Page 28 (1/2)

Chapter 1

I had never really believed in fairytales

Raised by a single-mom in a crummy apartment in Brooklyn, the entire concept seemed a little too ironic for words I read different sorts of books as a child Books that lacked the wings and whiirls that unreal expectation of odmothers and true love’s first kiss When I lied, er When I looked at birds, I didn’t expect thelass coffin—I’d probably sprint the other direction

Call it ambition Call it practicality Call it twenty-two years of living on the ‘wrong side of the bridge,’ gazing wistfully out hts beyond the water, always sparkling just a little out of reach Just like Jay Gatsby, basking in the green glow of the wrong Egg, I’d always felt a little rely peripheral to the exciting things going on around me But, also like Gatsby, I had found a way in

It probably isn’t what you’re expecting It sure as hell wasn’t the conventional route The thing is—in the years I’d spent getting chewed up, and spit out, and toughened up by New York City—I had discovered a valuable lesson

I didn’t need to live in the castle, if I was the keeper of the keys

Tords, ladies and gentlemen Two little words, but they had created an entire lifestyle Opened doors I never iined Haunted me day in, and day out

Public Relations

No, I had never really believed in fairytales But this one came damn close

I felt like I was floating on a sea of chiffon Billoaves of cream and pink that whispered over the tile as I breezed into the room The air around me arm and scented with the faintest hint of pepper cast a soft glow

Itabout the place was familiar After all, I had been here countless times before Justnever under quite these circumstances

“Abigail?”