by Dawn Brower
Phil swallowed a lump in his throat. He’d been married to her and he’d been blind to who she was and what she was capable of. Somehow this all seemed like his fault. How would he ever make it up to Carly and Logan? The agent Carly had been talking to nodded and walked off. She turned toward Phil and grinned, then launched herself into his arms. He caught her on instinct and breathed in her scent mentally memorizing it. Soon he wouldn’t have the luxury of it surrounding him and he wanted to remember every part of her.
“I’m so glad you came,” she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. “I kept thinking that there was no hope and then like a miracle I heard your voice. You are my saving grace, you know that? Whatever trouble I find or somehow finds me I can count on you to see me through it. When I start to lose all hope I remind myself it isn’t as bad as I thought because all I have to do is close my eyes and there’ll you be. The one man who’s been by my side through everything.” She leaned back and met his gaze. “I love you.”
It slammed through him like a boulder smashing over his entire body. “Could you repeat that? I don’t think I heard you right.”
She pressed her lips to his with a quick kiss. “It’s not the best timing, but I can’t keep it inside any longer. I’ve loved you for so long but I thought it was a lost cause. Last night...” A blush stained her cheeks and she glanced down briefly. “It changed things. I had to tell you how I feel and I hope in time you can love me too.”
Mere moments ago he had been making plans to leave and never look back. He had falsely believed she loved Logan. How had he read everything so wrong? Phil was seriously starting to doubt his observation skills, but he wasn’t going to walk away from her. She said she loved him and he was not going to allow her to take that back.
His lips tilted upward. “I don’t know,” he said with amusement. “That’s a huge thing to hope for. You’re a lot of work...”
She tilted her head and studied him. “Are you messing with me?”
“Only a little bit,” he replied and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “I love you more than I ever thought possible. Things happened so fast I’m afraid they could fall apart.”
“We can make it work,” she said. “Don’t give up before we have had a chance.”
He was so scared of losing her. If he did, he wasn’t sure how he’d react. “All I can promise is that I’ll love you through it all and beg you to have patience with me.”
She smiled. “Those are reasonable terms. I accept.”
Spike came running out of the building and circled around them. Carly laughed and picked up the leash still attached to his collar. “Let’s take Spike home.”
Those were the sweetest words he’d heard next to her admitting she loved him. The day was starting to look better and better, and if he was lucky enough their future would be even better.
“Sounds like a plan,” he agreed. “Then we can go to the hospital to check on Logan. You’re not going to rest until you do.”
Her lips tilted upward. “You know me so well. It’s going to be hard to let him out of my sight. It hurt so much when I believed he died.”
He kissed her forehead. Not too long ago that would have hurt to hear, but now he knew she loved him, not Logan. What she felt for Logan was something entirely different. He’s been so jealous he’d not recognized the friendship they shared for what it was. What a fool he’d been.
“Now you have him back. He’s not going anywhere and neither am I.”
Carly hugged him tighter. “You better not or I promise you’ll regret it.”
Phil chuckled lightly. That was his Carly—fierce to the bitter end. He could not have loved her more if he’d tried. How had he managed to get so lucky to fall in love with such an amazing woman? It was best not to question it and accept the gift he’d been given. Something Phil had every intention of doing for the rest of his life.
EPILOGUE
One year later...
“Carly,” her sister, Harper, said exasperated. “I didn’t go through the trouble of obtaining leave so I could watch you pace around the dressing room.”
“The Navy can do without you for a day or two,” Carly snapped. She might give her sister a hard time, but Carly was proud of her. She had climbed through the ranks of the Navy with sheer grit and determination.
“Shows what you know,” her sister retorted. “If it wasn’t classified I’d lay it all out and shove your face in it.”
As an intelligence officer her sister’s job was so super secret no one even knew it existed. All Harper had been able to tell her was that she’d been selected for the intelligence program. A part of her had been dying to say something teasing to that announcement, but she had held back.
“My apologies Captain,” Carly saluted. “Forgive me for questioning your importance. Now stop harassing me and fix this,” she demanded. She yanked on the back of her dress. A piece of lace was tangling by a thread. Harper rolled her eyes and pulled out a pair of scissors clipping it off. Carly glared up at her. “That was not what I meant and you know it.”
The dress was supposed to be, well perfect. Slicing off a piece of it didn’t make it that way. At least that particular area of the dress looked fine without the extra adornment. Carly glanced at herself in the floor length mirror admiring the dress. The skirt had sheer tulle panels with a white floral appliqué up to the bodice, surrounding a plunging vee neckline. The soft ivory accentuated her skin nicely.
“You’ll be fine,” she said. “You’re perfect. Nothing else is going to go wrong.”
It was her wedding day. In less than ten minutes, she would walk down the aisle and marry the man she loved. They had a rocky start but everything had improved after Addison had been taken into custody. Logan had healed, but he was so sad all the time. He was not the same man, and Carly feared he never would be. Something or someone would have to snap him out of it. Spike continued to live with Carly but Logan insisted on visitation rights. Carly gave them to him quite willingly.
Perhaps she was starting to turn into a monster. The only thing that truly mattered was Phil, and he would not care if there was a small piece missing from her dress. She would be willing to bet he wouldn’t even notice it was gone. Especially as he hadn’t even laid eyes on the dress yet.
A knock echoed through the room. Logan stepped inside. A smile pasted on his face. “Look at you all dolled up. I never thought I’d see the day you willingly tied yourself to another man.”
Carly hugged him tight, so glad to have him back in her life. “Shut up,” she told him. “You’re the one person who’s always known how I felt about that man. You shouldn’t be surprised.”
“I’m not,” he said. “Can’t I mess with my best girl?”
He let her go and took a step back. He glanced at her and then slid his attention to Harper. “You both look lovely. Are you ready to do this? The natives are getting restless out there.” Logan shoved his hands into his pockets, but not before Carly had seen them shaking. After being held hostage for over a year, he had been having trouble acclimating to society again. People in general made him nervous and crowds were even worse. She had kept the guest list small hoping to ease some of his discomfort. It would probably take a lot for him to start to be at ease around others. Having him at her wedding had been important to her. Phil knew how much Logan meant to her and asked him to be his best man. That way Carly could have her two favorite people, well besides Phil, standing by her side as she said her vows. It meant the world to her that both Harper and Logan were able to be in her wedding. “Unless you’ve changed your mind,” he joked. “Say the word and I’ll clear the church in a heartbeat.”
Carly answered him with a huge grin. She had never been more ready for something in her entire life. When the day was done, she would be Mrs. Phillip Morrison. Well, she was not taking his last name, but he did not need to know that yet. She doubted he would argue too much about it anyway.
“We’re ready,” Carly said. “Tell them to get th
is show on the road.”
He nodded and left the room. Harper’s gaze had not left him the entire time he had been in the room. When she had a free moment she would question her sister about it, but she had more important things on her mind at the moment.
They exited the room and headed toward the chapel. Spike waited for them in the alcove. A basket laid next to him with a pillow nestled inside and two rings tied to it—he was the official ring bearer. He barked when he saw them. “Are you ready to do your part?” Carly leaned over and patted him on the head. When music filled the church, she kissed his golden fur and said, “You’re up, Spike. Go do us proud.”
He lifted the basket and trotted down the aisle. Carly laughed as she watched him wag his tail rapidly. When he reached the end Logan lifted the rings off the pillow and set the basket aside. Spike sat next to him and turned toward the aisle. Harper walked down, and then Carly followed behind her. Her gaze never left Phil’s the entire time she strolled down the aisle.
This was what she’d been wanting for so long—to belong to him. He was where she always needed him to be. Now she did not have to close her eyes to picture their happiness together. Now all she had to do was lift her gaze and there he’d be waiting for her with open arms. There was nothing more perfect than the love they shared.
One Heart
to Give
Heart’s Intent
Book One
Dawn Brower
Prologue
Ten years earlier
Daniella spun around in her prom dress. The dark green gown shimmered in the sunlight streaming through her bedroom window. She didn’t have a date. It should bother her, but it didn’t. There was one boy she wanted to go with: her best friend, Rendell Sousa. Ren was so handsome, strong, and perfect in every way. The only downside was he had a girlfriend. She hated Jessica Clarke. The girl owned a part of him Dani never would.
She’d planned on skipping prom, but Ren had talked her into going. He said he could have two dates. It would have been easier to say no... He made it impossible to turn him down, stating he couldn’t go to prom without both his girls. Jessica wouldn’t be happy at the idea of sharing Ren, and Dani didn’t want to upset her by going along with his plan. She told him no until he agreed to arrange for a group of friends to join them. Even with that idea, Dani decline anyway. Ren was insistent and too persuasive for her to resist. Not having a dress wouldn’t even be a deterrent.
He’d talked Sarah, another friend of theirs, into taking her shopping. Dani had dipped into her savings, using the money meant for college to pay for it. Her foster family didn’t help her with anything they didn’t deem necessary. A prom dress was not high on that list, like most things Dani may want or even need. It was why she worked after school most days.
Now she stood in front of her bedroom mirror, admiring the green satin dress. It was worth it. The dress was amazing and it made her feel like a fairytale princess. She glanced at the clock and hurried to finish the last minute preparations. Ren would be by to pick her up at any moment.
“Dani,” her foster mother yelled. “Ren is here.”
“Time to face the music.” She ran her hands over her dress to ease her nerves. Would he like what he saw? It wouldn’t matter. She couldn’t let it because Ren had a girlfriend. She started down the stairs and stopped at the bottom. Ren looked gorgeous in his tux. He’d opted for a white jacket with a black tie. It wasn’t the usual black penguin suit almost every other boy would no doubt choose to wear. He looked amazing and absolutely gorgeous. His rich golden brown hair was brushed back and his wicked grin made him even more devastating.
“Are you ready?” he asked. “Jessica’s already in the car.”
She nodded and let him lead her out the door. This was foolish. Dani hated being the third wheel on his date. It didn’t matter that a group of friends were going together. She would end up between Ren and Jessica in some way. He wouldn’t allow her to essentially be a wallflower. He had always been protective of her. She should have said no. It would have been better for them both if she had. Why had she let him talk her into this? Jessica would do something to make her miserable. Ren didn’t see her the way Dani did. Her viperous tongue only came out when Ren wasn’t around to hear it. Jessica made sure they were in private when her worst came out to play.
“Are you excited?” Stupid question. Why would he be?
“I’m looking forward to dancing with you later.” He smiled softly. “And with Jessica too.”
Dani frowned. Why did he feel the need to add that part in? Of course he would look forward to dancing with his girlfriend. He didn’t need to remind her of that. Tiny pinpricks of pain shot through her heart. She couldn’t let him know how much it hurt her to see him with Jessica. He deserved to be happy. She chose this path. He was her best friend, and she wanted him to be happy. She’d smile and fake it as long as she could. Ren didn’t need to know she’d fallen in love with him. The burden was hers and hers alone.
He opened the door to the limo. She peeked inside and let out a relieved breath. A group of their friends were already inside. Most of them were also dateless. At least she didn’t have to suffer in awkward silence while they picked everyone up. Ren must have saved her for last. She waved at them and hopped in. She sat across from Ren and Jessica next to another male friend of theirs. It didn’t take long for the car to get to their destination. Prom was being held at the Tempest Ballroom on the opposite side of town. It was where it was always held. Ren was the first out of the limo and helping all the girls out.
“I forgot to tell you how pretty you look,” he said as he held his hand out to her. “You’re going to break some hearts in there.”
She laughed. “I doubt it.”
His gaze seemed to go unfocused for a second before he shook his head. Something bothered him; whatever it was he was holding it inside. “Trust me on this.”
She wouldn’t push. The night was supposed to be fun. If he wanted to tell her he would. For now, they would go inside and enjoy the evening. “If you say so.” She shrugged. “I’m not holding my breath.”
“Can we go inside now?” Jessica whined. “You’re supposed to be my date.” She glared at Dani, letting her gaze roll over her as if she’d witnessed something disgusting.
Ren turned to her and pulled her into his arms. He placed a quick kiss on her lips. “And that I am. Let’s go see what the fuss is all about.” He held out his arm to Dani. “You coming?”
She shook her head. “Give me a minute. I’ll be in later. Take Jessica inside.”
He frowned. “Are you sure?”
She didn’t want to explain that she needed time to build up her strength. It would take all she had to get through the evening of their lovey dovey affection. She couldn’t stand Jessica, and that wasn’t only because the other girl had something she wanted. Jessica was mean and spiteful. For the life of her, Dani couldn’t figure out what Ren saw in her.
“Go.” She pushed at him. “I’ll be fine. Promise.”
He stared at her for a few seconds and then nodded in agreement. Dani breathed a sigh of relief as she watched them go.
“Why aren’t you going inside?” Brian asked. He was one of the friends who’d traveled with them in the limo. “Something preventing you from entering? Did Cinderella already lose her shoe?”
“Ha. Ha,” Dani mocked. “I’m far from the unwanted stepsister.” No she was plain unwanted. Her mother had tossed her aside when she was a little girl, left her on a church doorstep for someone to find. She’d never know who her real parents were. They probably had been teenagers with no ability to care for her.
“Why don’t you push her out of the way and claim your prince,” Brian asked. “You know you want to.”
She scrunched up her nose and winced. “Ren is not my prince.” He never would be.
“Maybe not. But don’t you think it’s time to admit that there’s more than friendship between the two of you?”
Was Brian dru
nk? There was, and always would be, nothing but friendship between her and Ren. She was all right with that. Honestly she was. Yeah, keep saying that Dani, maybe one day you will convince yourself it’s true. She loved him. Unfortunately, he loved Jessica. Maybe it was time she put some distance between her and Ren. Being around him hurt too damn much, and she wasn’t strong enough to handle it. Graduation loomed on the horizon. She’d make a break for it and not look back.
“Deny it all you want. It’s not my place to convince you. Come on, let’s go inside.”
Nothing would persuade her. Ren loved Jessica. Dani wouldn’t get between them. She followed Brian inside and steeled herself to pretend to be happy.
REN WATCHED FOR HER to enter. He didn’t know why she refused to come inside with him and Jessica, but he worried. If she didn’t show up soon he’d go look for her. The dress she’d chosen was sinful on her perfect body. The shimmering green matched her eyes, and her dark midnight tresses fell down her shoulder in curls. He wanted to run his hands through her hair and feel the silky softness. Why couldn’t he feel that way about Jessica? She was nice enough, and lovely to look at. He’d started dating her to try to take his mind off the one he wanted, his best friend. Dani had said over and over how much she appreciated him. She was glad they were friends and she could rely on him—how lost she’d be without their friendship. It grated on his nerves every time those words came out of her mouth. Didn’t she see how much he wanted her? Dani owned his heart. If only she wanted to be more than friends...
But she didn’t, and why not date Jessica? At least she saw him as boyfriend material. Sometimes he regretted that choice. All right, most days he did, and he’d almost broken up with her several times. Then Dani would repeat her friendship tirade. Nothing pissed him off more and made him dig his feet in with innate stubbornness than listening to that. He shouldn’t let it bother him, but he couldn’t help what he felt. In truth, he wasn’t doing himself, Jessica, or Dani any favors by denying them. Both girls deserved better, and soon he’d own up to everything. When the time was right he’d break up with Jessica and be honest with Dani. Prom night wasn’t the night for shattering hearts and confessions.