Second Time Around

by Nancy Herkness

  The spectators chuckled.

  Greg turned serious. “I’m aware of the trust you have placed in me, and I will do my best to be worthy of it.”

  The two men’s hands met in a way that showed their business partnership had become a deep friendship. Nostalgia, confidence, and anticipation were written on their faces as Will publicly transferred the mantle of power to Greg’s wide shoulders.

  Will released Greg’s hand and stepped back into the group of Ceres staff.

  Greg gestured Felicia and Shaq forward and addressed the spectators. “Please welcome Felicia Gibson and Shaq from the K-9 Angelz program of the Carver After-School Care Center, a program that brings together kids and the rescued dogs who need their love.” Greg knelt to put his arm around Shaq’s substantial shoulders and gave his enormous head a rub. “If you can believe it, this big, handsome fellow has a sensitive stomach.”

  Laughter rose from the crowd.

  Greg stood again. “Which prompted the school’s talented human chef to develop a recipe of fresh ingredients that wouldn’t trigger food allergies or digestive upsets in dogs like Shaq here. When we heard about it at Ceres, we thought it was the perfect complement to our human restaurants that emphasize fresh, organic ingredients.” He gestured toward the Ceres restaurant adjacent to the 3Cs store. “We were fortunate to be able to find space right next to one of our premier locations right here in Manhattan.”

  A marketing person handed Greg an oversized pair of scissors, which he then offered to Felicia. “So we are celebrating the launch of Ceres for Canines and Cats today with the opening of our first store. Go for it, Felicia.”

  The girl opened the scissors wide and sliced through the fabric with a loud “snip,” letting the ribbons flutter to the ground. Then she held the scissors over her head like a trophy, her injured arm looking as strong as the other one.

  The marketing staff swung open the doors and first invited the kids and dogs inside, then the press and VIP guests, and finally, the public. The reporter rushed up to Will and held a microphone in front of him. He smiled and shook his head, gesturing toward Greg. Once the reporter moved on, Kyra strolled up and gave Will a quick peck on the cheek. “That went well,” she said.

  Will slid his arm around her waist and snugged her up against his side. “Wait until they see the buffet at the human café. Everyone loves free food.”

  They’d closed the Ceres restaurant next door for a private party to celebrate the launch. To keep uninvited but hungry customers happy, Ceres staff members stood outside the restaurant, passing out ten-dollar gift cards to be used for either pet or human food at a future date.

  Will drew her to the entrance into the café. Everyone from the Carver Center had been invited, so the kids and their parents were scattered around the tables, chatting and scarfing down food.

  Emily stood near the door with her fiancé, Max, as she nibbled on a shrimp brochette. “Congratulations on the successful launch,” she said to Will as she waved her skewer. “And thank you for inviting everyone. The kids are so excited to be here with their parents.”

  Max shook hands with Will. “I hear you’re joining the Carver Center board at the beginning of next year. It will be good to have you with us.”

  “I should be pretty well free of any obligations to Cronus by then. Greg has taken over my job with gusto.” Will’s lips slanted in a wry smile. “We all like to think we’re irreplaceable but it’s just not true.”

  Max laughed. “I learned that when I sold V-Chem Industries. They barely noticed I was gone.”

  “Because you still work for them,” Emily said. “Just not in Chicago.”

  A glance passed between them that made Kyra want to melt into Will as the air vibrated with emotion.

  “I’m only a lab rat now,” Max said.

  Kyra knew that Max was a brilliant researcher, currently doing what he loved instead of running a corporation. It made her believe Will would also be happier when he had disentangled himself from Cronus and started his master’s in education in January.

  “Sorry I missed the ribbon cutting,” Schuyler said, dashing up to them, her coat billowing out behind her. She kissed Kyra and Will. “But I got the final divorce agreement signed between Bethany Winslett and her jerk bastard of a husband. She’ll never have to worry about money again.”

  “Isn’t that your last official case with Chase, Banfield, and Trost?” Kyra asked.

  “It is!” Schuyler threw her arms in the air. “So celebrations all around.” She let her hands fall to her sides. “Of course, you’re a step ahead of me, Kyra. How’s it feel to be an undergrad again?”

  “Like trying to get a drink of water from a fire hydrant,” Kyra said. “I love it.”

  “I’m getting an education, too, because she’s so excited that she shares it with me,” Will said.

  Kyra nudged him in the ribs with her elbow. “Don’t worry, I’ll let you practice your teaching techniques on me when the time comes.”

  “I don’t want to hear about what techniques my brother uses on you,” Schuyler said with a smirk.

  Kyra felt a flush heat her cheeks, but Will laughed. “You have a gutter brain, Sky. Go get yourself some food and stop embarrassing Kyra.”

  “Sorry, but you guys are so lovey-dovey that it gets kind of nauseating sometimes.” Schuyler grinned and spun away to grab a plate from the buffet.

  “Lovey-dovey?” Kyra sputtered.

  Emily smiled. “It’s wonderful to see you together. You’re so engaged with each other.”

  Will’s arm was like a steel bar around Kyra’s waist. “Since I almost lost her once, maybe I hang on more tightly now.”

  “If that’s what she means by lovey-dovey, I’m okay with it,” Kyra said. “But we’re not sappy.”

  “Never sappy,” Max agreed, but his eyes were amused.

  Greg strode up and cast a quick glance around them before saying, “If I have to smile and be polite for one more second, my face is going to crack.” He looked accusingly at Will. “You didn’t warn me about this PR garbage when you convinced me to take over as CEO. I may resign and force you to come back.”

  “Not a chance,” Will said without a second’s hesitation.

  “Yeah, you’ve got better things to do,” Greg said, giving Kyra a kiss. “And I don’t blame you for wanting to do them with this lovely lady.”

  “Is this National Embarrass Kyra Day?” Kyra asked, but she hugged the newly promoted CEO. She and Greg had bonded over their blue-collar backgrounds and then joined forces to tease Will about his life of privilege. “You did a great job of projecting CEO mightiness today.”

  “I noticed you bowed out of being in front of the cameras,” Greg said. “You should have been front and center since you started the whole 3Cs project.”

  “All I did was throw together a few basic ingredients after an hour’s research on the Internet,” Kyra said.

  “And convince our former CEO to invest in the whole idea,” Greg said.

  Will waved a hand in dismissal. “Will you ever stop bringing that up?”

  “Nope.” Greg grinned. “Because it bothers you every time.” He turned to Emily and Max. “He doesn’t like to be reminded that he allowed love to affect his business judgment.”

  “Not true,” Will said. “I don’t like being reminded that I let business affect my love.”

  Kyra’s heart did a little cha-cha in her chest, and she gave his back a quick rub of gratitude.

  “I’m going to eat some of our food before the TV people finish it all,” Greg said, following in Schuyler’s footsteps.

  As soon as Greg moved away, Davina Gibson approached them. She looked as though she wasn’t sure she wanted to be there, but she managed to smile. “I wanted to thank you for letting Felicia cut the ribbon. She was so proud she could do it.” Davina swallowed. “Especially with her arm and all.”

  “She was the right person for the job,” Will said, his smile pure charm.

  Davina b
eamed at Will before she looked at Emily. “That nice reporter said she’d like to do a follow-up story on Felicia and Shaq and the K-9 Angelz program. I’d be happy for my daughter to be part of that, if you say it’s all right.” She nodded for emphasis.

  “That means a lot,” Emily said, her pleasure shining in her eyes. “Why don’t we go talk to the reporter to see what she’s planning?”

  As the three of them walked away, Will bent to murmur, “How do you feel about leaving now?”

  “Now? Don’t you want to bask in the glow of accomplishment?”

  “This is Greg’s accomplishment. And as he pointed out, I have better things to do with you.” His voice dropped to a seductive rumble.

  Anticipation fluttered through Kyra, sending little ripples of sensation over her skin. They’d found some interesting ways to enjoy themselves in the limo.

  Will caught Greg’s eye across the room and angled his head toward the door. Greg nodded and mouthed something that might have been “Lucky bastard,” but Kyra couldn’t be sure.

  “Don’t you want to say good-bye to Schuyler?” Kyra asked, looking around for Will’s sister.

  “She’ll understand,” Will said, seizing Kyra’s wrist and towing her toward the door.

  The limo glided to a stop by the curb, but the drive had been too short to reach Will’s house. Actually, now their house. She’d agreed to move in with him two months earlier because he had pointed out that it was selfish to deprive Gloria of potential rental income when Kyra spent almost all her nights at Will’s. That happened right after Will had convinced her to let him pay off her mother’s credit card debt. He’d made the argument that the debt wasn’t actually Kyra’s, so she shouldn’t feel obligated to handle it by herself when he could easily take care of it. She had tried to find the flaw in his logic, but he’d kissed her the moment she’d appeared to weaken and her mind had turned to mush. At least she had clung to her pride about dealing with her own college debt.

  As Will held the door, Kyra realized they were in front of the Ceres where she had sat down at his table on that momentous day. As with the Ceres they’d just left, several members of the waitstaff stood outside distributing gift cards because the doors bore a sign that said “Closed for a Private Event.”

  Kyra was baffled. “Is this another 3Cs opening?”

  Will pulled her across the sidewalk. “No, it’s more private than that.”

  She couldn’t see into the restaurant from outside. As the door swung open for them, Kyra realized why. Heavy blue curtains were hung on tall rolling frames in front of all the windows as well as the door. Will pulled one aside to usher her into the interior of the restaurant.

  “Oh, my goodness!” She put her hands to her cheeks in astonished delight. All but one of the tables had been moved to the edges of the room. The last remaining table was placed in the center, surrounded by tall silver candelabras that stood on the floor. Although the table was the same size and shape as all the others, it was covered with a white linen tablecloth and a dazzling array of gleaming china, crystal, and silverware. The basic Ceres chairs were draped and tied with deep blue fabric that matched the curtains.

  “Is it our six-month anniversary or something?” she asked, trying to recall the date.

  He laughed and offered her the crook of his arm. “Such a romantic. No, you missed that by a month or so.”

  “Then . . . what?” A little whisper of excitement tiptoed through her.

  “You’re rushing me, woman,” Will said, pulling out a chair for her.

  “You can’t set all this up and expect me to patiently wait for whatever it is you brought me here for.”

  Will pulled a bottle of Dom Pérignon out of the silver ice bucket set by the table. “At least, let me open this so we can celebrate. I hope.”

  Kyra tried to stop herself from smiling but it was a lost cause. She tucked her hands under her thighs to keep from fidgeting as Will drew out the cork with a soft pop and filled two flutes with champagne.

  “And now,” he said, dropping fluidly to one knee beside her and then looking exasperated. “May I please have your hands?” he said, his palms held out. She pulled her hands out and laid them in his, loving the feel of his strong fingers.

  He took another deep breath. William Peyton Chase III was actually nervous. Her smile widened.

  “Would you stop grinning at me like a demented clown?” he said irritably. “This is a serious occasion.”

  “Are you going to ask me or not?” Kyra said, trying to tame the unruly corners of her mouth. But they just kept curling upward.

  “I had intended to tell you how much I care about you, what a lucky man I am to have found you again after all those years, and how sorry I am for taking so long to understand my feelings for you.”

  Kyra nodded.

  “But I should have known that you would want to get to the point right away.” He smiled in a way that sent her heart into her throat. “And that’s one of the many things I love about you.”

  Kyra blinked as tears prickled behind her eyelids.

  “I love you,” he said, his grip tightening on her hands. “Will you marry me?”

  That the normally eloquent Will Chase spoke such short, simple words touched her heart as no flowery declarations could have. She yanked her hands out of his and threw her arms around his neck, burying her face against his shoulder as she sobbed, “Yes, yes! Yes, I will. I love you so much.”

  “Thank God,” he groaned, wrapping her in a hard embrace. “I was afraid you would think it was too soon.”

  “Are you kidding me? It’s been ten long years.” Kyra lifted her head and buried her fingers in his golden hair, savoring one texture of the man who was going to be her husband. What a marvelous thought that was.

  He laughed. “Maybe that’s why I didn’t want to wait any longer.”

  He loosened his hold on her and reached into his trouser pocket to produce a small velvet box. “This was my grandmother’s,” he said, flipping it open and removing the ring before she could see it. Once again he held out his palm. She gave him her left hand, fingers extended, and he slipped on an exquisite emerald-and-diamond ring in an antique filigree setting.

  “It’s amazing.” She smiled at him and the glittering ring through a haze of tears. “And the color matches your eyes, so it will always remind me of you.”

  “I would hope so,” he said with a chuckle, “since it’s our engagement ring.”

  “You know what I mean,” Kyra said, happy laughter burbling up in her throat. “Your knee must be killing you, so stand up and ‘give me a thousand kisses.’”

  “Quoting Catullus to a classics major? That’s gutsy,” he said, his eyes lit with amusement and a love that made Kyra’s breathing go shallow. “I’ll answer you with Shakespeare. ‘A thousand kisses buys my heart from me.’”

  He stood and swept her to her feet along with him. Lowering his head so their lips almost touched, he whispered against her mouth, “But you already own me, body and soul.” And his lips met hers in a kiss that claimed her for the rest of their lives.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  A novel holds an entire imaginary world within its pages, so perhaps it’s not surprising how many people—and animals—are involved in the making of one. I am very fortunate to have an incredible team to support me in ways both professional and personal. My heartfelt thanks to:

  Maria Gomez, the dazzling and talented editor who takes such loving care of my books from contract to publication and beyond.

  Jessica Poore and the magnificent Montlake team, the incredible folks who work tirelessly and with superb skill behind the scenes to support my work in every way.

  Jane Dystel and Miriam Goderich, literary agents beyond compare. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: you are the world’s greatest agents.

  Andrea Hurst, my sensitive, splendid developmental editor, whose instincts I trust implicitly to make my books shine.

  Scott Calamar and Erica Avediki
an, my focused, meticulous copyeditor and proofreader, who catch all my many mistakes and make my prose so much more polished than it started out.

  Letitia Hasser, my gifted, creative cover designer, whose artistic flair captures both the book and the reader’s attention.

  Miriam Allenson, Lisa Verge Higgins, and Jennifer Wilck, my awesome critique partners, who know about everything from gang colors to commercial food prep, with a lot of grammar and subtext in between. You are so important to me in every way.

  Betty Pappas, food industry pro, who shared her expertise and sent me down the right path for my characters.

  Cathy Genna, my wonderful author concierge, whose creative ideas and in-depth knowledge of what readers want makes her such a great resource, as well as a pleasure to work with.

  Rebecca Theodorou, dedicated veterinary student, whose generosity in sharing her knowledge of touchy canine digestive systems made Shaq’s problem and cure so much more authentic.

  Carol van den Hende, whose smart, insightful presentation on millennials sent this book in a whole different direction.

  Pie, my beloved and much-mourned little gray cat, whose soft fur and purring got me through all but the last two months of writing this book. She is no longer by my side but forever in my heart.

  To Jeff, Rebecca, and Loukas, my amazing family and my strongest supporters. You make my life rich.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Photo © 2015 Lisa Kollberg

  Nancy Herkness is the award-winning author of the Wager of Hearts, Whisper Horse, and Second Glances series, as well as several other contemporary romance novels. With degrees in English literature and creative writing from Princeton University, she has earned the New England Readers’ Choice award, the Book Buyers Best Top Pick honor, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, and she is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award.

  Nancy is a native of West Virginia but now lives in suburban New Jersey with a goofy golden retriever. To learn more about Nancy and her books, please visit www.NancyHerkness.com or find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nancyherkness, Twitter @NancyHerkness, and Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/nancyherkness.