by Cindi Madsen
By the time we made it to Azure, my pulse throbbed at my temples and my stomach had tied itself in knots. The truth was, I’d wanted to beg Linc to forgive me for days. But by the time I’d perfected my speech it’d been two a.m., and when I called him the next day, he hadn’t answered. After two unanswered calls, I contacted Ivy, who—in her lovingly blunt way—told me that I seriously had to be the last person in all of Atlanta who figured out I was being ridiculously stubborn trying to pretend my feelings for Linc didn’t exist, and even my mama and Aunt Velma had called her to discuss what to do about it. She followed up that…encouragement? with the news that he’d gone to Baltimore to meet with the editor of TieBreaker Magazine.
Of course that only sent a more frantic sense of urgency through me. He couldn’t move before I told him how I felt—he just couldn’t.
Ivy informed me that he’d be back right before his shift at Azure tonight, too late for me to talk to him before my workshop.
So it was happening now, no matter how many other people were in the restaurant tonight.
My attendees spread out, some heading toward the bar, some for the tables, and some right for guys who caught their eye. They didn’t need my guidance so much anymore—by this point, most of the other attendees jumped in to help each other, spotting red flags for the women who’d become their sisters in searching for Mr. Right.
My gaze hopped from person to person until it found the one it was looking for. Every muscle in my body tightened and my mouth went bone dry. The rest of me seemed to reach for him, even though my feet remained in place, giving me a torn apart sensation that frayed my already raw nerves.
I took a step in his direction, and he spun around and disappeared into the kitchen. Okay, so he’s still mad.
I focused on my attendees to keep myself from falling to the floor and crying, but they were all talking to decent-looking guys, having forgone the flashier ones who’d be more likely to hurt them. Or maybe not—I supposed they all deserved at least a chance.
Except for the guy ogling the woman who’d walked past his table instead of listening to the brunette seated across from him. She wasn’t one of my workshop attendees but probably should be.
A movement in my peripheral vision caught my attention and I turned in time to see Linc reemerge. He went right to bartending, his gaze never even flickering toward me.
I suppose I deserve that. My heart tugged, the string barely holding it together unraveling and leaving it a hair away from falling apart completely.
I moved closer to the bar so he couldn’t ignore me anymore. Have the big talks.
And holy crap, was this gonna be the big talk.
Linc shook his head. “Savannah, I’m working. We’ll have to talk later.”
“No,” I said, and his gaze finally lifted to my face.
“No?”
“No.” I crossed my arms. “A two letter word that means this time, I’m going to be the bossy one. I have something to say, and you’re going to stand there and listen.” The buzz of conversations and music in the bar were so loud I could hardly think. Which was probably why I climbed up on the first rung of the stool, leaned over the bar, and braced my palms on the wood so that I was eye-to-eye with him. “You hurt me in the past, and I was so afraid you’d do it again that I held back and told myself over and over that you’re not good for me.”
Linc opened his mouth, and I rushed to speak before he could, because if he started arguing, I’d probably argue back instead of saying what I needed to say. “But you were right when you said that people can change. It is why I teach my workshops. I got so caught up in being right, in the rules I made to keep from getting hurt again, that I forgot that love takes a certain level of risk, or to listen to what my heart was telling me.”
My lips quivered and I pressed them together to re-center myself. “I know I screwed up and said all the wrong things the other night, and I need you to know that I don’t think being with you was a mistake. These past two months have been the most fun months of my life, and…”
I noticed the rest of the bar had come to a standstill, most of the people and every one of my attendees staring. I guess that was what happened when you stood on a stool and leaned over so your butt was sticking out. Mama and Aunt Velma would die twice. Instead of thinking about that, I focused on what I needed to say.
“I want to give us that shot you talked about. But in the interest of full disclosure, I’m putting a lot on the line, because…” Be open to possibility or too much too soon? Well, I was already up here, so what the hell. “I’m already in love with you, Lincoln Wells. I’ve always been a little in love with you, and clearly that’s never going to change.”
He blinked at me, and I cursed myself for letting that last part out. Of course it was too soon to admit how long I’d loved him, especially for a guy like him, who wasn’t used to—
Linc grabbed my shoulders, pulled me to him, and planted a kiss on my lips. I wasn’t sure if the cheering was real or in my head, but with his mouth moving against mine, I didn’t really care.
He lifted one hand and pushed it into my hair, and I marveled again that I loved when he did it.
Ivy had come over at some point, and she was looking back and forth from me to Linc. I waited for her to say something about how crazy we were for wanting to commit, but instead she put one hand on Linc’s shoulder and one on mine. “It’s about damn time. Now, why don’t you two get out of here so that the rest of these people can get back to their drinks?”
I sat down, bracing myself on the bar when the stool wobbled. I turned to ask my attendees if they needed anything, but they’d already gathered and were smiling at me.
“If you guys need me to st—”
“Go,” several of them said, and the others echoed it.
Linc came around the bar and they parted to let him through.
“Just so you know, we’ll hurt you if you hurt her,” Callie, the tiniest of my attendees, said, and despite her small stature, it came out with an unmistakable threat.
Linc wrapped his arm around my waist. “You have nothing to worry about, ladies. I’m well aware she’s too good for me.” In a faux whisper, he added, “But no one tell her that, because I don’t plan on ever letting her go. See, I’m sort of in love with her.”
I twisted and brushed my lips across his whiskered cheek. “Sort of?”
He grinned and then his mouth met mine. He kissed me until the rest of the world disappeared, and then he said, “I love you, Savannah Gamble. It’s always been you. Just like it’s always been the Braves.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Inviting brand new boyfriends to weddings was usually a no-no, but Linc and I exchanged I love yous before we were officially in a relationship, so we didn’t really follow the traditional rules. As a rule follower, I was still making peace with it, but after the night we’d spent in my bed, I was digging the non-traditional route.
I stuck in one earring and struggled to get the back onto the post. Linc came up behind me and kissed my neck, sending a chill down my spine.
“What’s a four-letter word for ‘Take a ride, so to speak?’”
“I don’t know if I can keep up this dirty talk, Wells.”
He smacked my butt with the paper and my jaw dropped before I broke and laughed. Then I noticed he was still only wearing his boxers, which, don’t get me wrong, was quite a sight, all those lean muscles and such a tiny amount of fabric.
I let my gaze travel down the line of hair that disappeared into the elastic waistband of his gray boxer briefs. Blips of last night replayed in my mind, and I ran my hand down his taut abs, getting lost for a second before yanking my hand back and clearing my throat. “We need to leave in twenty minutes. You need to get your suit on.”
“I will. I’m just so close to—”
I ripped the newspaper out of his hand, and when he lunged for it, I held it behind my back. He kissed me, playing dirty by pushing me against the wall and moving his lips
down the column of my neck.
“I… You…”
The next twenty minutes were a blur of kisses and touches that took my breath away. I ended up having to redo my lipstick and pull my hair into a low bun so that everyone at the wedding didn’t know exactly why we ended up having to sprint through the parking lot in order to arrive with only fifteen minutes until go time, instead of the thirty I’d planned.
A massive security team stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the entrance. I’d been in the mayor’s circle long enough several of the faces were familiar, so after I presented them with my invitation, they let me go with an ocular pat down and a nod.
As for my plus one? Well, they frisked him quite thoroughly. Linc’s eyes bulged as one of the guards slid a hand up Linc’s thigh, and I bit back a giggle.
They’re about as handsy as I was last night. And this morning. My cheeks heated at the thought. Finally they let my date through, and he put his hand on my back.
“Do you regret agreeing to come with me yet?” I asked.
“Well, you definitely asked me when I was at my most vulnerable…” That’d be post sex, while we’d been cuddling naked in my bed. “But, no. Not for a second.”
“Savannah.”
I froze at the familiar voice. In all of the madness and obsessing over Linc, I’d completely forgotten about Mason. That in and of itself made it clear he had never been the Mr. Right I’d been seeking, but it didn’t mean guilt decided to give me a break because of it.
“Mason. Crap, I’m so sorry I never called you back.”
Mason’s attention moved to Linc, then narrowed in on the hand he had on my back. Which made Linc slide it around and hook it on my hip. I might get upset at the in-your-face possessive gesture if it didn’t cause my entire body to hum.
I thought I was evolved, but it turns out I just hadn’t met the right caveman yet. Or technically I had, but… Okay, so not the time for introspection. “The truth is, I don’t want to move to D.C.,” I said. “I’m sure it’s a great place, but my family is here, my job that I love is here, and one of the guys I started seeing while you were gone—”
“That’s me,” Linc ever so helpfully added, lifting a finger as if Mason would be confused otherwise.
“Is here, too,” I finished. “Anyway, things have grown more serious between us, and again, I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner, but I needed time to figure out exactly what I wanted.” I’d wanted to be strong when Mason and I met at the wedding, and I did feel strong. “I wish you the best in D.C. and with your career, I really do.”
I waited to see how he’d take it—the last thing I wanted to do was cause a scene. I thought of all my dating advice, and considered telling him he’d find someone else, because in the end we weren’t right for each other, but it seemed more like rubbing it in.
“Looks like I waited too long.” Mason gave me a tight smile that didn’t touch his eyes. “Explains that afternoon in the restaurant, though. I wish you would’ve told me.”
“I am sorry about that,” I said with a nod.
The neutral politician expression he often brought out in crowds took over before I could come up with anything further to say. “Well, enjoy the wedding. Best of luck with everything to you, too.”
He strode off toward the seating area. A green hedge formed a wall along the back and an aisle covered in red rose petals split the semi-circle of white chairs tied in silver and red ribbon. Up front, hundreds of lights twinkled through a gossamer-covered gazebo.
Besides the beautiful setting and chic decorations, I noticed most everyone else was already seated. I tugged Linc toward the rows of chairs, happy when I spotted a couple of open seats.
Linc shook his head as we settled into place.
“What?” I asked as I rearranged the skirt of my bright pink dress, making sure the sheer layer didn’t get caught in my heels as I crossed my legs. “Now the regret is setting in?”
“I’m glad you brought me along—especially since your ex is here. And let’s face it, I look damn good in a suit.” He ran a hand down his black silk tie, not an ounce of humility in sight. Cocky as hell, and I’d fallen for it. Was still falling for it. “I can’t believe how easily the guy gave up. You know, I was kind of bullshitting you when I said he’d take you for granted—I was desperate and hoping that he would, just so I’d have a chance.
“I was pissed, but just so you know”—he grabbed my hand and intertwined his fingers with mine—“if you hadn’t come into the bar and made your speech, I would’ve been knocking at your door eventually, begging for another chance.”
I shot him a teasing smile. “Man, I should’ve held off, then, because it’d be really nice to hold that over your head. Guess I’ll have to keep track of every time you travel without me and use that.”
“How about if I promise to bring you back something pretty every time?”
“Bribery will get you everywhere.” I leaned in and gave him a quick peck, even though the temptation to linger was strong.
Naturally, TieBreaker Magazine had offered Linc a job—I mean, who wouldn’t want him to work for them? Luckily with their mostly digital focus, he could do the job from pretty much anywhere with internet. They’d run bigger articles monthly, and he’d travel a lot to cover games and attend meetings in Baltimore, but he’d made it clear before taking the job that his home base was Atlanta. With me. And the Braves, of course.
The soft piano music filling the air shifted, and everyone turned as pairs of bridesmaids and groomsmen started down the aisle. Then the notes of the Wedding March sounded out and everyone stood.
For a moment I didn’t see the bride, and panic rose up and stole a couple of my breaths. But then Annabeth stepped into view, dressed in white, the red of her newly painted nails matching the bouquet of roses in her hand. Lacy trim lined the sheer veil that draped over her dark pin curls. Her red-lipped smile lit up her flawless face, and the dress was ivory lace and fit her like a glove.
I stole a peek at William, who beamed at her. Totally meant to be…
As the bride and groom recited their vows, Linc wrapped his arm around my shoulders and curled me closer. I’d worried he might end up feeling like a deer in marriage-obsessed headlights, but he was taking this whole attending-a-wedding-thing like a champ.
When the bride and groom kissed, tears sprang to my eyes. I blinked and kept my gaze focused on the couple, hoping Linc wouldn’t see that weddings made me cry.
He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “I love that you care so much about what you do, even with all of your damn rules, and your stubborn adherence to them.”
I turned to face him, euphoria tingling through every inch of my body. “Well, I’ve broken a few for you, if that makes you feel any better.”
He grinned. “It does.” He moved in for another kiss and I let myself fall into it.
Admittedly after the ups and downs of this past week, part of me wondered if I’d been spouting nonsense my entire career. When it came down to it, though, I knew that I’d helped Annabeth. Back when we first met, she’d wanted to give up on love entirely, and now here she was marrying her very own prince charming.
I’d changed Abigail’s life, too. I could run through several attendees and clients who’d benefited from my help and my program. Guidelines got you to a place where your instincts took over and told you if something was right, and when it was, you had to grab on tight and fight for it.
So maybe a few of the rules could be twisted, and there were even a couple exception-type situations and guys, but I think every woman has a time in her life when she needs someone to help her believe in love again. To believe that there is a Mr. Right out there just waiting to find her.
And that’s where I, Savannah Gamble, dating coach extraordinaire and everlasting believer in love, came in. Because if I could fall back in love with a guy who’d originally broken my heart and still end up with a happily ever after, it could happen to anyone.
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Acknowledgments
When this idea hit me, I knew it’d be a fun book to write, and as usual, my husband was there to listen and encourage me to go for it. Thanks, Michael, for helping me achieve my writing dream and for keeping me going so I can keep releasing more books. All these finished books are totally worth all the burned dinners, right? Hehe.
Huge thanks to my critters—Brandy Vallance, Evangeline Denmark, Mandy Houk, and Robert Spiller! Thanks for reminding me to be true to myself and for your brilliant input.
Thanks to Melissa West, Rachel Harris, Gina Maxwell, and MK Meredith for brainstorm sessions, writing sprints, texts and emails that make me laugh, and just being there when I need you.
Ginger Scott, thanks a ton for the baseball and journalism scoop. I owe you big!
Stacy Abrams, if I counted right, this is our tenth book together. Wowza! Thanks for making my words shiny. I’m so lucky that I know you and get to work with you. Entangled Publishing has been so good to me, which always makes writing more fun. Thanks to my publicity & marketing team, Katie Clapsadl, Riki Cleveland, Debbie Suzuki, and Jessica Turner. Shout out to ninja Heather Riccio, Liz Pelletier, and Melanie Smith, and everyone else who helps with my books in all the different departments.
Hugs to my TZWNDU Book Club girls!
I also just want to thank my family for their support. From my parents to my brothers and sisters, to my awesome kiddos. Kylie, thanks for taking on so much and for making me laugh and being an awesome daughter and friend. Sydney and Brody, thanks for understanding when I need some uninterrupted time to work.