Second Chances: A Romance Writers of America Collection (Stark World 2.50)

He glanced toward the beach with a long exhale.

"Sometimes you have to let go and trust your heart."

"For ten years, I worked in San Francisco buying and selling businesses. Made my first million at twenty-eight. I slept with my cellphone in my hand. I had a drop-dead gorgeous fiancee, Louise. A socialite. Daughter of a hotel mogul. I had a staff of twenty and had the proverbial tiger by the tail. No, I owned the tiger. Then, four years ago, I had not one but two near heart attacks. Stress was literally killing me."

"Ah, I'm sorry. I guess that explains the anti-technology. But why the anti-love?"

"Wanting my brother to marry with his eyes wide open doesn't make me anti-love."

"But you are, aren't you?"

"I prefer cautious." He didn't like the way she read him, saw through to his core.

"What happened to Louise?"

"She left me at the altar while five hundred of our closest friends and family looked on. By left, I mean she flew to Bora Bora the night before with her maid of honor's brother. I heard they got married last year."

Ansley whistled low, soft and her quick touch on his arm sent a flame to his heart. "Okay, I get why you're cautious. But trust me, Noel would never do that to Ty."

"No one thought Louise would do such a thing to me. And I'm not just concerned about Ty. Noel's getting in the ring with a guy who's tapped out once before."

"So maybe he knows his own heart and mind this time. Drew, your story doesn't change the fact that you need to be there tonight. And for the wedding. Be there for Ty. Your hurt doesn't give you a pass."

Drew regarded her for a long moment, his breath hot in his lungs. She disturbed him. Challenged him. Caught the kindling of his heart on fire. "Fine. You want me there?" He leaned into her, an idea forming. One that would get him out of this and away from her. "Then you have to go as my date."

She recoiled, just as he'd hoped. "Your date?"

"Yeah, my date." If she'd declined, he'd be free to skip the evening. Carry on with his plan to bring Ty to his senses. With his plan to never fall in love again. "Every best man needs a date, right? No date. No best man." When Ansley hesitated another second, he turned for the beach. "Just as I thought. All talk. No action. You call me anti-love, but I have a gut feeling you're not very high on the stuff either."

"Deal." The bold sound of her voice arrested him. "You're on. But I'm not agreeing to this scheme for you. This is for Noel and Ty."

"Same here." He slipped his hand into hers and for one Mississippi, two Mississippi, their hands remained locked, fueling the building fire in him.

He broke free and started inside, the melody of her song swirled around him.

"Sometimes you have to let go and trust your heart."

Be his date ... the nerve of him. Drew Callahan walked a thin line. But she'd endure his stupid condition to get him to show up. Anything for Noel's happiness. Lord knows she'd pulled some odd favors for Ansley the past few years.

Ansley's surveyed the room, her pulse thick in her veins. Drew was late. Surely he'd not renege. Coward ...

Then he appeared, wearing tan board shorts and a blue shirt that captured the hue in his eyes.

Ansley steadied herself, reaching for the nearest chair, biting back her smile, annoyed by the flutter in her middle.

"You came."

"I told you I would."

"Y-you look nice," she said, holding down her smile, glancing casually about the room, ignoring the way he made her want to lean against him.

"I had to press my shorts."

She peeked up at him. "You ironed for your brother? Finally a check in your pro column."

He made a face. "You're keeping a pro-con list?"