by Susan Crosby
“I—”
But the women were already gone. Sarah-Jane hadn’t kissed Wyatt goodbye, which said a lot to Michael. “In a bit of a hurry to get her friend out of here, wasn’t she?”
“Stay away from Felicity,” Wyatt said, not holding back for a second. “She’s not like the sophisticated women you’re used to.”
Much like his father, Michael wasn’t used to hearing the word no. Telling him he couldn’t have Felicity was tantamount to waving a red flag in front of a bull. “Just like with you and Sarah-Jane, I believe.”
“Felicity is not fling material. If you want a date while you’re here, I’m sure there are plenty of women who would be thrilled to keep you company.”
“I won’t sleep with her.” He had no idea where those words came from. They’d just spilled out.
Wyatt laughed. “Right. Sure.”
“She’ll just be a pleasant distraction. I’m not staying long.”
“Not even if she begs,” Wyatt said, pointing a finger.
“Is that a possibility?”
“Let me offer you a few words of advice, because you’re new around here. If you break Felicity’s heart, everyone will hear about it. She’s the marrying kind, Mike. Even if the unthinkable happens and you fall for each other, you won’t leave Atlanta, and she won’t leave Red Rock. She’s small-town and likes it.”
“That’s not the point. I’m not talking marriage here.” Although, at age thirty-six, he should be starting to think about it. He just hadn’t met the right woman, the perfect corporate wife, like his mother—sedate, social and proper.
That didn’t mean he couldn’t act on his attraction to a woman who wasn’t marriage material. That was all he’d ever done. Except this woman was different. He needed to acknowledge that, if only to himself.
“Stay away from her, Mike,” Wyatt repeated more coldly. “If you break Felicity’s heart, Sarah-Jane will somehow hold me responsible. That wouldn’t be something I can fix. And it would leave a bad taste in people’s mouths about all of us Fortunes.”
“I already said I wouldn’t sleep with her.” But damned if he would let his cousin tell him what he could or couldn’t do.
He paid the bill, then they walked out together, saying a terse goodbye before going in opposite directions, tension lingering between them. Michael pulled his phone out of his pocket and called his uncle, not telling the older man how badly he’d screwed up, only that it would take more time than he’d expected. He’d started his campaign with Wyatt because he’d always been the most flexible. His brothers would be even more of a challenge.
“Don’t give up,” Uncle James said.
“Not my style.” Not in business. Not in life. His father had taught him that, too. “I’ll try Asher next.”
“Good. Keep in touch.”
“Will do.” Michael ended the call, then immediately placed another to his assistant in Atlanta, then he made his way back to his hotel to work out a game plan. He had two causes to fulfill, and right now, both seemed way out of reach.
* * *
“You can relax your death grip on my arm now,” Felicity muttered to Sarah-Jane as they made the short walk to the coffee house where Felicity rented space for her wares. “Maybe you should just use this half hour to go to the park, where you usually go for lunch. You need to calm down.”
Sarah-Jane let go. “Sorry.”
“Why did you pull me away? I was having a good time.”
“Too good.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I mean Cupid’s bow shot an arrow directly into your heart the minute you laid eyes on Michael Fortune. I saw it. Everyone saw it.”
That gave Felicity pause. “Totally your imagination.”
“I’ve never seen you flirt like that. You touched him, even leaned against him. That’s not you. Not that quickly.”
“It wasn’t as bad as all that...was it?”
Sarah-Jane gave her a look.
Felicity sighed. “When you told me about the five Fortune men lined up at the bar on New Year’s Eve and you said each one was handsomer than the next, I figured you were exaggerating. You were certainly right about four of them, and now the fifth has arrived. And he’s like Prince Charming out of central casting.”
“He’s a hard-hearted corporate raider. Wyatt’s told me all about him. He’s ruthless.”
“When it’s not business, though, but personal? Did you talk about that?”
Sarah-Jane frowned. “No.”
“He didn’t exactly flirt back, you know.” Felicity knew he’d been paying attention, but he hadn’t turned on the charm. In fact, he’d said precious little. She’d dominated the conversation, as usual talking too much when she was nervous. Her first sight of him had definitely made her nervous. Or something.
Felicity fretted about it as they went through the door of Break Time, the tea and coffee shop where she leased space for her candy business, True Confections. Within the shop itself, her station was small, but it was the prep area in the back she’d needed so badly, especially at big holidays. For her, Valentine’s Day started weeks before the actual day.
The holiday was close enough now that she’d brought in the big gun, her aunt Liz, who was her silent partner. Wearing a walking cast after breaking a bone in her foot, Liz sat behind the display case, her chin-length, curly red hair a beacon of comfort, confidence and lifetime affection. She looked up and smiled.
Sarah-Jane strode right past her and into the kitchen behind, muttering, “Your niece is in lust,” before disappearing through the swinging door.
“Again?” Liz asked, grinning.
Sarah-Jane peeked out of the door. “She wouldn’t be able to lead this one around by the collar.”
Liz’s brows arched high. “Do tell.”
“She’s exaggerating as usual.” Felicity grabbed an apron, a pretty aqua-colored fabric with True Confections imprinted in gold lettering on the ties, just like her signature boxes and ribbons. She washed her hands, keeping her back to her aunt. “I just met him. We spent all of two minutes together.”
“And sparks were flying so fast and furious I had to duck or get burned,” Sarah-Jane called out from the back room.
“Were there sparks from him, too?” Liz asked Felicity.
“I don’t know. I couldn’t tell.” She checked the inventory in the glass case, knowing full well her aunt would’ve already taken care of it.
“Is this different from any other time?” Liz asked softly.
Felicity didn’t answer, trying to decide. It was more physical than any other, she thought. She liked the way he looked and wanted to be close to him. She was drawn in by his dark hair and eyes, opposite of her own. And he looked like he worked out. In fact, she’d wanted to lean against his hard body. He seemed tall enough that she could fit comfortably under his chin. His arms would be strong and comforting...and arousing.
“Earth to Felicity,” Liz said, snapping her fingers in front of Felicity’s eyes.
She heaved a huge sigh. “This is all just crazy. He lives in Atlanta. He’s some big corporate guy with a ton of money and status. What would he see in a small-town girl like me? Plus, he won’t be around for long.”
And for some reason, that thought more than any other made her feel as though her bubble had burst, even though it had barely had time to form a transparent shell around her.
Sarah-Jane joined them behind the counter. She slid her arm around Felicity’s waist. “You are gorgeous and sweet and can date any man you want. Just not him, okay?”
“Need I remind you of my many failed relationships?” At twenty-four, she’d had her share of dates, but many of the men lost interest when they found out she was a virgin and wouldn’t put out on the third date. She’d been waiting a long time to find The One.
“You deserve to be courted,” Sarah-Jane said, “not managed like a business deal, and that’s how he would operate. Wyatt told me Michael has no soft center. That kind of
man doesn’t have a romantic bone in his body.”
“Michael?” Liz asked.
“Fortune. Wyatt’s cousin.”
Liz shook her head, her curls bouncing. “Pretty soon we’re going to have to rename our town after that family. They’ve been swarming like locusts. How old is this Michael Fortune?”
“Thirty-six,” Sarah-Jane answered. “He’s the oldest of his and Wyatt’s siblings. Apparently he’s been bossing everyone around all his life.”
“Not necessarily a bad quality,” Liz said thoughtfully. “Alpha males make interesting companions.”
The bell over the front door jangled and in came CarolAnn the florist carrying a vase with a bouquet of red roses. She headed straight to the candy counter.
Felicity sighed. Wyatt was so romantic, frequently sending or bringing Sarah-Jane little gifts. She was a lucky girl. He always let her know how much she meant to him.
But CarolAnn set them on the counter, then winked at Felicity, not Sarah-Jane. “Someone’s been a very good girl. Or maybe not.” She grinned, then left.
Dazed, Felicity plucked the card from its holder, burying her face in the blooms as she did. The heady scent spiraled inside her.
It was a pleasure to meet you. Michael Fortune.
“Lemme see. Lemme see,” Sarah-Jane said, reaching for the card.
Felicity didn’t want to share it. While they weren’t romantic words, they were private. And thrilling to her.
The shop phone rang. Felicity grabbed it, needing to do something normal. “True Confections,” she said in her upbeat business voice.
“Are the flowers to your liking?”
Felicity’s heart registered one big thump, then didn’t let up. Her throat almost closed. “Very much so. Thank you.” She would’ve said more, like how beautiful they were and how fragrant, but she couldn’t say another word.
“Have dinner with me tonight,” he said.
She nodded, then, flustered, realized he couldn’t see her. “Okay.”
“I’ll pick you up at six at your apartment. I know where you live.”
“Jeans or dress?” she managed to ask, wanting to look right for the occasion.
“Dress.” Although he’d said only one word, his tone of voice turned it into a sentence. Wear something feminine, she heard. Sexy.
She ran a quick mental inventory of her closet. Yes, she had the perfect outfit.
“See you soon,” he said, ending the conversation before she even said goodbye.
“Stars in her eyes,” Sarah-Jane said. “Lost in space. Definitely Michael Fortune on the phone.”
“We’re having dinner tonight,” Felicity said, tucking the florist’s card into her pocket and her anticipation into her heart. Love at first sight. They’d just been words before, an unproven possibility.
“You’ll wear the red dress I gave you for Christmas,” Liz said. “And the silver high heels.”
“Yes.” Felicity looked at Sarah-Jane. “I helped you with a makeover when you were dating Wyatt.”
“My Swarovski evening bag would look perfect.” Sarah-Jane sighed.
“Cinderella going to the ball,” Felicity said, scared but smiling.
“Be home before midnight,” her roommate said, shaking a finger, then turning away. “I’m sorry there’s no time to help after all. Work calls.”
After she left, Liz hugged Felicity. “Even if it’s only for one night, sweetheart, enjoy it.”
“How could it be more than that anyway? Talk about the ultimate nothing-in-common, opposites-attract couple.”
“One never knows. Life is full of mysteries, and aren’t we glad of it.”
Felicity stepped away, smiling. “I need to try to remember not to talk so much.”
“You need to be yourself, and that’s all. He spent a few minutes with you and was smitten. That should tell you enough.”
“I think he’s a man who makes up his mind fast and goes after what he wants. And then walks away easily when he’s done,” she added, trying to prepare herself for the inevitable.
“What matters most, Felicity, is how you feel. That’s the only thing you can control. Not his feelings, only yours. Don’t have regrets.”
A huge bright light flashed in Felicity’s head. Liz was right. Of course she was right.
Felicity would just be herself. Enjoy herself.
And maybe she’d be the one this time to say, “It’s been fun, but I don’t see this going any further.”
Except somehow she couldn’t imagine that happening.
Chapter Two
Felicity twirled in front of the mirror, appraising the fit of her sleeveless sheath. In deference to the temperature, she carried an ethereal-looking shawl with silver sparkles. Her necklace was a simple diamond drop that had been a gift to her aunt from an admirer many years ago, along with matching earrings.
She felt sophisticated. She’d even curled her hair a little instead of leaving it straight, her usual style. She stared into the mirror. Somewhere in there was the Felicity she knew. So much for being herself.
She went downstairs to await Michael’s arrival, not wanting to make a grand entrance after he got there, afraid she would stumble. What an impression that would make.
“He’s definitely not going to be discouraged,” Sarah-Jane said, her arms crossed. “You cleaned up well. Too well, I’d say.”
The doorbell rang. Precisely six o’clock. Sarah-Jane started to go to the door, but Felicity needed to do something, to move her feet before she rooted in place, nerves almost nailing her to the floor. “I’ll get it,” she told her friend.
He didn’t look much different from before. He wore a suit then and now. White shirt, dark tie. But his face, his handsome face, looked even more intense, more sharply angled and...fascinating.
“Hi,” he said, when she’d been sure he would say “good evening” or something much more formal.
She found she could smile after all. “Hi. Would you like to come in?”
“We have six-thirty reservations.” He glanced into the room. She saw his gaze land on the vase of flowers she’d brought home from the shop, then move on to Sarah-Jane, who gave a reluctant wave.
Felicity picked up her evening bag and shawl, which Michael took from her, then draped over her shoulders, his fingers resting there for a beat or two, long enough to steal her breath.
“You kids have fun,” Sarah-Jane said.
“What will you and Wyatt be doing?” Michael asked.
“Taking advantage of having the place to ourselves.”
Felicity caught her roommate giving Michael an I’m-watching-you look. “She’s overprotective,” Felicity said as she and Michael headed across the apartment courtyard with its lighted pool. “She’s three years older than me and maternal.”
“It’s good having someone watching your back,” he said, setting a hand low on her spine. “Have you been friends long?”
They’d reached the complex’s parking lot. She picked out his car right away. In a town where pickup trucks ruled, his sleek black sports car stood out.
“My dad’s sister, Liz, moved to Red Rock a long time ago. I spent summers here all through high school and two years of college, learning the candy business from her. I moved here permanently four years ago when I was twenty. Sarah-Jane and I met a year later at the coffee shop right after she’d moved here. The friendship was instantaneous.”
She slipped into the fine leather seat as he held the car door for her, then watched him walk around the vehicle, his movements fluid. He got inside, slid the key in but didn’t start the engine. Uncharacteristically, she waited for him to speak.
He caught and held her gaze. “Thank you for accepting my invitation.”
“My pleasure.”
He smiled, something he hadn’t done a whole lot of since she’d met him. “I assure you, the pleasure is mine.”
“Looks like we have a mutual pleasure society,” she said before realizing how it sounded. “I mean—”
“I understood what you meant. And I concur.”
He started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. The evening was crisp and clear. “What do you think of Red Rock?” she asked.
“It’s...quaint.”
“But no place you’d want to live.”
“I like Atlanta,” he answered evasively. “What drew you to it?”
“I came from Dallas, so I’ve done the big-city thing. It’s not that I didn’t love my city, but from the first time I came to visit my aunt, I felt at home.”
“Is your family still in Dallas?”
“Yes. I don’t see them budging. My parents have been happily married for thirty-two years. I have two older sisters, Megan and Lila, and they’re both also happily married and living in Dallas.” She realized she was talking too much and too fast. “But enough about me. Sarah-Jane tells me you have five siblings. That must’ve been something, that many kids in one house.”
“Never a dull moment. Are you and my sister friends?”
The sudden change of subject signaled to Felicity that he was done talking about himself. “Wendy and I don’t hang out together much, but we’re friendly. She has a lot of...energy.”
“Since the day she came home from the hospital.” He glanced her way. “Have you eaten at Vines and Roses?”
“Is that where we’re going?” She shook her head. It was a special-occasion restaurant. “No, I haven’t, but I’ve heard about it.”
Gnarly grapevines hung in dark silhouette as Michael and Felicity drove up to the entrance. Leaves wouldn’t appear until next month, but Felicity also enjoyed the starkness of the barren vines.
“When I was a kid,” she said, “I took part in a grape stomping event at a small county fair. My feet were purple for a week. My mom was going to bleach them, but I wouldn’t let her. I wore sandals all week, I was so proud.”
“A budding Lucille Ball,” he said, grinning.
“That was the impetus for the event. We were supposed to dress up like her in that episode. My mom made me a costume that looked just like hers, too. I didn’t squeeze out the most juice, but I won the blue ribbon for my costume. Oh! Isn’t the restaurant wonderful!”
