by Susan Hatler
“You’re here?” I stared at him in disbelief for endless seconds. My eyes watered, knowing how many mistakes I’d made, and knowing I desperately needed a second chance. “I’m so sorry for leaving the cabin. I should’ve opened my heart and trusted you. But I was scared. I never should’ve been upset that you didn’t break client-confidentiality. In fact, I respect you for that decision. It’s Riley’s fault for behaving badly. Noelle gave him a second chance, which is what she wanted. Riley’s the one that blew it. And I know I blew it with you. I know you’d never actually lie to me, and—”
“I did lie,” he interrupted.
“W-What?” I asked, feeling like someone had punched me in the gut.
“I lied.” He stepped toward me, reaching for my hand. “I told you I couldn’t tell you about Riley’s phone call because I didn’t want to break confidentiality. In part, that was true. But the night he called was also the first time you and I were getting close. And you told me not to say anything to ruin the night. So, I didn’t. I had wanted to hint that Noelle’s second chance might not work out so well, but I didn’t.”
I shook my head. “Why not?”
“In the months since I met you, I wanted to ask you out. But I felt an invisible wall between us. I was afraid if I told you about Riley then that would make you doubt that love could work. And I . . . I didn’t want to lose you,” he said, brushing his fingers against my cheek. “I’d already fallen in love with you.”
“I understand.” My heart hammered against my chest. “I love you, too.”
He let out the small breath I hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Then he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against him. I pressed my cheek to his chest and suddenly the world felt right again. I tipped my head up, gazing into his chocolate-brown eyes.
“I opened the gift you left under the tree today,” he said, gazing down at me with glistening eyes. “When I placed the angel on top of the tree, I felt as if my dad was there with me and I wished I could share that moment with you.”
My heart melted as I slipped my arms around his neck. “I want to share all moments with you. That’s why I came to this exact spot, right here by the bay, to read the legend I knew was so special to you—”
Suddenly, the inn’s outdoor speakers came on and Nat King Cole’s voice filled the air, crooning “The Christmas Song.”
I smiled up at Gabriel, butterflies dancing in my belly as I gestured at the thick almost-full moon hanging like a jewel in the deep velvet sky. “There’s mistletoe above us, but not a full moon or a blue moon.”
“My heart feels full enough to make any legend come true.” His arms tightened around me, and he pulled me close against him. “ Merry Christmas, Harper.”
“Merry Christmas, Gabriel.” I leaned into him and pressed my lips to his, in a kiss that promised the same forever love as the legend of Blue Moon Bay.
Epilogue
A week after Christmas, I gazed around the conference room at MacArthur and Associates and took in the spectacular views of the shining bay outside the window, marveling at the fact that we were right back where we had started.
And yet now everything was completely different.
Glancing at my watch, I bit my lip. Gabriel was running late again. I knew, though, that he was just lost in his work—just like he got lost in his cooking and didn’t notice the mess he was making. He had probably found a client who he believed needed a second chance and had lost track of time. It was adorable.
“Harper, where is opposing counsel?” Noelle asked, an edge of annoyance in her voice.
Apparently she didn’t find Gabriel’s tardiness so adorable.
“I’m sure he’ll be here shortly,” I assured her, using a soothing voice. “Then both of you can sign the papers and finally put this all behind you.”
“Gee, thanks.” Riley shot me a look like I’d just offered him a plate of dog food.
Just then, the conference room door opened and Gabriel hurried in. He gave me a quick nod, and then sat down next to Riley.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said. “I had a conference call that went too long, but this should be pretty straight forward, right?” he asked, glancing at me.
“We’ve added a stipulation to the agreement that gives Noelle compensation for the Ming Dynasty vase that was wrongfully taken by your client,” I said, my voice firm.
“My client will agree to the stipulation,” Gabriel said, as he shuffled through some papers. “Can I have a look at the addendum?”
I passed the sheet across the table to him and our fingers brushed. A tingle of excitement shot up my arm, causing my pulse to jump. I flashed him a smile and the corner of his mouth lifted as he took the new paperwork.
“I’d like to get this over with as quickly as possible.” Noelle clenched her fists, and her jaw kept moving back and forth. It seemed like she was trying hard not to cry, and my heart broke for her. She deserved so much better than she had gotten.
“Wait!” Riley exclaimed.
My brows rose. We all turned to him.
“I’m sorry, Noelle.” He unzipped the backpack that had been sitting on the chair next to him. He pulled out a lovely green vase.
Noelle gasped. “My vase! You didn’t sell it?”
“No way,” Riley said, as he gently pushed the vase across the table toward her. “I shouldn’t have taken it, but I wouldn’t have really sold it. I was just hurt and angry that you didn’t believe in my plan. I was scared, so I ran.”
“I’ve been scared, too,” Noelle said, making a mewing sound.
“I hope you can forgive me,” Riley said, going on. “You’re my life. Do you think you can find it in your heart to give me a second chance?”
I raised a brow over at Gabriel, and he just shrugged.
“I already gave you a second chance,” Noelle snapped. “And look what happened when I did that?” She gestured toward the vase, which she pulled toward her, wrapping her arms around it, and hugging it protectively as if Riley might jump up to steal it again.
“But I gave it back,” Riley protested. “And I told you that I was sorry. Don’t you still love me? Don’t you want us to work out?”
“Yes, but I don’t know . . .” Her voice drifted off and suddenly she looked up at me with wide blue eyes. “What should I do?”
I blinked, thinking there might actually be some truth that being a divorce lawyer is like being part shrink. “Well, if you still love him and you aren’t sure you want things to be over, then maybe you two should talk?”
“Will you talk to me in the hall, Noelle? Please?” Riley asked.
“All right,” she agreed.
I watched Noelle and Riley slip into the hallway. I saw her put her hand in his and smile before they closed the door behind them. I sighed. Either their marriage would work this time, or we’d be back for round three.
Gabriel got up, and walked toward the windows. He put his hands in his pockets, and gazed out at the view of the bay. I stood up, and joined him at the window. “Think it will work for them this time?”
I glanced up at him, a contented smile curling upward. “They seem to love each other a lot. Maybe this will be the last second chance they’ll ever need.”
He gazed down at me. “I knew you were a closet optimist.”
I laughed, trying to think of a good retort, but before I could come up with one, he leaned down and captured my mouth with his. All thoughts fled from my mind, except the one that was jumping for joy about how blissfully happy I was right at this very moment.
The End
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If you enjoyed spending time
with these characters,
be sure to read Janine’s story in:
The Oopsie Island
(Blue Moon Bay, 6)
About the Author
SUSAN HATLER is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author, who writes humorous and emotional women’s fiction and young adult novels. Many of Susan’s books have been tra
nslated into German, Spanish, French, and Italian. A natural optimist, she believes life is amazing, people are fascinating, and imagination is endless. She loves spending time with her characters and hopes you do, too.
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** To receive a FREE BOOK, click the following link now to sign up for Susan’s Newsletter: susanhatler.com/newsletter **
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Titles by Susan Hatler
Do-Over Date Series
Million Dollar Date
The Double Date Disaster
The Date Next Door
Date to the Rescue
Fashionably Date
Once Upon a Date
Destination Date
* * *
The Wedding Whisperer Series
The Wedding Charm
The Wedding Catch
My Wedding Date
The Wedding Bet
* * *
Blue Moon Bay Series
The Second Chance Inn
The Sisterhood Promise
The Wishing Star
The Friendly Cottage
The Christmas Cabin
The Oopsie Island
The Wedding Boutique
The Holiday Shoppe
* * *
Better Date than Never Series
Love at First Date
Truth or Date
My Last Blind Date
Save the Date
A Twist of Date
License to Date
Driven to Date
Up to Date
Déjà Date
Date and Dash
* * *
Christmas Mountain Romance Series
The Christmas Compromise
‘Twas the Kiss Before Christmas
A Sugar Plum Christmas
Fake Husband for Christmas
* * *
Treasured Dreams Series
An Unexpected Date
An Unexpected Kiss
An Unexpected Love
An Unexpected Proposal
An Unexpected Wedding
An Unexpected Joy
An Unexpected Baby
* * *
Young Adult Novels
See Me
The Crush Dilemma
Shaken (Mind Reader Series, 1)
Linked (Mind Reader Series, 2)
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