PRAISE FOR CATHERINE BYBEE
Wife by Wednesday
“A fun and sizzling romance, great characters that trade verbal spars like fist punches, and the dream of your own royal wedding!”
—Sizzling Hot Book Reviews, 5 Stars
“A good holiday, fireside or bedtime story.”
—Manic Reviews, 4 ½ Stars
“A great story that I hope is the start of a new series.”
—The Romance Studio, 4 ½ Hearts
Married by Monday
“If I hadn’t already added Ms. Catherine Bybee to my list of favorite authors, after reading this book I would have been compelled to. This is a book nobody should miss, because the magic it contains is awesome.”
—Booked Up Reviews, 5 Stars
“Ms. Bybee writes authentic situations and expresses the good and the bad in such an equal way . . . Keep[s] the reader on the edge of her seat . . .”
—Reading Between the Wines, 5 Stars
“Married by Monday was a refreshing read and one I couldn’t possibly put down . . .”
—The Romance Studio, 4 ½ Hearts
Fiancé by Friday
“In this fantastic Weekday Brides installment, Bybee knows exactly how to keep readers happy . . . A thrilling pursuit and enough passion to stuff in your back pocket to last for the next few lifetimes, Fiancé by Friday is reminiscent of The Bodyguard, but way better because this story embraces unique personalities and they do not impede upon the plot. The hero and heroine come to life with each flip of the page and will linger long after readers cross the finish line.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick, Hot
“A tale full of danger and sexual tension . . . the intriguing characters add emotional depth, ensuring readers will race to the perfectly fitting finish.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Suspense, survival, and chemistry mix in this scintillating read.”
—Booklist
“Hot romance, a mystery assassin, British royalty, and an alpha Marine . . . this story has it all!”
—Harlequin Junkie
Single by Saturday
“The fourth outing in the Weekday Brides series captures readers’ hearts and keeps them glued to the pages until the fascinating finish . . . romance lovers will feel the sparks fly . . . almost instantaneously.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick
“[A] wonderfully exciting plot, lots of desire, and some sassy attitude thrown in for good measure!”
—Harlequin Junkie
Taken by Tuesday
“[Bybee] knows exactly how to get bookworms sucked into the perfect storyline; then she casts her spell upon them so they don’t escape until they reach the ‘Holy Cow!’ ending.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick
Seduced by Sunday
“You simply can’t miss [this novel]. It contains everything a romance reader loves—clever dialogue, three-dimensional characters, and just the right amount of steam to go with that heartwarming love story.”
—Brenda Novak, New York Times bestselling author
“Bybee hits the mark . . . providing readers with a smart, sophisticated romance between a spirited heroine and a prim hero . . . Passionate and intelligent characters [are] at the heart of this entertaining read.”
—Publishers Weekly
Treasured by Thursday
“The Weekday Brides never disappoint and this final installment is by far Bybee’s best work to date.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick
“An exquisitely written and complex story brimming with pride, passion, and pulse-pounding danger . . . Readers will gladly make time to savor this winning finale to a wonderful series.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Bybee concludes her popular Weekday Brides series in a gratifying way with a passionate, troubled couple who may find a happy future if they can just survive and then learn to trust each other. A compelling and entertaining mix of sexy, complicated romance and menacing suspense.”
—Kirkus Reviews
Not Quite Dating
“It’s refreshing to read about a man who isn’t afraid to fall in love . . . [Jack and Jessie] fit together as a couple and as a family.”
—RT Book Reviews, 3 Stars, Hot
“Not Quite Dating offers a sweet and satisfying Cinderella fantasy that will keep you smiling long after you’ve finished reading . . .”
—Kathy Altman, USA Today, Happy Ever After
“The perfect rags to riches romance . . . The dialogue is inventive and witty, the characters are well drawn out. The storyline is superb and really shines . . . I highly recommend this stand out romance! Catherine Bybee is an automatic buy for me.”
—Harlequin Junkie, 4 ½ Hearts
Not Quite Enough
“Bybee’s gift for creating unforgettable romances cannot be ignored. The third book in the Not Quite series will sweep readers away to a paradise, and they will be intrigued by the thrilling story that accompanies their literary vacation.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick
Not Quite Forever
“Full of classic Bybee humor, steamy romance, and enough plot twists and turns to keep readers entertained all the way to the very last page.”
—Tracy Brogan, bestselling author of the Bell Harbor series
“Magnetic . . . The love scenes are sizzling and the multi-dimensional characters make this a page-turner. Readers will look for earlier installments and eagerly anticipate new ones.”
—Publishers Weekly
ALSO BY CATHERINE BYBEE
Contemporary Romance
Weekday Brides Series
Wife by Wednesday
Married by Monday
Fiancé by Friday
Single by Saturday
Taken by Tuesday
Seduced by Sunday
Treasured by Thursday
Not Quite Series
Not Quite Dating
Not Quite Mine
Not Quite Enough
Not Quite Forever
Paranormal Romance
MacCoinnich Time Travels Series
Binding Vows
Silent Vows
Redeeming Vows
Highland Shifter
Highland Protector
The Ritter Werewolves Series
Before the Moon Rises
Embracing the Wolf
Novellas
Soul Mate
Possessive
Erotica
Kilt Worthy
Kilt-A-Licious
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizattions, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s *crane imagination or are used fictitiously.
Text copyright © 2016 Catherine Bybee
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transsmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechannical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, withhout express written permission of the publisher.
Published by Montellake Romance, Seattle
www.apub.com
Amazon, the Amazon logo, and Montlake Romance are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.
ISBN-13: 9781503950726
ISBN-10: 1503950727
Cover desig
n by Shasti O-Leary Soudant
This one is for Kari
Because sometimes friends are the only family you need
CONTENTS
PRELUDE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
EPILOGUE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PRELUDE
She’d earned the cap . . . and the gown, and there was no way Melanie was going to take them off until she fell into bed later that night. Tossing her cap in the air would have resulted in someone else grabbing it, so when Principal Mason of River Bend High had announced the graduating class, Melanie shot from her seat, waved a hand in the air, and screamed.
Hours later, Melanie hugged her yearbook to her chest and wiped the tears that threatened to take over what was supposed to be a night of celebration. She jogged from her car to Zoe’s mom’s double-wide. She pounded on the door before letting herself inside. As expected, Jo and Zoe already had the music pumped, the box of pizza opened between them.
“You started without me.” She waved an accusing hand at her best friends.
Jo lifted a bottle of Jose Cuervo in the air. “Haven’t even cracked the seal.”
Melanie didn’t want to know how JoAnne had managed a brand-new bottle of what they considered the good stuff. Then again, what self-respecting high school senior didn’t have some connection somewhere to grab a bottle of booze?
Zoe still wore her gown, her cap sat beside the yearbook both she and Jo were studying. Jo had shucked her gown and tossed it by the front door . . . her cap was probably in the hands of an unknown senior . . . or worse, the custodian.
“Grab some glasses,” Zoe said before Melanie made it into the room.
The three step detour had Melanie in Zoe’s kitchen, the familiar space was marginally clean . . . the remainder of that morning’s breakfast sat congealing on dirty dishes in the sink.
With two plastic cups and one made of glass, Melanie dropped on her knees before the coffee table and offered a pet to Gas Tank, Zoe’s Pomeranian shih tzu mix. The mutt had repeatedly earned his name through the years.
“Did you see Mitchel Giesler after the ceremony?” Jo asked.
Melanie enjoyed the distraction gossip offered. “He was already shitfaced.”
Zoe turned the page of her yearbook before taking a bite out of her pepperoni and cheese. “He’s always shitfaced.”
“So am I, but I knew better than to show up at graduation for everyone to see.” Jo exaggerated, but both Zoe and Melanie knew better than to correct her.
“Not to mention your dad would have killed you.”
Jo rolled her eyes as she reached for the bottle and twisted the cap as if proving a point.
Melanie sniffed the cup and looked around. “We’re really going to drink this straight?”
Jo finished pouring Zoe’s portion and set the bottle down. “Walking out of the house with lemons and salt would have been a dead giveaway.”
“And walking out with the tequila wasn’t?” Zoe asked.
“Whatever.” Jo lifted her glass in the air. “To the end of high school. No more Mr. Edwards and his lisp.”
“No more Mrs. Mothball and the smell of her musty closet that follows her everywhere,” Zoe added.
“No more expectations of straight As to get into college.” Melanie understood that expectation personally.
They shot back the liquid fire and set the glasses aside.
Jo refilled while Melanie grabbed a piece of pizza to calm the burn that was running down the back of her throat. She ate the pizza, not really tasting it.
Everything was about to change.
Everything.
All the planning and studying . . . her college dreams were about to come true.
Zoe and Jo were reading some of the other senior entries while Melanie’s eyes swelled with tears.
The first sniffle had Jo glancing over. “God, don’t start that.”
“I can’t help it,” she uttered. “I’m going to miss you guys.”
“It’s college. You’ll be back for holidays and summer . . . you’ll probably see us more than your new friends.”
Melanie’s lips started to tremble.
She shook her head. “I-I won’t.”
Zoe and Jo both stared. “What do you mean?”
“My parents . . . they’re moving. The house is going on the market next week.”
The snarky smile on Jo’s face fell.
Zoe wrapped the long length of her straight black hair behind her back. “Where are they going?”
That was the hardest part. “My mom said Connecticut . . . my dad said Texas.”
“So which is it?” Jo asked.
There was no stopping the tears. “Both. They, uh . . .” She pulled the sleeve of her graduation gown over her eyes and sucked in a breath. “They told me they’re both tired of fighting. That a divorce after I graduated from high school was for the best.” Her older brother, Mark, was already out of college and living in Seattle, and she was the only thing keeping her unhappy parents together.
“Damn.”
“That sucks, Mel.”
“They’ve fought forever. I just thought that was marriage, ya know?”
Jo and Zoe exchanged glances. They both had single parents and didn’t really know. Jo’s mom had died young . . . car accident. And Zoe’s dad was doing fifteen to life for armed robbery.
From the outside, the good people of River Bend thought everything was Norman Rockwell in the Bartlett family home. Like many kids, Melanie was encouraged to take all the college prep classes, take AP English, and join Associated Student Body. She’d been on the cheer squad in early high school but canned the chick club when she saw head cheerleader Margie Taylor kissing on Melanie’s boyfriend. Melanie dumped them both and hooked stronger with her true friends.
“It was all for them,” Melanie muttered.
Zoe moved from the couch to the floor and wrapped an arm around her.
The waterworks turned on high.
“College. They wanted me to get into a college far away so they could move on.”
“California isn’t that far,” Jo reminded her.
“USC is a thousand miles from here, Jo. It takes two hours to drive to a flippin’ airport from this town.”
Zoe nudged her. “You got into USC. That’s huge. Focus on that.”
“And you won’t have to choose which parent you’re going to stay with,” Jo added.
Melanie grabbed the bottle, added more to her cup. “Yeah. It’s hot in Texas.”
Jo lifted one side of her mouth in a half smile. “Connecticut sounds stuffy.”
“It is.” The liquor didn’t burn as much this time. Her head started to swim, and the tears started to fade.
Jo twisted the yearbook around and flipped to a page they were already very familiar with.
A picture of the three of them, arms around each other: Jo attempting to act badass . . . Zoe
wearing the wrong everything, but her head high anyway . . . and Melanie, blonde hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, her perfect teeth shining with a smile. To the side of the picture it said . . .
Melanie: Most likely to succeed.
Zoe: Most likely to never leave River Bend.
Jo: Most likely to end up in jail.
“Even these complete shitheads get where you’re going with your life, Mel. You are the most likely to succeed.”
Melanie shoved the book aside. “Lot they know. You won’t end up in jail.”
Yet as the words fell from her lips, Melanie knew it might happen. Jo had been trying most of her teenage life to buck her dad and just about everything he stood for. A small town sheriff’s only daughter had two choices in life . . . rebel or conform.
Jo rebelled.
Looking around the paper-thin walls Zoe called home, Melanie reflected on her other BFF. She was wicked smart and had more going for her than she recognized, but Zoe probably wouldn’t leave River Bend. Her part-time job at Sam’s diner waiting tables and occasionally helping out in the kitchen helped her mom pay the bills . . . and then there was her boyfriend, Luke. They’d been tight forever, and chances were someone would forget the latex and a Junior Zoe or Junior Luke would have them married before they could legally drink with Jose and his friends.
“Yeah.” Zoe pulled the bottle to her glass. “Jo won’t end up in jail . . . and I wanna see the world. Can’t do that staying in River Bend.”
“Yeah!” The alcohol was already talking as they lifted their glasses in the air.
“We’ll show this town.” Jo drained her glass. “Let’s make a promise . . . right here . . . right now.”
Oh, the drama.
“What kind of promise?”
“Our ten year class reunion . . . we’ll all come back to this one-shit town and show everyone how wrong they are about us.”
Melanie started to smile. “Wait . . .”
“Not you, Mel-Bel . . . you’re going to be fiiine. We just need our über-rich and famous . . . or successful whatever to stand beside us.” Zoe was starting to slur her words.
Melanie still wasn’t convinced she should drink to the toast.
“To showing your parents their timing sucked,” Jo offered.
“I can drink to that.”
They did.
Doing It Over (A Most Likely to Novel Book 1) Page 1