All Chapters of A Girl Can Only Dream : Chapter 11 - Chapter 17

I wasn't sure how many glasses I'd had. Somewhere between Sarah's confession and the third song at the DJ booth, I'd stopped keeping track. Now the world tilted slightly with every step, the wind warm on my skin.I staggered over the dessert table and grabbed a plate clumsily. My eyes locked onto a cluster of grapes. I placed them on the plate, and then wandered looking for a place to seat.I found a bench tucked near the side rail, out of the way of the dance crowd. The sea stretched endlessly before me, moonlight rippling across the surface. I stared into it, the grapes forgotten.A moment later, Megan appeared wrapped in a large, puffy coat over her dress, cheeks flushed and eyes glassy with alcohol."Ooh,"Megan giggled, plucking a grape from my plate. "Thanks."I blinked slowly, still floating.She popped the grape to her mouth, then grinned. "I kissed Cole's uncle."The words hit me like a slap. A bitter cocktail of dissapointment and Jealousy flared in my chest before I could sh

I sat beside Megan and Cole at the long dinner table set on the main deck. Elegant lanterns floated above us, strung from mast to mast, casting warm pool of lights over the carefully plated dishes. The yacht had transformed once again.Across from me sat Victoria, composed, smug as ever in a sleek navy dress that clung to her like it had been stitched on her body. Next to her was, Cassian.He hadn't looked at me once.Not when I walked in, not when I sat down. His eyes had remained on Cole, the horizon and his plate. Anywhere but me.I sipped my wine in silence. I could still feel his mouth on me. I had sobbed myself to sleep after he left. Embarrassed of my choices and myself. When I woke Megan was fussing around me, brushing my hair and picking a dress for me."Victoria took a boat here," Megan had said, brushing highlighter on my cheeks. "Guess she couldn't bear his Lordship alone in a yacht with sexy American girls."Desperate much, indeed.Now victoria turned her head to me, a pr

I excused myself with a gentle smile, stepping away from Cole and the small circle of dignitaries. The air near the vineyard's edge was cooler, laced with the scent of ripened grapes and aged oak. I walked slowly, pretending I knew where the washrooms were, when in reality I was just banking on spotting a helpful sign.My phone buzzed in my hand.Unknown number.My heart jumped.Cassian.I answered without thinking. "Hello?"There was a pause, and then, "Hey, Lisa. It's Jonah."Dissapointment washed over me like cold water. I blinked momentarily forgetting I was at a vineyard surrounded by people dressed in velvet and pearls."Oh," I said, trying to cover the sharp drop in my voice. "Hello, Jonah.""Did I catch you at a bad time?"I looked around vaguely. "Not exactly. I'm just....at a wine tasting."He gave a low whistle. "Fancy. So, still on the yacht? I had to leave with Sarah, she's currently unwell.""We're on land right now. Cole brought us to a vineyard," I said. There was ano

The rain was still pouring. It was soft, persistent, the sky had forgotten how to stop since it ripped open in the afternoon. Thunder rumbled distantly, a growl that rolled through the castle walls.I stirred.My room was dark now, the dim light of the afternoon already gone. Only the flicker of lightening illuminated the space in brief silver bursts. I blinked, groggy, eyes adjusting to the shadows.I had just had a much needed nap.I sat up slowly, my limbs heavy from sleep. I stretched my hands before hastily brushing the hair from my face. Another flash of lightning cracked through the sky.....and it illuminated a figure.Seated on the armchair next to the closet.I was not alone.My heart stilled before picking up a fast paced. I became nauseous.I squinted into the dark, rubbing my eyes, hoping my grogginess was tricking me. But when the next bolt hit, the figure was still there. No longer leaning back but now seated up.My back straightened, the hairs at the back of my head on