The One That Got Away

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Blurb:

A childhood sweetheart, billionaire, interracial, second chance romance book. While waiting for the birth of her child, Monique believed she was in a fairy tale come true. But even fairy tales hold unexpected twists… The sudden loss of her baby changed her world forever, and Monique has no choice but to leave her husband, Oliver.

But as time passes, and their lives take unexpected turns, fate forces them back to each other. And as the sparks of their first romance flicker back to life, they find themselves falling in love again!

Will their newfound love rewrite the painful chapters of their history? And can they find the strength to create a brighter future for themselves? Find out in this high school sweethearts romance story by Cher Etan.

Chapter 1

Monique practiced her jumping jacks, doing her best to go as high as possible. Her competitive streak was in proper working order and she was going to win at this cheerleading thing. The team was on the field, at practice and she could feel eyes on her now and then, watching as she did a split or twirled her baton in the air…she couldn’t really see who was staring at her and she didn’t want to turn around and straight up look. She wasn’t thirsty or anything; it was just nice to have the attention. Monique flipped back her hair off her face. It was almost time for a retouch; she could feel the growth, it was getting that messy look that she didn’t like. She made a mental note to get to Lucy, her hair stylist, before week’s end. Definitely before the cheerleader meet during the weekend.

Once she was done with her routine, she began to warm down even as the football team wrapped up training and started filing to the changing rooms.

“You’re very graceful,” a voice said behind her. She turned to see a tall boy, with platinum blonde hair and the greenest eyes she’d ever seen. Those eyes were appraising her as if they liked what they saw. Monique wasn’t usually one to flirt with white boys but…whatever.

“Thanks,” she said with a shrug.

The boy held out his hand. “I’m Oliver,” he said brow raised as he waited for her to give her name.

“Monique,” she replied.

Oliver smiled, “Nice name. Very French.”

Monique shrugged again, “Yes well, my family’s from New Orleans.”

Oliver nodded.

“I’m originally from Texas. We just moved here actually.”

“Oh, it must be a big change for you.”

Oliver shrugged, “Well, Texas is hot; and Miami is hot…so there’s that.” He smiled at her, eyes crinkling at the corners – he’d have crow’s feet there when he was older – and the slightest bit of dimple on one cheek. Monique was charmed, and annoyed that she was.

“Yeah I mean, what a coincidence huh?” she replied with a smile of her own. The wind blew her hair into her eyes and she reached a hand up to tuck it back behind her ear. Oliver’s green eyes followed her action like she was doing something exotic and unique. Monique’s lashes swept downwards, hiding her eyes. She looked up at Oliver again, who was still staring at her like he’d never seen a black person before.

“So, uh,” he cleared his throat. “Would you er, would you like to go out for pizza?”

“What, right now?” Monique asked in surprise.

Oliver shrugged one shoulder, “Sure. If you’re not busy.”

Monique smiled, “I kind of have to go home directly after school. My dad doesn’t really tolerate unscheduled changes in my…er, schedule.”

Oliver’s face fell, “Oh. Okay then, how about tomorrow?”

Monique thought about it. She’d been asked out before sure; she was one of three black girls in this private school and there were like five black guys her age. Of course she was in demand. None of the white guys had asked her out before though and she didn’t know if that was allowed. Rather, she wasn’t sure what her friends would have to say about that. She had a feeling they might not be too thrilled about it. Still what was a girl to do?

“Umm, okay sure,” she said.

Oliver smiled wide, “Great. We can go to that place by the beach, yeah?”

Monique rolled her eyes. The spot to which he was referring was pretty touristy. The ‘locals’ avoided it like the plague.

“You are so new aren’t you,” she said.

“Yeah,” he replied with a sheepish grin. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No. Nothing. You should go change; you must be tired and sweaty,” she said indicating his dirty uniform.

“Oh yeah. I should…go. So I’ll definitely see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah. We’re in the same school,” Monique smiled.

“You know what I mean,” Oliver said wryly.

“Yeah, I know. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Monique said with a small wave and Oliver reluctantly turned away. Then he turned back to return her wave before he walked slowly away. Monique sighed.

“Great Momo. Now what have you done?”

*****

It was ambient in Miami in December so there were a lot of tourists on the beach when Oliver and Monique arrived. She’d decided this was in fact a really good location for their ‘date’ because she wasn’t likely to run into anyone she knew; at least no one from school. They liked to hang out on the other side of the island, where it wasn’t so public and many of their families had yachts on the water. Monique’s family didn’t. They were middle class sure, but Dr. Jean Baptiste was a huge believer in frugal living. It was how he was able to dig himself out of abject poverty and into the lifestyle he was able to afford today. He wanted his kids to have the same values as he did so he provided them with the basics, but any extra, they had to earn. Monique had her first job at twelve years old, setting up a lemonade stand to earn money for a new bike. She’d carelessly left her old one on the path and it had been stolen. Her father refused to get her a new one unless she could raise half the cost. She’d gone one better and raised the entire cost of the bike. It had taken her the whole of that summer…and it had been a hot summer…but it was worth it in how she learned about supply and demand. She was pretty sure she had found her niche in life; commerce.

She and Oliver walked along the beach, dodging tourists and dodge balls as well as stray spades and buckets. She let Oliver hold her hand and buy her an ice-cream and they talked about their families and Texas vs. New Orleans. They watched the sunset and discussed art and beauty. The spell was broken when Monique’s phone rang.

“Girl, where the hell are you?” her mother’s voice demanded down the line, “You know your father won’t like it if you’re home after nine. Do you want to be grounded for the rest of your life?”

Monique could hardly get a word in edgewise though she kept her mouth open in case the opportunity presented itself; “I’m on my way maman,” she said as soon as she had a chance.

“Hurry,” her mother replied and hung up. Monique turned apologetically to Oliver.

“I have to go,” she said.

“Yeah okay. I’ll take you home,” he replied leading her to his jeep. It was an open topped car, painted like an army car, pretty beat up looking. But the engine purred to life on the first try and Oliver seemed a competent driver so Monique relaxed. He asked her for an address and she debated for a full five minutes before she gave it to him. She could always pass him off as a ‘friend from school’ if anyone asked. Not that he was more than that; nothing had happened. He hadn’t even tried to kiss her or anything. So really…there was nothing to worry about.

*****

“Monique Jean-Baptiste, who was that boy who dropped you off just now?” her mother demanded as soon as she set foot in the house. She was waiting in the foyer, house slippers on her feet and thunder in her eyes.

“He’s just a friend maman,” she replied, fingers crossed behind her back.

Her mother snorted, “A friend huh?” she said eyebrows raised skeptically, “Well be careful your…friend…don’t get you in trouble.”