Truth is, her life isn’t so fabulous. She’s just been downsized out of her job, her Jimmy Choos won’t pay her rent, and...she’s still heartbroken that Josh chose family over her. The real reason she’s enduring this wedding is that her next stop is nearby Greenbush Island, her last hope of finding a new job.
Josh knows marrying long-time friend Allie will make everyone happy after the rough time their families have been through, and since the woman he really wanted to marry chose her career and big city life over him—why not?
But the perfect wedding turns into a perfect disaster when Allie leaves him at the altar for another man. He never saw that coming! But hey, Devon’s there, offering to help him look for Allie on Greenbush Island, where he’d planned their honeymoon. Only, all they find are their old feelings for each other and a temptation to risk their hearts one more time...
Warning: This book contains a firefighter hot enough to ignite flames, a woman who doesn’t want to get burned again, a honeymoon suite but no honeymoon, and sex not on the beach (sorry).
And now an excerpt:
They found Josh’s vehicle and waited their turn to drive off the ferry. They drove through the tiny town of Rockport. “It’s not far,” Josh said. “Just the other side of town. It’s right on the beach.”
Devon looked out the window as he drove, her stomach in a mass of knots. This was insane. But she was desperate.
Josh turned down the road to the inn and as it came into view, she sat up straighter. So beautiful. The huge, typically gray-shingled structure had white shutters and a wide veranda stretching across the front of it. Three stories tall, it had several turrets and peaks. They drove past smooth green lawns and carefully tended flowerbeds overflowing with lush shrubs and colorful flowers. White lampposts lined the driveway, topped with antique-looking lamps illuminating the dusk with golden light.
“Wow,” she said. “Nice.”
Josh just shrugged. His hands gripped the steering wheel and she had a feeling he was just as freaked out about this as she was.
He parked at the side and they walked inside to check in. The lobby was like an elegant living room with shiny dark hardwood floors, white painted walls and woodwork, comfy beige-upholstered chairs and antique tables grouped on beige rugs. Lamps glowed on the tables. A fire flickered in the big fireplace on one wall and a dark wood railing with white spindles edged a wide staircase to a second level.
She trailed behind Josh as he approached the reception desk.
“I have a reservation,” he began. “Brewster. The—”
“Honeymoon suite,” said the clerk with a smile. “Your suite will be ready for you in a few minutes, Mr. Brewster. Why don’t you and your bride have a seat over there and we’ll come get you when it’s ready.”
Devon sank her teeth into her bottom lip. Holy Shnikes. They thought she was the bride. Oops.
“So, uh, nobody else has checked in yet?” Josh asked.
The clerk’s forehead creased. “Um. No.” His mouth opened, then closed and a red stain washed up into his cheeks.
Devon hid a grin as Josh turned to her and gripped her upper arm, hustling her over to the furniture arranged in front of the fireplace.
“They’re not here,” he muttered. “Shit.” Then, “What’s so funny?”
“I think he thought we were having a little ménage à trois. On our wedding night. The poor guy was embarrassed.”
Josh stared at her, and then his lips twitched. Well, he still had a sense of humor. That was good, because he was going to need it. Her heart beat a little faster, a rapid percussion against her ribs.
Josh sighed and tipped his head back. “Well. The last ferry’s gone. We’re stuck here for tonight.”
She hadn’t thought of that. Of course the last ferry had left. “Well. I’ll go…uh…” She had no idea where she was going to go. “Maybe they have another room.”
“Are you kidding? This is prime season and it’s a weekend. They’re booked solid, no doubt. Besides, I’ve got a suite. There’s lots of room for both of us.”
She nodded and sank onto one of the chairs facing the fireplace. Her heart was pounding so fast now she could barely breathe. “It’s lovely here,” she managed to say, just to make some kind of conversation.
“Yeah.”
Allie would have liked it. But Devon didn’t say that. The silence grew a little uncomfortable as they waited. God. Mistake. Epic mistake! She nibbled her bottom lip until the man from the hotel approached them with a smile, ready to take them to their room.
“Do you need help with your luggage?” he asked.
They both shook their heads and Josh reached for the key the man held, an old fashioned actual key, not a card. “We can find it,” he said.
“Second floor,” the man said with a smile, nodding toward the wide staircase. “Turn right at the top. It’s the room right at the end of the hallway. Call the desk if you need anything at all.” His smile widened. “Enjoy your evening.”
“Thank you.”
They followed his directions, their steps muffled on the beige Berber runner that ran up the stairs and along the quiet hall. Up on the second floor, more white painted woodwork lined the walls, and sconces cast a warm glow.
Josh unlocked the door and she followed him into the suite.
“Holy crap,” she couldn’t stop herself from saying.
Not only was the suite large and luxurious, votive candles flickered everywhere, on the tables in the living room, in the bedroom visible through open French doors, even on the counter in the bathroom. Pink and red rose petals had been scattered over the floor and the puffy white duvet on the bed, and a silver bucket of champagne sat on the console table behind the sofa in the living room.
Josh stopped and looked around, then shoved a hand into his hair. “Shit.”
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