by Scott, Lisa
“Thanks for coming, everyone,” Joe said. “We’re excited to be back in Boston where we first came up with the idea for our revolutionary second chance software. McCall Me Inc. is proud to announce the launch of our latest product, but we’re even more excited to welcome one of country music’s biggest stars back to the stage—Lucy Jordan.”
The crowd cheered as Lucy held up her fiddle. Her heart soared.
Joe stepped aside so Tripp could continue the presentation. “McCall Me Inc. is proud to introduce our No Regrets software.” A video played behind Tripp. “Are you sending a text a photo to your ex? No Regrets pauses the process for thirty seconds so you can think twice before sending something you’ll be sorry about the next day. It’s activated by key words and addresses the user enters. Are there swear words in a message to your boss’s e-mail address? No Regrets pauses the whole thing so you can decide if you really want to send it. Before you shoot that picture into cyberspace, No Regrets will ask if you’re really sure you want the image floating around ten years from now.”
That was Lucy’s cue to start playing. She’d had a blast composing a fun, catchy song for the new product. “No regrets means no need for second chances…” The song was the first release off her new collection, Stronger Than You Know.
She finished the song and took a big bow. The crowd went wild and she could see all the cameras fixed on her. Her guitar player swapped her fiddle for the walking stick Joe had bought her and she made her way off stage, her limp still improving.
As she climbed down the stairs, Tripp finished the presentation. She was surrounded by fans waving pens and notepads for an autograph. A young girl with an eye patch and a jagged scar across her cheek sat on a man’s shoulder. She leaned toward Lucy. “I love you, Lucy!”
Lucy pushed through the crowd to the girl and took her pad of paper.
“This is the first time she’s left the house,” the man said. “But when she heard you were going to be here, she demanded we bring her. It’s all she’s talked about for days.”
Lucy’s throat was tight. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Allison.”
Lucy signed her notebook. “I am so glad you came out today.” She handed the paper back to the girl.
The girl looked at what she signed. She grinned and looked at Lucy. “You think I’m tough like you?”
She winked at the girl. “I know you are.”
Joe came up behind her and looped his hands around her waist. “You were amazing.”
A group of women rushed over to them, hooting and hollering. “Lucy Jordan! You totally should’ve come to the class reunion and sang. It would’ve been epic. Next time.” Brandi Parkman grinned at her like they’d been friends forever.
But having set aside old hurts, Lucy smiled back. “Next time for sure.”
Chance Carrington and Selena came over with Cathy Blake and Danny Patel in tow. “Looks like we’re having another reunion right now,” Lucy said, surprised to be surrounded by so many former classmates.
Joe shook Chance’s hand. “The man of the hour, our new hire in concept development. Think of how many head slaps you’re going to prevent with this.”
“It’s been a good year. And to think I only went to the reunion to help Danny hook up with Cathy.”
“And then you hooked up with me,” Selena said. She wiggled her left hand, showing off a big diamond ring. “Funny thing is, I went there looking for a rich husband, but in the end I’m not going to be a trophy wife, after all. I’m working on FindATrophyWife.com for McCall Me Inc.”
Cathy kissed Danny. “You’re not allowed to log on to that website.”
“Don’t worry, honey.” Danny wrapped her up in a hug. “Roses are red, violets are blue, I’ll never find someone as good as you.”
Lucy laughed. “That’s good enough to use that in my next song,” she joked.
“His poetry was much better back in high school,” Cathy said.
Lucy was surprised by how easy it was to hang out with people she’d resented a decade ago. Times had changed, but so had she. She chuckled to herself. Despite all that had happened, she liked the new Lucy.
Tripp and his girlfriend, Chelsea, joined their group. “We’re taking the yacht out when we wrap up here. You guys in?” he asked.
“Hell, yeah,” Lucy said. “I’m only with Joe because I know he can get me onto that yacht.”
Joe pretended to look hurt. “Hey.”
Tripp waved someone over. “Cathy, did you interview Martina Klein yet for your paper?”
“Yep, she was great,” Cathy said.
“She’s going by Martina now?” Lucy asked. Marti Klein was known as a wild flirt back in high school.
“She kind of reinvented herself after the whole topless-photo scandal,” Cathy said.
“She could’ve used No Regrets,” Lucy said.
“That’s why I interviewed her,” Cathy said. “She was generous enough to talk about how a stupid mistake, sending a boyfriend a nude photo, made a wreck of her life.”
“Wreck of her life? Are my ears ringing?” Martina laughed as she walked over with a handsome guy on her arm. “I can’t imagine how many people are going to avoid stupid mistakes thanks to that software, Tripp.”
“Come on,” Tripp said. “The limo is here to take us to the yacht.”
The group followed him outside and piled into the stretch Hummer.
When they got to the boat, they boarded while waiters poured everyone champagne.
Joe scooped Lucy into his arms. “This might be a nice place for a wedding reception.”
Her heart quickened. “That could be a profitable rental venture. Good thinking.”
“I’m talking about us. This is where it all started. Right here on the Second Chance. A second chance and a new start for both of us.” He pulled a ring out of his pocket and held it out to her.
She splayed her hand, then pulled it back. “I don’t have to provide the entertainment at the reception, do I?”
He grabbed her hand and kissed it. “Maybe just one song. It wouldn’t be the same without your sweet voice.”
She gave him her hand. “I will. I do. I love you.” She looked up into his eyes. “You were Mr. Right all along.”
He slipped on the ring and kissed her as the Second Chance sailed toward the sunset.
***
You’ve just read Reunion Flirts! You might enjoy Lisa’s other Flirts! volumes: Flirts!, Beach Flirts!, Holiday Flirts!, Fairy Tale Flirts!, Wedding Flirts!, and More Flirts! Look for Fairy Tale Flirts 2! in early summer 2013. Her first romance novel in the Willowdale series, No Foolin’, is now available from Bell Bridge Books on most retail book sites. Man of the Month will be released in spring 2013.
If you enjoyed this book, please tell a friend, leave a review, or contact Lisa at [email protected]. Go to her website ReadLisaScott.com and sign up for her newsletter to be notified about her latest releases.
About the Author
Lisa Scott is a former TV news anchor who now enjoys making up stories instead of sticking to the facts. She lives in upstate New York with her husband, kids, two cats, dog, and koi fish.