Epilogue
Two weeks after what Sabrina now thought of as their love talk—when Logan had let her know just how much she meant to him—she happily showed up on his arm at the Clover Park Valentine’s Day dance. Dating Logan was wonderful. They spent the night at each other’s places on the weekend, but the rest of the time they lived apart. She hadn’t realized how much she needed that stability and routine to feel secure enough to open her heart and keep it open. Two weeks of Logan’s steady love, a short-lived fake marriage, plus months of solid friendship were all it took for Sabrina to commit. She could admit to being relieved he was no longer tied to Olivia in any way, but Sabrina’s love for him was so deep, her commitment so solid, she now would’ve chosen to follow him to California just so they could be together. Fortunately, she didn’t have to.
Her life was finally back on track. She was slowly rebuilding her practice, her lawyer had shut down any further defamation from Tara with the damning evidence Sabrina had recorded against her, and she was working on her book, Romance Rebel. The title was growing on her because she was a bit of a rebel the way she did her own relationship from the deep end and tiptoed on back out. She understood how deep commitment issues could go and had a new empathy for commitment-phobes. After all, she used to be one.
“You want some love punch?” Logan asked her, his hand sliding from the back of her neck down her spine in one smooth stroke, bringing a warm tingle along its path. “I heard it’s spiked.”
She smiled up at him, running a hand down his arm, loving the feel of soft fabric over hard muscle. He wore a navy blue suit that made him look even hotter than usual, all accomplished and professional. She’d dressed up too, wearing a dress she’d bought special for the occasion—it was tight and black, and Logan couldn’t keep his hands off her in it. The dress had a V-neck and cute layered fringes at the thigh-high hem that went perfect with her silver winged heels. “Sure, thanks.”
He gazed back at her tenderly before turning to her friend. “How about you, Lexi?”
“Make it a double,” Lexi replied. “Thanks.”
Logan inclined his head and went to get the drinks.
Lexi smoothed her hands over her hips in a dark blue satin cocktail dress and glanced around the crowded room, looking self-conscious. Sabrina had already told her she looked amazing. Her dark brown hair was up in a sophisticated twist; her dress with a white lapel along the deep V was super sexy. Surely, this would be a romantic night for Lexi. Love was in the air.
Sabrina put an arm around Lexi and gave her a little squeeze. Lexi hadn’t wanted to come tonight, saying she didn’t want to be the only single woman at a dance full of couples. When Sabrina had pointed out Hailey was going, Lexi had snorted, saying, “She’s in a relationship with her dog.”
It was hard to deny that. Hailey had spent the last month and a half in sessions with a dog trainer, coaching Rose to be a therapy dog for the sole purpose of having Rose with her everywhere she went. Not that she didn’t already sneak Rose everywhere in her giant pink doggie purse, but she was eager to take Rose out of her purse more and let her explore.
Logan returned a few minutes later and handed over the punch. “I took a sip of yours,” he said to Sabrina. “Strong stuff.”
“Awesome,” Lexi said and took a big swallow.
“I’m heading to the bar for a beer,” Logan said. “Be right back.” He left.
Garner’s Sports Bar & Grill had catered the event, and she’d seen Josh setting up earlier. He’d brought staff with him and, surprisingly, had come out from behind the bar to mingle a bit. Maybe he’d even dance, though Sabrina had to admit if he did, he likely wouldn’t ask Lexi. Not because Lexi wasn’t a great person, more because he was drawn to a certain strawberry blond woman currently in love with her dog.
She focused on Lexi again, who watched the room with a grim expression. “Lexi, your time will come,” Sabrina said gently. “Just be patient. Maybe it’ll happen tonight.”
Lexi sighed. “Truth? I think we had the right idea marrying ourselves. Who needs a man? I have a great career, great friends, a nice apartment, nice vacations, and…and…lots of great stuff. It’s only weird when I’m surrounded by couples. No offense.”
“No offense taken,” Sabrina murmured. She knew how hard it was to watch all your friends find their forever love when you couldn’t even move past the second date. She wasn’t even sure if Lexi ever moved past the first date. Most men didn’t pass muster with her.
Hailey waved at them and headed over in her deep red off-the-shoulder dress that clung to her perfect body. Red ballet flats with silk ribbons wound up her ankles. Even with her giant doggie purse, she still looked every bit the beauty queen.
“I swear,” Lexi said, under her breath, “if Hailey tries to get me to meet someone one more time, I’m going to turn the tables on her. See how she likes it.”
“She means well,” Sabrina whispered.
Hailey reached them and gave them both a hug. “Happy Valentine’s Day! Such a romantic day, right? It’s too bad I didn’t have any Valentine’s Day weddings this year, though I wouldn’t be surprised if some men are moved to propose tonight.” She looked right at Sabrina when she said that.
Sabrina smiled serenely. “Maybe.” She doubted Logan would propose, but she didn’t want to lessen the romantic view Hailey had, however unrealistic.
“Holy crap!” Lexi chortled. “Check them out!”
They all turned to the dance floor, where Mr. Campbell, Joe, was slow dancing with Hailey’s mom, Brandy. They were barely moving, pressed close together, cheek to cheek.
Sabrina and Lexi exchanged surprised looks. Hailey winced.
“I didn’t know they were still together,” Sabrina said. Last she’d heard, Joe had asked Brandy out. Of course, Sabrina had been a little out of the gossip loop with all the drama in her own life.
“It’s all I hear about,” Hailey said, rolling her eyes. She lowered her voice. “And she won’t stop talking about how great he is in bed.” She shuddered. “It’s revolting.”
Sabrina looked around for Logan and caught his older brother Josh’s eye. She waved at him, thinking how nice he looked dressed up in a white button-down shirt and gray pants. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing tanned muscular forearms, probably from all his bartending work.
He walked over to them, doing his usual slow amble, but the moment he got close, Hailey’s dog erupted in ferocious barks, popping her head out of Hailey’s purse.
Lexi leapt at the opportunity to push back a little at Hailey. “Let me take Rose out for a little fresh air. I could use some too.” This was Lexi’s devious way of letting Josh get close to Hailey. Otherwise, Rose would’ve prevented it. The dog really didn’t like Josh, barking and growling every time he got near.
Hailey glanced out the window and back to Lexi. “It’s cold out. Are you sure?”
Lexi smiled sweetly. “I’m sure. It’s no trouble at all.”
“Okay, thanks.” Hailey handed over her doggie purse. Lexi walked quickly away, and Rose’s barking abruptly stopped.
Josh ruffled Hailey’s hair. “Hey, little sis.”
Hailey frowned and smoothed her hair down. “Do not call me that.”
The three of them stared at Joe and Brandy, the happy couple lost in their own little world.
“My dad seems smitten,” Josh said.
“It’s nice,” Sabrina put in. They both ignored her.
Hailey turned to Josh. “We have to stop this. My mom is a total flake.”
“Seems okay to me,” Josh said, his gaze returning to the happy couple. “And she’s still looking fi-i-ne—”
Hailey spoke through her teeth. “Shut. Up. That is my mother.”
Josh turned to Hailey. “You look like her.”
Sabrina suppressed a smile. Josh was flirting. Would Hailey pick up on it? She was exceedingly dense when it came to Josh.
Hailey flicked her long strawberry blond hair over her shoulder. “Where’s Clarissa?”
Josh turned back to the dance floor. “Probably facing east.”
Hailey stared at the dance floor too before saying casually, “I haven’t seen her around.”
Josh didn’t reply.
“Are you still together?” Hailey asked, not looking at Josh.
“No,” he replied, not looking at Hailey.
“Oh.” Hailey rocked back and forth on her red ballet flats. “What happened?”
Josh kept staring straight ahead. “The usual.”
Hailey looked at him. “Not a good fit?”
He glanced at her and looked back to the dance floor. “Sure, let’s call it that.”
They stared at Brandy and Joe. Sabrina had to admit it must’ve been weird for them to watch their parents looking so in love. You just didn’t expect it at that age.
Logan finally returned and slid his arm around her before taking a sip of beer. “Who’s that with Dad?” he asked Josh.
“Brandy,” Josh answered.
“Hailey’s mom,” Sabrina whispered to Logan, filling in the important part.
Logan glanced at Hailey and then over to Brandy. “Huh.”
Josh turned to Hailey. “You realize if they get married, we’ll be brother and sister. That’s why I called you little sis.”
Hailey gasped. “Omigod, don’t say that!”
“Hey,” Josh said, “I’m a good big brother. Ask my brothers and sister.”
Hailey stared at him in horror.
Logan put in his vote of confidence. “He’s okay.”
Josh shot Logan a look like shut up and went about building his case. “Take Alex for one. I got him the nanny he needed, and now they’re a happy little family.”
Hailey stuck out her tongue, pretending to hurl.
Josh raised a brow. “Okay there?”
Hailey straightened like she suddenly remembered something. “You put your dream of owning your own bar on hold to put Mad through college. Why not let Jake cover it? He’s loaded.”
Logan hissed out a breath. Sabrina suspected she knew why.
Josh glared at Hailey, turned on his heel, and walked away.
Hailey’s jaw dropped, watching him go. She turned to Sabrina, eyes wide. “What did I say?”
Sabrina spoke in a gentle tone. “I get the feeling he has a chip on his shoulder about Jake being more successful than him. They’re identical twins; sometimes that comes with a rivalry.”
Logan shook his head. “They’re not rivals. They’ve always been close, but you’re right about the chip on his shoulder over the money thing.”
Logan’s younger sister, Mad, walked over just then. “Hailey, I think we might be sisters for real soon. Can you believe our parents? I’ll tell ya it’s a lot better than when my dad dated my mom.” That had been a strange time. About a year ago the Campbell mom had made an appearance, after so many years away, and briefly got together with her ex-husband.
“True that,” Logan put in.
Hailey frowned. “I love my mom, but I think your dad would be better off with someone else.”
“Why?” Mad asked.
“Because,” Hailey said through her teeth. She reached for Rose and realized her doggie purse wasn’t there. She looked around for Lexi, who wasn’t back yet. Then she froze, staring at Josh, who was glaring at her from across the room. Hailey quickly turned back to Mad. “Why did you let Josh pay your college tuition when Jake could easily afford it?”
Mad shrugged. “He insisted, and when he digs in, I know he’s not moving. It would’ve been an insult to turn him down, especially for Jake’s money. Josh could’ve got in on the ground floor with Jake’s company, but he took a different path. Now Jake’s a billionaire and Josh isn’t. Sucks for him, but he’s doing all right. Josh is careful with his money.”
Hailey looked thoughtful. “Hmm. Wait. If he could afford to pay your tuition, why didn’t he ever pay me back the five hundred he owes me?”
“Maybe it was the principle of the thing, making you go get it.” Mad smirked. “Maybe he just wanted to lure you back to his place.”
Sabrina exchanged an amused look with Logan. They’d talked about Hailey and Josh and were in total agreement that their frenemy one-upmanship would only end when they either killed each other or jumped into bed. Either way was bound to be entertaining.
Hailey scowled. “Lure me back to his place or have a reason to fight with me, the cad.”
Mad laughed.
“It’s true!” Hailey threw her arm wide toward Josh, but refrained from pointing. “Look at him over there, glaring at me! All he wants to do is fight! He makes me nuts!”
“Breathe, Hailey,” Sabrina suggested.
Hailey took a few deep breaths, composing herself. “Thank you, Sabrina, for the reminder. You ready?”
Sabrina smiled, reaching into her small purse and palming the needed item. “Yup.”
“What’s going on?” Logan asked.
Hailey slipped away, smiling mysteriously.
Logan held Sabrina by the chin, studying her. “You’re looking mighty pleased with yourself.”
“Oh, I am.”
He kissed her. “I love you.”
She beamed. “I love you too.”
Hailey’s voice rang out over the microphone. “Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! By special request, here is a song especially for Sabrina and Logan.” The song began, Etta James’s “At Last.” Because at last Sabrina had the committed relationship she’d craved with the love of her life.
Logan grinned. “Just us on the dance floor, huh? And here I thought you wanted to avoid the spotlight.”
“I kinda got used to it.” She took his hand and guided him to the dance floor. “I actually like it when it can help other people. In this case, you.”
He pulled her close, one arm banded around her waist, the other holding her hand in a very close waltz position. “And how’re you helping me?”
She held her hand with her surprise behind his back. “I’m ready to commit to you.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes.” She pulled back from him a little and opened her hand, showing him her gift. It was a ring, polished rosewood on a cobalt black band. She met his warm brown eyes. “I want to marry you.”
His smile lit up his gorgeous face. “Sabrina, are you proposing to me right now?”
She laughed. “Yes! Will you marry me?”
“I absolutely will marry you.”
She laughed again and slipped the ring on his finger.
He pulled a diamond ring from his pants pocket and held it up. “Will you marry me?”
“Ah! We double proposed!”
He slid the ring on her finger. “Leave it to a relationship counselor to double down on the commitment.”
Heart in her throat, she choked out, “I doubled down on you.”
He held her jaw and kissed her passionately. She threw her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with all the love in her heart. The place erupted in wolf whistles and cheers. Logan broke the kiss and gestured over to Hailey, who pulled a rope that released red, white, and pink balloons from a net in the ceiling.
Sabrina looked up in surprise. “I didn’t even notice them way up there.”
“I had to do something romantic,” Logan said, bouncing a balloon away. “Guess this means you’re moving back in with me.”
“Absolutely. Guess this means you’re going to be my husband for real.”
He pulled her close again, one hand holding her jaw. “You have no idea how good that sounds.”
“Husband.”
“Wife.” He kissed her long and deep and tender. They pulled apart at the sound of applause and grinned at each other.
Hailey rushed over to congratulate them. “You guys, you have to get married on Valentine’s Day next year. It’s a Saturday and the anniversary of your double engagement, wouldn’t that be great?”
Sabrina and Logan exchanged a look.
“We’d love to,” Sabrina said.
Hailey squealed. Which was the cue for all of their friends to rush over and congratulate them.
Soon everyone was on the dance floor, arms around each other, swaying and singing. The love was palpable in the room with all the couples in love, even Hailey danced with Rose in her arms. Sabrina exchanged a warm loving look with Logan. She’d taken a chance on romance, a chance on him, and been rewarded with the kind of love she’d always longed for.
The single people were otherwise occupied. Josh was back working behind the bar, and Lexi and Marcus were having a low conspiratorial conversation in the corner.
A short while later, Logan pulled her off the dance floor, whispering in her ear, “Come on, Valentine, time for the naked part. I’ve got plans for you. Think red velvet rope, wrists and ankles.”
She grinned and whispered back, “Think multiple orgasms. Mine.”
His hand went to her throat, stroking his fingers down it, his gaze intent. “You’re mine.”
She cupped his cheek, his soft beard a caress against her palm. “And you’re mine. Forever.”
His eyes shiny, he growled, “I love you so damn much.”
“I love you too.” She blinked tears away. “I can’t believe we both proposed.”
He ran his hands from her shoulders to her wrists in one smooth stroke. “That’s because you’re a romance rebel.” He winked.
She laughed at the reference to her upcoming book. “And what’s your excuse?”
He scooped her up, cradling her in his arms. “I can’t wait to start our lives together.”
“Omigod, I’d swoon if you weren’t carrying me.”
“I know.”
They grinned at each other and left for their own private Valentine’s Day celebration. Their first of many wonderfully romantic, super-sexy, committed celebrations.
~ ~ ~
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Dear Readers,
Josh and Hailey as brother and sister? Horror! Will their parents’ newfound love bring these two closer together or will it be the ultimate showdown? Stay tuned! What do you think Marcus and Lexi were talking about in their conspiratorial huddle at the Valentine’s Day dance? Maybe some devious plan. Mua-ha-ha. Would you like an exclusive sneak peek at my next release? Just and you’ll receive sneak peeks, excerpts, and subscriber-only giveaways. Next up is Marcus and Lexi’s story, Wicked Flirt, book 9 in the Happy Endings Book Club series. Join the club and get your happy ending!
Wicked Flirt (Happy Endings Book Club #9)
To Lexi Judson it seemed like a simple plan—pretend she’s dating smoking hot Marcus Shepard to get her matchmaking friend off her back. Even better? Lexi’s heart wants nothing to do with the charming player. Been there, got the T-shirt, buh-bye!
Marcus is cool with being studly arm candy. He’s using Lexi just as much as she’s using him, roping her into playing his girlfriend in front of his ailing mother. Zero expectations.
The rules are clear—six weeks, no sexy times. So easy! So convenient! Until Marcus changes the game, turning their pretending into something far more dangerous—
He wants to romance her. Gulp.
Is it possible that the man who’s everything she despises might actually be everything she’s ever wanted?
Lexi Judson had reached her limit of lovey-dovey couples. The only reason she'd shown up for the Clover Park Valentine's Day dance was because her friend Sabrina wanted her there for her big proposal to Logan Campbell. It had turned into a double proposal—Sabrina and Logan had surprised each other with rings, proposing at the same time. Yay for romance and all that crap. She'd put in her time, congratulated the happy couple, and now she'd say her goodbyes to all the other ridiculously happy couples and bail.
She worked her way around the slow-dancing couples on the dance floor, hoping the smile plastered on her face matched her words—I'm having a great time just very tired, thanks, bye! Because it was always loads of fun to be the only single woman surrounded by couples on Valentine's Day. Of course, her friend Hailey was also single but that didn't count. Hailey was in a relationship with her dog.
Lexi had nearly finished her goodbyes when a masculine voice spoke in a low tone near her ear. “Bailing already?”
She looked up into the dark eyes of Marcus Shepard, one of the honorary brothers glued to the Campbell family. The worst one. A wicked flirt and, if the rumors were true, the lying sort of player who told women he was monogamous when he wasn't. She despised cheaters.
She huffed. “I'm not bailing. I put in my time.”
His lips crooked into a half-smile that said I'm sexy and you know it. Too bad he was a cheater because he was incredibly nice to look at. His nose had a slight bump at the bridge like it had been broken, but other than that he was exquisite perfection—thick black hair, dark eyes with a fringe of lashes women would kill for, chiseled cheekbones, square jaw with a shadow of dark stubble, and a smoking hot body. He was tall and wide with huge muscles, a real hulk of a man. He probably spent all of his time at the gym when he wasn't boinking random women.
“Sounds like a jail sentence,” Marcus said. His hulking body was blocking her path to the exit.
“And who are you, the warden? Move along. I'm sure there's some woman here you haven't flirted with yet. Oh, wait, you already hit on all of my friends.” Not her, though, never her. Like she cared. She would've shot him down in a hot second. “Maybe try for a MILF or a GILF next.” She gestured to her right. “Ooh! There's your next GILF. That grandma looks like a fantastic dancer and you know what they say about movement on the dance floor…” She did a geriatric hip thrust to demonstrate the link to sexy times.
He narrowed his eyes. “I'm beginning to understand why you didn't dance with anyone tonight. You move like an awkward duck. And you know what they say about movement on the dance floor…” He smirked.
She clenched her teeth. She did not move like an awkward duck. She'd spent most of the night ducking, err, avoiding Sabrina's drunk uncle, a close talker who kept accidentally spitting in her face. “I didn't see you on the dance floor either. Too busy strutting around, sniffing out your next lay.”
He glowered down at her. “Man-hater.”
“Man-whore.”
Someone pinched her ass and she jumped. It wasn't Marcus. She turned, face-to-face again with drunk Uncle Spitty. She'd forgotten his real name.
He leered at her. “There you are, girl! Let's go to my place for a nightcap.” Apparently he'd forgotten her name too.
“Don't touch me again,” she bit out.
Marcus's arm dropped over her shoulders. “She's with me and we're about to leave.”
She froze, shocked at Marcus's gentlemanly move, saving her from Uncle Spitty.
Uncle Spitty leaned close. “What about us?” Spittle sprinkled her cheek. Gross. She was about to back up a step when Marcus used his grip on her shoulder to turn her away, guiding her toward the exit.
She didn't appreciate the manhandling, but what the hell. She'd wanted to leave anyway.
“Don't go!” Uncle Spitty hollered belatedly.
She took a few steps away with Marcus before glancing over her shoulder. Uncle Spitty was making his unsteady way back to the bar.
She halted in her tracks, and Marcus stopped too, looking down at her in question. Like he was waiting to follow her lead. Curious. She'd figured him for the large and in charge kind of guy. “Thanks for calling off Uncle Spitty,” she said. “I got it from here.”
Marcus dropped his big hand from her shoulder. “No problem. Uncle Spitty?”
She nodded. “He's a close talker. He's been accidentally spitting on me all night.”
He laughed, a rich deep rumble of a laugh.
She laughed too. This whole night had been ridiculous. She'd felt like a lone antelope—the last single woman on the savannah—fleeing Uncle Spitty's close conversations and dodging Hailey's matchmaking. Lexi had been very firm with Hailey about the matchmaking, but the woman wore rose-colored love goggles and it was no use. Lexi was the last single woman in their formerly all singles Happy Endings Book Club, a romance book club that Hailey had started with the goal of helping every last one of them find their very own happy ending. Lexi had only joined the book club because two of her friends were members. Now she had a big ol' bull's-eye on her forehead with a perky strawberry blond hunter closing in.
“Hey, Lexi! Hey, Marcus! You leaving?”
Speak of the devil and she appears with her dog. Hailey approached, wearing a deep red off-the-shoulder dress with red ballet flats in honor of Valentine's Day. Little Rose's white furry head peeked out of Hailey's pink doggie purse.
Marcus poured on the charm for Hailey, saying in a deep honey voice, “Hey, sweetheart, how's it going?”
Hailey sped up. “Great!” Her pale blue eyes were huge, taking them both in. Rose's big dark eyes seemed equally surprised. Rose had a pink bow with red hearts on her white tuft of a ponytail perched right in the center of her head. The bow matched her dog sweater. Give the poor dog some dignity. “I just need to borrow Lexi for a minute.”
Next thing she knew Hailey had dragged her several feet away. Lexi braced herself for the third degree leading to some serious Marcus matchmaking—nail that guy down—but Hailey surprised her.
“What're you doing with Marcus?” Hailey whispered. “Are you guys together? Rumor has it, he's a player.”
Lexi glanced over at Marcus, standing a distance away, waiting for her. Maybe to shield her from Uncle Spitty? He did make a good shield, being a hulk of a man. She turned back to Hailey. Suddenly Marcus as a human shield made even more sense. If Hailey thought they were together, it would get Hailey off her back about being single. And Marcus would be a safe bet as her arm candy since her heart was already closed against him and his cheating ways. Men like that couldn't help it. Like her dad and her older brother and her stupid ex.
Her devious brain took it to the next level—turning the tables on the meddling matchmaker. While Lexi was safely part of a couple she could throw Josh in Hailey's path. The plan hinged on the fact that Josh and Hailey were frenemies to the death (or bed, whichever came first) and, equally as juicy, their parents, Joe and Brandy, were currently dating. Joe Campbell was Josh's dad, Brandy Adams was Hailey's mom. Maybe soon Joe and Brandy would get serious and send Hailey in a tailspin, which would make her ripe for the Josh picking. Muah-ha-ha.
“Yup, we're together,” Lexi said. With absolutely no sex. It's the perfect fairy-tale love! Birds singing as we frolic through a meadow. Rated G for goofy.
“Wow, I had no idea.” Hailey lowered her voice. “Just be careful, okay? I don't want you to get hurt.”
Obviously Hailey meant well. She was a good friend. It was just that she'd stepped one too many times into aggressive territory with the matchmaking. “I'll be fine,” Lexi assured her. “You know me.” She could hold her own with any man.
Hailey smiled, gave Lexi's arm a squeeze, waved goodbye to Marcus, and headed back to the dance.
Lexi crossed to Marcus. “I've got a proposition for you.”
He jerked his chin. “What's that?”
She leaned close, speaking in a conspiratorial tone. “I'm in Hailey's crosshairs—the last single woman in our group. So what do you think about keeping up the pretend couple thing? You know, a relationship of convenience. Just to put Hailey off the scent. You show up with me a few times at parties here or at your bar.” He owned his own bar, The Burrow, in nearby New York City. She'd been there for a party before. “Maybe for eight weeks or so, what do you think?”
~ ~ ~
What did he think? He thought she was nuts.
He'd met Lexi a few times at parties, a petite brunette who gave off a don't-fuck-with-me vibe. At least with men. She was a prickly man-hater from what he'd seen, more likely to bite his head off than flirt back, which was why he'd never bothered flirting with her before. He'd only tangled with her tonight because he'd been in a mood, watching all of his friends stupid-happy with their women. Even Ethan—a tough hardass cop—had found someone who adored him and only him. Meanwhile Marcus stuck out like a lone lion hungry for a satisfying meal.
Up close Lexi's brown almond-shaped eyes gleamed with intelligence. Her sleek dark brown hair was up in a twist, her light tan skin smooth, her smile devious. That was who she reminded him of—the love of his life, Bitty. Sleek and soft with sharp claws. He still missed that cat.
Lexi's skin-tight dark blue dress—low cut, ending mid-thigh—had caught his eye. Any man would appreciate a beautiful woman showing a lot of skin. Didn't mean he wanted a relationship with her. He was looking for a woman who adored him. He figured if Ethan could manage it, then Marcus could too. A prickly man-hater did not fit the bill. She was the last single woman for a reason. And it didn't count that he was practically the last of the bachelors among his friends. He had relationship intentions. He'd just been too busy to do anything about it between work and his mom's illness.
Lexi looked up at him expectantly. She was a good foot shorter than his six foot four, and he valiantly tried to keep his gaze on her face and not the tempting display of cleavage. He hadn't been with a woman in months, his choice. He'd gone a little nuts after his divorce sowing his wild oats—at one point he'd been seeing three women at the same time—but it hadn't made him happy. Now he was clear on what he wanted, and Lexi wasn't it.
“I think…” He stopped himself from being too honest because he didn't want to hurt her feelings no matter how nuts she was. He went with a little advice instead. “You should just tell Hailey to back off and go on with your life.”
“Pfft. I've tried that many times. It's no use. I'm the lone antelope and she's on the hunt! Trust me, this is very necessary.”
Didn't lions hunt antelopes? That would mean he—nope. It must be the lioness. He glanced over at Hailey across the room, all puckered up for doggie kisses from homely little Rose. Yup. Right on the mouth. He kept his mouth shut. Nothing wrong with loving your pet.
“You in or not?” Lexi asked.
Bossy woman. Another strike against her. He never followed orders; he gave them. He was the boss at work, owner and manager of The Burrow and with his size—tall and bulky with muscles from his hard-core workouts—most people showed him respect.
He crossed his arms. Her gaze dropped to his bicep, pulling the white fabric of his dress shirt tight. She dug the muscles all right. His chest puffed out. His studliness had served him well once again. “Not seeing the upside here. What do I get out of this?”
She frowned. “It's just a few parties. You can keep seeing whoever on the side.”
He felt compelled to point out the flaws in her plan. “My friends will think I'm a big jerk for seeing someone on the side. So will yours. They're all coupled up now like it's frigging Noah's ark around here.”
She stiffened. “Okay, fine. What do you want?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. What was he doing? He didn't want anything from her. Sure, he was alone on Valentine's Day surrounded by his whipped lovesick friends, but that didn't mean… He swallowed hard. There was a quiet dignity in being alone. He'd read that somewhere.
Seriously. Women always said they had a good time with him, though he wasn't sure if that was because he paid for nice dinners or because he gave them pleasure afterward. He made a good living and had invested in his friend Jake's tech company with a huge payoff. The pleasure part was easy, just took some paying attention to what worked for each woman. It wasn't rocket science. A small voice in his head raised an ugly question—did any woman ever like him just for himself and not what he could give them?
He ground his teeth. Sure, he might look like a hulking mass of muscle, but underneath all that he had feelings, sometimes very sensitive feelings. He'd sooner parade around naked in Times Square than admit any of that shit. This much was clear—Lexi just wanted to use him. Pass.
He met her eyes. “I'm out.” He turned to go when she grabbed his arm, halting him.
“Wait!”
He turned back. “What?”
She smoothed his sleeve down where she'd grabbed him, sort of petting his arm. “I'm a corporate event planner. I could plan an event for your bar.”
Free event just for standing next to her at a party? “I'm listening.”
“How about something for St. Patrick's Day?”
He already had St. Patrick's Day locked down with a local pub crawl and live band. He kept that to himself, angling for more. He loved a good negotiation. “Eight long weeks for one event? Pass.”
Her brown eyes flashed, and he bit back a smile, enjoying himself for the first time all night. She parked a hand on her hip. “Come on! It will hardly be any work for you at all. Just stand next to me looking pretty.”
“Two events.” No one could pull off two events in such a short timeframe.
She tossed her head. “Geez, I have a real job you know.”
“Okay, fine. Good night.” He turned and headed for the door.
She kept up with him. “I was on my way out too.”
He picked up the pace to hold the door open for her. Gentleman manners had been drilled into his head by his honorary dad, Joe Campbell.
“Thanks,” she mumbled, walking out to the small foyer. She pulled her black wool coat off the rack and stuck her arm in the sleeve.
He shifted behind her and helped her put it on.
“Uh, thanks,” she said softly.
“Yup.” He snagged his own black wool coat and shrugged his shoulders into it. They matched in black coats. They were also alone in the small space, which he was doing absolutely nothing about. Fuck Valentine's Day. Fuck happy couples. He was a proud lion.
He buttoned his coat and then stiffened, pulling his phone from his pants pocket. He'd set it to vibrate. It was a text from his mom asking him to please bring the groceries tonight. It was Friday and usually he did the grocery shopping for her on Sunday. He blew out a breath, her current condition weighing heavily on his shoulders. Ever since she'd lost her job just before Christmas she hadn't left the house. Not even to go to dinner with him at their favorite diner. Agoraphobia it was called. He'd felt better when he'd discovered it had a name, which meant other people had been through similar stuff and had come out the other side. So far he hadn't had any luck getting her to talk to a professional about it.
He texted back. I'm at a Valentine's Day dance. I'll stop by with the groceries after.
Three dots blinked on the phone screen as she typed. He waited, brows furrowed with concern.
“Everything okay?” Lexi asked gently.
His head jerked up, surprised she actually sounded like she cared. He must look as worried as he felt. “My mom's not well.” He glanced down at his phone.
Mom: Thank you. I hope you meet a nice girl there. It makes me so sad to see you alone.
His mom had been on him for years to settle down. He was thirty-three, not old, and he'd already been settled down once, but lately she'd been saying she needed to know he had someone because she wouldn't always be around. She wasn't suicidal, she just felt old at fifty-one, which he didn't think was very old at all. She had plenty of good years ahead of her if only he could get her past her fear of leaving the house.
He slowly lifted his gaze to Lexi, also looking very alone. He had a crazy thought. What if he brought Lexi with him to his mom's house? He'd do anything to make his mom happy. It killed him to see her reduced to a shadow of her former self.
“Sorry to hear about your mom,” Lexi said. “What kind of illness does she have?”
His throat tightened unexpectedly at her concern. He'd been the man of the house since he was eight years old. It had always been him and his mom against the world. But he was blowing it. Her condition was getting worse, and he was worried enough that he found himself blurting the truth. “It's not a physical illness, more mental. She was laid off right before Christmas and hasn't left her house since. Almost two months.”
“My aunt had that. Agoraphobia.”
His jaw dropped. “Really? Did she get better?”
Lexi nodded. “Eventually. My mom and I spent a lot of time with her being supportive and encouraging. She worked with a psychiatrist too. She's a lot better now and goes out regularly.”
Hope speared through him. Lexi might be able to do a lot more than just brighten his mom's day posing as his girlfriend, she might be able to help her with the agoraphobia. Maybe Lexi could tell her about her aunt and how well she was doing now. Maybe his mom would finally be willing to talk to a professional.
“Lexi, I know what I want out of this.”
Her eyes widened. “Out of what?”
“Your relationship of convenience.”
“Oh. That.” She waved that away. “Never mind. I can't do two events for you, and I could tell you weren't really into the idea. It was silly.”
“No, no, no. I see its merits now. I'll show up with you at a few parties and, in return, you show up with me a few times at my mom's place.”
She stared at him. “You want me to meet your mom? We barely know each other.”
“I think your experience with your aunt could help her. And it would cheer her up if she thought I had a serious girlfriend. Just for a while. We can do your eight-week plan.” He pressed his lips tightly together. “I really hope she's doing better by then.”
Lexi remained quiet, buttoning her coat, so he barreled on.
“It's been tough dealing with it long-distance. I'm in the city; she's here in Eastman. Anyway, she needs me to do the grocery shopping. We could do a quick grocery run, drop them off, I'll introduce you as my girlfriend, and then I'll tell her we have Valentine's Day plans and need to go.”
She studied him. He waited impatiently. Now that he had a glimmer of hope he wanted to act on it right now. He knew this first visit would be too soon to mention Lexi's aunt. His mom had to be eased into it, which meant they needed to get the ball rolling now with an introduction.
“Okay,” she finally said, “but there has to be rules. Let's make it six weeks and no funny business.”
The tension drained from him, making him feel lighter and downright cheerful. He walked ahead of Lexi and held the outside door open for her. “No problem. I'm not very funny.”
She brushed past him and he caught her citrusy scent. “Sex is off the table.”
He grinned and followed her out the door. “Like you're my type.”
She glared at him and he laughed, dropping a hand on her head and mussing her hair, completely screwing up her updo. He had a “little sister,” Mad, and knew just how to make her crazy. Women hated when you messed up their hair. This would be fun. A pretend girlfriend to make his mom feel better without any of the headache and work of keeping a woman happy. There was literally no downside.
He bit back a smile, watching Lexi attempt to salvage her hairstyle. “You'll be like Mad, my honorary little sister, trailing me around and looking up at me adoringly.”
She gave up on her former hairstyle and pulled the pins from her shoulder-length hair, shaking it out. It settled in place like silk. He stopped smirking.
She smiled cheekily. “You'll be my man candy.”
His voice came out husky. “Naturally.”
He walked ahead of her through the parking lot and opened the passenger-side door of his red Audi.
She got into his car and looked up at him. “You treat your little sister nice,” she teased.
He gave her a small smile. “Joe Campbell's influence. He taught me to treat women like I'd want someone to treat my little sister with care and respect.”
“Then I should thank Joe. What a guy!”
He inclined his head before shutting the door. They were using each other—nothing more, nothing less. He walked around, got in the car, and pulled out of the lot.
A relationship of convenience—his convenience—would be easy. A mutually agreeable deal that solved both of their problems. What could go wrong?
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You’ve just read book #8 in the Happy Endings Book Club series. The books in the series are (Jake & Claire), (Parker & Mad), (Ty & Charlotte), (Alex & Lauren), (Zach & Carrie), (Ethan & Ally), (Ben & Missy), (Logan & Sabrina), and . I hope you enjoy them all!
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Other Books by Kylie Gilmore
The Clover Park Series
(Book 1)
(Book 2)
(Book 3)
(Book 4)
(Book 5)
(Book 6)
(Book 7)
(Book 8)
(Book 9)
(Book 10)
(A Clover Park Short)
The Clover Park STUDS Series
(Book 1)
(Book 2)
(Book 3)
(Book 4)
(Book 5)
Happy Endings Book Club Series
(Book 1)
(Book 2)
(Book 3)
(Book 4)
(Book 5)
(Book 6)
(Book 7)
(Book 8)
(Book 9)
Acknowledgments
Love to you awesome reader goddesses! Thanks also to my family, Tessa, Pauline, Mimi, Kim, and Jenn for all you do. Mwah!
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks are not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Chance of Romance: © 2018 by Kylie Gilmore
Excerpt from Wicked Flirt © 2018 by Kylie Gilmore
Digital Edition 1.1
Cover design by Kim Killion
Published by: Extra Fancy Books
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the writer, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
ISBN-10: 1-942238-38-X
ISBN-13: 978-1-942238-38-6