I pull off of the highway and head back into the city.
Detective Chandler clears his throat. “Maggie’s doing good. She got a job working for this company who help people with dementia and memory issues. She’s handling their marketing.”
“Really?” I turn down a street. I’ve been avoiding this side of town for the last eight months.
“Yeah, and, uh, she says hi.” He chuckles. “She’s been bugging me for months to let you know that she’s thinking about you.”
I tap the brakes just as I’m about to glide past Hill Street.
His words are short. To the point. And yet so full of possibilities. She says hi, which means she’s not closed to me. She’s not averse to me. She’s not avoiding me. It also means her father isn’t, either. He could shut me out of his family’s life completely. He could warn me away, reminding me to keep clear of his daughter. Instead, he says, “She’s thinking about you.”
A car honks behind me.
I make a left.
“Is she happy?” I don’t want to intrude on her life. I don’t want to make her miserable. But honestly, all I’ve been thinking about is driving down this street. Her loft is on the corner. I made some calls, checking in to make sure that the repairs I asked for were done and Maggie’s taken care of. I’m happy to hear that her landlord put some much-needed work into the place.
“She’s happy.”
“Good.”
“She could be happier.”
There’s a few heartbeats of silence. I slide into a parking spot along the side of the road.
“Sir?”
“She doesn’t need you to make her happy, Liam. But I’m letting you know that I don’t think she would mind if you connected with her. I think she’d like to share some things in her life with you.”
It’s late afternoon. People are coming home from work. As always, I’m scanning for Maggie.
“I won’t bring danger into her life.” I don’t know if I’m saying this like a promise or a fact.
“Your brother is in jail. Whether or not you bring danger into her life is entirely up to you and your actions, nothing else. As far as I’m concerned, you’re as dangerous to her as I am. For fuck’s sake, son, you’re not going to propose to her. You’re going to ask her out on a date.”
His words interrupt my train of thought. He’s right. The only danger I would bring is by my own design, and I’ve decided my life of crime is long past.
“You did your time. You served your debt. Time to move past that and get on with your life.”
I don’t know what to say to that. His words, they’re like the confirmation I needed to hear.
“She’s still working at the Coffee Hut. She should be getting there about now,” he continues.
“Why in the world…”
“She’s paying down her student loans. She likes working there. If I’m going to be honest, I think she’s waiting for you to come in like you used to.”
I nod. Without much thought, I pull my car back onto the road.
“Should I give her a message from you?”
I turn down another street. My heart ramps up. She’s there, walking like she does. Bouncing almost with each step, smiling at people who pass her. It’s so good to see her. Everything about her is the same, but it’s different, too. My heart beats wildly.
I pull off to the side of the road just as she slides into the Coffee Hut.
“Nah, thanks, Detective. I’ll give it to her myself.”
“Very well. I may see you around then.”
“Here’s hoping.” I end the call and turn the car off.
I’m a proper stalker now, right? Sitting outside of her work, hoping to catch a glimpse of her in the window.
I should leave her alone. Let her move on with her life. Forget about me. Meet someone else.
My heart actually feels like it’s twisting at that thought, though.
I get out of the car. I’ve been avoiding this place for so long that it feels weird actually being here. I’ve done everything I can to shove Maggie out of my mind, and yet I keep searching for the sound of her voice, her laugh in particular. I miss her laugh. Her smile. Her arms around me.
I walk toward the Coffee Hut. I can see Maggie inside. She’s behind the counter. There’s a long line of customers. I could leave and she’d never know. I could leave her alone.
I open the door and slip inside.
I hear her laugh first, and I know this is the right decision. My heart kicks into overdrive. I want to see her again. I want to spend time with her. I want to be part of her life.
I get into line.
I don’t owe anything more to Shawn. I’ve done my time. I’ve catered to his needs. Now he’s put himself in a position that is beyond help. It’s time for me to let him go and focus on myself and on Maggie, if she’ll have me.
She’s making iced coffee for a trio of girls who are all giggling and gossiping. She’s smiling to herself. I wonder what she’s thinking about.
The flirty girl at the register sees me, and her eyes go wide. She recovers quickly, though, and smiles, her face lighting up with excitement. I’m one person away from ordering. I lift my finger to my lips. She nods.
“Hey, Maggie, you think you can take the cash for me? I’ve got to run to the back.” Flirty girl winks at me and then walks away.
I step up to the counter just as Maggie whips around. Her mouth drops open.
“Hi, Maggie,” I say, suddenly at a loss for words, not to mention unsure of what to say. It’s so good to see her.
She gapes at me. “What are you…how are you…but…”
I lean on the counter. “I was wondering if you were free this weekend? I need a date. For the weekend. The whole weekend.”
The shock fades from her face as a smile spreads across her lips. “You need a date?”
“I do, and really, you owe me.” I’m smiling like a fool, can’t help myself. I think my cheeks are going to hurt by the end of this day.
“I think that’s something I can do.” She comes around the counter and reaches for my hand. “It’s something I’d love to do. And I do owe you.”
The second our hands touch, I pull her close and wrap my arms around her. She stretches up, her arms around my neck, and kisses me, tender, full of promise.
A piece clicks into place. I feel my heart settle. This is where I need to be. With Maggie in my arms, my life back on track, and a weekend ahead full of fun and games and a little bit—no, scratch that, a lot—of love to share.
Epilogue
One Year Later
Maggie
Sunday family dinners have become a big event in the Chandler house, bigger than they used to be, mostly because there’s an explosion of people present every single time. Mom and Dad put on a big feast, usually something roasted or grilled, and we all drink a few bottles of wine in celebration of, well, life, love, and all around happiness.
“I’ve never seen a baby drool so much in my life!” Mom laughs as she wipes Harley’s face with a wet cloth. “Is she teething, Charlotte?”
“Yep, definitely teething and definitely cranky all night.”
Just to prove her mother right, Harley lets out a wail, her tiny fists clenching at the cloth that Mom has.
“Uh oh, better pass her on to her auntie Maggie,” Dad says from the deck. “She’s revving up for a tantrum.”
I already have my arms up, ready to take the squirmy little beast. “Oh, Harley, no crying or else you’ll make me cry.”
I’ve got her on my knee, and we’re face to face. Harley lets out one last cry before finding something much more entertaining: my necklace.
She reaches up to give it a tug, her little fingers curling into the gemstone. “No you don’t!” I tug it away and slip it into my shirt where she won’t be tempted.
“Liam gave that to me for my birthday, and you’re not getting your goopy little mouth on it.” I tickle her pudgy belly.
Harley starts to giggle.
“You remember Liam, right? He’s the one who gives you rides on his shoulders and lets you poke his face.” We giggle together while everyone else is yammering on. I don’t know if she understands what I’m saying or if she just has gas, but whenever we’re together, she’s always happy. Babies are the best. No judgment. No high expectations. No putting on a show. “One day, I’ll tell you the story of how Liam and I met, and you’ll wonder why your aunt waited so long to ask him out.”
The doorbell rings.
“When will that boy be comfortable enough to just walk in?” Dad grumbles.
“Well, you did arrest him, Dad,” Amelia says. “I’m guessing that he’ll never just want to walk right in.”
“Water under the bridge!” Dad shouts. “We’re practically family now.”
“Hello, everyone.” Liam hands Mom a bottle of wine and bouquet of flowers before swinging down to give me a kiss. “Who is this gorgeous little creature on your lap? This can’t be Harley, can it?”
Harley beams, showing off her glistening gums. I swear the kid is more in love with Liam than I am.
“We’re here!” Uncle Bernard shouts as he walks into the house, Grandma at his side.
They haven’t really been apart since the reunion, and everyone can see just how happy they both are. Like true love can actually last a lifetime and still be as strong as it ever was.
Harley tugs at my hair, gripping a chunk in her meaty fist. “Ouch!”
“Oh no, little lady, you can’t pull your auntie’s hair.” Liam untangles her fingers then takes her from me, and Harley, being the smart girl she is, curls herself into his chest, laying her head on his shoulder immediately like that’s all she’s been waiting for since he arrived.
I laugh. “How do you do that?” I swear he’s like the baby whisperer. Every time Harley gets into his arms, she settles immediately.
“Oh, Liam, you look so good with a baby in your arms,” Mom says.
“Yeah, when are you two going to get started on the baby thing?” Charlotte is laughing as she says it, so I don’t take it as a dig.
There hasn’t been many digs in general these days. I mean, what’s there to criticize? My job is going well, the company is growing, and I’ve got a great guy who is filthy rich and super successful. I snicker to myself. It was a surprise when I found out just how rich his is, but that’s not why I love him. He’s kind and considerate, and he takes care of me. He knows just how to crank me up and never leaves me wanting. And he cooks, quite well actually, and Grandma was right: a man who can keep you from being hungry is a man to keep. What more could a girl ask for?
My student loans are nowhere close to being paid off, but I’m making a dent. Liam, of course, has offered to help, but I turned him down. I need to do this on my own, and he respects that. That doesn’t mean we don’t go on some wickedly awesome weekend getaways, though…on his dime. I’m proud; I’m not stupid.
I open my mouth to answer Charlotte, but before I can say a word, Liam speaks first. “Well, don’t you think we should get married first?” His voice carries, and every conversation stops.
You could hear a pin drop, I swear. My heart starts hammering. Marriage? What? All eyes are on him, wondering, like I am, what the heck he’s talking about.
“What? Isn’t that they way you guys do things around here? Wedding, then honeymoon, then babies?” Liam is holding Harley in the crook of his arm, rocking from side to side. She’s got her thumb in her mouth, and her eyes are droopy.
“Well, if someone was keeping score, then I’d say yes. That’s how Charlotte did it. Amelia got the wedding part and the honeymoon out of the way,” Mom says as she holds her arms out for Harley.
He passes the nearly sleeping baby to my mom, and she takes a seat next to Charlotte.
“Hmmm, a honeymoon would be nice. Somewhere in Europe where there are naked beaches, right, Maggie?” Liam winks. “That would be a fun adventure.”
My face gets hot. I jump up and crowd into him, shushing as I wrap my arms around his waist and grin up at him.
Uncle Bernard chuckles. “Oh yes, there are some wonderful beaches like you describe in the south of France, you know?”
“We should go, darling. I’d like an adventure,” Grandma says.
“Mom,” my mother gasps.
Liam lifts his hands to my face. He’s looking down at me with that penetrating gaze of his, and I’m melting as usual. “You know how much I love you?”
Before I can respond, he’s kissing me so thoroughly that I kind of want to drag him into the other room and have my way with him, family dinner be damned.
My dad laughs from the deck. “Sheesh, you two, get a room.”
We pull apart, and my legs are wobbly, but Liam doesn’t let me go. He’s got me. His hands are still on my face, and he’s got this look in his eyes. It’s intense. I shiver.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring box. “Something I’ve learned from you, Maggie, is that sometimes you just gotta take a chance and ask the question.” Then he gets down on one knee, one hand now on my hip, and flips the box open. “Maggie, my coffee shop girl, I love you more than I could ever say in words. You saved me. You make me a better man. How about you marry me and we show your sisters how it’s really done?”
Uncle Bernard gasps.
My dad makes a whoop-whoop sound. “That’s what I’m talkin’ about!”
And I just stare because that ring is freakin’ huge, the biggest diamond I’ve ever seen, and Liam is asking me to, to—
“Maggie?” Liam is smiling. Harley is suddenly awake in my mother’s arms, and her eyes are locked on the diamond. She lunges, her fat little hand out to snatch it, but I beat her to it.
“Oh no, you don’t! This is my man.”
Liam takes the ring out of the box and slips it on my finger. It looks good there. I can tell Harley is jealous.
“That’s a yes, then?” Liam says.
I wrap my arms around him and kiss him with everything I’ve got. Every ounce of love I feel goes into that kiss, and when I’m done, I know he’s breathless. “That’s a hell yes, Liam Doyle!”
Carpe Diem, because sometimes you just gotta take a chance and ask the guy to be your pretend boyfriend, then see where life takes you.
Like FREE Books?! Download one of Entangled’s bestselling books here!
Acknowledgments
This book would not have happened (in any way) if it weren’t for my incredible editor, Heather Howland. Working with you, Heather, has not only been a long-awaited goal but a tremendous learning experience. You are a freakin’ genius, a truly gifted editor, and I’m grateful to have had this opportunity.
I’d also like to thank the usual suspects for their unending support and encouragement: Michelle von Enckevort, Dianne Waye, Tammy Crosby, Anna Sotiropoulos, Kate Riddell, Bev Woodfine, Linda Farnes-Copan, Laura MacGillivray, and Diana K. Every writer on the planet needs a tribe, and you are all some of the best humans I know.
As many of my friends know, coming up with a title for any project is always a struggle for me. Special thanks to Dana Wallace, Lyndsy Moffitt, and Jen Chu for trying to help me find the right combination of words. It took some time, but I finally came up with the perfect one, and you all gave your thumbs up so I knew I’d landed right.
To my good friend, D.B. Reynolds, you have talked me off the writerly ledge too many times to count. Your friendship is one I cherish more than you can know. I hope we’ll see each other in person again soon.
And finally, thank you to my family, who endured some marathon editing jags that kept me hidden away for days at a time. You always support me and make me feel so loved. My mom, dad, my husband, kids, and cousins
. I couldn’t do this without you. Also, thanks Aunt Jayne for sharing your scotch with me. I needed that.
About the Author
Angela Addams is an author of many naughty things. She believes that the written word is an amazing tool for crafting the most erotic of scenarios and likes telling stories about normal people getting down and dirty and falling in love. Enthralled by the paranormal at an early age, Angela also spends a lot of her time thinking up new story ideas that involve supernatural creatures in everyday situations.
She is an avid tattoo collector, a total book hoarder, and loves anything covered in chocolate…except for bugs.
She lives in Ontario, Canada in an old, creaky house, with her husband, children and four moody cats.
Also by Angela Addams…
The Dark War
Cursed (plus Wolf Slayer)
Wolves’ Bane
Spell Weaver (plus Mayhem)
Valiant Heart
Beast Rising
Discover more New Adult titles from Entangled Embrace…
Chaos and Control
a novel by Season Vining
Wren Hart never thought she’d stay in her sleepy Midwest town, until she met Preston. Gorgeous, mysterious, Preston’s life is ruled by routine and order. But while their relationship grows in a delicate dance of chaos and control, the danger lurking in Wren’s past is inching ever closer…and could destroy them both.
Dirty Irish
a Murphy Brothers novel by Magan Vernon
My life has revolved around the two things I’ve always loved: whiskey and rugby. Now the marriage clause in my Da’s will has me putting both on the back burner if I want to save the Murphy’s Pub empire and find a wife. That’s where Leah comes into the picture. That is, if I can remember she’s the matchmaker and not the match.
Keep Me Wanting Page 26