“I think I do a pretty good job of messing things up for myself. Now I don’t have my money or my woman. Maybe I’m fooling myself into thinking that Maddie even wanted me. Now that she doesn’t need me for a wedding date, I’ve become obsolete just like I became with Candace.”
“Don’t be silly, Trent. Maddie doesn’t seem to be the kind of woman your fiancée was.”
“I guess I was really hoping that I found a woman who wanted me for nothing else but…just me. Stupid, huh?”
Kennedy walked up to him and cupped his cheeks in her hands. “You are kind, handsome, thoughtful, good to your cousin and dog, and intelligent, to name a few of your best qualities. She must be nuts. And if she can’t see what a great guy you are, then she doesn’t deserve you.”
His cousin’s outrage almost made him smile. She was better than any team of cheerleaders on the football field. “Thanks.”
He had been tempted to call Maddie this morning, if only to hear her voice, to see how the reception had gone. Not that she would have talked to him. She’d made it pretty clear that she never wanted to see him again. He’d hoped his gesture would have spurred a response from her. Now he didn’t know what to think.
So things would have to go on as usual for him. He’d concentrate on his business and his life just as he had. Without Maddie.
And miserably.
With a resigned sigh, he went in search of his dog. Like most dogs, Bella hated baths. Fortunately for him, there weren’t many areas in his house where an Old English Sheepdog could hide.
Kennedy followed him down the hall and into the kitchen. “I guess now is not the time to tell you that I’ve met someone.”
He stopped and whirled around. “Seriously?”
She smiled. “Seriously. It was kind of an experiment, really. I created my own technology that I’m going to start using at Match Made Easy. That’s how I met Justin. Turns out we’re totally compatible—just like the software said we’d be. We’ve been dating for more than three months now.”
Trent rubbed his chin. “Brought together by microchips and wires. How romantic.”
“You just don’t understand romance, my dear cousin. Besides, can you imagine what kind of publicity it could warrant if things do become serious between us?”
He rolled his eyes. “And I’m the one who doesn’t understand romance?”
He finally found Bella in the living room wedged between the sofa and an end table. He pulled some jerky from his pocket and, unable to resist her favorite treat, she tentatively approached him.
“I’m hoping to introduce my program at the Creative Technology Developer Conference in Vegas in a few months. It’s starting a real buzz with new investors. Maybe you’ll have your money back sooner than you think.”
“Well, if that’s the case, I’m a fan.”
“Just say the word, and I can set you up with someone.” She snapped her fingers to emphasize her point.
He held up both hands as if that would magically ward off any matchmaking thoughts that might be going through her head. “No thank you. I’ve realized I have the love of my life right here,” he said, rubbing Bella’s shaggy head. He doubted any match Kennedy could come up with would ever compare to Maddie, anyway.
“Fine. But my offer still stands. It’s in my nature to help people.”
“Then how about helping me get Bella in the bathtub?”
Kennedy looked down at his dog, and her eyes widened. Before she could answer, the doorbell sounded. Bella barked and made a beeline for the door.
She grinned. “Saved by the bell.”
“Don’t get too happy. You’re not off the hook yet,” he told her as he made his way to the door.
He grabbed Bella’s collar and swung open the door.
And found the last person he’d ever expect on his front porch.
Trent blinked a few times to be sure. But it was Maddie, completely lovely in a white sleeveless blouse and black flared skirt. Those crystal-blue eyes were locked on his. It hurt just to look at her.
“Hi,” she said shyly.
“Maddie, I didn’t expect to see you.” He could barely keep his voice even.
Bella began to whine, wanting to get closer and check Maddie out. Maddie gazed down at his dog and raised her eyebrows. “Wow, you never mentioned that Bella was a lot of dog.”
“And a lot of hair,” he murmured, struggling to keep her from jumping up on Maddie.
Her gaze slowly traveled to him. “I suppose it is a lot of hair. But I like hairy dogs.” A wide smile began to bloom from her mouth and she nodded. “Yeah, hairy is good. Real good.”
“Um, okay…” He tried to sort through that “hairy” statement as Kennedy came up behind him.
“Trent, who is—” Her eyes widened. “Oh. Maddie. What are you doing here?”
Trent shot his cousin a look for asking the question before he could.
Maddie cleared her throat. “I came here to talk to Trent. Actually, to apologize to Trent.”
Trent went completely still, hearing words that began to drop seeds of hope into his heart.
“Here, let me take Bella off your hands,” his cousin said, taking Bella’s collar and leading her out back. “I’ll take her for a walk around the block a few times to give you some privacy.”
“Yeah, thanks,” he murmured, never taking his eyes off Maddie.
Once they were alone, Maddie licked her lips. “May I come in?”
He blinked then took a step back. “Sorry.”
Maddie walked in, rubbing her arms as if warding off a chill, but it was almost July, and the air conditioner wasn’t turned on. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours, yet his eyes hungrily raked every inch of her. It was bliss to see her. Complete bliss and complete torture at the same time.
She glanced at him. Glanced away. Then glanced back and took a deep breath. “Trent, I’m crazy about you.”
He stood there, amazed, shaken, and apparently mute, but very, very happy.
“I should have said this to you at the wedding, but I was afraid.”
“That’s okay, because you’re telling me now. That’s all that matters.”
She closed the distance between them and gently reached up to run a finger down his jaw. “I’m glad it still matters to you.”
“It does. After everything I went through with my botched engagement, it really does matter to me.”
“You were right about me. I was so blinded by my own insecurities from being abandoned by my dad that I became my own curse.”
“It’s okay. We’ve both been abandoned. I know it’s not easy to trust after something like that. But Maddie, I want you to trust me. So badly. Just know there are never any guarantees in life.”
“I’ve done a lot of stupid things because of my fear of taking a chance on someone. But the most stupid thing I ever did was push you away.”
He reached for her hand, held it tight. “I’m sure you’ve done stupider things.”
She chuckled. “Like hire someone to attend my sister’s wedding with me?”
“No, that was not stupid,” he insisted. “Especially since it was me you hired.”
“I’m glad you think that,” she said, amusement lighting her eyes. “Because I was hoping you’d be available for one more job.”
“Maddie, I told you. I’m not a paid escort.”
“Oh, you aren’t going to get paid. But I was wondering if you’d be available sometime to escort me on a date. A real date.”
“Huh,” he said, his lips curving into a smile. “A date with you? I guess I have to think about it.”
“Since I hope to be working again soon, it would be my treat,” she added.
“Okay, but just one date?”
She shrugged. “It’s negotiable.”
He pretended to think it over then tugged her into his arms, loving her softness and warmth. “I agree to your terms. And I just checked my schedule. Turns out I’m free.”
“I was hoping you would
be.” She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips, pulling back way too soon for his liking.
“So when do you want to go out?” she asked.
He smiled into her eyes. “I’m thinking every day this year.”
Epilogue
Six months later
“I thought we were going to stay in tonight.”
Trent slid Maddie a mischievous side glance then put on his turn signal. He’d promised to cook for her at his place since she had the weekend off from her head pastry chef job at the Ritz Carlton. But he’d passed his house and had continued driving for the last fifteen minutes.
“You’ll get your meal,” he assured her. “I just have a little surprise for tonight’s date night.”
It was their one hundred and twentieth date night. But who was counting?
When she told him she’d given up believing she was cursed, she meant every word. The past several months with Trent had been anything but cursed. In fact, they’d been…perfect.
And speaking of perfect…
“Hey, I just got a save-the-date card in the mail. So Kennedy and Justin are really getting married?” she asked.
He nodded. “They sure are. Who knew true love could be manufactured by microchips?”
“I know people who’ve gotten together in stranger ways,” she said with a grin.
He smiled. “Uh, true. They seem happy enough. Investors seem happy enough with her technology as well, because I got all my money back from her business plus a little something extra.”
Maddie was thankful for that, because it meant Trent finally had the money to not only put into his gyms but also to add an addition for the youth program he wanted to start up.
The car finally slowed down. He pulled into the driveway of a fairly large coastal home with cedar shingles and a front yard full of lovely flowers in pinks, purples, and blues.
He parked the car and turned to her. “What do you think?”
She thought it was absolutely charming. “You’re moving?” she said instead.
“Maybe.” He gave her a hint of a smile then got out of the car. “Come on, let’s take a peek inside.”
Trent retrieved a key that was obviously left under the mat for him and opened the door. When she walked in, her breath caught at the shining hardwood floors and high cathedral-like ceilings. The kitchen and living room were large and open with plenty of windows to let in natural light and also showcase the view of the bay.
“My goodness, Trent. This is spectacular.” She rushed over to the sliding back doors. “Oh, and look, there’s plenty of space for Bella to run and play, too.”
“Or children,” he added, coming up behind her.
She turned and blinked twice at him, trying to keep her voice even. “Children?”
He slowly nodded. His eyes never leaving hers, he got down on one knee.
His hand reached for hers and held it tight. “Maddie, six months ago you hired me as your date to your sister’s wedding. The best non-job I ever had, because I think I knew deep down in my heart almost from the beginning that I would always want you in my life. So now I’m asking you to be my wedding date. At our wedding.”
The love reflected in his face made it a struggle to breathe. “Yes,” she whispered.
“Thank God.” He stood and fiercely hugged her to him. “I love you,” he told her. “I love you so much—even though you still don’t know what an onside kick is.”
She laughed but a few tears slipped over her lashes. “Well, maybe not that. But I do know what a hot receiver is, because I happen to be engaged to one.”
“Whew.” He chuckled. “I guess we’ll be okay then.”
She kissed him, long and deep, until her head swam and, when she finally pulled back, she couldn’t help grinning from ear to ear. “Yeah, I think we’ll be just fine.”
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Acknowledgments
As per usual, BIG sloppy kisses to the women of my critique group: The Passionate Critters. In particular, I want to thank Keri, Julie, Bethanne, and Nina. I was on a deadline, and you ladies dropped everything to do some really fast reading. But I appreciate you ALL for the time, work, energy, empathy, advice, and laughs you give to me throughout the year.
More kisses to my husband and daughter who are extra supportive when I need to bounce ideas or need complete silence. I know I’m a pain sometimes.
No sloppy kisses (I’ll spare you) but major THANKS and PRAISE to my favorite editor in the world, Stacy Cantor Abrams, and her partner in editing, Lydia Sharp. Thank you both for making this book so much stronger with your awesome suggestions and comments. You are both a joy to work with.
Lastly, thank you to the whole team at Entangled Publishing. I really am thrilled to have found such a wonderful publisher and am proud to be among so many talented authors.
About the Author
Jennifer Shirk has a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy—which has in no way at all helped her with her writing career. But she likes to point it out, since it shows that romantic-at-hearts come in all shapes, sizes, and mind-numbing educations.
She writes sweet (and sometimes even funny) romances for Samhain Publishing, Montlake Romance, and Entangled Publishing. Recently, her novel Sunny Days for Sam won the 2013 Golden Quill Published Authors Contest for Best Traditional Romance.
Lately she’s been on a serious exercise kick. But don’t hold that against her. http://www.jennifershirk.com/
Also, if you liked this book, sign up for her newsletter and be the first to hear about her next release and a chance to win some awesome prizes: http://eepurl.com/Q6TH1
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