Smitten at First Sight: A Contemporary Romance Novel Read online

  Smitten at First Sight

  By

  Marie Astor

  Smitten at First Sight

  Copyright 2011 by Marie Astor

  Excerpt from Lucky Charm copyright 2011 by Marie Astor

  Published at Amazon for Kindle

  All rights reserved. Without Limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

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

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  An excerpt from Lucky Charm by Marie Astor

  Chapter 1

  “Come on Maggie, you’re going to be late!”

  “I’ll be there in a minute, Mom!” Maggie feverishly surged through her room, making sure she had not forgotten anything. It felt strange being back in her parents’ house after having her own place for almost four years.

  “Jeffrey is on his way up, honey.” Janet Robin poked her head through the crack in the door. “Maggie! You haven’t even zipped up your suitcase! Come on - help me close this thing up! You know how Jeffrey gets about being late.”

  “I know, Mom.” Maggie sighed, remembering Jeffrey’s zeal for punctuality.

  “Now, what are you sighing about, young lady?” Mrs. Robin placed her hands on her hips. “You’ve just graduated college a semester early with honors, your boyfriend proposed to you with a splendid ring, and he is taking you on the ski vacation of a lifetime!”

  At her mother’s mention of her engagement, Maggie self-consciously twisted the huge diamond ring on her finger – the ring was too big, and she constantly worried about its slipping off.

  “Let me see that sparkler again!” Mrs. Robin gushed, grasping Maggie’s hand. “Magnificent! You are one lucky girl – I always knew that Jeffrey was the one. I am so happy for you, honey. Promise me that you won’t sulk.”

  “I promise. Now, let’s get this suitcase zipped up.” Maggie was in no mood for one of her mother’s speeches. And yet, she could not help admitting that her mother did have a point. Maggie had been dating Jeffrey for almost two years, and she was pretty sure that she loved him, so marrying him seemed like the next logical step, but no matter how hard she tried to convince herself of this fact, she could not shake off a feeling of uneasiness ever since Jeffrey had proposed, a week ago.

  They were having dinner at Alain Ducasse when at the end of the meal, right before dessert, Jeffrey reached for Maggie’s hand.

  “Maggie, we have been seeing each other for a while, and now that you’re done with school, I think it’s time that we took our relationship to the next level.” Jeffrey placed a robin-blue jewelry box on the table.

  Maggie stared back at him, suddenly at a loss for words.

  “Go on, open it.”

  Slowly, Maggie pulled on the white ribbon. Inside, was a smaller box of black velvet. Feeling Jeffrey’s expectant gaze upon her, Maggie flipped open the lid. A giant diamond glinted against the black material.

  “Timing is everything, and I think that right now is the perfect timing for us, don’t you?” Jeffrey pressed on without waiting for her answer. “There are a lot of opportunities for me at the network, Maggie, and our engagement will show my father that I am a ‘reliable fellow,’ to use his words exactly. You see, my father is rather old-fashioned, and he has made it pretty clear that he expects me to settle down before he is going to entrust me with a more serious role in the company.”

  Maggie blinked, wondering what getting engaged had to do with timing and reliability.

  “Of course, that is not the main reason why I want to marry you.” Jeffrey reached for her hand. “I love you, Maggie. We are perfect for each other. But when it comes to climbing the corporate ladder a man’s character is often judged by his personal life, and I do plan to climb to the very top.” Jeffrey winked.

  “Yes.” Maggie nodded.

  “I’m so glad.” Jeffrey put the ring on her finger where it dangled loosely.

  Maggie’s first impulse was to explain that her ‘yes’ was directed at Jeffrey’s statement regarding the corporate ladder, but instead, she remained silent, thunderstruck by the enormous diamond on her finger: it was blindingly ostentatious - a single emerald-cut solitaire - just what a future studio producer’s wife would wear.

  “Oh, it’s too big… Didn’t you say you wear a size six and a half?”

  “It’s five and a half, actually,” Maggie murmured, “but it doesn’t matter – it’s beautiful.”

  “No worries. We’ll get it resized.” Jeffrey pressed her hand to his lips. “What do you say to our setting the wedding date to a year from now? That way you’ll have plenty of time to plan things, and I can be certain that all the people that should be there will be able to attend.”

  Maggie’s throat felt constricted. It was not that she did not want to marry Jeffrey, it was just that she had not given the matter much thought, and now, he was expecting her to give an answer about the rest of her life right on the spot.

  “Good. Then it’s all settled.” Jeffrey signaled for a check. “Oh, I almost forgot. Close your eyes.”

  “Why?”

  “Just do it.” Jeffrey grinned. “No peeking! Okay, you can look now.” Jeffrey placed a travel itinerary before her.

  “A ski trip to British Columbia?” Maggie’s eyes lit up as the memories of her childhood winter vacations in Lake Placid flashed in her mind – she had even made it to the junior racing team. There was nothing better than flying down the mountain.

  “Our engagement trip.” Jeffrey beamed. “Of course the terrain there can be pretty rough, but I promise to never let you out of my sight.”

  “Whew, finally, we got this thing to close!” Mrs. Robin exclaimed. “What did you pack in there – your entire wardrobe?”

  “Do you think I overdid it?” Maggie wrinkled her forehead. She always felt that she had to put her best foot forward for Jeffrey, so she had packed an outfit for every possible occasion.

  “Well, it’s a bit too late to worry about that now. And Margaret,” added Mrs. Robin, “promise me that you will think about law school. Getting engaged is wonderful, but you’ve been accepted to one of the best schools in the country. A law degree would be an icing on the cake.”

  Maggie glanced at the thick envelope from Yale Law on her desk.
r />   “Maggie! Are you listening to me?” Mrs. Robin took her daughter’s hand.

  “I promise to think about it, Mom.”

  There was a knock on the door. Maggie heard her father’s voice.

  “Jeffrey is here, honey.”

  “Come on in!” Mrs. Robin flung open the door, waving for the two men to come in. “It’s so good to see you, Jeffrey!” Maggie’s mother gave Jeffrey an affectionate kiss on the cheek.

  “Likewise, Mrs. Robin. It is always a pleasure to see you.” As always, Jeffrey was impeccably dressed: a pinstriped colored shirt, a v-neck sweater and wool slacks.

  “Come on, Janet; let’s leave the two love birds to finish their packing.” Dr. Robin put his hand around his wife’s waist. In his other hand he was still clutching a copy of a medical research journal, which he had been reading when Jeffrey arrived.

  “In a minute, dear. Maggie, are you sure you’ve got everything – your passport, tickets?”

  “Not to worry Mrs. Robin. I have everything under control.” Jeffrey flashed a smile worthy of a chewing gum commercial.

  “All right, then. We’ll wait for you downstairs.” Mrs. Robin reluctantly followed her husband through the door.

  After her parents left the room, Jeffrey scooped Maggie into his arms and planted a long kiss on her lips. “Boy, I missed you. I can’t wait for us to be alone together.” He winked.

  “I missed you too.” Maggie tightened her arms around Jeffrey’s shoulders, realizing how glad she was to see him. She must have suffered from a temporary fit of insanity to question her good fortune: she was going to marry Jeffrey Preston. She was the luckiest girl alive.

  Chapter 2

  A gray Cadillac was parked in the driveway. Both the car and the chauffeur were just the tip of the many perks that Jeffrey enjoyed in his new position of executive producer.

  Maggie’s parents stood on the lawn to see the engaged couple off.

  “Bon voyage!” Mrs. Robin kissed Maggie on the cheek and hugged Jeffrey. “Don’t forget to call us when you arrive.”

  “Have a good time, honey. Enjoy yourself.” Maggie’s father hugged her awkwardly, still clutching the journal in his hand. Maggie knew that after seeing her off, her father would be back in his study, anxious to return to his interrupted reading. Even on his days off his work never stopped. A leading ophthalmologic surgeon, he had performed miracles many times, restoring his patients’ sight when all hope seemed lost, but one would never guess it from his reticent demeanor.

  “Where to sir, the airport?” asked the chauffeur deferentially once Maggie and Jeffrey were seated in the car.

  “Not yet. We have to pick up another party. I hope that Charlie and Bethany won’t make us wait – we are cutting it close as it is.” Jeffrey glanced at his watch, as he gave the chauffeur the address.

  Several minutes later, a huge mansion came into view.

  Once the chauffeur parked the car by the side curb, Jeffrey reached for his cell phone and dialed Charlie’s number. Charlie Whittaker had been Jeffrey Preston’s best friend ever since elementary school. Their friendship had started when Jeffrey used his combat skills, which he had acquired in a series of karate classes, to save the then chubby and bespectacled Charlie from being shoved into a garbage container by a gang of school bullies. Since then Charlie had lost weight and replaced glasses with contact lenses, but remained Jeffrey’s loyal friend, humbly allowing Jeffrey to be the dominant force in their friendship. This order of things was partly based on their history and partly on the fact that Jeffrey’s business referrals made up the bulk of Charlie’s entertainment law practice.

  “They’ll be right out,” announced Jeffrey after hanging up.

  But ten minutes later there was still no sign of Charlie or Bethany.

  “I bet it’s Bethany who is holding things up.” Jeffrey frowned. “I should have just told them to meet us at the airport. Maggie, you stay in the car. I’m going to go in there and tell them to get moving.”

  “Hang on. I think I see them coming.”

  The ornate front door swung open, and Charlie’s harried figure could be seen rushing to Jeffrey’s car, followed by the porter who was lugging two giant suitcases. Bethany was sauntering a few steps behind them, carrying a leopard print jewelry case.

  “Hey there, Charlie!” Jeffrey opened the car door, motioning for the chauffeur to help with the bags.

  “I’m sorry we kept you waiting. Bethany took her time getting ready,” apologized Charlie as the two friends shook hands.

  “Never mind that.” Jeffrey smiled, nodding at Bethany. “I’m psyched about this trip, man. We are going to have a great time!”

  “Same here! It’ll be a blast!” Charlie grunted. “Hurry up, Bethany! You’re going to make us miss the plane.”

  “In a minute.” Bethany lingered by the car door, which was being held open for her by the chauffeur, taking her sweet time to arrange the folds of her long shearling coat.

  “So, how’s life in the ‘burbs, my friend?” Jeffrey slapped Charlie’s shoulder.

  “It’s quiet.” Charlie shrugged.

  “I sure miss you being my neighbor. Remember the good old days?” Jeffrey grinned.

  “You and Maggie might consider moving to the suburbs yourselves now.” Bethany squeezed onto the back seat next to Maggie. “When Charlie and I got engaged, we moved right away.” Up until a year ago Charlie lived in a one-bedroom apartment at Trump Plaza in the City, which was only a few flights below Jeffrey’s penthouse and was a constant guest at all the wild social events Jeffrey hosted. It was during one of such parties that Charlie met Bethany, but once they started dating, she no longer wanted Charlie frequenting rowdy bashes riddled with women in skimpy clothing.

  “Yep,” Charlie piped in. “It’s nice and quiet in the suburbs.”

  “We absolutely love our new house.” Bethany patted Charlie’s knee. Shortly after Charlie had proposed, Bethany’s father, a majority partner of one of New York’s leading entertainment law firms, made a gift of a huge mansion to the young couple as an engagement present. “And my folks are only a few blocks away. It’s so nice to have family close by.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so.” Jeffrey shook his head. “I like my city pad.”

  “I think Maggie might disagree.” Bethany winked. “But enough about that. So, Maggie, have you thought about the theme for your wedding yet?” Bethany fussed with the folds of her coat.

  “No, it’s only been a week since we got engaged.” Sensing that Bethany was dying to impart wedding advice, Maggie steered the conversation away from her nuptials. “How about yourself? Have you finalized the seating chart?”

  “That’s barely enough time to get started, believe me. When Charlie proposed to me a year ago…” Bethany paused, always glad of an opportunity to emphasize the fact that she had gotten engaged before Maggie, “I thought I had all the time in the world, but now our wedding is only two months away, and I feel as though I am already running out of time. So take it from me, Maggie, you’d better start planning right away. When we come back, I’ll give you the number for our florist. She is fantastic.”

  I’m sure she is, Maggie thought. Bethany Blunt had been Maggie’s best friend since junior high, but ever since Bethany got engaged to Charlie, Maggie felt that her best friend disappeared behind a barrage of wedding cakes, caterers, and dance lessons – a fate that now loomed in Maggie’s future.

  Chapter 3

  “Would you like anything to drink, sir?” asked a stewardess once Maggie and Jeffrey were seated on the plane. Flying first class was another perk that Jeffrey received from the network.

  “Yes, two glasses of champagne, please,” said Jeffrey.

  “Right away, sir.”

  “Isn’t it great, us getting away like this?” murmured Jeffrey, nuzzling Maggie’s neck. “You know, it’s the first time we’ve been alone together for such a long time. It was hard for me to manage a two-week break, but it’s well worth it.” Jeffrey smiled,
planting a kiss on Maggie’s neck.

  “Yes, it’ll be great.” Maggie smiled, stroking Jeffrey’s cheek. “I still can’t believe that the network let you go for two weeks…”

  “Actually, Maggie, there is something else that I wanted to tell you about this trip…” Jeffrey stalled, as though looking for the right words. “You see, I’m producing a documentary about off-piste skiing, and I thought we would combine business and pleasure.”

  “I understand.” Maggie bid herself not to be disappointed. This last minute announcement was typical of Jeffrey: one minute they might be sharing a romantic dinner, and the next, Jeffrey would be up and running, scouting for the next idea for a TV show.

  “So you’re not mad?” Jeffrey nuzzled her neck. “I meant to tell you earlier, but it slipped my mind…”

  “I know how important your work is to you.” Maggie managed a smile. Of course she was mad, but she was already seated on the plane, suspended in mid-air, so what was the point of having a fruitless fight?

  “You are so understanding. I love you, babe.” Jeffrey leaned back against his seat.

  “So what is the documentary about?” Maggie’s interest was genuinely piqued. Jeffrey had several successful sitcoms under his belt and one medical show, but he had never been interested in documentaries.

  “I know exactly what you’re thinking - it’s nothing like what I have done before, which is exactly why I want to do it. I am going to shock the pants off those empty suits in corporate and do something that the network has never had the guts to do. You see, I found out about this terrific kid who does this crazy, extreme skiing, and he wants to ski this impossible couloir that no one has ever skied before. He’s been looking for a producer to film the thing, and no one wants to take it on because it’s too risky, but guess what,” Jeffrey halted, winking at her.

  “What?”

  “It’s not too risky for me. From the minute I heard about it, I knew this was the project I’ve been waiting for. Of course it took months to hammer out the legal details, but finally, I got the green light from the suits upstairs. I tell you Maggie, if this pans out the way I plan it to, and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t, a year from now I will be in a whole new league.”