Chapter One
Raven
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the—” Before the officiant can finish his sentence, Zach Dare sweeps his bride into his arms and dips her head for a long, nearly-inappropriate-for-an-audience kiss.
I join the rest of the guests, clapping for the newlyweds as they join hands and make their way back down the white rose lined aisle.
“I adore a good second-chance love story,” Stevie Palmer, my friend and waitress at the bar I manage, says. Stevie rises from her seat and I follow suit, waiting for everyone in our row to file out and head for the reception.
I laugh. “You and your romance novels.” I shake my head at my book-loving friend.
“But in this case, I have to say I agree.” Even I, with the lack of a relationship in my life, can’t deny these two deserve happiness and a long future together.
“If anyone is meant to be together, it’s Zach and Hadley.
” They lost each other once due to circumstances beyond their control and fought hard upon Hadley’s return. In more ways than one.
The bridal party, consisting of Hadley’s young sister, and all seven of Zach’s brothers, sisters, and sisters-in-law, follow the couple down the aisle. So does the best man, Zach’s best friend and business partner.
He also happens to be my boss and the star of my fantasies.
Wearing a black, double-breasted tuxedo with wide lapels, a white shirt, and black bow tie, Remington Sterling is the epitome of sexy.
His brown hair is lightly gelled. Choosing not to shave, he’s kept the beard I love and imagine scraping along my thighs.
Which will not be happening. Bad, Raven.
I shouldn’t be having naughty thoughts about my boss.
He might flirt up a storm whenever we’re together but as much as I want to know him better, and end up between the sheets, I have to keep my distance.
My past is always waiting to pop up and destroy anyone I get close to.
These days, that past is getting closer than ever.
I shudder and push the thought out of my mind.
Remy walks down the aisle and stands parallel to my row. He catches my gaze, treating me to a wink before striding forward, leaving me with a view of his broad shoulders and back, and a tingling feeling low in my belly.
Beside me, Stevie lets out a whistle. “That man wants you.”
And I want him.
Too bad I’m not destined for the happily ever after Hadley has found. I don’t begrudge my friend the love she and Zach share. I just wish one day, I could have the same. But fate doesn’t seem to cut me any breaks. Still, I’ve created a good life for myself and I’m not one to dwell on the negatives.
The people beside me start to move and I follow the woman next to me out of the row. A little while later, Stevie and I are standing with a glass in hand, looking around the Meridian NYC Hotel room where the cocktail hour is being held.
“I have to say, this drink is delicious.” I take another sip of the wedding couple’s specialty offering, a peppermint white Russian, made with Kahlua, my favorite liqueur.
“Rich people and their signature drinks,” Stevie says. “My friend got married at the VFW Hall in my small New Hampshire town. Guests paid for their own alcohol. I’m sure you get it, right?”
I still mid-sip. For all outward appearances, I’m just like Stevie.
A New York City working girl. My clothing is a mix of thrift store finds and affordable fashion, I shop at inexpensive grocery stores and eat at home more often than I spend money in restaurants.
When I do go out, I know all the good but cheap places and my recreation choices are the same.
Free museum days, outdoor art in the summer, and free movies at Backyard at Hudson Yards.
My upbringing, however, was the same as Remy’s. Private schools, expensive restaurants, summers in Sag Harbor…
“Raven?”
I shake my head. “Sorry,” I say to my friend. “I got lost in thought.”
“I was saying I’m sure you understand how out of place I feel at this wedding. The Back Door is much more my speed.”
I step closer so I can talk lower and still be heard. “Actually, I grew up like this.” I gesture around the gorgeously decorated room.
“You’re kidding?” Stevie’s eyes open wide.
I shake my head. “My biological mom died when I was five and I went into foster care. I was quickly adopted by a wealthy family and had all… this.” And so much more, I think with a shiver.
Stevie raises her eyebrows. “But you’re so unaffected.”
I laugh. “Much to my mother’s chagrin. She wanted a frilly, girly girl. Instead, she got me.”
Stepping back, Stevie looks me over. “Well, if she saw you in that dress, she’d rethink her assessment, at least on the surface.” She lifts her glass to her red-stained lips and takes a sip. “And if Remy’s stares are anything to go by, he also likes what he sees.”
Pleasure rushes through me at the thought.
No matter how many times I pretend to ignore the man’s flirting and innuendos, I enjoy it nonetheless.
If I weren’t always on edge, waiting for my psychotic brother to be released from prison, I’d want nothing more than to indulge in everything Remington Sterling.
“Where did you find the gown?” Stevie asks. “After searching everywhere, I had to settle for plain black. It was the only one I liked.”
I place my glass on the table and smooth my hands over my floor-length dress. “Would you believe I found it in a consignment store? And you look incredible. Black always works.”
I might come from money but my mother cut me off for reasons I have no desire to think about. Even if I had access to the family money, I can’t see the point in spending a fortune on a dress I’ll probably only wear once.
“Good job! That color is incredible.”
The turquoise gown had stood out among the black ones, calling to me, and once I tried it on, I was sold. The blue-green hue complements my skin tone and I love the look of the halter top that dips low at my cleavage.
I turn and look over my shoulder to find Remy standing with a deep amber-colored drink in his hand.
He’s talking with Asher Dare, Zach’s oldest brother, but his gaze is on me.
In all the time I’ve worked for him, spent time with him at the bar, and tried not to react to his flirting, he’s never looked at me quite this way before.
From the heated expression on his face, the deep flush highlighting his cheekbones, and the way his golden-brown eyes that match the color of his whiskey drink me in, Stevie is right. He appreciates what he sees.
Stevie taps my shoulder and I turn. “Oops. Sorry.” I blush at being caught staring at my boss.
My friend grins. “Why does something tell me I’m going to be leaving this wedding alone?” We did our makeup and dressed at her apartment and took an Uber to the party together. When the night ends, we plan to split the car service, me getting dropped off first, then Stevie.
I shake my head. “I wouldn’t do that to you,” I say, my stare still on Remy.
He says something to Asher before making his way toward me with a predatory look in his eyes.
Stevie chuckles. “Famous last words, my friend. Famous last words.”