From “just one night”
...to bonded for life
Kate McCoy calculates everything. She has every detail in her life organized to perfection—until the fateful night she steps into Gray Gallagher’s arms. “One time only,” she vows about getting romantic with Gray, her longtime protector and her closest friend. But this time, perfect Kate has miscalculated: the woman who plans everything is unexpectedly expecting. And the heart she has so carefully sheltered starts seeing her cherished friend in a very different light...
“Stay here tonight,” he said, looking down at her. “Just stay here so we can figure this out.”
Kate smiled, but shook her head. “Sex isn’t going to solve anything.”
“Maybe I just want you here,” he retorted. “Maybe I’ve missed you, and now knowing that you’re carrying my child, I want to take care of you.”
The tenderness in his voice warmed her. She knew he’d want to take over and make sure everything was perfect for her. Unfortunately, through all of that, he just couldn’t love her the way she wanted to be loved. The way she loved him.
Couldn’t he see? This had nothing to do with the bar and if he kept it or sold it. If he loved her, truly loved her like a man loved a woman, she’d go anywhere with him. But she couldn’t just uproot her life for a man who was settling and only trying to do the right thing.
“Stay,” he whispered into her ear as he stroked her hair. “Sleeping. Nothing more.”
She tipped her head back to peer up at him.
“Please.”
* * *
RETURN TO STONEROCK: In this small Tennessee town, neighbors find the warmth of home...and love
Dear Reader,
Who doesn’t love a good friends-to-lovers story? I knew from the moment I met Gray in The Cowboy’s Second-Chance Family that he would need a special woman. He’s infatuated with Kate but has never acted on his feelings. He’s remained a faithful friend and a self-appointed protector.
Kate has had her share of heartache, and who better to lean on than Gray? She has her girlfriends, but Gray is different. She values their friendship and the special bond they’ve had since childhood.
But one night after their friends’ wedding rehearsal changes everything. Suddenly they’re more than friends...they’re about to become parents.
I hope you enjoy Kate and Gray because I truly loved writing their story. Considering I married my best friend, I have a special place in my heart for this couple.
Happy reading!
Jules
From Best Friend to Daddy
Jules Bennett
National bestselling author Jules Bennett has penned over forty contemporary romance novels. She lives in the Midwest with her high-school-sweetheart husband and their two kids. Jules can often be found on Twitter chatting with readers, and you can also connect with her via her website, julesbennett.com.
Books by Jules Bennett
Harlequin Special Edition
Return to Stonerock
The Cowboy’s Second-Chance Family
The St. Johns of Stonerock
Dr. Daddy’s Perfect Christmas
The Fireman’s Ready-Made Family
From Best Friend to Bride
Harlequin Desire
What the Prince Wants
A Royal Amnesia Scandal
Maid for a Magnate
His Secret Baby Bombshell
Best Man Under the Mistletoe
Mafia Moguls
Trapped with the Tycoon
From Friend to Fake Fiancé
Holiday Baby Scandal
The Heir’s Unexpected Baby
The Rancher’s Heirs
Twin Secrets
Claimed by the Rancher
Taming the Texan
Visit her Author Profile page at Harlequin.com, or julesbennett.com, for more titles.
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Marrying my best friend was the best decision of my life. Love you, Michael.
Contents
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
Epilogue
Excerpt from A Kiss, a Dance & a Diamond by Helen Lacey
Chapter One
“It’s just one glass.”
Kate McCoy stared at the champagne flute the best man held. He’d flirted with her all night during the wedding rehearsal dinner—and by her estimate in smelling his overwhelming breath, he’d had more than enough for both of them. Thankfully he was just Noah’s cousin and visiting from out of town. As in, he’d be leaving after the nuptials tomorrow afternoon.
One of Kate’s three best friends, Lucy, was marrying her very own cowboy, and Kate couldn’t be happier. She could, however, do without Noah’s cousin all up in her face.
“She doesn’t drink.”
That low, growly tone belonged to Gray Gallagher, her only male best friend and the man who always came to her rescue whether she needed him to or not. She could’ve handled herself, but she wasn’t about to turn away backup since Bryan with a Y wasn’t taking her subtle hints.
Kate glanced over her shoulder and smiled, but Gray’s eyes weren’t on her. That dark, narrowed gaze was focused downward at the best man. Which wasn’t difficult. Gray easily had five inches and an exorbitant amount of muscle tone on Best Man Bryan.
“Oh, well.” Bryan awkwardly held two flutes in his hand, tossing one back with a shrug. “Perhaps I could get you a soda or some water.”
“We were just leaving,” Gray growled.
He slid his arm around her waist and escorted her from the dining area of the country club. Apparently they were indeed leaving because he kept heading toward the exit.
“I need to at least get my purse before you manhandle me out the door,” she said, swiping her clutch off the table closest to the door, where she’d been chatting with some guests. “And for your information, I was going to have a glass.”
Gray stopped short in the hallway and turned to her. “You wanted to have a drink with that lame guy? You’ve never drank in your life.”
Kate shrugged. “It’s my thirtieth birthday.”
“I’m aware of that.” Eyes as dark as midnight narrowed. “You’re not drinking with him.”
Should she clue Gray in on her reasoning for wanting to have her first drink on her birthday and at her friend’s wedding?
True, Kate hadn’t so much as tried a drop of alcohol since her parents had been tragically killed in an accident. Her father had been thirty-five, her mother only thirty-two.
Now that Kate had hit the big 3-0, she’d started reevaluating everything about her carefully detailed life.
“C’mon.” Gray slid his hand around her arm and escorted her out the door into the humid Tennessee heat. “If you’re going to have a drink, it’s not going to be with someone who can’t handle champagne at a damn formal dinner.”
Kate couldn’t help but laugh. “That wasn’t nice.”
“Wasn’t meant to be. I don’t like how he looked at you.”
What was up with this grouchy attitude tonight? Well, not just tonight. Gray seemed to be out of sorts for months now and with each passing day, he seemed to be getting worse and worse.
Gray headed toward his truck. He’d picked her up earlier and presented her with a box of chocolate-covered strawberries for her birthday. He knew those were her weakness and it was a tradition he’d started years ago when he’d first come back from the army only days before her birthday. Gray had told her he’d actually ordered her something this year, but it hadn’t arrived yet.
“I’m picking you up for the wedding tomorrow, too.”
Kate McCoy calculated everything, from matching her underwear to her outfit to the precise inches of curling ribbon she needed when wrapping packages. She had every detail in her life down to perfection and even owned a company that specialized in organizing the lives of others—everything from closets to finances. The Savvy Scheduler was still fairly new, but it was growing thanks to her social media accounts that drove interested viewers to her blog and ultimately resulted in many new clients.
Kate had anal-retentive down to a science. So she didn’t like when her plans got changed.
“I’m driving myself in the morning.”
Gray knew she calculated everything in her life well in advance. Hell, her planner had a planner. Everything in her personal life and business was not only on paper but also in e-format.
He was perfectly aware of how meticulous she was with every detail. They’d met in grade school on the playground when she made fun of his new haircut. Considering he’d hated it as well, they had a good laugh and bonded when other children would’ve fought over the mocking. They knew each other better than most married couples, which was why she couldn’t pinpoint why he’d been surlier than usual tonight.
From scowling when he’d picked her up and muttered something about her dress, to the rude way he’d just escorted her out without saying goodbye to their friends, Gray’s manners were seriously lacking.
“Plans change,” he said with a shrug as he released his hold and walked ahead. “Relax.”
Relax? The man had been uptight all night, glaring at any male guest who talked to her, but she was supposed to relax? What was up with him?
The wind picked up, threatening to blow her short skirt higher than was within her comfort zone and expose said matching panties. Kate fisted the bottom of her flare dress in one hand as she marched across the parking lot after Gray—which wasn’t easy, considering she’d gone with three-inch stilettos for the special occasion.
Stubborn man. He always wanted to bicker, and tonight was apparently no exception. But his unexplained behavior was starting to wear on her nerves.
Honestly, though, she didn’t have time to analyze Gray’s snarly attitude. It was late and she was tired and sweaty from this damn heat. Coupled with the unforgiving humidity wave hitting Stonerock, she was becoming rather grouchy herself. What happened to spring?
“I planned on getting to the church early to make sure everything was ready for when Lucy got there in the morning.” Why was she yelling at his retreating back? “Would you stop and listen to me?”
Gray didn’t stop until he got to the passenger door of his black truck. When he turned to face her, he released an exasperated sigh. He hadn’t shaved for a few days, had that whole messy head of dark hair going on, and his tattoos peeked from beneath each sleeve that he’d cuffed up over his forearms. If she went for the dark, mysterious type, Gray would fit the bill perfectly. Well, also if he weren’t her best friend.
Kate could easily see why women flocked to Gallagher’s to flirt and throw themselves at the third-generation bar owner. He was a sexy man, had the whole “I don’t give a damn” attitude, but she knew something those women didn’t. Gray was loyal to a fault and didn’t do flings. He may have looked like the quintessential bad boy, but he was all heart and a true Southern gentleman.
“Noah asked if I would bring you,” he told her. “He said Lucy was worried about parking for the guests and he was trying to make things as simple as possible by having the wedding party carpool. I’ll pick you up whatever time you want. Is this seriously something we have to argue about?”
One dark brow quirked and she thought for a scant second that maybe this was something they didn’t have to argue about. Not that she was ready to concede the upper hand. First the angry attitude, now a lame argument?
“I’ll pick you up,” she stated, swiping away a hair that had landed right on her lip gloss. “I want my own vehicle there.”
“Fine. Hop in.” He motioned toward the truck. “I have to swing by the bar and get champagne out of the back stock since more was consumed tonight than originally planned. I’ll give you a drink of whatever you want. But your first one will be with me.”
“It’s late, Gray. You don’t have to do that. My list isn’t going anywhere.”
“List?” He shook his head, muttering something under his breath she couldn’t quite make out. “Get in the truck. I should’ve known you’d have a damn list about taking a sip of alcohol.”
Kate blew out a sigh. “I’m not sure, though. Maybe I should just mark it off and move on to the next item.”
Gray reached out and tucked a strand behind her ear. “First of all, one drink of champagne or wine is a far cry from the ten empty vodka bottles found in the car of the person who hit your parents. Second, I’d never let you get in over your head. Third, what the hell is this list you keep referring to?”
The breeze kicked up, thankfully sending some relief over her bare shoulders, but making it impossible to let go of her dress. She’d left her hair down, which was a huge mistake. With that thick mass sticking to her neck and back, she’d give anything for a rubber band about now.
“It’s silly.”
“I live for silly.”
Even without the dry humor, she knew Gray was as far removed from silly as any human being.
“Since I was turning thirty, I decided to make a list of things I want to do. Kind of a way to give myself a life makeover.” She shrugged, because saying this out loud sounded even more ridiculous. “Trying a drink is on there.”
“What else made the list?”
His eyes raked over her. Sometimes he did that. Like she was fragile. Just because life had knocked her down at times didn’t mean she couldn’t handle herself.
“Nothing for you to worry about.”
She started to edge around him and reach for her handle when he stepped in her path. “Tell me.”
Her eyes met his and she could tell by the hard stare that he wasn’t backing down.
“I don’t know what’s up with you lately. You’ve been a bit of a Neanderthal.” Might as well point out the proverbial elephant in the room. “You’re pushy and hovering and...well, demanding. Just because some guy flirts with me doesn’t mean I’m going to repeat old mistakes. And if I want a drink, I can do that for myself, too. I know you want to protect me, but you can’t always do that, Gray. I’m a big girl and—”
In a quick move he spun her around and had her caged between the truck door and his hard chest. Mercy, he was ripped...and strong.
“Wh-what are you—”
“Putting that mouth to better use.”
The words had barely processed before he covered her lips with his. There was nothing gentle, nothing sweet or calm about Gray. He was a storm, sweeping her up before she even knew what hit her.
Wait. She shouldn’t be kissing her best friend. Should she?
He touched her nowhere else and she still clutched her dress in one hand. On a low growl, he shifted and changed the angle of the kiss before diving back in for more. The way he towered over her, covering her body from lips to h
ips, made her feel protected and ravaged all at the same time.
Heat flooded through her in a way that had nothing to do with the weather.
Just as fiercely as he started, Gray pulled back. Cursing under his breath, he raked a hand through his already messy hair. Clearly he was waging some war with himself. Well, he could just get in line, because she had no idea what to do about what had just happened.
“Gray—”
“Get in the truck, Kate.”
His raspy voice slid over her, making her shiver despite the heat.
What the hell did that mean? What did any of the past few minutes mean? Kate couldn’t wrap her mind around his actions, his words. One minute she was trying to get to the bottom of his behavior and the next...well, she was being kissed by her best friend, and not just any kiss. No, he’d all but devoured her, almost as if he were trying to ruin her for another man.
Gray reached around her for the door handle, giving her no choice but to move. She settled inside and stared ahead, completely dazed. With his taste still on her lips and countless questions swirling through her mind, Kate didn’t dare say another word out loud as she buckled her seat belt.
What on earth had triggered such an intense response? And then to just leave like that? She’d already told him that they couldn’t be more than friends, but damn it, that kiss sparked something inside her she’d never experienced before.
Why did he have to go and do that to her? Why did he have to make her question her stance on their relationship and leave her aching for more?
More wasn’t an option.
Chapter Two
The ride from the country club to Gallagher’s had been too damn quiet. Tension had settled between them like an unwanted third party. Never before had things been this tense between them. They bantered, they bickered...that’s just who they were.
But now, thanks to his inability to control himself, the dynamics had shifted completely.
Gray wasn’t even going to question what had gotten into him. He knew full well that years of pent-up frustration from being relegated to the friend category, seeing her flirt and dance with other men at his bar and then being engaged and heartbroken, and finally that damn dress and heels tonight had all caused him to snap. There was only so much a man could take...especially from a woman like Kate.
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