigh just wanted her safe, and while she understood that, giving Noel one more thing made Meesha sick. He’d taken her job, forced her to move back to the states. If he took this, she wasn’t sure she’d recover.
A fire of determination lit in her belly. No, he wasn’t going to rip this trip from her. She wasn’t going to let him. Whether Ryder and Mia found him or not, she was still going on her cruise. It was a risk she was willing to take.
