Delilah moved on to the next painting, and then the next, with Kate at her side throwing out numbers to her.
Amber watched them go, feeling a little dizzy. Had she actually just sold a painting to a real gallery? She exchanged an amazed look with Steph and Daze. Then Steph squealed, grabbed her, and the three of them did a bouncing hug.
~ ~ ~
Barry hung back, waiting in the wings so to speak, giving Amber a chance to take in all of her work hanging in the gallery space. She had her friends close by, had done a gallery tour, and was now chatting with the cast and crew from the show. She was smiling.
The moment didn’t get any better than this. He nodded to Ian, who dimmed the lights. Birdsong played over the speakers. It was the birdsong from his alarm clock. A reminder of their mornings together at his place.
He stepped out, heading toward her. Her cheeks and chest were flushed. Yup, she remembered. He’d worn a suit because this was one damn important occasion.
The effect of being close to her again, knowing she’d forgiven him, was overwhelming. That curve-fitting dress, the heels, the funky jewelry, her scent, a slight hint of roses from her shampoo, those pink streaks in her blond hair. He couldn’t resist touching her. He settled his hands on her waist, holding her there.
“Are you enjoying your showing?” he asked.
She grinned. “Delilah just bought a series of my paintings for her gallery.”
“She did? I didn’t know she had a gallery. That’s great! Congratulations!”
She beamed up at him, and he wished he could always see her that happy. He would do his best to make it happen.
“So what’s with the birdsong?” she asked.
He raised a hand to stop the music. He turned back to her. “I’m wooing you.”
Her brows scrunched in confusion.
Steph giggled nearby. “Woo.”
“Shh,” Daze said, pulling Steph a short distance away.
He raised a hand for attention. “Everyone, I want to thank you for coming to the first of what I’m sure will be many Amber Lewis art showings. I’ve just been told we’ve had a sale!”
Everyone applauded.
He raised a hand. “I’ll be keeping some of the paintings on display at the home I hope we will soon buy together as husband and wife.”
Amber’s hand clutched his arm. “Bare—”
“Just let me say this.” He turned to her. “Amber, I’ve been in love with you since the day we met.”
The crowd awwed in chorus.
She shook her head. “I was with Rick then,” she said quietly.
“I know. I didn’t plan it. It just happened.”
He pulled her closer and spoke quietly just for her. “I’m sorry I misled you about the paintings. I won’t ever mislead you again.”
She blinked rapidly. “Oh, Bare. I could never stay mad at you. You’re just too damn loveable.”
He grinned. “I am?”
She smiled, and it was like all the birds broke into song at once. “You are.”
“Did you hear that?” he asked the crowd. “She loves me!”
Everyone applauded.
“I found the perfect house for us,” he said. “It’s in Clover Park. It has these huge windows with lots of light, room for an art studio, lots of wall space to hang your paintings. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
“I can’t wait to see it too. Wait, did you buy it?”
“No. I won’t do anything behind your back. I learn from my mistakes.” He grabbed her hands. “I can’t even tell you how much…” His voice broke and came out in a low growl “I’ve missed you these past weeks.”
She threw herself in his arms. “I missed you too. So, so much.”
He held her tight, so relieved she’d forgiven him, so happy she was here for her gallery party.
Kate came over and wrapped her arms around both of them. “You’re welcome.”
Amber pulled away and laughed. “Thank you, Kate, for your valiant efforts to get me here.”
He turned. “Yes, thank you, Kate. Now, if you could just back up a bit. I have a gift for Amber.”
Kate stepped back, smiling like crazy. Amber looked a little nervous. He hoped she’d like it. What was he thinking? Of course she would. It was her favorite thing.
He signaled a waiter in the back who stopped in front of Amber with a large wheel of cheese wrapped with a red ribbon.
She stared at it. “You’re giving me cheese?”
He bounced on the balls of his feet. “Yes.”
She took the offered cheese wheel and staggered under its weight. He reached out to help her balance the load. Everyone was watching and whispering.
“Bare,” she said, looking at him across the giant wheel of cheese, “why are you giving me cheese?”
He grinned. “Because I know you like cheese.”
She stared at it. “I do like cheddar. Okay. Thank you.”
He bit back a laugh. “Eat it soon, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Why don’t we start right now?”
“Um, okay.”
He inclined his head to a nearby table. “C’mon.”
She followed him to a table, where he set the wheel of cheese down. “Can you guess what happens when you eat your way to the bottom?”
“I get a stomachache?”
He laughed. “No,” he said slowly. He got down on one knee and held the cheese up to her.
She looked at him uncertainly. Then she started to lean down like she was going to take a bite. He flipped the wheel over so she could see the treasure he’d buried there.
“Amber, will you marry me?”
She reached into the small space he’d carved out in the cheese wheel and pulled out her diamond engagement ring.
“My life is never going to be humdrum with you, is it?” she asked.
He grinned. “No, it isn’t.”
“What’s your answer?” Ian hollered.
“Yes!” Amber slid the ring on her finger. Everyone cheered.
He set the wheel on the table, grabbed her, dipped her, and kissed her. They heard a few catcalls, and he brought her back upright. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. He never, ever wanted to let her go. His body went on full alert, urging him to have her again. Soon.
She leaned up on tiptoe and growled in his ear, “Bare, here, now.”
He went stock-still, his only response a tightening of his hands on her waist. Then he moved into action. “Amber left a painting in my car. Be right back everyone.”
They ran, laughing, to a coatroom way in the back of the gallery, with no coats and no lock on the door, and came together for the first time as future husband and wife.
Epilogue
Amber slow danced with Bare at their wedding reception, wearing her pink wedding dress that perfectly matched the pink streaks in her hair. She was now Amber Lewis-Furnukle. Kate was determined to snag her own Furnukle and had been throwing herself at Bare’s brother Daniel, a straitlaced military guy, all night. Ian was beside himself, frequently interrupting Kate and Daniel to break up their slow dances. Daniel seemed to find the whole thing amusing.
They married in October because fall was her favorite season. It also gave her time in her art studio in their new home to prepare her wedding gift for him. They’d bought that colonial house in Clover Park with Kevin’s help, of all people, for a steal. Kevin had tried to decline a commission, but Bare paid him anyway, no hard feelings. That was how big Bare’s heart was. She’d painted a big heart and hung it in their home as her own love poem to him to show what she loved best about him.
But his favorite—as he told her by thanking her profusely with regular gifts of new paintbrushes, paints, and canvases—was the collection of six birds she painted as a wedding gift. She’d taken pictures of rare finds he was excited about on some of their morning birding excursions and recreated them on canvas. It was his wheel of cheese.
Bare spun her around the dance fl
oor as the song changed to a fast beat and the pink tulle of her wedding gown floated around her. She caught glimpses of their families, friends, the cast from the show that brought them together, and even her mother. Bare had insisted she be invited. He convinced Amber that she didn’t have to be best friends with her mother, but it was still important to acknowledge her as family. She’d dragged her feet, but in the end, decided he was right. Her decision was made easier by the fact that she got along so well with Bare’s mom, a sweet, affectionate woman, who frequently invited Amber to lunch and shopping. She felt like she’d gained a new mom in the marriage.
Amber hadn’t expected her mother to show at the wedding after the way they’d left things, but she had. She was trying. Amber knew she would never feel close to her mother, but what they had was enough. Amber was at peace with it, finally able to let go of all the anger she’d held onto for so long.
Her eye caught on Steph’s date, who was doing The Running Man while Steph slowly backed away. Dave Olsen was a middle school math teacher Steph had met at a teacher’s conference last August. Amber wanted to tell her, Hang in there. You never know when a guy will go from geek to total stud, but then Bare spun her around again and, as if he sensed the direction of her thoughts, slid his hands around her waist and pulled her close.
“Amber,” he growled, and just that one word had her throbbing. It was the fierce, growly voice, which could mean different things depending on the situation, but always meant love. “I love you.”
She met his warm brown eyes and beamed. “I love you too.”
He pulled her close again and spoke directly in her ear. “Amber,” he growled.
This time his voice held a different note. One that indicated he wanted something from her. She tried to pull away, but he had her tight.
She felt herself flush. “Please don’t say it.”
“Here,” he demanded.
“No, there’s too many people. It’s too embarrassing.”
“Come on,” he coaxed. “Please. For your husband.”
He’d begged her for this ever since they’d planned their wedding. She gave in with a sigh. He knew the moment he won because he released her, stepped back, and smiled.
And then she did an Irish jig for him.
“I love you, wench!” he hollered before joining in.
The crowd separated to clap and cheer them on. She kicked up her heels, surprising him with the move. He threw back his head and laughed. Then he did the same, kicking up his heels, and took the lead. She stayed at his side, keeping up, thanks to the lessons Jasmine had given her a few weeks ago. Ian joined in, then Kate in an awkward robot fashion, then Zac, spry on his feet. Until everyone was on the dance floor, clapping and dancing along.
Why had she ever thought they were so different?
They were just two hearts at play by day. Two bodies entwined by night. And morning and afternoon.
Two souls mated for life.
~ ~ ~
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You’ve just read books #.5 and #1 in the Clover Park STUDS series. The books in the series are Almost Dating (Barry & Amber meet), Almost in Love (Barry & Amber in love), Almost Married (Dave & Steph), Almost Over It (Will & Jasmine), and Almost Romance (Ian & Kate). I hope you enjoy them all!
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If you’d like to read an excerpt from Almost Married, Dave and Steph’s story, please turn the page.
Almost Married Excerpt
The Clover Park STUDS series, Book #2
Mathlete vs. rock star…?
Stephanie Moore’s boyfriend, the adorably geeky math teacher, Dave Olsen, has husband material written all over him. One teensy problem—she's still technically married. When she demands a divorce from the rock star husband she hasn't seen in five years, he shows up on her doorstep wanting a second chance.
Dave is so in love with Steph, he's already researching diamond rings. If only he didn't have to compete with the famous Griffin Huntley. Griffin is going all out to win Steph back, and Dave plans to fight for his woman. A mathlete vs. a rock star? Statistically speaking—oh, the hell with it. Game on!
Dave drove like a maniac from Eastman where he'd just finished up his extra-help session for some students after school. He couldn't believe the hold this guy Griffin held over Steph. Like he had any right after a five-year separation. He'd spent most of the night going over Steph’s shocking news, reminding himself this was nothing like Sherri, this was a real separation, but still feeling uneasy about it. And really not happy about the dishonesty. Were there other things she’d kept from him? A relationship couldn’t work without honesty.
But, dammit, when she called and he heard the pleading in her voice, the near desperation, he knew he had to show up at her place. He could tell she didn’t want to be alone with Griffin. He would go because she needed him.
Hell, who was he kidding? He loved her. He missed her after just one day of being apart. Him showing up at Steph’s place would help her. Griffin would sign the divorce papers, and Steph would be free to live her life. With him.
He pulled up to her place, parking on the street behind a stretch limo. A prickling of unease went through him. Was Steph's husband a multimillionaire? He got out of his Ford Fusion and walked briskly up the steps. So what if her husband was rich? Money wasn't everything. Steph wouldn't care about that. They were both teachers. She understood the intangible rewards of teaching, like that moment when a student's face lit up as they grasped a new concept. Those moments were gold.
He hit the intercom. “It's Dave.”
“Come on up,” Steph said, buzzing him in the front door.
He took the stairs two at a time, smoothed his hair, and knocked.
The door swung open. “You got here fast,” Steph said.
“I might have broken the speed limit a few times,” he admitted. He was usually careful never to break any traffic laws. He’d never even gotten a ticket before.
She kissed him on the cheek. “I missed you,” she whispered.
His chest ached. “I missed you too.”
A voice drawled from the sofa. “Aww…isn't that sweet?”
Dave strode in to meet the man who stood between him and his woman. The other man stood, nearly as tall as Dave, but with more bulk. There was something familiar about the guy—the leather, the tattoos, the long hair. Shit.
“You're Griffin Huntley,” Dave said. He only knew this disturbing fact because his sister, Christina, was a Twisted Star fanatic. Chris went to all of their concerts on the East Coast. She even had a poster of Griffin in her bedroom like a teenaged girl.
Griffin flashed a smile that held little warmth. “In the flesh.”
Dave turned to Steph in horror. “Your husband is a freaking rock star?”
Steph put a hand on his arm. “It's no big deal.”
“And what do you do?” Griffin asked.
Dave stood tall and proud. “I’m a math teacher.”
Griffin raised a brow. “Sexy.”
Dave saw red. What he did wasn't glamorous or sexy, but it was important work. And Steph, also a teacher, was the woman he loved. How dare Griffin put down both of them in their chosen professions? This guy probably wouldn’t know a square root from a binomial.
He got in Griffin's face. “You got a problem with teachers? Because in case you hadn't noticed, Steph and I are both teachers.”
“I don't got a problem with teachers,” Griffin shot back. He put his hands on Dave's chest and gave him a shove. “I got a problem with a guy horning in on my woman.”
Dave shoved back, but Griffin didn't budge. Dammit. He vowed to begin lifting
weights this weekend. “Then there's no problem because she's not your woman.”
“Maybe we should take this outside,” Griffin said, challenge in his eyes.
Steph stepped between them. “Enough! Griff, you've met Dave, so now you can sign the papers. I won't ask for a cent from you.”
Griffin eyed Dave. “I’m not losing my wife to a geek like you.”
“She deserves better than a player like you,” Dave spat.
He’d seen Griffin on plenty of tabloid covers at the supermarket with models in bikinis. Steph was more beautiful than any of them. And he’d been lucky enough to see her in her underwear, so he knew. This guy was a complete and total moron not to see what he’d had in Steph. Plus she was smart and nice, which was also important to a guy seeking a partner, not just a fuck buddy, though he still wanted to be both to Steph. Badly. Dammit. Why did Griffin have to show up before Dave had managed to get Steph into bed? Him and his stupid morals. What kind of chance did he stand against a famous rock star? Rock stars could do whatever the hell they wanted and get away with it.
He was still mentally berating himself when Griffin snapped his fingers right in Dave’s face. Dave met his eyes and scowled.
Griffin crossed his arms. “I said,” he drawled, “game on, geek.”
Dave's hackles rose. He was very competitive and always won the online chess and scrabble games he played with the best players the Internet had to offer. “Game fucking on!”
“Dave!” Steph exclaimed.
Dave glanced at her and went back to staring down his opponent. “I'm not afraid of a little competition.” Bluffing was very important in one-on-one male confrontations. He lifted his chin to look down at the enemy. “I was a mathlete in high school.”
Griffin burst out laughing.
Dave shoved him. Caught off guard, Griffin stumbled back.
“You’ll pay for that,” Griffin said, charging toward Dave.
Dave quickly took refuge behind the sofa. Griffin leaped over it, grabbed him, and they hit the floor with a thud.
Almost in Love Page 21