Steal My Heart (Bachelors & Bridesmaids)

by Freethy, Barbara

  "You're spoiling me, Liz," he said. "Three times in one week."

  She kissed him on the cheek and sat down on the couch. "How are you feeling?"

  "Like I wish that didn't always have to be your first question."

  "Sorry. I know you get tired of people asking."

  "I appreciate the concern, but I'm feeling better. I know it probably looks to you like I spend all my time in this chair, but your mother and I made it around six blocks earlier today, so I got my exercise."

  "I'm glad you're out walking again."

  "Of course I have to listen to your mother go on and on about how she wants to redo the garden based on all the other yards in the neighborhood."

  "Of course," she echoed, as they exchanged a smile.

  "But now that we have my health out of the way, should I assume this has to do with work?"

  "It does. I just drove back from Playworld, and I didn't get the account. I'm sorry."

  "Why are you apologizing? I'm sure you did your best."

  "I did. And I would have had the account if Brian hadn't called Mr. Hayward and tried to throw his weight around. Charlie Hayward is a very smart man, and he quickly realized that I didn't have the firm's support. He was right, I don't have anyone's support. They want me gone, Dad."

  He sighed. "I know. You've been fighting so hard, and I should have told you a long time ago to stop. It was my fault. After they moved your office and stripped away some of your accounts, I knew what was happening, but I didn't want them to win, so I let you keep battling, but the truth is they won when I left."

  Hearing her dad talk, she had a feeling she knew exactly where her competitive will to win came from. "The truth is that they lost when you left. Charlie told me he asked for me because he respected your record and he figured you'd taught me right, and you had. He didn't want Damien, Falks and now Hargrove; he wanted us, you and me."

  "I wish we could have had our own company, Liz. I just wasn't counting on getting sick and having to retire so early." He paused, giving her a long look. "But that's the way things ended up. You need to live your life, honey. And I don't want you to ever think that you let me down. I'm the one who let you down by trying to get you to finish my fight. That wasn't fair. I had my life."

  "Don't talk like it's over," she interrupted.

  "I didn't mean it that way. I don't know what's coming my way, but I do know that my career is done. I'm retired now, and I'm going to start enjoying things instead of wishing I could have my old life back. I had a great run in PR. Maybe you will, too. Or perhaps you'll decide to do something else. But whatever you decide, I want you to pick for yourself and not for me."

  A tear dripped out of her eye and she hastily wiped it away, knowing her dad hated to see her cry. "Thanks, Dad. You know I love you."

  "I love you, too. And I'm planning to stick around for a long while. I want to walk you down the aisle, Lizzie."

  "Then you're really going to have to stick around for a long time," she said with a watery smile.

  He grinned. "I don't think it's going to be that long. I saw the way you looked at Michael; the way he looked at you."

  "He beat me again," she said.

  "Then maybe it's time you ended up on the same side."

  "You sound just like him." She got to her feet. "I'm going to the office now—to hand in my resignation."

  "Don't give 'em two weeks. They don't deserve it."

  "You're right. They don't. But I probably will, because my dad taught me how to be a professional."

  He tipped his head. "You're my girl."

  "Always," she said, blowing him a kiss as she left the room.

  * * *

  The party at Michael's firm was going into its third hour with most of the staff well on their way to a good buzz. Michael left the celebration for a moment and stepped into his office to check his phone. He was hoping to see a message or a missed call from Liz. It was almost seven. Where the hell was she and why wasn't she calling him back? He tried her number again, but once more it went straight to voicemail.

  "Come on, Liz, just call me back." He hung up the phone, not knowing what else to say.

  "Why are you frowning?" Erica asked, coming into his office.

  "I'm not."

  She gave him that big sisterly look that said she knew he was lying. "It's Liz, isn't it?"

  "She hasn't called me back."

  "She just needs time to regroup, Michael."

  "Or I'm never going to hear from her again," he countered, sitting down in his chair.

  Erica perched on the corner of his desk. "She's always made you a little crazy, but this time around I think you know it's more than crazy; it's love."

  He frowned. "I'm not talking to you about this."

  "Why not? I'm your big sis and your boss. I could order you to talk to me about it."

  "You're drunk."

  "Not yet, but getting there," she said with a grin. "This is the biggest night we've ever had."

  "I know. It's great."

  She made a face at him. "You could sound a little more enthusiastic."

  "I am happy for you."

  "For us, Michael."

  "About that, Erica."

  "Wait a second," she said, standing back up straight. "You are not going to tell me you're quitting."

  "I'm not quitting."

  Relief flashed in her eyes. "Okay, good. You had me worried for a second."

  "But I am going to cut back my hours."

  "What are you talking about? We just got a huge account."

  "You and Kent are the brains of this operation, I'm the beauty," he said dryly.

  "Very funny. You're more than that. You brought this account in, and Charlie Hayward wants to work with you."

  "And he will. I'll do everything I can for Playworld, but I also want to do something on the side. I've been offered an assistant coaching position with the Blackhawks."

  Her jaw dropped. "Are you serious? I thought you couldn't even stand to hear the word football."

  "I realize now that I acted too hastily. I told the team that I could give them ten hours a week, and they accepted. It's more of a consulting job than anything else. And I don't know how long it will last, but those guys playing right now are still my guys. I want to see them do well. But I don't want to let you down, Erica. I think I can do both."

  "I think you can, too. In the end, if football calls you back, then you should go. You have to live your own dream. Just don't go before Charlie signs the contracts." She paused. "We'll have to tell him, too. It wouldn't be ethical not to."

  "Of course. I don’t think it will make a difference. Charlie knows you did the work. I told him that. He wants me for my celebrity contacts, and he'll still have that. I'm not going to let either one of you down."

  "I believe you. Come back to the party."

  "In a minute. I'm going to try Liz again."

  "Haven't you already left her a half dozen messages? Do you want her to think you're stalking her?"

  "If it gets her to call me back, then I don't really care."

  "Michael," Liz said.

  His gaze swung to the door and a wave of relief ran through him.

  "I didn't call you back because I wanted to talk to you in person." Liz looked at Erica. "You're Michael's sister. I remember you from high school."

  "Good memory," Erica said. "I remember you, too, but mostly because Michael always complained about you."

  "I'm sure he did a lot of complaining after I broke his nose."

  "What?" Erica shot him a look. "She broke your nose? You said it was some guy on the football team."

  "I wasn't going to tell you it was a girl."

  "Well, I would love to hear that story, but I'm thinking you two need to talk."

  "Congratulations," Liz said. "I know your firm is going to do great things for Playworld."

  "I really thought it was going to be your firm," Erica said.

  "Well, it's not my firm anymore."

&n
bsp; "Really?" Erica asked. "What does that mean?"

  "I quit today. I told the partners I could not work with a company who didn't understand how valuable I was. I offered two weeks notice, and they told me to leave immediately, which I was very happy to do. So I'm done."

  "I can't believe it," he said. He'd been thinking she should quit; he just hadn't believed she'd actually do it.

  "I'm going to go back to the party," Erica interrupted. "Come out and have a drink when you're done in here."

  "I will, I could use a drink," Liz said.

  Erica moved past Liz, then paused. "When you start looking for a new job, maybe think of us. We're about to get an influx of cash from a really big client, who I think is also quite a fan of yours. Just think about it."

  "Look at that, you quit a job and get an offer an hour later," Michael said.

  "I don't think she meant that," Liz said.

  "Oh, I'm quite sure she did. But you don't have to think about that now."

  "I literally can't. My head is spinning."

  He walked around his desk and put his arms around her. He buried his face in her hair and breathed in her sweet scent and realized how worried he'd been that he would never have this opportunity again. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. "You scared me with your silence. Why didn't you call me back?"

  "I wanted to take care of some things first."

  "Did you talk to your dad?"

  She nodded, giving him a teary-eyed smile. "He was really understanding about it all. He actually apologized to me, saying he knew I was fighting for him, and he should have told me to let go a long time ago."

  "I'm glad it went so well. How do you feel?"

  "Like I lost fifty pounds."

  He pulled her close and gave her another kiss, then had to ask. "How do you feel about me beating you again?"

  "It wasn't fun hearing Charlie give you the account, but it was the right decision."

  "Charlie would be thrilled if you came to work for us."

  "I'm sure your sister doesn't need my help."

  "Oh, she does, believe me, especially since I just told her I'm going to be working part-time."

  Liz raised her eyebrow. "The coaching job?"

  "Yeah. I told Hank I could give them ten hours a week for the rest of the season. I'll be watching a lot of film, working from here, of course, although I'll probably fly out to the games. I think I can do both, at least for awhile."

  "Oh, Michael. I'm so glad. I think it's the right move."

  "Me, too. I'm getting my life back on track."

  "We both are."

  "Yes, but I have to admit that ten minutes ago, my track looked pretty lonely, and I realized that neither Playworld nor football was going to make me really happy. I need you for that." He paused as he gazed into her eyes. "I'm in love with you, Lizzie. I think I have been since I was fifteen years old. I just couldn't get it right until now." He licked his lips. "Tell me I got it right, and I'm not about to get another fist to the face?"

  She smiled and ran her hand down his cheek. "I would never want to hurt this face again. I'm in love with you, too, Michael."

  His heart jumped into his throat. He felt like he'd just won the Super Bowl.

  "My dad told me that maybe you and I should start playing for the same side. I'm thinking he's right," she said.

  "I'm thinking your father is a very smart man."

  "He is. So are you. You stole my heart a long time ago. I think the only way I'm going to get it back is to be with you."

  "I like that idea. I think we should spend the rest of our lives together."

  "Whoa," she said abruptly. "You don't have to propose right this second."

  "I'm not. You'll know when I'm proposing. I just want you to know that I'm in this forever, and I am going to meet you at the front of a church one day. That's a promise."

  Her eyes filled with happiness. "I'm glad, because I did catch that damn wedding bouquet."

  He laughed. "That's right. Why do I have the feeling we're going to have a big wedding?"

  "Because we are." Her gaze turned serious. "But, really I'm not trying to rush you into anything, Michael. It's been a crazy day and it's all happening really fast."

  "It's not fast. We've been slowly inching our way toward this moment for nine years. We weren't ready for each other before. We are now. And just so you know. You stole my heart, too."

  "I love you, Michael."

  She pressed her hands against his chest and raised her sweet mouth to his.

  "I love you, too," he murmured.

  Epilogue

  Valentine's Day

  "I can't believe another one of us is getting married," Liz said, meeting Julie's gaze in the dressing room mirror at the Four Seasons Hotel where Andrea was about to get married.

  Julie couldn't quite believe it, either. First Laurel got married, now it was Andrea, and Liz was probably next. She was happy for all of them, but she was starting to feel like the love train had left the station without her. Not that she was that interested in getting on board. Well, maybe she was a little interested, because seeing her friends in love had made her think that maybe her own past experiences were exceptions to the rule and not the actual rule.

  "When do you think Michael is going to propose?" she asked Liz.

  Liz gave her a secretive smile. "I have a feeling it might be later tonight, but I'm not sure. He's been really mysterious lately."

  "Well, it is about time for us to start planning another wedding," she said with a laugh. "I still sometimes can't believe that you and the high school quarterback are in love."

  "It was a dream I never thought would come true," Liz admitted. "Do you remember all those nights in college when we stayed up late talking about our dream guys? I think it was always Michael for me. I just never thought I could actually get him."

  "But you did."

  "What about you, Julie?"

  "Me? Those dream guys never had faces or names. I don't think I've met the one yet."

  "It usually happens when you least expect it. I certainly never thought a PR pitch would lead the way to love."

  "Speaking of work, how do you like working for Michael's sister?"

  "I love it. Erica and I have similar approaches to business, and she totally respects my experience and my ideas. Charlie Hayward is thrilled that we're both on the Playworld account, and Michael is happy to be the front man. He uses his connections when he has to, but now he also has time to do some coaching. So it all worked out perfectly." She turned around to face Julie. "I can't quite believe how happy I am. Sometimes I feel like pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming."

  "You're not dreaming, and you deserve to be this happy, even if it does make me a little jealous."

  "Well, we have to find you a man next."

  She laughed. "I think we have enough brides-to-be at the moment." As she finished speaking, Andrea came through the door in her wedding dress, her beautiful blonde hair swept up in a pretty, loose knot on top of her head. Her sister Laurel, followed, careful to pick up Andrea's train so she didn't trip on it. They were followed by the rest of the bridesmaids: Maggie, Jessica, Isabella and Kate, who was once again doubling as bridesmaid and wedding planner.

  "Let's make a toast to Andrea," Kate said, as she and Isabella handed out glasses of champagne. "Liz, do you want to do the honors?"

  "To Andrea," Liz said, lifting her glass. "May you and Alex always be as happy as you are today."

  "Thanks Liz," Andrea said as they toasted to her future. "I'm sure you and Michael will be the next to get married, so I may have to aim my bouquet at someone else." She eyed her bridesmaids. "Who is feeling lucky?"

  All the single girls raised their hands and then looked at each other and started to laugh.

  "If you married or almost engaged women want to keep this wedding train going, you better get your husbands and fiancés to come up with some single, good-looking friends," Maggie said, giving Andrea, Laurel and Liz a point
ed look. "Don't leave us hanging."

  Julie laughed and raised her glass in the air. "I'll drink to that."

  They clinked their glasses together and toasted to happy days ahead—for all of them.

  THE END

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you're enjoying the Bachelors and Bridesmaids Series. It's really fun to give each of the bridesmaids their own special love story, and I had a great time getting Liz and Michael to fall in love. Please consider leaving a review if you have the time.

  The next story features Julie Michaels, charity fundraiser who has to deal with some emotional baggage in her past on the way to finding Mr. Right. ALL YOUR LOVING will be out December 18, 2014.

  The first book in the series, KISS ME FOREVER, is also available. That story features Andrea and her sexy billionaire Alex Donovan.

  If you're already caught up on the bridesmaids, you might want to check out some of my other books. I'm including an excerpt from one of my most popular novels, RYAN'S RETURN.

  If you'd like to stay up to date on my new releases, please sign up for my newsletter!

  Happy Reading!

  Barbara

  Excerpt: RYAN’S RETURN

  Barbara Freethy

  © Excerpt Copyright 2014

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Chapter One

  His bed was on the sidewalk!

  Ryan Hunter slammed the door of the cab, tossed a twenty-dollar bill at the driver, and ran across the busy Los Angeles intersection, dodging cars and honking horns. As he reached the sidewalk, two men emerged from his three-story apartment building with a bookcase.

  "What the hell is going on here?" Ryan dropped his overnight bag on the ground, taking more care with his saxophone case and camera bag.

  The moving men set the bookcase down on the sidewalk. The younger man, who wore white coveralls with the name Craig embroidered on the pocket, grinned. "Oh, hi, Mr. Hunter. Your lady's moving out. Third one in a row, isn't that right?"