Character Bios for Granted Wishes Cast
Gracelynn Calhoun– A 32 year old widowed woman. She’s spunky, sassy, and on a new adventure she never thought she would experience.
Giovanni Antonetii – A hard working 32 year old man. He enjoys his family and dog, Holly. Never expected to have his life changed in an unexpected incident.
Cassie – Best friend and HR woman to Gracelynn. She’s sassy, spunky, bubbly and just wants the very best for her best friend and for her to be happy again.
Ben – Also Gracelynn’s best friend and boss. He wants Gracelynn to live and love life again. Wonderful sweet man, you would love to have as your boss. <– or love interest *wink wink
I don’t know why, but I really loved “Big Ben”. He only had a minor role in this story, but his introduction just sticks in my mind. What can I say, he’s a memorable man. 😉 Read on for our interview. 😀
INTERVIEW (Ben & Cassie)
They both walk in, hand in hand, smiling radiantly at one another. And man, Tanya was right. Ben is one handsome man. He turns toward me with that honey blond hair and a devilish flicker shines in his eyes.
I smile and extend my hand to them. “Please take a seat. Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me.” I watch as they both sit beside one another on the sofa across from me. When Ben smirks at me, I fan myself. Whew!
“You’re most welcome,” he answers me.
Clearing my throat and knowing it’s wrong to gawk at him, I ignore my professional composure and continue to gawk! “How long have you and Gracelynn been friends? I don’t believe we ever were introduced,” I say, directing all my attention to Ben.
Ben catches Cassie’s eye and whispers in her ear. Man, what I’d do to know what he’s said that’s left Cassie nodding and blushing like a school girl. She sits up straight on the sofa before answering.
“I’ve been friends with Gracelynn since we were in Elementary School. Ben was Angelo’s best friend. We all met in college and have been together ever since.”
I’ve clearly said something wrong. How was I to know that they were friends with Gracelynn’s deceased husband? “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to sadden you”. I really hate that I’ve upset her.
Cassie surprises me and smiles graciously. “You have nothing to be sorry for. We were the very best of friends and there’s nothing sad about it.”
I chuckle with relief. “Speaking of best friends, Gracelynn tells me you two were dating for months before telling her? Why wait?”
I watch as Ben squeezes Cassie’s hand and chooses to answer this one. “I chose that. Gracelynn had been in an emotional mood since Angelo died and I didn’t want to unload more stress onto her. If she was in a better frame of mind, I would have told her right away.”
I nod sincerely at Ben. “I know you sent Gracelynn on her trip. What was the hardest part about it all?” I turn to Cassie, although it’s tough to look away from those gorgeous eyes.
“It was hard,” Cassie admits. “But she needed it . . . badly.”
“She needed it,” Ben agrees. “I think the hardest part was watching the once vibrant woman day in and day out become so broken.”
I twist a strand of hair around my finger before asking the next question. Geesh. They’re so serious! “Enough about Gracelynn. What more can you tell the readers about yourselves?”
I smile deviously at Ben and they both laugh, knowing I want the goods on their steamy relationship.
“Us? You want to know more about us?”
I nod eagerly.
“Well, we enjoy sitting at home, taking walks. I love having Ben cook for me . . . he’s the best cook,” she gushes, glancing up at her man. “We just enjoy being together and want our best friend to have an amazing life filled with love and happiness.”
“Wow, a man that looks like that and can cook,” I mumble to myself. So what if I’m a little jealous. “One more question before you go, since I know you’re here on your lunch break. Will Gracelynn ever get her happy ever after? Please tell me because I’m dying to know!”
Ben and Cassie look at one another, mischief playing in their eyes before they turn back to me. “Let’s just say, Tanya doesn’t disappoint…. ,” Ben tells me. “But happy ever after? You will have to find out for yourself,” Cassie finishes.
They’re so darn cute together, finishing each other’s sentences. I stand and shake their hands. “Thank you so much for your time and answering a few questions.”
“It was our pleasure,” they answer in unison. Can they get any cuter? Seriously, gag!
“Oh, and if you would ever like to interview us again, you know where to find us,” Ben says to me.
Excitement flairs in my eyes and all I can think about is the Big Ben comment Gracelynn told me about.
“But now, we are heading back to the office,” Ben says, interrupting my thoughts. “Later, I’m cooking Cassie a nice meal and maybe even a nice desert too.”
Cassie playfully hits Ben on the arm. Is he teasing me?! Even if he is, I’m happy to get some insight on Gracelynn’s two best friends. I can’t wait to meet with them again!
Excerpt
Chapter 1 (© 2014 Tanya Vought)
The dark, somber sky matches Gracelynn Calhoun’s disposition. Her heart beats rapidly in her chest as she grips the steering wheel of her Hyundai Accent. From her windshield, she notices the barren trees that once held her favorite fall foliage. Looking at them makes her feel just as empty as the trees in the Layton Hills Cemetery. She releases her right hand from the steering wheel, and clutches her angel necklace as tears pour down her cheeks. She closes her eyes, continuing to hold the necklace, remembering the day her beloved gave it to her. She lets go of her necklace, opens her green-grey eyes and wipes her cheeks.
While walking to her beloved’s tomb, leaves crinkle under her favorite pair of black, high-heeled shoes. As she reaches the stone, tears trickle down her face and she drops to her knees. She immediately starts cleaning around his grave, removing all debris.
She stares at the gravestone, and drags her fingers over the intricately carved angel wings. She reads aloud, even though she doesn’t need to. “Angelo Grant Calhoun. 11/28/1980 – 11/30/2012. “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” More tears stream down her face. She reaches up and touches the top of the stone, resting her hand in the middle of the stone, like she’d be touching Angelo’s heart. “I miss you so much, Angelo. How can I move on with my life…move on without you?” she cries to the gravestone. “I love you so much. I wore your favorite dress and shoes, hoping that you’d see me today. How crazy is that?” She laughs through tears, wipes her cheeks with her hand and grabs her necklace. “I still remember the day you gave me this,” she expresses to the gravestone. “How can I move on when you were my whole life? I’ll love you forever and always.” The wind picks up suddenly and all the leaves that she had just cleaned up go flying around her. She looks around now, with the leaves in her hair, and hears disembodied laughing. She tries to pick the leaves out of her hair, now full of dead foliage. She looks around the stones, but spots no one else. “I’m losing it. No one is here, Gracelynn. Get a grip,” she tells herself as she stands back up, and continues to clean herself off.
She bends down to wipe her beloved’s stone again, and her phone rings. Startled, she falls down and lands on her butt. “Good grief,” she shrieks. Her phone rings again, and she opens her small purse to take out the phone. It’s Ben calling. She stands up and looks around, hoping there isn’t anyone around who witnessed the entire ordeal. “Hello, Ben. What can I do for you?” she asks as she brushes the back of her behind, wondering what he wants.
“Hello, Gracie,” he purrs into the phone. Oh boy. This must be a doozy for him to talk like this on the phone. “Cassie and I have some things we’d like to go over with you. When are you
coming in?” This time around, he sounds monotone, neutral. She glances at her watch, and realizes she’s late for work. “Oh man, Ben, I’m sorry I’m late. I didn’t realize the time. I’m at the cemetery and I’ll be there as soon as I can,” she tells him while wiping her right hand down her dress in a nervous gesture.
“Oh, Gracelynn. I’m such an ass,” Ben says through the phone. “I forgot you were going there this morning. Take all the time you need and I’ll see you in say, a half hour?” he asks her and hangs up, leaving Gracelynn more confused than before.
Christa Simpson 