How to Design Love

by Cami Checketts

  He nodded solemnly. “We can talk the day away if you want, but it’s all going to come to one conclusion.” He took a deep breath. “I love you, Brikelle, and if I have to say I’m sorry and analyze Cally and our relationship for years, I’ll do it to be with you. I’ll hate it because I’d rather be kissing you, but I’ll do it.”

  She studied him, the sincerity in his eyes touched every part of her. She tilted her head to the side and licked her lips. “This is all because I finally accepted Ike, right?”

  He nodded. “That was the most important key. If you couldn’t love Ike, I couldn’t possibly love you.”

  She laughed.

  He wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her to him. “Honestly, Bri. I love that old dog. He helped me a lot after Cally left. But if you don’t want him around, I’ll ship him off to Momma’s house and it would be fine. You’re more important to me than any man, woman, or beast.”

  Brikelle grinned, went on tiptoes, and kissed him thoroughly. “So do we need to make things official so we can justify all the lies to Emma?”

  “Did you just propose to me, Mrs. Jepson?”

  She blushed, but stayed brave. “I think I just did.”

  He lifted up her left hand. “I’d really like to keep this ring on your finger.”

  She completely agreed. “I love this ring.”

  “I was thinking we could go on a few dates first, but you know I’m all for skipping to the good stuff.”

  “What’s the good stuff?” She arched her eyebrows.

  “All the things I was dreaming of doing with you last night.”

  The heat in Brikelle’s cheeks would not abate. “Hmm. Maybe we should date for a few years and make sure this is really a good thing before we take the plunge.”

  A low growl emitted from Colt’s throat. “I’ll give you a few weeks of intense dating, and then we’re eloping.”

  Brikelle smiled. “Hopefully you can convince me in the next three weeks.”

  “I’ll bet I can convince you in the next three minutes.” He pulled her flush against his strong body and proceeded to tangle up her mouth and her mind. She was floating on happiness again and never wanted to stop.

  When he finally pulled away, she whispered, “Okay, okay. You keep this up for three weeks and I’m sure I’ll say yes.”

  He chuckled and went back to convincing her.

  I hope you loved Colt and Brikelle’s story. Don’t miss Colt’s brother’s stories. Thanks for reading!

  How to Switch a Groom: Tate and Cally

  How to Lose a Fiance: Brody and Kaimbrey

  About the Author

  Cami is a part-time author, part-time exercise consultant, part-time housekeeper, full-time wife, and overtime mother of four adorable boys. Sleep and relaxation are fond memories. She’s never been happier.

  Sign up for Cami’s newsletter to receive a free ebook copy of The Resilient One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance and information about new releases, discounts, and promotions here.

  I hope you loved Colt and Bri’s story. I thought the Jepson brothers were such great guys I decided to write Tate and Brody’s stories as well. Keep reading for a brief excerpt of Tate and Cally’s story: How to Switch a Groom.

  www.camichecketts.com

  cami@camichecketts.com

  How to Switch a Groom

  Cally Young clung to her glass of lemonade as she made her way around the beautiful outdoor engagement party at Emmaline Jensen’s stunning lakeside mansion. From what she’d heard it was to be a short engagement. Apparently the couple was getting married two weeks from now. She would’ve asked what the rush was, but she didn’t think she was the person to be asking the twitterpated couple much of anything.

  She forced her shoulders back and a smile onto her face. She’d worn her A-line, floral print Carolina Herrera dress to give her confidence. But no matter the price tag or the flattering fit, dressing to impress wasn’t helping her psyche. She should not have come. Closure was highly overrated.

  Cally’s stomach churned as she focused on the beautiful couple. Colt and Brikelle Jepson. Almost. The bride-to-be was petite with long, dark curls and an absolutely gorgeous face. Cally had to admit she liked Brikelle’s style. The future bride wore a knee-length, fitted lace dress and sassy floral-print high heels. The groom was the most handsome man Cally had ever known with his dark hair, blue eyes, and strong, perfect form. The couple sparkled as they looked at each other.

  Maybe this wouldn’t hurt so much … if the groom wasn’t the love of Cally’s life.

  She smiled ‘Hello’ to some of Colt’s mom’s neighbors. Most people here knew her as either Colt’s ex-girlfriend or as the neglected girl whose uber-rich parents never spared any time for her. The locals from Eden and Huntsville were all nice to her, but it was easy to read the pity in their eyes for either her lack of family or the fact that Colt hadn’t waited for her, hadn’t wanted her when things finally fell into place for her to come home and be with him. She didn’t blame Colt. It was all on her. But it still hurt.

  “What are you doing here?” A deep voice came from her right. Cally squinted against the evening sunlight haloing the man’s dark reddish brown hair and focused on the face of Tate Jepson. Colt’s brother, and definitely not a Cally fan, at least not anymore.

  Tate had been a beautiful child, a handsome teenager, and a near perfect young adult, but to see him as a man made her stomach drop and her heart race, as if she’d just been thrown off a cliff. His chestnut hair was thick, framing his model-handsome face perfectly. His startling blue eyes were shadowed by thick, dark lashes and dark brows that she’d think were waxed if she didn’t know Tate so well. He was perfectly beautiful but too tough to be a pretty boy. “Pretty boy” had been a common taunt from his brothers, for which he’d always gotten into a brawl.

  Five years had passed since she’d seen Tate. The years had been more than kind to him, whereas she felt like she’d just gotten beaten up inside and out as she’d clawed her way to the top of the design world. She’d often heard about how gorgeous and thin she was, but all she saw in the mirror were sharp lines and hollowed-out hardness.

  What are you doing here? Tate’s question hit her right in the gut. What was she doing here indeed? At this point she wished she could slink away and not have anyone know she’d braved an appearance at her ex’s engagement party.

  “I was invited by the future bride,” she said, hoping to tease a smile out of him as she gave him the sparkling smile to which he used to always respond. Tate had been one of her best friends and always done anything she asked. If only they could go back to those carefree days of friendship. “And you?”

  “On the groom’s side.” His returning smile was grim as he brushed his hand through his luscious locks. Cally knew it was an unconscious gesture that he repeated often. What she wouldn’t give to touch his hair. The brush of his hair also showed off how well his suit fit him. The dark blue suit molded breathtakingly to his toned, tall body. She would love to see if that shoulder was as broad and firm as it looked through the fabric.

  Oh, my, goodness! What was she thinking? This was her childhood buddy and Colt’s brother. She couldn’t be running her hands through his hair or touching his shoulder. Obviously, she wasn’t as hurt over Colt moving on as she’d imagined if she was blatantly checking out his brother. Tate was a generous, fun and smart man who had been like a brother to her as well. What was wrong with her?

  She took a sip of her lemonade to ease the dryness in her throat.

  “Truly? Bri invited you?” Tate asked.

  Cally nodded tightly. She’d been as shocked as Tate was now acting when Brikelle stopped by the design shop Cally recently started working at in downtown Ogden to invite her to the engagement party. Brikelle had handed her invitations to the engagement party and the wedding, expressing her hope that they could be friends. She was adorable and sweet. Cally found herself liking the girl despite the jealousy she felt.

  Two we
eks from tonight, Colt and Brikelle were getting married right here at Emmaline’s home in Eden, Utah, in the picturesque mountain valley above Ogden, then going on a two-week honeymoon to Kauai. Cally tried not to think about how it should’ve been her picture-perfect wedding, should’ve been her fun-filled honeymoon, should’ve been her loving and devoted groom.

  Brikelle had not only taken Cally’s man but also the exclusive interior design jobs Cally’s Uncle Joshua had promised her if she relocated. Cally had almost packed up and flown back to Chicago when Colt explained to her that he’d fallen in love with Brikelle. Yet coming home had made her question if she wanted that fast-paced life anymore. She’d missed Eden, especially the deep friendships she’d known with the Jepson brothers. She’d secured a job with a design company in Ogden, but she wasn’t sure which direction she should take her life, and starting her charity seemed as far away as ever.

  “My future sister-in-law is a saint,” Tate muttered.

  Cally glared up at him. “Excuse me?”

  Tate arched an eyebrow. “You heard me. That Bri can be compassionate to the likes of you.” He whistled and shook his head. “She’s on a rocket ship straight to heaven in my book.”

  Cally’s neck heated up, and she gripped her glass even harder. Obviously, not only did Tate not idolize her anymore, he didn’t think she even deserved compassion. Any desire to touch his hair or shoulder disappeared with a poof of anger and humiliation. “I despise you, Tate Jepson,” she ground out. It was immature and petty, something she might have flung at him when she was twelve and he’d put frogs in her sleeping bag. That day he’d apologized and she’d easily forgiven him. Right now she felt so alone and miserable. She needed him to be her friend like he used to be. Apparently, that wasn’t happening.

  He grinned and tilted his glass to her, taking a sip of the cola in it. “Likewise. You look good, Cally. Hopefully I won’t see you for at least another five years.” His eyes were mocking, but there was some deep-seated hurt in them as well.

  He sauntered away, and she fumed. Tate was too handsome with that deep red hair, tanned skin and blue eyes, too smart with his fancy Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree and all the awards she was constantly hearing about him receiving, too wealthy in his impeccable Brioni suit that fit his perfect body like a glove, and entirely too pompous for his own good.

  A redhead and a brunette rushed up to him and squealed, each hugging him in turn. Tate looked over the brunette’s mop of hair and met Cally’s gaze. He winked at her and tilted his chin up, acknowledging that he knew she’d been staring. Jerk.

  Tate had been one of her favorite people in the world, back when they were children and all playing together. She and Colt had been two years older than Tate and four years older than the youngest brother Brody. Cally had loved them all and bossed them all around. They’d obeyed her every command. Memories of being around the Jepson boys were the happiest of her entire life. When they hit teenage years, they all still hung out together, but she stuck close to Colt. They were the same age, and they’d been the sweethearts of high school. She’d always imagined they’d end up together after she’d proven herself to herself, her parents, and this town.

  Her gaze flickered to Colt and Brikelle. They were arm in arm, greeting friends and grinning happily. The perfect couple. Cally was happy for her long-time friend. If only she weren’t so miserable for herself.

  A beautiful girl with long, black hair and bronzed skin walked right up to her and put her hand out. “Kaimbrey Jackson. Nice to meet you.”

  Cally shook the woman’s smaller hand, grateful for the distraction and friendly smile. “Cally Young.”

  “You seem like the only other person my age here, who hasn’t known everybody from the time they were in diapers.”

  Cally smiled. She was probably seven or eight years older than Kaimbrey and had in fact known most of the crowd here from the time they were in diapers. It was just awkward because everyone knew her connection and history with the groom. Even though no one but Tate had been rude enough to ask, they were probably all wondering what had brought her home after no connection with or desire for home in years, and how she’d dared to appear at her ex’s engagement party.

  “So, how do you fit in?” Cally asked.

  “Bri’s my best friend, college roomie, favorite person in the world, all of that.”

  Cally stiffened but kept her smile in place. “She seems like a sweetheart.”

  “She is a golden angel, the best of the best. This Colt joker better be worthy of her.”

  Cally almost lost her smile. Colt was way too good for anybody, herself included. He was a prince among men—patient, hard-working, fun, handsome. She’d never find someone like him again, and losing him was completely her fault.

  “How about you?” Kaimbrey asked.

  “I grew up with Colt.”

  Kaimbrey appraised her. “O-kay. So, is he worthy of my best girl pal?”

  “He’s amazing.” She prayed she kept the wistfulness out of her voice. Colt had come after her when she left for Chicago after graduating with her master’s degree and finding her dream job far away from small-town Utah. He’d gone so far as to get an apartment and a job for a cabinet shop north of downtown. She’d felt … smothered, and right when she was finally going to get her shot out in the world. So, instead of explaining that she needed some space, she’d been an absolute brat and told him to go back home, told him she wanted more than a cabinet maker. She’d wanted to make something of herself, prove to her mom and this valley that she was worth something, that her value wasn’t only that Colt Jepson loved her. She’d ignored him for a while, and then it had been too long to simply pick up the phone and catch up.

  For over five years she’d pushed aside her longing for him, his family, and this beautiful valley as she worked nonstop. Even though they’d had no contact, Colt had appeared to almost be waiting for her, building his own business, becoming successful and even more amazing, but she’d come back a week too late. Fate was a fickle beast.

  She glanced at the happy couple, Colt offered Brikelle a drink. She sipped it, staring longingly at him, and then he tugged her close and kissed her. It was picture perfect, and so wrong. Cally’s empty stomach turned. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten a real meal. Subsisting on smoothies and protein shakes had become so routine, it was like she’d forgotten how to chew and swallow.

  “Good to hear.” Kaimbrey’s eyes narrowed, wrenching her back to the present. “Because his brother is an absolute jerk.”

  Cally followed Kaimbrey’s gaze to where Tate and Brody had a gaggle of women tittering around them. “Which one?” she spat out.

  “The hot blond. Well, I guess they’re both hot, but Brody …” Kaimbrey gritted her teeth, her smooth brow furrowing. “He was flirting with me one second and the next he was mack daddying some redhead. Ooh, I gave him a whole yard-length of cussing, and then I stormed away.” She winked. “He won’t soon forget me, I tell you what.” She gave a sassy little swirl of her hips.

  Cally laughed, and it felt great. “I like you.”

  Kaimbrey grinned. “I’m easy to like. I saw you talking to the tall, redheaded brother.” She whistled. “They build these Jepson boys fi-ine. If only they weren’t pompous womanizers.”

  Cally stared at Tate. He had an arm slung around a tall blonde she didn’t recognize and the whole group was laughing at something he said. A lot of the girls were from high school, and Cally supposed they might just be friends, but it twisted something deep inside of her to see Tate so close to that blonde. He glanced up and caught her staring, again. His cocky grin grew. Cally looked away quickly before he made something of it.

  “I hate him,” she said vehemently. It wasn’t true, she’d always loved him like a brother, but right now she was uncomfortable and out of her element. Instead of sensing that she needed him, being her champion and protector like Tate would usually do, he’d hurt her worse with his snide comments. Tate was al
ways the thoughtful, sensitive one. He also had always idolized and watched out for Cally. He must truly resent and despise her now to treat her like he had.

  “Tate?” Kaimbrey asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “So, what are we going to do about it, girls?” A feisty voice piped up from behind them.

  Cally whirled, and there was Emmaline Jensen. Less than a week ago, Cally had made a scene right here at Emmaline’s house when she found out Colt was with Brikelle and realized her Uncle Josh brought her to Utah on false promises and premises. She’d been humiliated and out of line. How to apologize now?

  “Mrs. Jensen,” Cally murmured. “How are you?”

  “Oh, it’s Emma, dear.” The petite woman grabbed her hand and squeezed. “You look just beautiful, the pair of you, and I couldn’t help but overhear some frustration with Colt’s brothers.” She sighed. “Ah, those Jepson men, they make them over-the-top hot, don’t they?”

  Cally’s mouth dropped open. Kaimbrey let out a bark of a laugh. “Who are you again?” she asked bluntly.

  Emma put out her hand. “Emma Jensen, dear. This is my home. Thank you for coming.”

  “Oh, Emma. Of course. I’ve met you with my parents in Park City before. It’s been a few years though.” Kaimbrey shook her hand. “I’m Kaimbrey Jackson. Bri’s best friend.”

  “I’m sure you’re just as angelic as Bri is.”

  “Not a chance. I’m the spice of her life,” Kaimbrey drawled out. She snapped her fingers and wiggled her hips. “I keep her laughing.”

  Emma grinned. “I like you.” She glanced at Cally. “And I have a proposal for the both of you.”

  Cally blinked at her. This woman had no reason to do anything nice for her after what Uncle Josh had tried to pull over on both of them. “I’ve been wanting to apologize,” she started.