Page 1 of Happily Ever Never

Chapter 1

May

“I’m looking for forever. I want that moment. It’sjust so hard in this day and age when you can’t figureit out. Or maybe it’s always been that way. Maybe you expect to find someone,and yet you feel you’re going to end up with nobody, and in the end, itsurprises you.”

I looked up at Josh, the kind man in front of me, whohappened to be my date for the evening and smiled softly. He seemed earnestenough about wanting this to work out. And while part of me had heard thisrefrain before from my dates, I let myself believe him. At least, for now.

“It would be nice to have things work out for once.”

I winced as the words left my mouth, knowing they were alittle too vague and far too desperate. For all I knew, I had just given Joshan invitation to grab my butt on the way out of the restaurant. Or lead himdown the long road of him thinking that I was in this for the long haul, eventhough I didn’t remember his last name. Or maybe he would think I was tooclingy and run away before the desserts were served.

I’d only had one person leave me on a date before. He’dclimbed out the window in the bathroom as if it were too much for him.

As if I were too much for him.

I ignored those memories, telling myself that they didn’tmatter. They shouldn’t matter. It wasn’t like it was my fault that every singledate I went on ended up horrible, awkward, or just not right.

I was looking for that spark. That one moment whereeverything made sense, and I could see him as my forever.

I just wasn’t quite sure I was good enough at dating to findit.

“I’m so glad we’re on the same page, Maybelline.”

I held back a wince, hoping it didn’t show on my face. “Myname is actually May. M. A. Y.” I smiled softly as Icorrected him. I didn’t want to make him feel bad, but my mother had named meMay after my late aunt, the woman who had saved my late father’s life when theywere children. She’d died in a flash flood at only fourteen years old but hadrescued my then ten-year-old father in the process. The legacy that came withmy family meant that our promises to each other and how we cared for oneanother was paramount. When my father was dying later onin life, he’d asked me to make him a promise: follow my heart and be open. Totry to find my forever, even if I wasn’t sure I wanted one. So, I would marryfor love…but first, I had to try.

I cherished the name I shared with the woman I had nevermet, whose courage allowed me to exist.

Josh blinked. “I’m sorry. I thought it was a nickname. Ilike Maybelline.”

Well, that wasn’t awkward at all—another strike in the NOcolumn. But if I kept making NO columns, I would never find that happily everafter. Once again, it would be a happily ever never.

Trying to find common ground, I scrambled. “I used to usetheir makeup. I think I still have a face wash from them.”

He frowned, looking oddly perplexed.

“You know, the company? ‘Maybe it’s Maybelline’?”

“But I thought you said your name was May. Are you messingwith me? I’m not stupid, you know. I don’t like it when people make me feelstupid.”

His cheeks flushed, and I held back a wince.

“Sorry, I think I’m just confusing myself.”

“Oh,” he said, his face clearing immediately. He reached outand patted my hand patronizingly. “Don’t you worry, Maybelline. I’ll make surenobody ever does that to you. It doesn’t matter if you sometimes confuseyourself. I will never do that.”

I pulled my hand back, knowing this date was a disaster.There wouldn’t be enough YESs in the pro column for me to get through this.

“May. My name is May.”

“Why are you getting angry? Here, do you want me to orderdessert? I’m going to order us dessert. Although maybe we should share.” Hisgaze moved pointedly to my chest and then slid down the curves he could seeacross the table.

And that was another no.

“It was lovely meeting you. I’ll be sure to tell my aunt howtonight went.” I put money next to my empty plates and pushed back from thetable.

“Where are you going, Maybelline? I don’t know why you’reacting like this. I thought women wanted us to be honest. And you could usesome honesty in your life. Especially in that tight skirt that barely coversyour…assets. I have some ideas on how to help you in the future with that soyou don’t plump up when you get old. Well…older.”

I barely resisted the urge to empty my water glass on him, mainlybecause it was only a few ice cubes at this point.