“Of course not! Tell him I said hi.”
Red ducked into the hotel hallway and accepted the call. Switching erratically back and forth between Italian and English, Luca launched into a convoluted tale about a woman he’d dated a year earlier. There was something about students and professors that Red couldn’t quite follow, but he understood the insults his buddy leveled against himself well enough.
Secchione—smart, but dense. A few more declarations of Luca’s stupidity, involving both testicles and fava beans. And then a whole lot of exclamations of frustration, invoking a porca—a pig—over and over. Red knew them all because over the years, Luca had used them all on both of his old roommates.
Now it seemed the tables had turned. Luca was in the romantic hot seat, and Red got to be the one who gloated and dispensed dodgy advice. He’d have to negotiate with Tate, though, about who got to be Bad Cop.
Red’s ears perked up when Luca grew more lucid and held to English for several sentences straight. Whoever the dubiously-lucky lady was, his friend had mostly tracked the missing woman down—and he claimed that she was somewhere right here in Manhattan.
“What did you say her name was?” Red interjected sharply.
He ducked his head back into the reception and his eyes tracked instantly to his newest Trident designer. He’d just introduced her to Piper. He suspected Piper was busily thanking the woman for helping to create the special book that had led to her and Red’s engagement. It was obvious the two women were hitting it off like gangbusters.
“Daisy.” Luca uttered the name reverently, like a blessing or a prayer. “Daisy Montgomery.”
Red listened to Luca’s answer, then gazed at Daisy again, stunned. She was holding Piper’s hand and admiring her engagement ring with a sad, wistful look on her face.
He’d promised his wife-to-be that he would be less controlling—that he wouldn’t try to manage things from on high, like some pig-headed puppeteer. Her words, not his. Even so, Red probably shouldn’t march right up to Daisy and fix this right the fuck now. Especially since he wasn’t crystal clear on all the particulars.
Maybe there was a very good reason for her to lie to his friend. Maybe she’d ghosted him because she’d had to. Still, this was Luca he was talking to. Red had to do something.
So, he smiled and said, “You know how I keep saying it’s been too long since you visited?”
“Si, I know. I’ve been busy with—”
“Well, you’ve run out of excuses. Piper and I are having an engagement party in a few months and I need you to be at it. Tate probably can’t get leave. It’s up to you.”
“I don’t know if I can. My research…” Luca muttered distractedly.
“I’ll sweeten the deal, then, since the bonds of our friendship clearly don’t matter enough to you. I’m serving on the board of a hospital here in town, and there’s a surgeon you should meet. Have you heard of Harlan Green? His research is similar to yours.”
Luca was silent so long that Red wondered if the call had been dropped. But then his friend said, “Harlan Green. Of course, I know of him. He’s there? Near you?”
“He is. I’ve talked to him. I can introduce you. At my engagement party.”
“Okay, okay.” Luca’s thick accent was waning as he stuck to English longer. “I’ll come. I’ll meet your Piper, I’ll meet your Doctor Green, and perhaps…”
“Perhaps you’ll find Daisy, too.” Red smiled. Yeah, that ought to do it.
Up Next
The Doctor Was Dark
Take this oath and…
Shove it. As far as Luca was concerned, his promise to first do no harm could take a flying leap off a tall building. A doctor of his caliber should’ve known better than to make assumptions, though—and the biggest one he’d made was thinking he could ever live without Daisy. Now that he’s finally tracked her down, he’s prepared to move heaven and earth—and maybe even harm a person or two—in order to win back the one who got away. If only it were that simple.
It turns out the woman he fell for a year ago was not at all what she seemed. Back in America, his supposedly sweet, uncomplicated graduate student is actually a ferociously-talented professional, and twice as seductive as she was before. Daisy is also his old friend’s newest hire—and she’s not exactly thrilled to see Luca show up unexpectedly at her boss’s engagement party.
When she discovers that Luca wasn’t exactly forthcoming about his professional pedigree either, it becomes clear that Daisy’s made some hasty assumptions of her own. Luca will have to wield every instrument at his disposal to heal her hurts. Forget his best bedside manner—winning Daisy a second time is going to require all of Luca’s brain and heart, too.
Can he convince Daisy that love is still the best medicine, even on a new continent and in their real-life roles? Or will Luca find himself heading back to Italy empty-handed and sick at heart?
There’s only one way to find out.
The doctor will see you now.
Also in This Series
The Triple Threat Series
The Titan Was Tall
The Doctor Was Dark
The Hero Was Handsome
The Triple Threat Box Set
Other Books by Kristen Casey
The Second Chances Series
Girls Night Out
Finding Home
Finding Love
Lost in Love
Lucky in Love
Christmas in Cambridge
Finding a Husband
Heroes & Husbands
Finding Forever
Forever and a Day
Forever Starts Now
The Flynn Sisters Box Set
The O’Connell Sisters Box Set
Acknowledgments
You might have noticed that Titan is twice as long as many of my other books. It came as a bit of a surprise! I worked long and hard to bring you Red and Piper’s love story, and so did my wonderful team.
Thanks go to Deborah at Tugboat Design, whose gorgeous cover totally captures the feel of this book. She is always a joy to work with, and she makes it all look so easy.
The story would be in a lot worse shape if not for the meticulous beta reading provided by Helen Snay. As always, her insight and careful eye are so valuable to me, but not nearly as valuable as her friendship and sense of humor.
As well, I owe my family a huge debt of gratitude for their bottomless patience and unflagging support this time around. Sometimes I was too distracted by imaginary people to listen to tales of your days, and sometimes dinner was an hour-late pizza, but you never complained, and I thank you.
Last but definitely not least, my readers: Your joy and enthusiasm for each new book are what make this the most rewarding career I could ever dream of. Thank you, from the bottom of my cat-loving heart.
About the Author
Kristen Casey writes the kind of heartfelt, steamy books she loves to read—full of relatable characters and snarky dialogue. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two kids, and assorted cats, and in her free time enjoys all things crafty—especially projects she finds on Pinterest.
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Reading Order of Kristen's Books
The Second Chances Series
Girls Night Out (Prequel Story – exclusive to newsletter subscribers)
Finding Home (Book 1)
Finding Love (Book 2)
Lost in Love (Book 2.5 – Includes short story Lucky in Love)
Christmas in Cambridge (Book 2.9)
Finding a Husband (Book 3)
Heroes & Husbands (Book 3.5)
Finding Forever (Book 4)
Forever and a Day (Book 4.5 – Includes short story Forever Starts Now)
The Triple Threat Series
/> The Titan Was Tall (Book 1)
The Doctor Was Dark (Book 2)
The Hero Was Handsome (Book 3)
The Titan Was Tall (Triple Threat Book 1) Page 39
