Page 1 of Daring to Love

Prologue

Finlay Jensen

From The Scottish Sun:

Hello, Aries! Can you feel it? The sense that something exciting is about to happen today? Your body hums with anticipation, you’re twitching in your seat, and deep down, you know that today is a special day.

I am here to tell you this: you’re right. Today is extraordinary, because your life is about to change in a massive way. I can practically see you right now, your hands wrapped tightly around a mug of tea, your lips spread in a confident smile, your body a taut wire, about to coil and spring…ready to face the day and its challenges.

Do you want me to tell you what is going to happen?

Well, I’m not going to do that, because that defeats the point of the surprise, doesn’t it? I will say, though, that the fire simmering in your spirit is about to be awakened, burning brighter than ever, and if you are prone to sighing and, dare I say it, lusting for meeting your happily-ever-after, there’s a very good chance that your wish will be granted. But you have to keep an open mind – something I know you can do, despite your tendency to keep your walls up – because the person that’s about to cross your path might not be who you’d envisioned.

Perhaps this person is your complete opposite?

Maybe he or she will balk at your spirit, your tenacity, making you feel unsure of yourself?

Fear not.

As you already know, everything happens for a reason, and today’s events will be no different.

The question you have to ask yourself, however, is…

Are you brave enough to face this particular challenge?

Are you stubborn enough not to give in if whoever you meet won’t admit you share a real connection between you?

There’s only one way to find out.

Enjoy the journey.

I promise it’ll be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.

Chuckling,I toss the newspaper away. What a load of bollocks! I can’t believe people buy into these things, but I have to say that I get a kick out of reading them now and then.

I crane my neck, checking the time on the big clock hanging atop the fireplace. I still have ten minutes before I have to be on my way to do the interview. Frowning, I look down at the blurry photograph of a young woman in a hoodie, sunglasses on, keeping her head down. A huge bag is slung over her shoulder, and though it’s only a photograph, I get the feeling there’s a purposeful stride to her as she walks to wherever she’s going to. Her form is indistinguishable, making me tilt my head this way and that to make it out, but eventually, I give up. I gulp down the last of my morning coffee and get up from my seat at my breakfast nook.

Fuck, I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this reluctant to go to work. Being a journalist and chasing a story is what makes me tick but knowing what I have to do today churns my stomach.

Amelie Winters. Hmm. I wonder what it is about this young girl that’s so interesting my editor wants to degrade me to write it. I don’t do the high society pages, but if I want to keep my flat, I have no other choice but to get on with things.

All the while I wash up my cutlery and dry them off, the small hairs on my neck prickle, and a strange sense of urgency causes me to hurry. I shrug into my blazer and rifle through my bag to make sure I have everything I need. Then, again letting out a long-suffering sigh, I grab my keys and head out my front door.

Time to meet the young woman who’s said to make even the stuffiest old men fall to their knees with her dancing.

Or, to put it bluntly, it’s time to serve my punishment.