EPILOGUELAYLAOur daughter Abigail was born six and a half months later. A few days after her first birthday, I spent the night with Liv at our old apartment. She and Bran now shared it, and even though they still technically had separate bedrooms, I knew they spent most nights with each other.“This feels like old times,” Liv said when she threw open the door. I knocked, even though I still had a key.“Yes, all the old times when we had bouquets of penis-shaped balloons in front of the TV,” Bran said, joining her at the door.I laughed, seeing them bobbing about behind his head. “Liv, this isn’t a bachelorette party. It’s not even a bridal shower.”“I know, but you didn’t want either of those things, and I’d already bought these balloons, so…” Liv shrugged as she led me in.“She’d also already bought this bedazzledBridehat,” Bran said, tossing it to me.I put it on gamely.“And these plastic wedding ring shot glasses.”I accepted the ring on my right hand and held out both hands to
Seeing him become a father had only made me love him more. He was enchanted by Abigail. His single-minded focus on building his business had broadened the moment she was born. Maureen was now co-CEO, and Aiden could be found on the playground almost as often as he could be found in his office. I was there more than him, still pursuing my own dreams.The town car carried us into the heart of downtown Boston, letting us off at on the curb in front of the small, nondenominational cathedral we’d chosen. Neither of us were particularly religious, but we both believed that something had designed this universe with benevolence and intention. There was no other way to explain how we’d found our way to each other despite all the odds.One of the odds was standing out front, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his winter coat, a tweed cap pulled low over his face. He lit up when the town car docked itself on the curb. He helped Bran out, then Liv and Cecilia. Then he tilted sideways to look
Blurb: WhitneyI’ve always been obsessed with Maddox… the sexiest man I’ve ever seen.The problem? He’s my dad’s best friend.The solution? He needs help with promoting the boutique hotel he just bought, and I happen to be one of the most prestigious lifestyle digital influencers in Dallas.My plan is to use our time working together to show him, well, how good we can be… together. In the sheets and out of them.MaddoxTaking this hotel off the ground has been a challenge… but working alongside my best friend’s daughter is an impossible task.She’s hot as hell, yes. But she’s off-limits.I’ve managed to keep her at a distance for many years, and now it won’t be any different.Except I’m spending so much time around her, I quickly realize that it’s not just her advances I have to dodge… but my own.***full book starts here***Maddox“Hi Charles. What’s happening?”I ask, when my longtime best friend shows up in my office. This is the first time we’re working together. I was never one t
WhitneyIt’s been a long time coming.I square my shoulders, willing myself to show a cool exterior, when tendrils of excitement are about to explode inside me.For the past few years, I tried to insert myself in Maddox’s life, but nothing stuck. I applied to be a trainee at his company once, which he denied. Gave me some bullshit excuse, and that was right before my career as an influencer took off. Right before one of my videos went viral and I capitalized on my newfound success. That definitely kept me busy for a while.Then, on the rare occasion I bumped into him at an event or my dad’s parties, I watched him. When no one else was paying attention. I never really had the confidence I faked, but it didn’t matter because he never took the bait anyway. But damn, did I try to eye fuck him.Of course I even tried to distract myself, convinced myself dating someone my own age would be a lot easier. Hurting his and my dad’s friendship was never the goal. I love Dad, and know how much he
MaddoxIt’s ten o’clock,and I’m about to lose my mind. Where the hell is she?I should have insisted that Charles join us, though they made it clear his presence wasn’t necessary. I also didn’t want to hint that being alone with his daughter was so frustrating to me. Besides, according to her, I’m the face of the hotel.I’m pacing in the lobby, looking at the front desk clerks who already small talked and kissed my ass enough. Then, someone taps my shoulder. I catch a whiff of her seductive scent, a mix of floral notes with spices that I’m sure were sold by an old wizard to drive men crazy.I frown. I kept looking at the lobby, expecting her to enter from the front, but she must have already been here. I circle back to face her, and any trace of moisture evaporates from my throat the second I see Whitney.She’s wearing a black sparkly sequin top, with thin straps on either side, cropped at her waist, and a matching skirt that whispers just around her thighs. Matte high heels in the sa
She tilts her head to the side, watching me with her big eyes. Were they always like this? Were there always these intense rings of golden around her hazel irises? “Use him? You’ve donated to his campaign, haven’t you? Besides, if rumors of him cheating on his ex are true, he’s no saint. We won’t be spreading lies about him anyway. I work with other influencers and they’re not sleazy.”I do remember reading about Dan cheating on his ex. A saint he definitely is not, even though news doesn’t seem to focus on his extracurricular activities much. “Nice work.”“Thanks. That’s one of my ideas. I’m also thinking about inviting a few influencer friends over for lunch at your restaurant. They’re a close-knit group and meet every other week.”“And I’ll comp their get-together,” I say.She fishes out her phone and types on her digital calendar. “Yes. You catch on fast.”“I may be new to the hotel hospitality industry, but I’m not an idiot,” I say, hating how ridiculously defensive I sound. I’m
WhitneyThen prove it to me.I still can’t believe I said it.I’ve never been the hot seductive girl who oozes self-confidence and comes onto guys.But I know if I don’t get the idea in his head, I won’t get anywhere. Once my work is done, what other opportunity will I have? Also, I can tell he’s impressed by me. He needs me. I have a lot of pull and can make people start talking about this hotel, the club, the restaurant. Everything. He knows I can.Besides… a warm glow flutters through me as I remember what it felt like to touch his chest and feel his heart beating madly. For me.“How’s your drink?” he asks after taking a generous sip of his. “Weak?”I take a sip of my vodka soda. “No, not this one. They may have paid more attention because I’m with the big boss. Maybe when I was alone the bartender wasn’t as attentive. Which means he’s not that motivated.”“And you know that how?”“I was a bartender for a couple years. If the bar doesn’t get a lot of customers, you’re not getting e
Maddox“So,how was dinner with Whitney a few nights ago?” Charles asks me the second he strolls into my office. “I meant to ask but I’ve been busy with our new strategy to increase occupancy.”I rock back in my chair, inhaling. How was dinner a few nights ago? My pulse races.Your daughter suggested we fuck. And a part of me, most of me, really wanted to say yes.I bite the answer dangling at the tip of my tongue. “Was good. Whitney is smart and talented,” I say, trying to remind myself to see her as a simple employee.“She is,” Charles agrees, then sits in front of me. “She emailed me some ideas she exchanged with you, so I’m up to speed.”“Excellent.”“She said she’ll send her assistant to make a video of you for a post she’ll do about the new hotel ownership. A good way to start talking about Dallas Proper.”“Sure.” I vaguely remember her saying something about a three question post she makes every week, asking well-to-do and local celebrities some questions and posting the answers w
EpilogueRachelSeven months later.I’m heavily pregnant, and I feel like the broad side of a barn. I can’t see my feet. I can’t feel my ass. I’m just fat everywhere, and I love it so damn much. I haven’t had the easiest pregnancy, but it’s been wonderful nonetheless because my dreams have finally come true.After we made-up, things went into hyperdrive. Max settled in New York, buying a huge apartment for us to share, and I moved in with him right away. We converted one of the spare bedrooms into a nursery, and my boyfriend has been going crazy furnishing it with a crib, dresser, and a plethora of stuffed animals that our baby won’t be able to play with until he’s at least a year old. But even if it’s over the top, I love it. Max is beyond excited to be a father, and I’m so happy that that’s the case.Not only that, but Max has cut back on his traveling because he wants to be here for me and the baby. Don’t get me wrong: my boyfriend is absolutely in demand, but he restricts his busi
“I know,” she says in a muffled voice. “And I’m so sorry for the mix-up.”I merely wipe her tears away with my thumb.“Rachel Champion, I can’t believe you think I’d take up with a brat like Katy when I am desperately in love with you.”At that, she looks up, her eyes wide and surprised.“What did you say?” she whispers.But my motivations are true, and I pull her against me once more.“I love you, Rachel. I think I fell into lust that first afternoon when I came upon you sunbathing by the pool. But it turned into something more during the time we spent at the cottage, and now, I want to be with you, sweet girl. Permanently.”She sobs even harder, and I stroke her hair and continue.“I’ve been trying to figure out how to get in touch with you over the last few days, and came up with nada, so honey, don’t be angry, but I went to your parents’ apartment and got your address.”She gasps then, staring at me.“You told Maurice about us?”“Your mom, too,” I say with a small smile. “Thankful
MaxI rush to the East Village like a madman. I wouldn’t be surprised if my hair is on fire, I’m that desperate. But when I come to Rachel’s apartment building, I pause for a moment. There’s no sense in looking like a crazy person, even if I am one.Fortunately, one of her neighbors exits right when I’m entering, so I don’t have to buzz up. Instead, I climb the rickety stairs to the third floor and stand before Rachel’s door with my hand poised. Then I knock in what I hope is a firm, assured manner.To my surprise, the curvy girl answers immediately. She must have been expecting take-out because she’s got her wallet in one hand, already open. But then she gasps, her eyes wide.“Max?”I look at her for the first time in far too long and notice all the little things. She’s gorgeous. Her hair is in a messy bun piled on top of her head, and she’s in baggy sweats, but they don’t do anything to conceal those sassy hills and valleys. If anything, she looks better natural like this, and very
MaxIt’s been seven days since Rachel left in the middle of the night to go back to New York to deliver a baby. It’s been six days since I last talked to her. Five days since I got called away for a last-minute job doing make-up for a young debutante. Evidently, Katy Mellon is graduating from high school and wanted her hair and make-up done professionally. She’s a brat, but the job paid well, and I decided to take it.But now, I need to talk to Rachel. I’ve called her a million times, but she never picks up. Not only that, but my emails and texts have gone unanswered. What the hell?As a result, it’s come to this. I’m standing in front of her parents’ apartment building, ready to ring the bell. I need to get in touch with his daughter, and now Maurice is my only hope. Surely he won’t kill me for dating his daughter. Or will he?I groan into my hands. Of course he’s going to kill me because a man never expects his oldest friend to bang the little girl he raised. And I did it on his pro
My best friend gazes at me from the video screen with a concerned look on her face, likely because I’m pale and trembling.“I’m pregnant,” I say without any preamble.Her jaw drops. “The test results came back!”“Yes, they did. I am absolutely, one hundred percent pregnant. They did a blood test and all that.”Laurelin’s eyes go wide as she bounces her baby on her knee.“Holy shit, Rach. Do you know if it’s Danny’s child? Or Max’s?”I let out a slow exhale.“It’s Max’s for sure because Danny and I didn’t have sex for months before we broke up.”She lets out a big breath. “Oh, thank God.”“Small favors, right?”She nods.“So have you told the father yet?”I take a deep breath.“No, not yet. I mean, it’s just so unexpected! This whole thing, I don’t even know how to describe it. We were only at the cottage together because of a scheduling mistake by my parents!”Laurelin nods.“Yes, but Max knows how babies are made. And you did say you guys were going at it like rabbits.” I nod, biting
RachelI wake up the next morning feeling groggy and out of sorts. My muscles are sore from falling asleep in a weird position, and I stand to stretch. Oof! I need a massage, but that probably won’t happen today. Instead, I get up and head into the bathroom for a much-needed hot shower. The water feels good pounding on my frame, and by the time I’m dressed and made-up, I’m feeling more alive.I walk into the kitchen and open the fridge. The date on the milk is only one day out, so I open it and lift it to my nose. But the smell makes me so nauseous that I literally gag and run to the sink before pouring it out with my nostrils pinched shut. Ugh, that was so gross and I flush the entire mess with a bolt of water from the faucet. How disgusting.I decide to cook some eggs and waffles, but those also make me horrifically sick, so I give up and just nibble on some dry crackers. I wonder if something’s going around?At that moment, Laurelin calls and asks if I want to meet her for sushi at
RachelAfter four blissful days and nights wrapped in Max’s arms, suddenly I’m leaving. One of my clients has gone into early labor, and I have to get back to the city asap.I wake Max in the darkness of the pre-dawn morning. At first, he’s sleepy and growly, but then he sits up when he sees I’m dressed and packed.“What’s going on, sweetheart? Is everything okay? Are your parents okay?”I smile in the darkness.“Everything’s fine. I just have a patient who’s in labor really early. I need to head back to the city.”He lets out a breath and says, “Okay, give me a few minutes, and I’ll drive you.”I shake my head.“No no, it’s okay. Go back to sleep. Rest. I do this all the time, so I’m used to getting dragged out of bed for false alarms. The baby probably just wants to make herself known, so she’s kicking up a storm right now. It’s fine.”“You sure?” he asks, frowning.“I’m positive. Go back to sleep. We’ll talk soon.”He nods.“Okay. Will you be back tonight?”I sling my pack over one
Suddenly, it strikes me. Rachel’s absolutely beautiful. Not just her face and her curves, but her soul is gorgeous. I find myself regretting the fact that soon enough, life will take us on our different paths. Rather abruptly, I interrupt.“How long do you think you can stay at the cottage?”Rachel’s face falls a bit at the change in subject. She laughs, but there’s a regretful undertone to it.“To be honest, I probably need to head back before the weekend.”My heart contracts. Fuck. It’s already Tuesday, which gives us only a few more days together. Suddenly, I want her to stay, and I want our idyllic vacation to continue forever. But she can’t because there are babies waiting to be born, and I can’t either, because I have a business to tend to. So instead, I school my expression into neutrality.“Of course. A job is a job, and these kids come when they feel like it.”She merely smiles faintly. “Yes, that’s true. But what about you, Max? What does the next chapter hold for you?”I lo
MaxOur food arrives, and we dig in, the conversation dying down a bit. In the middle of her lobster roll, Rachel looks up and blinks.“Do you ever miss being in one place? After a lifetime of travel, do you think you could settle down?”Wow, that’s a big question, but this woman already means a lot to me, and she deserves an honest answer. I sit back from the table for a moment and just look at her pretty features. “I don’t know. I never did, at least not until recently. The Max Wyndham brand has been around for a while now, and it’s pretty established. I don’t have to hustle the way I used to, that’s for sure.”Rachel nods, her eyes wide.“Of course, everyone knows you, even people not in the beauty industry. You’re huge, Uncle Max!”I nod.“Yeah, and it keeps me on my toes. I have a deal with Sephora where I need to do an appearance whenever they open a new store.”Rachel gasps, her brown eyes wide.“But there are so many Sephoras, and they’re always opening new locations all over