It has been said that you meet your soulmate between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one. The old saying fails to mention that even though you meet your soulmate, you are not guaranteed a lifetime of happiness with them.

At sixteen years old Selena Ayers was over the moon in love with Texas Conrad IV, a wealthy oil and gas heir who happened to be gorgeous to boot. Believing one truly meets their soul mate between sixteen and twenty-one, she thought she had found her forever in Tex. Unfortunately, Tex’s father had other ideas for his son. Utterly destroyed, Selena flees to the only place far enough away that she can heal her broken heart.

Seven years later, she returns to Saint Caine with the promise of a bright career and another chance at love. All seems well until that bright career puts her face to face with the past she fled years ago, and he will do anything to right his wrongs and have her again. Will Selena rebuff her first love’s attempts at forgiveness and a second chance, or will she open her heart to him and risk being destroyed once more?

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Release Date: September 22, 2025
Genre: Contemporary | Second Chance Romance

A Pink Satin Romance

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Excerpt

His name was as unique as the gorgeous young man who owned it. Texas Conrad the Fourth. He introduced himself as “Tex” to which I, who had been lounging in the sun on the beach, looked up and said so smoothly...

“Huh?”

He smiled. The corner of his mouth tugged up just a little more than the other side. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I don’t mean to bother you, but I’m new around here and I thought I’d introduce myself to people and try to get settled in.”

When he had finished talking, his mouth remained open in an awkward friendly smile. I just continued to stare with one hand perched on my forehead above my sunglasses, attempting to dim the bright sun even more. As he stood there, fidgeting and being awkward, I took a moment to give him a once-over. He was built strong and tan. His body was perfect with not necessarily severely cut abs, but the outlined muscles were there. His face had a chiseled look to it. The kind of face you would suspect was the model for all those Greek statues in Rome. The wind blew a wave of sandy blond hair off his forehead.

“So anyway,” he said, “my name is Tex.”

“Tex?”

“Yeah,” he answered brightly. “It’s Texas Conrad the Fourth, something or other,” he mumbled, “but Tex is what I answer to.”

“Family name?”

“Yup.”

I stood up brushing sand off myself and held out my hand to him.

“Selena,” I told him.

He took my hand gently, repeating my name back to me as he did.

“Not a family name,” I added, shaking his hand. “Just me, Selena Marie Ayers.”

We were still holding hands. I suddenly felt as if he was taking his time to peruse me and did a mental thank you to Amber for making me wear the black two-piece instead of the comfy one-piece I had originally planned to wear today. She had said that since it was finally tanning weather around here, I had to wear it. The two-piece was a little bit of a tight fit, but it curved with me and even gave the girls a little push upwards. I cocked my head slightly, letting my dark blond hair sweep across my shoulder, and smiled.

“How many people have you met so far?” I asked.

“Just you, Selena.”

“Just me? Exactly how long have you been here?”

“All day.” He shrugged, smiling again.

“You’ve been out here all day, and I’m the first person you’ve seen?”

He licked his lips and one eye squinted in the sun. He looked down for just a moment, then back up. The squint returned with a smile. “Nah,” he said, “you aren’t the first person I’ve seen. Just the only one I wanted to meet.”

My breath hitched. Now, I ask you. What sixteen-year-old girl wouldn’t have fallen in love?

 

* * *

 

I invited him to sit with me on our overly large beach blanket under the huge rainbow-colored umbrella the boys had rigged into the sand. Those sand anchors are great, but trying to explain to two Neanderthal teenage boys how to use what should be self-explanatory is no picnic. After getting comfortable, I offered him a beverage from our cooler. That click and crisp sound of opening sodas echoed before we each took our first sips.

“So, when did you arrive in Saint Caine, if you’re alright with me asking?” I said, taking another sip from my can.

“It’s been a few weeks,” he answered, turning so the sun was on his back. The effect of the lighting behind that gorgeous tan and smile made him almost angelic. Goodness, I needed to get it together. “But enough about me,” he blurted out, reaching out a finger to tap my knee. “I want to know all about you.”

I laughed. “You act like we’ve been discussing you for hours.”

“Well,” he shrugged, “anything about me is boring.”

“I could say the same about myself.”

“I seriously doubt that,” he said, and the laughing smile faded into a soft, sincere one. Heat crept up my neck and into my cheeks. I bowed my head a little with the blush. After a beat, he scooted closer and said, “Tell me everything. I want to know about your parents, school, everything.”

“Alright,” I giggled. “Well, we’ve lived here my whole life, and my parents are the absolute best but don’t ever tell them I said that. They would get astronomically big heads about it.” I laughed again. “My dad is the neighborhood postman and has been for so long that practically everyone knows him by name. There isn’t a store we go into that someone doesn’t stop him and start chatting.” Tex smiled as nervous laughter bubbled out of me. I scrunch my face while trying to think of what to tell him next. “Um, mom is a retired school teacher, and before you ask about her age, no, she isn’t old.” I rolled my eyes for emphasis because I get that question a lot. “She taught for twenty years, but when Dad was given the full-time route, she decided to retire early and just be a stay-at-home mom who makes designer dollhouses that she sells for a small fortune.”

“She makes dollhouses?” he asked, “Like those open Barbie dream-house things I’ve seen in commercials?”

“Yes and no. These are more like elaborate ones with carpet and lighting; everything is all handcrafted and painted. She sells them online, too. People have even bought them from overseas.”

“Wow! That’s impressive. Did she make you one?”

“Only the biggest one ever.” I admitted, “Now, let’s see... We live over on Maple; um, school is, I don’t know...typical, I guess. I mean, if you’ve seen any movie with a depiction of high school in it, then you pretty much have the gist of any public high school.”

“This will be my first public school appearance,” Tex said, pulling up his knees and wrapping his forearms around them. I’m pretty sure my mouth dropped.

“Seriously?”

“Yes. My educational journey has consisted of only a very prestigious private school in Dallas.”

“Wow,” I mouthed, my eyes widening. “You are in for a shock!”

I had never met anyone who hadn’t at least experienced a year or so of public school. I couldn’t imagine how Tex was going to adapt to such a primal place compared to the structure of a private school. I mean, the kids at our school were practically feral at times. I informed him of this and enjoyed the sound of his laughter. Truthfully, I used to snort when I would hear girls say things like, “I could just look at him forever,” all whimsical and swooning, but after meeting this guy, well, I guess you could lump me in with them.

 

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