by Jill Mansell
“I want to go in the pool.” Standing there in her pale-pink bra and panties, she wiggled her bare toes and dropped the dress to the ground.
“You’re mad. That water’s cold.” Wyatt’s parents had made the decision not to heat it just yet, in order to dissuade partygoers from jumping in.
Lainey’s eyes sparkled. “So maybe you should come in and warm me up.”
Seth watched as she made her way over to the pool, glowing iridescent turquoise thanks to the underwater lighting, and dived in. She swam a full length underwater like a mermaid, before coming up for air at the far end, slicking back her hair and bursting out laughing at the look on his face.
“Is it very cold?”
“Nooo!”
He bent over at the side of the pool, testing the temperature. “I think you’re lying to me.”
“I would never do that.”
“You’ll be even colder when you get out.”
“Hey, you two!” In the upper reaches of the chateau, a window had been flung open and Majella’s head popped out. “You’re completely mad.”
“She’s mad.” Seth shook his head, pointing to Lainey. “I’m the sensible one.”
“Here, have these.” There was movement behind the window, then two white terry cloth robes came tumbling down like dancing ghosts. “Enabler,” said Seth.
Majella gave him a cheery wave. “Night!”
He collected the robes, then returned to the side of the pool.
“Help, help,” whispered Lainey, beckoning. “I’m drowning. You need to rescue me.”
Seth gazed down at this woman whom he loved beyond measure, more than he’d ever imagined possible. Over the last year, those feelings had only deepened; when he wasn’t with her, his mind was able to conjure up a mosaic of images that never failed to fill his heart…
Lainey dancing in and out of the surf with the dogs along Menhenick Beach, doubling up with laughter in the kitchen at one of Richard’s outrageous comments, putting on an impromptu puppet show with a crab and a king prawn to entertain Grace’s boys, taking part in a piggyback race along the sand with Harry bouncing along like a jockey on her back…
Oh, there were so many unforgettable snapshot moments. And hopefully a million more to come.
He stripped off and dived in. Fuck, it was freezing.
When he reached Lainey, her teeth were chattering. She wrapped her icy arms around his neck and murmured, “My hero, you came to rescue me.”
But in reality, she was the one who’d rescued him, and he knew how lucky he was. In every way. He kissed her on the mouth, which was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Her body was pressed against his and her hair was fanned out around her in the illuminated water. Anyone looking out of the window would have a clear view of them.
“Come on, we need to warm up.” He disentangled himself. “Let’s swim.”
And for the next ten minutes, they did, chasing each other up and down the pool, splashing, twisting, turning, and raising their body temperatures by a much-needed couple of degrees before climbing out of the water and wrapping themselves in the thick robes.
Lainey was squeezing water from her hair, her teeth still chattering like castanets. “See?” She grinned at him. “Wasn’t that fun? Don’t you just feel more alive?”
Her sparkling eyes, those wet lashes clumped together, that incorrigible joie de vivre…
“Are you going to marry me?” said Seth.
She had been laughing and shivering; now she abruptly stopped. “I don’t know. Are you going to ask me?”
“Well, you’re the only woman I’m going to love for the rest of my life. You’ve ruined me for anyone else. And you make me a better person. So yes.” He clasped her icy hands in his and drew her against him. “I am asking and really hoping you’re planning on saying yes.”
Lainey gazed up at him, eyes wide.
After several seconds, Seth cleared his throat. “I can’t help noticing you haven’t said anything yet.”
“Shh.” A flicker of a smile. “I’m fixing this moment in my mind so I never forget it.”
The crickets were still chirping around the pool. Overhead, the stars continued to shine.
“It’s actually been quite a few moments now.”
“Has it?” The smile spread across Lainey’s face. “In that case, I’d better say yes before you change your mind.”
“Good choice. Now come here.” He kissed her again, aware of the pulse beating at the base of her throat, matching the beat of his own heart. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Love you more.” He paused. “I haven’t bought you a ring.”
“You absolute cheapskate.”
“I was going to buy one and wrap it up in a hankie, then slip it into your pocket, but…”
“I know. I might have thrown it away, never to be seen again.”
“And I thought we should choose one together. So you end up with one you’ll be happy to wear.”
“That’s a better idea.”
“Majella thought of it.”
“I love your family,” said Lainey.
“They’re going to be your family too before long. You’re still shivering,” said Seth.
“Still waiting for you to warm me up.”
He took her hand. “I think it’s time we went inside.”
“What are we going to do when we get inside?” Lainey slid her arm around his waist and leaned against him.
“Celebrate,” said Seth.
About the Author
With over eleven million copies sold, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Mansell writes irresistible, funny, poignant, and romantic tales for women in the tradition of Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella, and Jojo Moyes. She lives with her partner and their children in Bristol, England.
Miranda’s Big Mistake
Jill Mansell’s bestseller delivers feel-good fiction about love, friendship, family…and revenge!
Miranda is always falling for the wrong guy, and this time, it’s more-than-usually disastrous. But will Miranda learn from her mistake or move on to the next “perfect” man and ignore the love of her life waiting in the wings?
Love is always just around the corner in a Jill Mansell novel—with a few surprises and a lot of humor on the way to happiness!
“Mansell’s novel proves the maxims that love is blind and there’s someone for everyone, topped with a satisfying revenge plot that every jilted woman will relish.”
—Booklist
For more Jill Mansell, visit:
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Sheer Mischief
See for yourself why Jill Mansell is beloved worldwide for poignancy, hilarity, and unfailingly happy endings!
It’s not that Janey Sinclair isn’t pleased to see her sister. It’s just that she knows there’s no limit to the mischief Maxine might get up to…
A classic Jill Mansell story full of love and challenges and romance gone awry!
“Captivating… The story absolutely bubbles with life…superb entertainment.”
—The Long and Short of It for Perfect Timing
For more Jill Mansell, visit:
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This Could Change Everything
International bestselling author Jill Mansell weaves a heartwarming tale of friendship, love, and redemption
All it takes is one email to end her relationship, get her kicked out of her apartment, and just about ruin her life. Essie Phillips never meant for her private rant about her boss to go viral, but when it does, her life as she knows it is over. Solution: move to a new town, find a new job, make new friends. If only it were as simple as that…
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll never want the story to end.
“Viv
id and enchanting.”
—Kirkus Reviews for You and Me, Always
For more Jill Mansell, visit:
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Fast Friends
With international bestseller Jill Mansell, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll never want the story to end…
When Camilla Stewart invites some old friends over for dinner, she never imagines they’ll reveal that her husband is having an affair. Her comfortable existence shattered, Camilla determines to make some changes. With a little help from her friends, she soon finds that life in the fast lane is a lot more fun—and the future still holds plenty of surprises.
“Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella or Marian Keyes, Fast Friends is engaging and entertaining.”
—Shelf Awareness
For more Jill Mansell, visit:
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Maybe This Time
When you visit the Cotswolds with international bestselling author Jill Mansell, you’ll never want to leave!
When Mimi Huish first visits her dad’s new home in the Cotswolds, she falls in love with Goosebrook and the people who live there—especially Cal Mathieson, who’s as welcoming and charismatic as he is gorgeous. Though Mimi loves her city life and her career, she’d be very happy to return to Goosebrook if it means seeing more of him…
“Full of heart and surprises, this novel will captivate readers.”
—Booklist for Three Amazing Things About You
For more Jill Mansell, visit:
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The Shop on Main Street
New York Times bestseller Carolyn Brown brings her trademark Texas twang to this hilarious novel of love and revenge
Carlene Lovelle, owner of Bless My Bloomers lingerie shop, has everything she’s ever wanted: a loving husband, a successful small-town business, and great friends who never disappoint. But that all changes when Carlene finds a pair of sexy red panties in her husband’s briefcase. She knows exactly who those panties belong to—they were purchased from her very own shop.
Carlene is humiliated. But, even with her life in a tailspin, Carlene finds she has all she needs as the ladies of this small town rally around and teach her that revenge is a dish best served red-hot.
“Will have you howling with laughter…I guarantee you will enjoy the ride.”
—Book Junkiez, 5 Stars, for A Heap of Texas Trouble
For more Carolyn Brown, visit:
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The Sisters Café
New York Times bestseller Carolyn Brown brings her unique voice to this poignant and hilarious novel
Cathy Andrews’s biological clock has passed the ticking stage and is dangerously close to “blown plumb up.” Cathy wants it all: the husband, the baby, and a little house right there in Cadillac, Texas. She’s taken step one and gotten engaged to a reliable man, but she’s beginning to question their relationship. Going through with the wedding or breaking off her engagement looks like a nightmare either way. She knows her friends will back her up, but she’s the one who has to make a decision that’s going to tear her apart.
“Hilarious…a high-spirited, romantic page-turner.”
—Kirkus Reviews
For more Carolyn Brown, visit:
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The Tourist Attraction
Welcome to Moose Springs, Alaska! A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy series from Sarah Morgenthaler
When Graham Barnett named his diner the Tourist Trap, he meant it as a joke. Now he’s stuck slinging reindeer dogs to an endless parade of resort visitors who couldn’t interest him less. Not even the sweet, enthusiastic tourist in the corner who blushes every time he looks her way…
Two weeks in Alaska isn’t just at the top of Zoey Caldwell’s bucket list—it’s the whole bucket. One look at the mountain town of Moose Springs and she’s smitten. But when an act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham’s world, she may find there’s more to the grumpy local than meets the eye…and more to love in Moose Springs than just the Alaskan wilderness.
“Fresh, fun, and romantic.”
—Sarah Morgan, USA Today bestselling author
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