by Dover, L. P.
Praise for A Date for Midnight
5 SEXY AND SWEET STARS!! This was a quick sexy and sweet story. Natalie and Brennan story has all the feel for a perfect book. These two authors know how to suck us readers in. I am so excited for this series.
—Rhonda Ziglar, Goodreads
This was a great romantic novella that you can read pretty fast. So sweet and romantic!
—MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog
McLaughlin and Dover give sex appeal a heart.
—Isha Coleman
This was such a fun, quick read!
—Midnight Reads
The writing draws you in and I could easily see more books for this couple. I love the writing style and I look forward to reading more from this series.
—Krista Ricchi
Praise for A Date with an Admirer
In less than 100 pages, theses 2 authors have made me laugh, blush and fall in love with their characters.
—Yoneidis Martín Martínez
Sophie and Tanner will take you on a whirlwind romance filled with friendship, sweetness, intense chemistry and finding someone you never thought you needed!
—Michelle McMullen
Fantastic! Short, cute, and full of laughs. I love how Tanner and Soph are together.
—Jennifer Millaway
This was such a cute novella!
—Jessica, Goodreads
A Date with an Admirer had me laughing from beginning to end.
—Nadia, Goodreads
Praise for Society X
There are no words to describe how much I LOVED DARK ROOM. My two favorite authors come together to write an EPIC SEXY story! Parker is off the charts SEXY!! I couldn't get enough of him!
—Amy, Goodreads
Two of the most amazing authors come together to write this hot and steamy story.
—Tamara, Goodreads
Let loose your inhibitions, because being in the Dark Room will have you googling to see if one is near you.
—Lexy at All Is Read
After Dark Room, book one in this series, I was expecting BIG things from this book. Dark Room was a top read from me. I am a huge L.P. Dover fan and an even bigger fan of Heidi McLaughlin... but man these two ladies together are dynamic.
—Brianna at Renee Entress’s Blog
You know this book is going to be hot when they give you a warning before you start the reading the book! What I love about this book is it's ability to surprise me. I should know by now to never underestimate Heidi & LP when reading their books.
—Annie, Goodreads
What a steamy and hot read!! It started out steamy and sweet and ended with suspense and excitement!! Loved it!!
—Kim, Goodreads
Out of all the Society X novels, Play Room is hands down my favorite. I loved Alexandria and Kai together. They were sweet almost from the moment they met. This series was addictive from the start, and although it's over I look forward to what these two authors come up with next.
—Rebecca, Goodreads
Heidi McLaughlin & L.P. Dover deliver once again!! Loved the latest in the Society X series! Okay let's break this down shall we?!
—Amber, Goodreads
The Dating Series
A Date forMidnight
A Date with an Admirer
A Date for Good Luck
A Date for the Hunt
A Date for the Derby
A Date to Play Fore
A DATE FOR GOOD LUCK
THE DATING SERIES #3
Copyright © 2020
Heidi McLaughlin & L.P. Dover
All rights reserved.
The right of Heidi McLaughlin to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000. This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without prior written permission of the publisher. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
COVER DESIGN: MadHat Studios.
EDITING: Briggs Consulting
Contents
1. Hope
2. Kellan
3. Hope
4. Kellan
5. Hope
6. Kellan
7. Hope
8. Kellan
9. Hope
More Books from Heidi & L.P.
Also by Heidi McLaughlin
Also by L.P. Dover
About Heidi McLaughlin
About L.P. Dover
1
Hope
New York City. Feels strange to be back again. I’ve missed the big city, but I love my home in Arizona more, even if I did grow up in a luxury condo in Soho. The view is amazing from my old bedroom. The walls are nothing but windows, and I can see the Hudson River, dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. One thing I always loved about New York were the parades. I gave it all up to move out west to work for the University of Arizona, much to the dismay of my parents. No more posh lifestyles for me. I adore my apartment and the private cactus garden and fountain in the middle of the courtyard. It’s like my own personal heaven. Quiet. Peaceful. Not the hustle and bustle of New York.
“Hope, you okay in there?” my mom shouts. “Haven’t seen you all morning.”
Rolling my eyes, I type away on my laptop. “I’m fine, Mom. Just trying to get some work done before this afternoon.”
Of all the times for my cousin to get married, she had to pick the busiest time of the year for me. Then again, it’s not her fault I’m so crammed with work. It wouldn’t be so bad if I wasn’t one of her bridesmaids. I’m happy for her though. I just have to suck it up for a couple of days and then I can get back to Arizona.
My bedroom door opens and my mother walks in, already dressed in her black Gucci pantsuit for tonight. Her platinum blonde hair is pulled high in an updo and her makeup is perfect like always. With all the family in town for my cousin Hallie’s wedding, all of my aunts and uncles are going out on the town while all the kids go out for the bachelor and bachelorette parties. She always feels the need to make sure she looks extra good when family is in town. They all like to impress each other with everything they’ve accomplished in life. I love my mother to death, but all she managed to do in life was snag a wealthy husband. My father is a well sought-after lawyer, but he worked his ass off for the money he earned. Hence, why he is still at the firm. I got my work ethic from him.
My mother comes over to my desk and picks up the framed picture I have of me and Hallie. We grew up together and are the same age. There was a time when she was my best friend, but when I moved away, things changed. She met her fiancé here in New York and I had my life in Arizona. We kept in touch every now and again until life got in the way.
“I remember this picture. It was right before graduation.” She sets the photo down and I glance over at it. Hallie and I look so much alike it’s crazy. Most people thought we were twins. We both have long, blonde hair, green eyes, and stand at five feet seven inches. The only difference is she has perfectly straight hair and mine has a natural wave.
“So much has changed since then,” I say, my voice low. I didn’t realize I said it out loud until I hear my mother snort.
“It has. All of your friends are married or engaged right now.”
Here we go. I’ve only been home for one day and she’s already started on the “when are you going to get married and have kids” rant. I focus back on my laptop. “Why ar
e you so adamant that I get married? All that should matter is that I’m happy, right?” Sighing, she sits down on my bed and I swivel around in my desk chair to face her. “I chose a career, Mom. Most parents would be thrilled about that.”
“I am,” she says, patting my hands. “It’s just all of my friends are having grandbabies and I really want to be a grandmother before I get old and gray.”
Pursing my lips, I stare at her as if she’s lost her mind. “You look like you’re thirty, Mom. You’ll be ninety years old before you actually look old and gray. I have plenty of time.”
She shrugs and looks over at the outfit I’m supposed to wear tonight for the bachelorette party. It consists of a white bridesmaid T-shirt, green beads to wear around my neck, a green tutu to wear over my green and white shamrock tights, green tennis shoes, and a green glitter purse. Hallie definitely went all out. The tutu is kind of cute.
“Hallie dropped all of that off last night,” my mom says, looking at the clothes with disgust. “A little tacky if you ask me.”
That makes me smile. “It’s Hallie, Mom. She’s always been quirky and fun. I wouldn’t expect anything less from her.”
“Yeah, I guess.” She shakes her head and focuses back on me. “Okay, now back to your life. Are you seriously not dating anyone? You can’t go to this wedding alone.” She pulls out her phone and looks up at the ceiling. “I have a friend whose son is single. Maybe I can get him to come as your date.”
Mouth gaping, I snatch the phone out of her hands. What the hell does she think she’s doing? “What? No!” I snap. “That’s the worst idea ever.”
She holds her hand out for her phone. “Well, if you’re not dating anyone, it doesn’t matter, does it? It’ll save you the embarrassment of sitting at the singles table.”
Is that really a thing? If it is, I’m screwed. “I’m a bridesmaid. I get to sit with the bridal party.” At least that better be the case. I’m not sitting at the damn singles table looking pathetic.
My mom shakes her head. “I don’t know, sweetheart. I’m going to ask my sister and find out what she and Hallie planned out.” Hallie wouldn’t do that to me. So, help me God, she better not.
My mother tries to snatch her phone out of my grasp, and I stand. “Jesus, Mom, I’m dating someone,” I blurt out, throwing my hands in the air. The last thing I want is her setting me up with one of her friends’ sons. I’ve met some of them over the years and they’re definitely not my type. I prefer men to actually be men and not spend more time in the bathroom fixing their hair than I do. “I don’t want you calling Aunt Beth,” I snap, handing her back her phone. “If I show up at the wedding with someone, I don’t want the guy I’m seeing to get mad. It’ll cause more problems than I want right now.”
My mother gasps in delight. “Oh honey, why didn’t you just tell me that? When do I get to meet him?”
What the hell did I just do? I thought by admitting I was with someone it’d get her off my back. Now I have the feeling it just made things worse. “Soon,” I promise her.
She waggles her brows. “How about for the wedding? I don’t care where he’s at or how much it costs. I’ll pay for his plane ticket. There’s no excuse for him not to be there.”
The woman is relentless. It’s the one thing I’ve always admired and yet hated about her, even though I love her to death. She’s a woman who always gets what she wants. The only things she never achieved was getting me to stay in New York and seeing me marry a high-society man.
Time ticks away and the longer she stays pestering me, the longer I don’t get to finish my work before it’s time to leave for the bachelorette party. Walking over to my bed, I pick up the green tutu. “That’s not going to happen, Mom. It’s too late to get him here.”
She snorts. “Please. I can make anything happen.”
“Not this,” I say, wishing she’d leave. “If you don’t mind, I should probably start getting ready.”
Narrowing her gaze, she turns and starts for the door. “Fine. I’ll let you get ready.” She stops at the door and then smiles at me over her shoulder. “But if your boyfriend doesn’t show up the morning of the wedding, I’m getting someone for you. End of story.”
And with those last words, she hurries out the door and slams it shut before I have time to argue. Groaning, I collapse onto the bed, wishing like hell I never came to town. I couldn’t do that though. I love Hallie and I want to see her walk down the aisle. Unfortunately, this whole ordeal has turned into my own personal nightmare.
“You just have to get through the wedding,” I whisper to myself. I can only imagine what kind of pompous ass my mother’s going to find to be my date.
My phone rings and I smile when I see Hallie’s name pop up. “Hey girl,” I answer.
She giggles and I can already tell she’s had a little bit to drink. “Well, hello, my favorite cousin. You ready to have some fun?”
I look over at my bridesmaids’ outfit. “Oh yeah. So ready.” She’s most likely too drunk to even notice my sarcasm.
“That’s the spirit,” she laughs, proving my last statement. “We’re on our way to pick you up in the limo. Be there in ten.”
“Hey,” I say quickly. “Question for you.”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
I get up and walk over to the window. There are so many people walking the streets, wearing their St. Patrick’s Day get up. “At your reception, do you have assigned seating at the tables? Like will I be with the bridal party?”
“Good question,” she replies, slurring her words. “Hannah and my mom did all of that. Let me ask her.” Hannah is my other cousin, and her older sister by seventeen months. She graduated high school a year ahead of us. Our mothers loved girl names that started with H so they made sure to give us all H names. I listened to her ask Hannah about the seating chart and I cringed when I heard Hannah speak.
“It’s assigned,” Hannah calls out to me. “The bridal party is not sitting together. We couldn’t get it to work out that way.”
Which means there’s no telling where I’m going to be. Table thirteen, here I come. I’d rather be there than sitting with a blind date. Unfortunately, my mom’s not going to back down.
“Did you hear that?” Hallie asks. “The bridal party isn’t sitting together.” There are several snickers in the background and I’m hoping like hell they’re joking with me.
I sigh. “Yeah, I got it. No worries.” I’m just going to be miserable the entire time if it’s actually true. Looking over at my laptop, an idea comes to mind. I’ll sneak it into the reception and disappear to a corner so I can work. Problem solved. I won’t have to worry about any of it.
“All right, girlie. We’re almost there.”
Shit, I’m not dressed. “See ya in a minute.” Quickly, I hang up the phone and get dressed in my tutu and tights. The word bridesmaid sparkles in the mirror when I take one last look at myself. I put on my green beads and run a hand through my hair. “Here we go.” Grabbing the glitter green purse, I stick my license and money inside of it before heading downstairs to the lobby.
The limo pulls up and as soon as I walk out the doors, Hallie stumbles out and waves at me, dressed in her green tutu and white T-shirt that has Bride printed across the front in gold glitter. Hannah appears behind her and shakes her head. “Sorry, cuz. She’s a little wasted.”
All the girls inside the limo hoot and holler. They’re all Hallie’s friends and I don’t know them, but they sound like they’re a little tipsy too.
Hallie holds up a small plastic cup with green Jell-O in it. “You can’t enter until you down the Jell-O shot. It’s the rules.”
I glance over at Hannah and she shrugs. “What the bride says, we do. Guzzle down, girlfriend so we can go.”
Inside, I groan, but I toss back the shot with a smile on my face. Hallie squeals when I finish and jumps up and down before squeezing me so tight, I can barely breathe. “We’re going to have so much fun, Hope. You have no idea how much I’
ve missed you.”
Hearing her say that makes me really smile. “Come on, you drunkard. Let’s get this party started.” It’s hard, but I have to put my thoughts of work aside for a couple of hours. It’s not every day your favorite cousin gets married. I get in the limo and more Jell-O shots are passed my way. It’s definitely going to be a crazy night.
2
Kellan
When you grow up in an Irish family, every holiday is important. Except, Saint Patrick’s Day is the ultimate holiday. The be all that ends all other events. Countless days of cooking, drinking, eating and more drinking. It might as well be Christmas on steroids with the way my family goes all out with the celebrations. Thing is, I don’t know any different, and when I invite people to hang out for St. Paddy’s day, they’re often shocked that day actually means week. This year though, things are a little different for me. Aside from my familial duties, my best friend Stewart is getting married to his long-time girlfriend, Hallie, this weekend and it’s my job to organize the bachelor party. What a better way to party, than New York City on the day of the green.