Powerful (The Driven World) - Kathleen Kelly Page 0,1
divine.”
“We just need to hem it, and it’s done.”
Mom unzips the dress and helps me get out of it as I try not to impale myself on any of the pins she has in it. I’m pulling on my favorite t-shirt with my author logo on it and am about to pick up my shorts when she stops what she’s doing and levels a look at me.
“What?” I ask, instantly thinking I’ve done something wrong.
“I’ve been worried about you.”
“Why?”
“Kris.”
Kris fucking Livingston.
My one and only love.
The boy who broke my heart and went on to become a Hollywood superstar. The man I can never get away from—he’s in commercials, magazines, even on billboards. Kris’ handsome face is everywhere.
I pull on my shorts, avoiding my mom’s gaze. “I’m fine.”
“Athena.”
The softness in her voice has me looking into her pretty hazel eyes. I got Dad’s dark green eyes, but I always wished I’d gotten Mom’s.
“I’m okay.”
Mom reaches out and takes my hand in hers. “It’s okay not to be. I know Kris hurt you.”
“We were kids, Mom. It was a stupid high school thing. I’ve moved on.”
“So you say.”
Mom lets my hand drop and moves the dress to her sewing table. I want to tell her I’m not okay. I’m dreading seeing Kris. I made myself stop looking him up on social media sites years ago, but somehow, every now and again, I catch myself googling him. I know he’s seeing Sophia Thorne—blue eyes, blonde hair, perfect smile, and they look so good together as they walk down the red carpet, arm in arm.
“Athena?”
I’m still standing in her sewing room staring at the dress on the table. I glance up at her.
“Do you need anything else from me?” I ask.
“No, love. Are you sure you don’t need to talk?”
“Kris made his decision, Mom. Sure, it hurt, but he’s with someone else now.”
“Uh-huh. Yep. That’s true. I like Kris, always have. But honey, you are my daughter, and it’s written somewhere that I’m always going to be on your side. If you feel that you need to hit him over the head and dump him in the bay, I’ll help.”
I burst out laughing and throw my arms around her.
“Thanks, Mom.”
Chapter Two
Ares/TB
It’s early Friday morning and only a week until I get married to Ashlea Lynch. I still can’t believe I got so lucky. Boothbay Harbor is a picturesque town where fishing is the primary source of employment, but I was fortunate enough to be a wiz in the kitchen. So, after high school and then a brief stint at culinary college, I came home and opened Small Delights Café. I’m right near the dock where the boats come in, so my seafood is always fresh, and I only use local produce. It’s a way to give back to the community and keep others around me employed.
“Yo, boss!” yells Shannon, my best waitress.
Shannon is easily six feet tall with bright red hair, tattoos, and always dresses like a 1950s pin-up girl.
“What?” I yell back as I have orders to complete in the kitchen.
The door to the back bursts open, and Shannon looks more excited than I’ve seen her in a while.
“Guess who just pulled up in a bright red Audi Spyder?”
I groan. It has to be Kris, my best friend and superstar.
“Santa?”
“What? No! It’s Kris Livingston, and I think he has Sophia Thorne with him.”
Shannon is moving from foot to foot in excitement.
“Ahh, right. Don’t you have customers to serve?”
Shannon pokes her tongue at me. “He’s your best friend, right?”
“Yes, Shannon, we’ve been over this.”
“I know, I know… I just can’t believe that you know Kris Livingston.”
“Well, he wasn’t “Kris Livingston” when I knew him.” I make air quotes around his name. “He was just Kris, my best friend from grade school.”
“I still can’t believe he grew up here in this little town.” Shannon shakes her head as though being born here is a complete travesty.
Wiping my hands on my dishcloth, I walk out the front of my café and find Kris surrounded by people, signing autographs with Sophia Thorne, looking every inch the perfectly made-up celebrity doing the same.
Kris looks up at me and smiles. “Hey, TB!”
“Hey, Kris.” I give Sophia a nod and wish he hadn’t bought her. “You’re early.”
Kris nods as he poses for photographs. “Yeah, they’ve made some allowances in filming. I told Andy about your wedding, and he did some scouting around and found the Wiscasset Speedway, so they’re going to film some shots of me on the track there.”
“Andy?”
Kris