"Wha..." he tried to speak as his jaw hit the floor.
Caylen ran her hand through her hair. "We never exchanged names. I flew home the next morning and had no idea who she was until she walked into my office a few months ago. She used to be an elite gymnast until she got hurt and decided to finish her degree in computer programming. She was dancing at night to pay for college after she lost her gymnastics scholarship."
"Wow."
"Yeah, needless to say, I've said the same thing a hundred times. The night I shared with her was something I never forgot. Apparently, she didn't either because she questioned Kent until he gave up my name the next time she saw him. That's how she found me when she moved here."
"Are you sure she's telling you the truth?" he asked.
"Yes. I've checked her out. Tanner's as honest as a day is long. She doesn't talk about that time in her life. I think she'd rather forget it ever existed, but I wanted you to know in case something ever came up."
"Okay. I'm glad you told me," he said. "It's not exactly good for business, but she's not a stripper anymore. If it comes out, it comes out. We will deal with it then. I don't see the need to tell your Aunt Viv or your mother."
"I agree."
"She seems very intelligent and very professional. I talked to her half a dozen times on the phone when we were discussing the software change." He paused, sipping his coffee. "I knew something was up with you the night of the conference going home with that young girl. I also noticed the way Ms. Bryce was looking at you."
"Is that why you made me handle the software change?" Caylen asked.
"She's beautiful and she had an eye on you all night. I figured why not help you along a little bit." He grinned. "It's good to see you happy and in love."
"I love her more than life, Uncle Herb."
"Are we going to hear wedding bells in the future?" he teased.
"I hope so."
"Well then, I think it's time the rest of the family met Tanner. Don't you?"
"Yes," Caylen said.
"Good. I'll let your aunt know that you're bringing a guest to dinner this Saturday and it's not Margo. That should get her mind racing. She'll put together a dinner party and invite your mom and Aunt Cindy as a surprise."
Caylen laughed. "She's so sneaky."
"Yeah, if that's what you want to call it."
"Hey, maybe they will all get to talking about mom and Aunt Cindy's adventures and they will invite Aunt Viv along on the next one," Caylen said.
"Kid, you're onto something there," he said as his eyes lit up. "We can kill two birds with one stone and they will think everything was their idea." he nodded with a smile.
"If any of this ever comes back to me, I'm going to blame it all on you," Caylen teased.
"Go get some work done so you can take that pretty lady of yours to lunch," he said, shooing her out of his office.
"I was going to ask you to lunch today, but you're right, Tanner is much better looking," Caylen teased before walking out of his office. Checking her watch in the hallway she had a few minutes before her first conference call. Pulling her cell phone out of her pocket she pushed the button to call Tanner.
"Two calls in one morning? You must really miss me," Tanner teased when she answered.
"You have no idea," Caylen sighed. "You're meeting my family this Saturday at an impromptu dinner party that you and I know nothing about."
Tanner laughed. "Should I be worried?"
"No, they will love you as much as I do," Caylen said, walking into her own office. "You might want to prepare yourself for questions about our wedding and when we are having kids though."
"What?" Tanner screeched. "Are you serious?"
"I need to go. I have a conference call starting. I love you," Caylen said.
"Wait! Caylen...hello?" Tanner said as Caylen hung up.
Caylen smiled at the phone. Her lunch hour wouldn't arrive fast enough and would go by way too soon. She had a feeling she was always going to be anticipating the next time she saw Tanner and dreading the moment she would have to say goodbye to her. She couldn't remember a time when she was ever as happy as she was at that moment. Caylen wasn't the praying type, but she thanked God every day for bringing Tanner back into her life.
"Ms. Jarrett, Olsen Manufacturing is on conference line one," her assistant said.
"Thank you. Sara, can you bring a cup of coffee, please? I forgot to get one after my meeting with Herb," Caylen said, opening the file on her computer and the folder on the desk in front of her. She straightened her posture, smiling at the sore muscles as she joined the call. Monday had officially begun.
About the Author
Sydney enjoys reading everything from magazines to historical books and boasts about her massive collection of paperbacks and hardbacks in her personal library. She's also a huge fan of multiple TV shows, which she says take up too much of her time. Her debut novella Igniting Temptation was a best seller.
You can email her at [email protected] and like her fan page at facebook.com/sydneycanyon
Go to www.tri-pub.com to get information about Triplicity Publishing or to submit your own manuscript.
Other Titles Available From Triplicity Publishing
Falling Snow by Graysen Morgen. Dr. Cason Macauley, a high-speed trauma surgeon from Denver meets Adler Troy, a professional snowboarder and sparks fly. The last thing Cason wants is a relationship and Adler doesn’t realize what’s right in front of her until it’s gone, but will it be too late?
Fate vs. Destiny by Graysen Morgen. Logan Greer devotes her life to investigating plane crashes for the National Transportation Safety Board. Brooke McCabe is an investigator with the Federal Aviation Association who literally flies by the seat of her pants. When Logan gets tangled in head games with both women will she choose fate or destiny?
Just Me by Graysen Morgen. Wild child Ian Wiley has to grow up and take the reins of the hundred year old family business when tragedy strikes. Cassidy Harland is a little surprised that she came within an inch of picking up a gorgeous stranger in a bar and is shocked to find out that stranger is the new head of her company.
Love Loss Revenge by Graysen Morgen. Rian Casey is an FBI Agent working the biggest case of her career and madly in love with her girlfriend. Her world is turned upside when tragedy strikes. Heartbroken, she tries to rebuild her life. When she discovers the truth behind what really happened that awful night she decides justice isn't good enough, and vows revenge on everyone involved.
Natural Instinct by Graysen Morgen. Chandler Scott is a Marine Biologist who keeps her private life private. Corey Joslen is intrigued by Chandler from the moment she meets her. Chandler is forced to finally open her life up to Corey. It backfires in Corey’s face and sends her running. Will either woman learn to trust her natural instinct?
Secluded Heart by Graysen Morgen. Chase Leery is an overworked cardiac surgeon with a group of best friends that have an opinion and a reason for everything. When she meets a new artist named Remy Sheridan at her best friend’s art gallery she is captivated by the reclusive woman. When Chase finds out why Remy is so sheltered will she put her career on the line to help her or is it too difficult to love someone with a secluded heart?
In Love, at War by Graysen Morgen. Charley Hayes is in the Army Air Force and stationed at Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. She is the commanding officer of her own female-only service squadron and doing the one thing she loves most, repairing airplanes. Life is good for Charley, until the day she finds herself falling in love while fighting for her life as her country is thrown haphazardly into World War II. Can she survive being in love and at war?
Fast Pitch by Graysen Morgen. Graham Cahill is a senior in college and the catcher and captain of the softball team. Despite being an all-star pitcher, Bailey Michaels is young and arrogant. Graham and Bailey are forced to get to know each other off the field in order to learn to work together on the field. Will the extra time pay off or will it drive a nail through the
team?
Submerged by Graysen Morgen. Assistant District Attorney Layne Carmichael had no idea that the sexy woman she took home from a local bar for a one night stand would turn out to be someone she would be prosecuting months later. Scooter is a Naval Officer on a submarine who changes women like she changes uniforms. When she is accused of a heinous crime she is shocked to see her latest conquest sitting across from her as the prosecuting attorney.
Vow of Solitude by Austen Thorne. Detective Jordan Denali is in a fight for her life against the ghosts from her past and a Serial Killer taunting her with his every move. She lives a life of solitude and plans to keep it that way. When Callie Marceau, a curious Medical Examiner, decides she wants in on the biggest case of her career, as well as, Jordan's life, Jordan is powerless to stop her.
Igniting Temptation by Sydney Canyon. Mackenzie Trotter is the Head of Pediatrics at the local hospital. Her life takes a rather unexpected turn when she meets a flirtatious, beautiful fire fighter. Both women soon discover it doesn't take much to ignite temptation.
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