She dropped the remote and was shuffling back down the hall to her room when she heard a knock at the door. Out of habit, she turned and walked to the entrance. It didn’t occur to her until she was kicking her crap out of the way to open the door that she had no idea who would be knocking after eight p.m. on a Friday. Or that she didn’t want any company and that she should just ignore the knock, go to bed, and bury herself under her covers.

  Rachel wasn’t normally a feel-sorry-for-yourself kind of person, but everyone deserved those days occasionally. And it was her day. Whoever was on the other side had better be prepared for some unfriendly company.

  After she kicked her last item far enough to get the door open, Rachel finally figured out it had to be Shelly on the other side of the door. Her friend had been worried when Rachel left so abruptly, and she was too sweet to not check up on Rachel.

  But, when she swung the door open, it wasn’t Shelly on the other side. It was Sean.

  Rachel had been crying. Sean could tell by her puffy eyes and red cheeks, and there was also the fact that he’d dated her for six years. He knew this woman despite their years apart.

  “Sean? What are you doing here?”

  “I came to see you.”

  Rachel stared at him.

  “Can I come in?”

  She blushed and stepped aside for him to enter. “Oh, sorry. Of course.” She shut the door behind him. “Come in.”

  She showed him to her living room where there was a couch and a recliner, but neither of them sat.

  “How did you find out where I lived?”

  Sean smiled. “I called your mom.”

  “That was nice of her. She always did love you.”

  Rachel sniffled, and he did what he’d wanted to do since she opened the door. Since he saw her in the restaurant. He stalked toward her and took her in his arms.

  “You’ve been crying.” He wiped a lone tear from her cheek.

  She lifted her chin. “Maybe.”

  “You can’t lie to me, Rach. I know you.”

  She disentangled herself from his arms and took a step back. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Sean, why are you here?”

  He took a step closer. “I told you, I came to see you.”

  “Why? I can’t imagine your girlfriend likes you being here.”

  “Girlfriend?” Who in the hell is she talking about?

  Rachel raised her brow at him like he was stupid. “Teri. Or did you forget that I just met her?”

  Sean barked out a laugh, and Rachel scowled at him.

  “I don’t see how this is funny.”

  “Teri’s not my girlfriend.” He took another step closer.

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “Fine. Your date.”

  Sean took another step and yanked her into his arms again. He buried his nose in her neck and inhaled. She still smelled the same, and his knees almost buckled.

  “She wasn’t my date either.”

  Rachel pushed against his chest, so he looked at her.

  “She’s a headhunter.”

  “Huh?”

  Sean put his mouth where his nose had been and sucked on her skin. “Mmm.” She still tasted the same, too.

  She clutched the back of his head and drew in a breath.

  He smiled. He still knew her sweet spots. He moved his mouth up to her ear. “She’s a headhunter. She found me a job here. I was just meeting with her to sign the final paperwork.”

  Rachel had her eyes closed and tipped her head to the side to give him better access. “Headhunter?”

  He nuzzled her. “Yes. She searched for a job for me, so I could move back here and settle some unfinished business.” He slipped his hand up her pajama shirt and flicked his thumb over her nipple.

  “And what unfinished business is that?” she asked, the words strained due to her desire.

  “The business where I come back and marry the fuck out of you.”

  Rachel straightened and arched back as far as his arms would allow to meet his gaze. “What?”

  “I made a mistake all those years ago. I should never have left you.” He stared into her hazel eyes. “I should have asked you to marry me. I would like to say I was young and dumb, but at twenty-seven, I think I was just dumb. I have missed you every day.”

  “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. I felt stupid. I didn’t want to be wrong. I don’t know. It took me a while to comprehend that no other woman would ever be as good as you. When I did realize that, I knew I couldn’t let what I’d sacrificed go to waste. I put my time in at my company, got my experience, and moved up so that, when I moved back to Minnesota, I could get a good job.”

  “And here you are.” Her voice didn’t sound like she was on board with him.

  “Here I am.”

  “And why am I just hearing about this tonight? How do you know I’m not already in a relationship? Do you know how crazy you sound?”

  He laughed. “I wanted to surprise you after I had everything in order, but us running into each other tonight changed my plans. I know you haven’t dated anyone for about six months or so.”

  Her mouth dropped open.

  “You shouldn’t post so much stuff on social media.”

  “But…”

  “I might not have accounts, but I know people who do.”

  She tried to look stern, but he dismissed her expression and continued on, “And I might sound crazy, but it’s only because I’m crazy in love.”

  “Now, you just sound cheesy.”

  He laughed again. “Yeah, so? It’s true. I love you, Rachel Garwood. I want you to be my wife and for us to live happily ever after. I’m sorry it took me so long to understand that.”

  Rachel put her head in her hand. “This is crazy.”

  “I believe you already said that.”

  She peered up at him. “But it’s true.”

  “Do you love me?” He knew he was taking a big gamble, asking her that after they’d been apart for so long.

  She swallowed and closed her eyes. “Yes. I realized that tonight more than ever. I still love you.”

  “Fuck yeah.” Sean pulled her close and kissed her.

  She pushed against his chest again. “But we can’t get married right away. People will think we’re crazy.”

  He sighed. “I’m beginning to hate that word.”

  She laughed. “It’s true.”

  “As long as you agree right now to marry me, I can wait as long as you need.” He thought about what he’d said. “I amend my statement. I will give you two years, and then I’m hauling you to the justice of the peace. I can only wait so long to be your husband and put my babies in you.”

  Rachel’s hazel eyes filled with tears.

  He touched his forehead to hers. “Baby, you’re not supposed to cry.”

  “These are happy tears.”

  “They are?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you, but we are going to wait at least a year.”

  He rolled his eyes but then smiled. “Okay, I’ll take it. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  He’d never heard sweeter words. He kissed her and then pulled away. “Can I make love to you now, fiancée?”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  PRESENT DAY

  “There you are.”

  Rachel looked from her husband on the dance floor to her friend and bridesmaid Elise. “Yeah, I had to give the old feet a break.”

  “Ah, yes, beauty before comfort.” Elise tapped her chin. “Maybe I should rethink my shoe selection.” Elise was going to marry Sean’s old college roommate Luke next May. She wrinkled her nose. “Nah, worth it.”

  Rachel laughed. “That’s what I thought.”

  She grabbed her high heels and slipped her feet inside. She got to her feet just as a set of arms clothed in a black tux went around Elise’s waist.

  Luke kissed Elise’s neck. “What are you two talking about over here, in the corner?”

  “Shoes,” Rachel told Elise’s fiancé.

  “Boring.”

  Elise tipped her head back. “To you maybe, but to us ladies, it’s serious business.”

  “If you say so,” Luke said as he leaned over and kissed her. “Now that you mention serious business, I have some serious business to discuss with you upstairs.”

  Rachel and Sean’s wedding reception was at a hotel so that everyone could go up to their floors after, and they wouldn’t have to worry about driving drunk.

  Elise rolled her eyes, but Rachel could see that Elise wanted to take Luke up on his offer. Rachel was about to tell the two of them to go when another set of arms came around her waist in an almost identical tux and pulled her back into a hard chest.

  “Are you doing okay, wife?”

  Rachel cuddled into Sean’s chest. “Yes, husband. I was just about to tell Elise and Luke good night, so they could go hump like bunnies.”

  “Rachel,” Elise said while Sean and Luke laughed.

  Rachel shrugged. “It’s true.”

  “Speaking of humping like bunnies,” Sean spoke in her ear, “do you think we can leave our own party? I have to work on putting some babies in you.”

  She didn’t know what it was, but every time Sean talked about getting her pregnant, it turned her on like nothing else.

  She spun around and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Take me upstairs, husband.”

  He smiled. “Yes, ma’am.” He looked over her shoulder. “Sorry, guys, my wife is tired and needs to go rest.”

  Luke snorted, and Elise laughed with a, “Yeah, right.”

  Sean took Rachel’s hand to lead her out the door.

  Luke put out his fist. “Congratulations, man.”

  Sean bumped his knuckles against Luke’s. “Thanks, man. Thanks for being here.”

  Elise gave Rachel a hug. “Congratulations, sweetie. I’m so happy for you.”

  Rachel felt tears prickle her eyes. “Thank you.”

  Elise stepped away. “You go. Luke and I will take care of your guests.”

  “Ah, man,” Luke whined.

  Rachel laughed as Sean practically ran out the door, pulling her behind him. Her feet were definitely going to hurt after this.

  She looked over at her husband’s golden head and the heat in his blue eyes as they entered the elevator.

  Screw her feet.

  Worth it.

  Dirty Sample

  Elise Phillips scanned the bar and grill as the door closed, leaving the June warmth behind her.

  An arm toward the back of the room shot up, waving. Next, she saw her college friend’s light-brown hair, and then Rachel Garwood’s pixie face lit up as she beckoned her to the table.

  When Elise approached, Rachel stood and squealed, her hazel eyes shining, as she held out her arms for a hug. Rachel had to step on her tippy-toes while Elise had to bend down. Elise was five-seven, but Rachel was only five-two.

  “I’m so happy you’re here,” Rachel said. “I can’t believe you get to come out with us whenever you want now.”

  About a month ago, Elise had moved back to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, where she’d gone to high school and college. She’d found out her father was sick, and she wanted to be close to him just in case he didn’t have much time left. Even though Rachel had also been born and raised in the Twin Cities, they hadn’t met until they became roommates at the University of Minnesota.

  “Me either,” she said as she stepped back from her friend.

  “So, how’s the house-hunt going?” Rachel asked as she took her seat.

  Elise sighed as she hung her purse on the edge of the chair next to Rachel and sat next to her. “Okay. I’m so glad my old house sold; that’s a relief. I really like the realtor you referred, but so far, I haven’t found something I really like and want to buy.”

  “I’m so glad you like Cara. She’s great. And I know what you mean. Sean probably would have been happy with the ten other houses we saw, but I didn’t have that I-could-live-here feeling.” Rachel had just bought a home with her fiancé, Sean, about six months earlier. “I’m sure you’ll find one you like sooner rather than later.”

  “I hope so. I can only live with my parents for so long before they drive me completely nuts. I’m twenty-nine, but sometimes, I think they forget that I’ve been living on my own for over a decade.”

  “Ah, they’re sweet.”

  Elise snorted. “You don’t have to live with them.”

  Her mother had always been protective, but her hovering had gotten worse ever since her father was diagnosed with colon cancer.

  “Well, let’s agree to disagree. I’m just happy you’re home.”

  So was she. Elise had enjoyed living in Denver since finishing graduate school, but it felt good to be home. And, while she would miss it, she didn’t regret coming back once she learned her father was sick.

  Elise gestured to the four open seats at the table. “Who else is coming?”

  “Do you remember Shelly and Joe Howard?”

  “Hmm.” Elise couldn’t quite remember them off the top of her head. “Oh. Did I meet them one year at your Christmas party? Shelly teaches with you, and her boyfriend is Joe. Both redheads?”

  “Yes, that’s them. Although they’re husband and wife now. Shelly is actually pregnant. They are going to have the cutest little ginger baby.”

  Elise chuckled. “That’s so great for them,” she said, meaning it even though she felt slightly let down.

  When Rachel had asked her to have dinner and drinks, Elise had assumed it was going to be a girls’ thing. While she remembered liking Shelly and Joe, they were a couple, which meant one of the six seats belonged to Sean. So, either it was a couples’ get-together and Rachel was setting her up with someone or she was going to be the dreaded fifth wheel. Neither option sounded appealing.

  “So, Shelly, Joe, and Sean are coming. Is the sixth seat someone you’re trying to hook me up with?” she asked just as Rachel said, “Oh, look. There are Shelly and Joe now.”

  Her friend stood and waved to catch the newcomers’ attention.

  Despite the two of them speaking at the same time, Rachel had heard her question. She sat back down and cocked her head. “I wouldn’t do that to you. I know how much you hate being set up on blind dates.”

  Fifth wheel, it was then. Elise didn’t know whether to be relieved that she wouldn’t have to fake interest in someone—because she really didn’t have the energy for that tonight—or disappointed that she was going to be the poor single girl.

  Turned out neither because Rachel then said, “No, the last seat is for Luke Long. Do you remember him?”

  Elise’s answer was a groan of irritation. Oh, she remembered him all right. So did every other member of the student body—at least, those with ovaries. Girls’ IQs dropped when Luke was around. It almost made her embarrassed to be a member of the female sex.

  Thankfully, Shelly and Joe walked up, so Rachel didn’t hear her response because Elise knew Sean and Luke had been good friends in college. Greetings were made, and Elise was reintroduced to the couple considering it had been a few years since she last saw them. They talked about Shelly’s ever-expanding belly. She was huge, but she still had seven weeks to go. Shelly was barely over five feet while Joe was a former football player and closer to six feet tall, and they joked about how she was going to have an enormous baby. Thankfully, the group’s joking had Elise almost forgetting all about the previous conversation.

  When the door opened, she was sure she could feel a breeze all the way at the back of the room as Sean and Luke walked in. The two of them contrasted each other. Sean was blond and blue-eyed and only about five-eight while Luke was over six feet with thick dark brown hair and chocolate-brown eyes. Sean was showing Luke something on his phone, and Luke threw his head back and laughed, catching all the attention in the room. Elise swore she saw drool on a couple of ladies’ chins.

  Barf.

  To be fair, Luke wasn’t a horrible person, and she hadn’t seen him in years, since college, so he’d probably matured…hopefully. But, back in school, he’d been quite the man-slut. While he hadn’t been truly arrogant—she’d known some conceited assholes, and Luke had never been like that—he was gorgeous, and he knew it. Girls had practically thrown themselves at him, and he’d had no shame, sleeping his way through the female student body and leaving a trail of broken hearts.

  Elise hadn’t been a saint. She’d had a few one-night stands and even a couple of exclusive friends with benefits, but she’d like to think she’d had some discretion. She certainly hadn’t slept with every guy who had hit on her.

  Luke looked at one of the girls—probably ten years his junior—who was staring wide-eyed at him, and he winked at her.

  Elise rolled her eyes. She might have given him too much credit on the maturing thing.

  Luke and Sean reached their table, and she realized that she had watched them walk through the whole restaurant. God, she was such a hypocrite. Her only defense was that she didn’t have her tongue hanging out, and she’d never been dumb enough to hop into bed with Luke.

  Sean leaned down and kissed Rachel before taking the seat across from her in the middle chair. Shelly and Joe were already sitting on opposite sides of the table, so all the girls were on one side, which only left the seat directly on the other side of Elise open.

  Great. This was supposed to be a relaxing night out with friends. She really didn’t feel like being near King Flirt all evening.

  It wasn’t that she thought she was some irresistible beauty. In fact, he probably didn’t even remember her. It was just that the Luke she remembered flirted with everyone who had a vagina.

  Case in point, Luke walked over to Shelly and kissed her on the cheek. “Hey, gorgeous. How’s my baby doing?”

 

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