2 Unhitched Read Free Page A

correspondence with his father, King Midas… Letters to clients who have commissioned him to paint their portrait… Even several adorable homemade birthday cards from Calla, showing her own progression as an excellent artist. I’d love to read them all, but there’s no time.
    Finally, I find it. The ivory linen envelope—the one I used to seal my letter. It’s addressed to Gallant. The penmanship is exquisite—bold and flowery—like mine. Except it’s not mine!
    The envelope isn’t sealed. A little voice in my head tells me to put it back. I have no business going through Gallant’s personal mail. Okay, I lied. The inner voice is screaming: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR? OPEN THE DAMN ENVELOPE! I practically tear it open. Inside is a perfectly folded sheet of parchment. I yank it out. My hands shaking, I unfold it and read:
    Dearest Gallant~

    It was so wonderful to see you yesterday. You mean so much to me. You always have. Thank you for being there for me.

    Forever~ Aurora

    Forever Aurora! The letter shakes in my hands as a burning sensation rips through my heart. I’m going to puke.
    The fairy tale is over.
    My Prince is having an affair!

Chapter 3

    “T HIS IS BAD. VERY BAD,” says Elz, after reading the letter. She adjusts her bejeweled spectacles. She has a pair in every color.
    “It doesn’t mean he’s having an affair,” says Winnie, brushing back her mane of flaming red hair.
    Elz and Winnie are my two best friends. We met while doing rehab at Faraway. Elz, short for Elzmerelda, was one of Cinderella’s evil stepsisters, and Winnie, short for Winifred, was the overweight witch who tried to eat her children, Hansel and Gretel. Like me, they’ve both come a long way.
    We’re having an emergency girlfriend meeting at Sparkles, our favorite hangout at The Trove. I’m stunned by Winnie’s reaction. Almost hurt.
    Always the eternal optimist, Winnie believes that everything in life happens for a reason. That it’s meant to be.
    Well, if Gallant’s affair is meant to be, then it’s over for us. Kaput! Finis! As they say in French.
    “I’m going to get divorced!” I cry out. “ Unhitched!”
    Elz bawls. “But you and Gallant were so lovey-dovey together!” She takes off her spectacles and wipes her watering eyes.
    “Stop it!” snaps Winnie. “Both of you are jumping to conclusions.”
    “What exactly should I do?” I yell at my know-it-all friend.
    A server, dressed in a colorful jester suit, sets a platter of fanciful cupcakes on our table.
    Winnie reaches for a chocolate frosted cupcake. “You need to investigate and find out what’s really going on.”
    Here I am, shaking with the damning evidence in my hand… and she’s eating cupcakes and telling me to investigate?
    “Fine.” I stab the word at her. What I should do is track down this Aurora slut and put an end to her sorry life.
    Elz brightens. “I can help you with your investigation,” she says in her singsong voice.
    “You know Aurora?” I ask, my eyes wide with curiosity. Whoever the hell she is, she’d better watch out. They didn’t use to call me The Evil Queen for nothing.
    Elz puts her glasses back on and points a knowing index finger at me. “I bet she’s the Aurora who owns Aurora’s Secret.”
    That lingerie store for royal sluts where my wicked mother used to buy her sleazy corsets and undergarments?
    “She’s a self-made millionaire,” Elz adds, clearly proud that she can be so helpful. “Although coming from royalty must have helped.”
    Of course. Gallant wants to be kept by a wealthy princess so that he doesn’t have to depend on his parents to support his painting career.
    “What does she look like?” I ask brashly.
    “I’ve never met her, but I’ve heard she’s beautiful.”
    Every muscle in my body tenses up. Jealousy gnaws at me like a rat at a slab of cheese.
    “She’s also known as Sleeping Beauty.”
    “Sleeps-Around Beauty is more like it.” I can’t help myself.
    Winnie