Love Beneath the Stars : A Matchmaker Wedding Novella

Love Beneath The Stars an entertaining love novel claerie kavanaugh Half Caff Press Love Beneath The Stars an entertaining love novel LOVE AMONG THE STARS Copyright © 2023 by Claerie Kavanaugh All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except for brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. For information contact: Claerie Kavanaugh Email: [email protected] Instagram: @claerie_writies_romance TikTok: @sapphic.love.and.books Facebook: @claerie_writies_romance http://www.claeriekavanaugh.com Cover design by Lauren Dombroski Edited by Raven Heidrich First Edition: April 2023 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 CONTENTS DISCOVER MORE OF THE ENTERTAINING LOVE SERIES Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight The End What’s next? Love on Page Six: A Forbidden Love Celebrity Romance An actress with a secret, a journalist with a dream, and forbidden love that could change everything. Desperate to save her family’s dying magazine, love is the last thing on 26-year-old Daphne Fernandez mind when she agrees to go undercover as a makeup artist to scoop a juicy story on the city’s most popular telenovela star. But a spur-of-the-moment kiss makes it more complicated. A cheating boyfriend might not be Bombshell Bridget’s only secret. More in the Entertaining Love Series Once Upon a Love Story Love Among the Stars: A Matchmaker Romance Want LGBTQ-Friendly Books for your Kids? Thank You About the Author Learn More About the Author Acknowledgments DISCOVER MORE OF THE ENTERTAINING LOVE SERIES Subscribe to my newsletter for behind-the-scenes access to Duet Rubato and the rest of my LGBTQ romances. • Director’s cut – a sneak peek at early versions of the book • Exclusive character cards, coloring pages, maps, and more • Early-bird access to my street team, upcoming romance novels • Peek into the lives of your favorite characters like never before • First glimpses at all my WIPs www.claeriekavanaugh.com Chapter One Eve February 3 "We made it," I pull my gaze away from the beautiful Caribbean coastline long enough to glance at Jemma. She's sitting next to me in the ocean blue rental car, her head tipped back against the headrest, eyes closed, a content smile on her lips. "Finally." She clasps my hand in hers, and I grin as I run the pad of my thumb over her wedding ring, a simple gold band delicately crafted with a smooth polished surface, perfect circles intertwining and reflecting the light. Inscribed in the metal is a series of small diamonds that sparkle when they catch the light. It's wrapped perfectly around Jemma's middle finger, and every time I catch a glimpse of it, I feel giddy all over again. In just two weeks, she'll be mine forever. And on Valentine's Day, no less. "As exhausting as that flight was, it was worth every minute." I nod, unable to keep the gleeful smile off my face as I take in the beautiful scenery. The sun is just setting over the horizon, lighting the sky ablaze in oranges and pinks. Lush green hills roll down to the soft white sandy beaches. The Caribbean Sea shimmers with blues and greens, while palm trees sway gently in the sea breeze, and the small island towns along the coast are bustling with life. In my wildest dreams, I couldn't have thought of a better place to get married. Although, to be honest, as long as I get to say, I do, I don't care where it happens. "But seriously, babe, you really didn't have to plan all of this. Just because I live in Hollywood now--" she sticks out her tongue and nudges me, and we both laugh. "doesn't mean I expect everything to be over the top. Anything we would have done would have been perfect as long as I was with you." My heart melts a little. "Aww, you're sweet." She blushes, and I nudge her shoulder. "But Jem, come on. It's our wedding." Her name slides between my lips like honey, and a tingle of pleasure skips up my spine when she doesn't retort. Jem Mason is her stage name. During our matchmaking phase, almost every single person I set her up with would fuck up by using it instead of her full name when they first met, which had apparently been a major turnoff. Whether or not they were able to remember her real name had been a gage of sorts. A sign so she knew right off the bat just how interested they were in getting to know the person behind the reputation. At first, I thought it was a little unfair. After all, plenty of people use nicknames. But when every single one of her dates went sour one after the other, like a terrifying stack of Dominoes? Well, let's just say I couldn't really blame her. It just makes me feel that much more honored that, according to her, when I say it, it sounds sexy. "Besides, I say, leaning over to place a quick kiss on her lips as I squeeze her hand. " Everyone deserves to be spoiled and once in a while. Especially you." Her sweet laughter echoes in my ears, carried over the cliff and down toward the breaking ocean waves by the poignant scent of the breeze. "I know, I know... I just...." She throws her arms out and inhales deeply. " I can't believe we're finally here. And that you managed to do all of this without me knowing a single thing." I chuckle. " Well, I can't take all the credit. Without Izzy and your mom, there would've been more than a few times when I would've gotten hopelessly lost. I never knew