by Susan Hatler
I pulled my chin back. “You can’t mean me.”
She blew out a breath and threw her hands wide. “Sometimes you are so dense. I was supposed to order his cake.”
“What cake?”
“For his going away party at work. I was next on the rotation. Right?” She waited a second to see if I was following along. “You think I didn’t have ten minutes to call and order his cake and lunch myself?”
Actually, I did think that was odd at the time. . . .
“Chris and I were talking about his new job, then Ellen’s wedding, and somehow it came out that he knew you and George had broken up. He asked me if I thought you were over him yet.”
He’d asked her about me? Really? “What did you tell him?”
“Honestly, I told him I wasn’t sure.” She shrugged. “So, I sent you to order his cake as a nudge. I thought you’d make a great couple. I still do.”
My mouth dropped open. “Why do you guys never tell me these things?”
She groaned. “I did. Repeatedly.”
Oh, right. “I totally messed things up.”
She leveled me with a look. “Then you, my dear, have got some groveling to do.”
Shaking my head, I groaned. “You don’t understand how mean I was yesterday. I don’t think I can talk to him.”
Her hand touched my elbow. “You don’t have to talk with him.”
I let out the breath I’d been holding. “I don’t?”
“No.” Her lips spread into a smile. “When the first song comes on, you have to ask him to dance.”
My heart stopped. “I can’t.”
“You can and you will.” She held her glass up. “I dare you.”
CHAPTER TEN
As Ellen and Henry danced all close and cuddly to Come Away with Me by Norah Jones, I could hear a clock ticking in my head. Ask Chris to dance? Rach was so off my Christmas Card list. She could forget a birthday gift, too.
Every so often I’d steal a quick peek at Chris’s table where he was seated with the select few who’d been invited from work. Whenever our eyes met, I couldn’t help wondering what he was thinking. Did he hate me? Did he think I was a total witch? Did he think I had invited Ethan? Probably not since I hadn’t been to his table at all, but still. I didn’t want him to get the impression that I was interested in anyone else.
Still, when the wedding party was invited to the dance floor, I kept imagining what it would be like if Josh were Chris. Dancing wouldn’t be so bad. If he agreed to dance with me, that is. Oh, man. What if he said no? Not like I could blame him if he did.
After the song ended, Ellen danced with her dad. Although she didn’t have high hopes for much of a relationship with him, since he’d been absent most of her life save for a few milestones like graduation, she’d said it did mean something for him to be at the wedding. So, she would go into it with her eyes open and enjoy the moment with him even if it was all it was.
Halfway through the song, Henry brought his grandmother out to the dance floor. His mom had died when he was little, so his grandma had raised him, and the deep bond between them was obvious as they glided across the floor.
When the song ended, I closed my eyes and swallowed.
“You’re up,” Rach whispered in my ear then took Henry to the dance floor while Ellen went to dance with the best man.
Absolutely petrified and wanting to stall as long as possible, my eyes washed over everyone on the dance floor. It was easy to see how happy they all were. Even Kristen and Ethan seemed to be dancing rather close . . . interesting. How ironic that Ethan had turned into her date instead of mine. His dark eyes were fixated on her, too. It was as if everything had ended up as it should be.
For everyone but me, that is.
Things could change, but it would be up to me this time.
I looked across the room and even Chris looked happy talking to a girl I didn’t recognize. She appeared to be interested in him, but I could tell the feeling wasn’t mutual because I knew what he looked like when he was into someone. I knew the way he’d looked at me. The intensity in his baby blue eyes. The way he kissed me as if I were the only thing that mattered to him. My chest ached to feel that way again. There was only one way I might have that chance.
I knew what I had to do.
After the way I’d acted yesterday, he might reject me. But at least it wouldn’t be because I hadn’t been honest or because I had been too scared. I needed to lay it all on the line. Now.
I pushed to my feet, ready to ask him to dance, then turned abruptly when someone took my hand. “George? What the . . . ”
“Come on.” He pulled me toward the dance floor. “Let’s dance.”
Shocked and confused, I followed him numbly while mumbling incoherently, “How did you . . . ? Why in the world . . . ?”
He put his arm around me and lifted my hand to his. “I’m so happy to see you, Gina. You look amazing.”
Closing my mouth, I blinked up at him. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been trying to tell you I made a mistake.” He looked down at me, his voice sincere. “This should be us right now. It should be our wedding.”
Immediately, I looked over at Chris whose gaze was fixed me, and he looked ready to take someone’s head off. “No, it shouldn’t be.” I stepped back to put more space between us. “My only mistake is that I should’ve left sooner. It wasn’t right. We weren’t right.”
Because I knew what right felt like now. And he was heading this way.
His brows came together. “But I miss you.”
“We had good times, George. I blamed you for leading me on for ten years and I shouldn’t have. The truth is it’s my fault for not ending it a long time ago. I’m the one who wasted all those years. It was my mistake, not yours.” I turned just as Chris crossed the edge of the dance floor. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”
Just as I spun around, Chris barreled up, and I put my hands against his chest to keep him from going near George.
His jaw went tight. “What is he doing here? He had his chance—”
“Just leaving.” I put a hand to Chris’s face, trying to get him to look down at me instead of George. When his eyes finally met mine, it took my breath away. Here went nothing. “I need to tell you something.”
He stared down at me as if processing what had just happened. “I’m listening.”
My heart pounded, a loud thump thump thump, joining the beat of the slow song echoing through the speakers. “First, will you dance with me?”
In answer, he snaked his hands around my waist and pulled me into his arms.
Shivers raced down my spine from being so close to him, but also because of how he was looking at me. Like I was still everything to him. It gave me a bit of hope, but I’d still never been so petrified in my life.
I inhaled deeply. “I’m sorry for yesterday. You may not forgive me, but I was just scared. You’re not the only one who’s had their heart broken before.”
He closed his eyes, then cupped my face in his hands. “Gina . . .You know who broke my heart, don’t you?”
My brows came together, remembering what Rach had thought. “A girl from work.”
He ran his thumb along my jaw line. “You.”
“Me?” My words were barely a whisper.
He nodded. “Who else? All those years I had to watch you with someone else.”
“I had no idea.” I tightened my grip around his neck. “That’s the reason you made your rule? About not dating in the workplace.”
He chuckled softly. “There was no rule.”
My eyes bulged. “What about you needing me to pretend to be your girlfriend?”
The corners of his mouth tipped up. “Yeah, that was fun.”
“Chris!” I batted at his arm as he laughed. Then I raised my lashes at him. “I never invited Ethan to the wedding. I only said that to push you away.”
His jaw tensed. “I’m not going to lie. That stung.”
Tears formed in my eyes. “I’m sorry. If I could take it back—”
“It hurt because I wasn’t hitting on another man’s girl. You’re mine.” His hand slid around the back of my neck, trailing its way up my jawbone until he cradled me in his arm.
“I am?” Shivers raced through me and my heart pounded against my ribcage. I found myself leaning closer to him, our mouths a breath apart. “I am.”
“I’m glad you know that.” His lids were heavy, but he held still, not closing that whisper of space between us. “I’ve waited a long time for you, honey.”
“Me, too.” With his lips so close to mine, I couldn’t resist anymore. My lips finally found his. The kiss was electric, sending a rush of tingles all over me. Then our mouths opened in sync, tasting each other, savoring, filling every worry I’d had.
Chris trailed kisses along my jaw, below my ear, and then whispered. “I hope you want a houseful of kids.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “That’s negotiable.”
“Good.” He tilted his forehead against mine. “Why is it you never pick Truth?”
I bit my lip and smiled. “Because I’m a girl who goes for it. I just forgot that for awhile.” I pressed my lips against his. “Thanks for reminding me.”
“Anytime.” He cradled my face in his hands. “I’m calling you my girlfriend for real now. Like I said, you’re mine.”
My face broke into a smile and all the happiness in the room flowed through me. “Indefinitely?”
He pulled me close. “If I have anything to say about it? Forever.”
I rested my temple against his chest and melted into him. “Now there’s a Truth I’ll say yes to.”
THE END
If you enjoyed spending time
with these characters,
be sure to read Kristen’s story in:
Save the Date
(coming July 1, 2013!)
About the author:
SUSAN HATLER is an international bestselling author who writes humorous and emotional contemporary romance and young adult novels. A natural optimist, she believes life is amazing, people are fascinating, and imagination is endless. She loves spending time with her characters and hopes you do, too. You can visit her website at www.susanhatler.com
Other books by Susan Hatler:
Love At First Date
Ellen may not believe in storybook love, but it’s about to rewrite her life . . .
Ellen’s figured out that finding the right guy is all about compatibility. That’s why she signs up for Detailed Dating—the local online dating scene in Sacramento. They ask men the hard questions, compare their answers with hers, then she filters through the profiles of each provided “match.” After numerous email exchanges, she narrows it down to two promising candidates she’s excited to meet in person.
When Ellen’s best friend asks her for a favor, dog-sitting leads to disaster and Ellen ends up at the local vet where she meets a man she can’t get out of her mind. Henry isn’t a logical choice, but she finds herself paying for dog obedience class to spend more time with him.
Ellen knows that in order to have a lasting relationship, she should take the safe route and go for one of the pre-screened guys. But, how can she think with her head when her heart keeps begging her to give Henry a chance?
My Last Blind Date
Should Rachel risk another dating disaster by trying yet again for love?
It’s Valentine’s Day and Rachel Price has a choice: Stay home and watch TV with her loveable doggy or let her best friend, Ellen, set her up on a blind date. What to do….
Ellen says the guy is a “10,” but the last guy she set her up with was a “–5.” Rachel’s been flirting with coworker Noah Peterson and she’s hoping he’s noticed. Then, she finds out Noah has big plans. Even worse, he advises Rachel to go on the blind date!
Should she play it safe and spend the Hallmark holiday with her loyal pooch, Chester, or risk another dating disaster by trying yet again for love?
The Boyfriend Bylaws
Melanie Porter has been dumped—again. When others accuse her of “being in love with being in love,” she agrees to let her best friend, Patti, step in and direct her dating life with The Boyfriend Bylaws.
EXCERPT
Rule #1: No giving out your phone number until approved to do so.
Rule #2: Must obtain permission to accept any date invitation.
Rule #3: No bringing up marriage, kids or the future.
Rule #4: No going to first base without authorization.
Amended Rule #4: No going to first base, or any other base, without authorization.
Rule #5: No scribbling your first name with some guy’s last name. Ever.
Rule #6: New rules may be added as Patti Hartley deems necessary.
Memorize it, live by it, and happy dating!
. . . .
“His name is Nick,” I said. “He seems like a total gentleman, not to mention he’s insanely gorgeous. Can I get permission to go on a date with him before he asks me out?”
Patti scoffed, stretched her leg out, and reached for her right foot. “No way.”
Why did she have to be so difficult? I was playing by her rules. “What’s the point of waiting until he asks me out, and then calling you? That’s just stupid.”
“Why should you wait? Let’s see. Brad. Paul. Mike. Marcus. And don’t think I didn’t see the wink your co-worker, Matt, gave you at lunch today.”
An Unexpected Date
Holly may be living in her dream location, but is her little resort town too small to attract the right man?
Holly loves living in her cozy mountain town and all the surrounding beauty soothes her soul. She treasures beading jewelry for her own small business while watching nature and its amazing creatures outside her window. But, her mom begs her to move back to the city so she can find a man to marry. Holly doesn’t want to give up on her dreams, but does that mean she’ll have to give up on love?
Shaken
In high school, it’s tough enough reading Steinbeck and Shakespeare…now Kylie has to read minds.
High school junior, Kylie Bates, can suddenly read minds. When she touches people’s hands, she’s able to see their deepest thoughts. As if that’s not freaky enough, her dad sends her to help hottie detective, Sam Williams, track down a missing girl. Way too much pressure, especially for a girl who can’t watch Scream without getting nightmares.
Then, finding the missing girl leads to much more than Kylie’s prepared for. Like discovering that her dad has been lying to her. That she has a family she never knew about. That the girls have powers similar to hers. Oh yeah, and that someone is out to get her.
When the detective’s teenage wanna-be-cop cousin, Trip Williams, approaches Kylie at school insisting she help him solve the case, she discovers Trip might be the only one she can trust, and the only one to help her unravel the secrets behind her mysterious gift.
If you enjoy Susan Hatler’s books, you’ll also love Veronica Blade:
From Fame to Shame
When good-girl Maddie switches places with her famous bad-girl twin Jackie, she has some pretty high stilettos to fill.
Despite the danger of tabloid drama if their identity swap is discovered, Maddie has to save her sister's butt. When Jackie’s ex-boyfriend shows up with a rekindled spark for “Jackie,” his deep gray eyes and sweet kisses make Maddie's heart thumpety thump. But dating the guy who dumped her sister is a no-no. Too bad Dallas isn’t used to girls saying no. What will happen when he discovers Maddie’s deception?
Blind Date, Checkmate
Should a woman who’s unable to forget her first love give “happily ever after” one more try?
Shelby Winters’ one great love went sour. If she can’t feel that way again, why bother?
When her best friend sets Shelby up on a blind date with Logan, the one who broke her heart, he pursues her relentlessly, forcing her to make a choice: give her heart what it’s always desir
ed and risk total devastation or shut Logan out and lose her only shot at happiness.
To Shelby, it’s a lose-lose situation. Or is it?
Something Witchy This Way Comes
Brainiac Tessa McClean’s newly discovered magical powers give her an escape from her self-absorbed parents. But the thrill of being a witch fades when she learns of a rival coven and begins to suspect her own coven’s motives. Evidence tells Tessa to trust one side, but instinct drives her toward the other.
When the school’s scrumptious delinquent, Hayden Anders, offers Tessa self-defense lessons in exchange for tutoring, his timing couldn’t be better. Although hanging out with him is a necessary evil in Tessa’s fight to stay alive, resisting a bad-boy she secretly yearns for might be more than she can manage.
Together, Tessa and Hayden work to unravel the mysteries behind the two covens to discover why they’ll stop at nothing to lure Tessa to their side. She must form an alliance with one of the covens before it’s too late. But the wrong decision could cost Tessa the lives of all who she holds dear — including Hayden.
A Bite’s Tale: A Furry Fable
A Cinderella who spends her nights as a wolf. A prince with a taste for blood.
Seventeen year old Cydney struggles against her werewolf nature, trying to keep everyone around her safe. No way will she risk exposing the beast at the prince’s ball, no matter how her two cousins try to persuade her. Even as she attempts to get on with her life, Cydney can’t forget the boy she loved three summers ago — or what she did to him after losing control.
Turned into a vampire to save his life, the prince refuses to live up to his royal duties. He just wants to find the girl he loved and lost...the werewolf girl who bit him. But his father, the king, commands him to attend a ball where he must choose a wife. Can he find his Cinderella before he's forced to marry another? He doesn’t even have her real name, much less a glass slipper.
