TableofContents

Chapter1

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Chapter1

Haydenflickedoffhisgloves,washedhishands,andrubbedhisforehead.Thesurgeryhadtakenlonger
thanhehadanticipated,butatleastthepatientwouldn’thavepermanentdisfigurationofherface.Carand
othermajoraccidentsweretheworstbecausetheymessedupthebonestructure.

Heglancedatthechartonemoretimeandwentoutintothewaitingroom.Hefoundtheparentsinthe

cornerwiththeirhandsclaspedtogether.

Hesatinthechairbesidethefather.“Ijustfinishedwithyourdaughter.She’sgoingtobefine.She’ll

probablyhavesomeswellingforthenextseveralweeks,butshe’lllooklikeheroldself.”

Themotherlookedup,tearstreaksstainingherface.“Thankyousomuch,Dr.Jorgensen.Wewereso

worried.”

“Anursewillcomegetyouwhenyoucanseeher.”Haydengotupandtrudgedtohisoffice.Henever

wantedsleepmorethanhedidtoday.Heenjoyedworkingthetraumasideofplasticsurgery,butitwas
exhausting.

Hestoppeddeadinthedoorway.“Faith,whatareyoudoinghere?”
She stood, revealing her mile-long legs. He was sure she wore the miniskirt to drive him crazy. She

slid off her jacket, and her breasts nearly fell out of her dress. He rolled his eyes and sat down at his
desk.Heknewexactlywhatshewastryingtodo.

“I was visiting a friend and thought I’d check on you.” She sat on the edge of his desk and leaned

towardhim.

Hescootedhischairaway.Faithdidn’tknowhowtotakeahint.They’dbrokenthingsoffyearsago,

butshetriedtowinhimbackfromtimetotime.Maybeifhehadagirlfriendorsomething,she’dbackoff,
buthecouldn’tbringhimselftohaveaseriousrelationshipafterwhathappenedwithher.

“It’snicetoseeyou,butI’vegotalotofpaperworktodo.”
Sheplacedherhandonhisfile.Herinch-longnailswerepaintedabrightred.“Surelyyoucanunwind

alittle.Thiswon’ttakelong.”

Hetouchedtherockonherleftringfinger.“You’reengaged.IthoughtImadeitveryclearthatIwasn’t

interested.”

Shepouted.“Justsaytheword,sweetie,andyourringcanreplacethisone.”
“YouandIarethrough.We’vebeenoverforalongtime.Whydon’tyougohometoNeal?”Threeyears

ago,herlittleshowmight’veworked,buthenolongerwantedanythingtodowithher.Everyonceina
whilethegirlheknewpeekedthrough,andifFaithrememberedanythingabouttheirpast,she’dknowthat
wouldbethewaytogettohim.

Sheletoutasigh.“He’sataconferenceinBoston.Iwasthinkinghowmuchfunweusedtohave.Plus,

youhaven’tseenthegirlsyet.”Shejiggledherbrandnewbreasts.

“Faith,getoutofmyoffice.”
“Whendidyoubecomesuchabore?”sheasked,slidingoffhisdesk.
“I’vealwaysbeen.You’retheonewhochanged.”
Heopenedhisfileandrefusedtolookupagain.Shemadealotofracketstompingout,andassoonas

sheclearedthedoor,heshutandlockedit.

Hesatdownandpulledouthisphone,searchingforthepictureheknewwasthere.TheoneofFaith

beforehiscolleagues’wivesgottheirclawsintoher.Thepicturerevealedthebright,blue-eyedgorgeous
womanfromfiveyearsago,thewomanhe’dwantedtomarrysomeday.

Beforeheknewwhatwashappening,shewasbotoxingandgettinglipfillers,andshegotliposuctionto

changeherfromasizefourtoasizetwo.

Hebrokeitoffwhensherequestedthathedoherbreastaugmentation.She’dgonethroughatleastthree

sincethattime.Herememberedthatargumentwell.Sheambushedhimonenightatdinner,invitedtwoof
hernewfriends,andallthreewomenspentanhourexplainingwhyFaithwouldbebetterwithaC-cup
insteadofhernaturalB.

Hisphonebuzzed,andhepickeditup.Threedays.Youready?
Hellyeah,heanswered.
Hewasn’treally.Inthreedayshewasleavingforasix-monthstintataclinicinPhuket,Thailand.Part

ofthereasonhewasgoingwasFaith.Nealtransferredhispracticetoabuildingatthehospitalcomplex
whereHaydenworked,andHaydendidn’twanttoseeFaithparadingallovertheplace.

Hedidn’tloveheranymore.Helostthatfeelingalongtimeago,andhedetestedwhatshestoodfor.

Shewasastarkreminderthathecouldneverbeinaseriousrelationship.Faithwasperfectineveryway
beforetheybegandating.Shewassweet,giving,kind,beautiful,anddowntoearth.Nowshewasvain
andlookednothinglikeshehadthen.Theplasticsurgerywivesweretheultimatemeangirls,andaslong
asheremainedaplasticsurgeon,he’dhavetodealwiththeirtype.

Itwasn’tjustFaith.He’dseenithappentohisbuddy’swifeaswell.Shewassweetandcuteuntilshe

startedhangingoutwiththewives.Nowhecouldn’tstandthewoman.

He’dtrainedtoolongtogettothispoint.Hewaswell-respectedinhisfield.Plus,hegotanenormous

amountofsatisfactionoutoftheworkhedid.Heespeciallyloveditwhenhecouldmakeachildwitha
cleft lip smile or allow a burn victim to step outside their doors without stares. He’d thought about
switching to family practice, but couldn’t picture himself diagnosing strep throat. He was an expert at
thosetoughsurgeries,andtostopdoingthemwouldn’tberight.

As soon as he had finished his residency, he moved home to Michigan and started at the hospital in

GrandRapids.Hewantedtodonecessarysurgery,notthefakecraptheydidintheclinics.

Nowtheonegirlheneverwantedtoseeagainwouldbeflouncingalloverhishospital.
Soinspiteofthefactthatheloveddoingnecessaryreconstructionsinsteadofelective,hewasgoingto

gosellhissoulinPhuket.Hesupposeditwouldn’tbethatbad.Heexpectedhe’dlearnalot.Allthenew
procedureswereintheclinicssincethatwaswherethemoneywas.Hecouldtakethethingshelearned
andusetheminthehospitalwhenhereturned.Hisbuddywhohookedhimupwiththeclinicalsohelped
himfindalocalhospitalhecouldmoonlightat,whichhewaslookingforwardto.

His phone buzzed again. He smiled when he saw that it was his mother. They were very close even

thoughshedidn’tagreewithhiscareerchoice.

Doyoureallyhavetogo?
Yes,Mom.Ireallyhavetogo.
Youknow,ifyoucomeupheretowork,thatwouldsolveyourproblemaswell.Also,theOlsen’s
daughtermovedhome.She’sstillgorgeousasever.

Hechuckled.Hismotherwantedgrandkidsbad,buthefiguredshe’dhavetowaituntilhisbrothergot

married, because that would not be his life. She also wanted him to take over her family practice on
MackinacIsland.Partofhimwantedto.Itwouldgethimoutofthevanityofplasticsurgery,buthewasn’t
readytoputallofhistrainingtobed.Also,themoneywasn’tasgreat,andheenjoyedhislifestyle.

I’llkeepthatinmind.Gotworktodo.Talktoyoulater.
Haydenfinisheduphispaperworkandfileditaway.He’dcleanouthisofficetomorrow.Heplucked

his keys out of the drawer and made his way to his Porsche. He didn’t drive it much, but since it was
goingintostorageforsixmonths,hewantedtogiveheronemorespin.

Hecouldn’tstopthinkingaboutFaith.Hecarriedtheguiltofwhatshebecame.Ifhe’dseenthesigns

earlier, or if he’d never introduced her to the wives, she’d still be normal. If they’d never dated, she
would’vesettleddowntoasimplerlife,hadacoupleofkids,andbeenhappierthanshewasnow.

HepassedTheNightOwlandstoppedatthelastminuteforadrink.HeneededtoforgetaboutFaith

andallthatsherepresented.

Chapter2

Annastaredatthegravemarker.It’dbeensixmonthssinceGrandpadied,buttheyhadtolettheground
settlebeforetheyplacedthestone,anditwasfinallythere.She’dspentmostofthelastsixmonthscurled
uponthecouchbingewatchingsitcomsonNetflix.

She didn't want to go home. In fact, all she wanted to do was forget about that day. The last several

monthshadbeenhorrid,andshedidn'tknowhowtomoveon.

Grandpa had been her whole life. Before he got sick, she'd had a little more of a life, but since her

senioryearinhighschool,he’dtakenupnearlyeveryminuteofhertime.Insteadofgoingtoschoollike
herfriends,shegotherCNAlicenseandstayedhometotakecareofhim.Shedidn’tknowhowtocope
withhimbeinggone.

She promised herself last week that as soon as they placed the stone, she’d stop moping around the

house.

Herphonebuzzed,andshepulleditoutofherpurse.
Whereareyou?
Atthecemetery,shereplied.
Eileendidn’trespondforafewmoremoments.SheneverknewwhattosaywhenAnnatalkedabout

hergrandfather'sdeath.

What'stheword?
Onwhat?
What?SCHOOLGIRL!
School still felt surreal. For the past several years, Anna had watched all her friends go off to

universities, and she was stuck home. She never said it out loud, but she sort of resented them for that.
Nowshewasgoingherself,andshewasn’tsurewhattothink.

Oh,that.Yeah.I'llstartAugust20.She’dgottenahalfscholarship.WiththatandtherestofGrandpa's

lifeinsurance,shecouldjustbarelyaffordthefirstyear.

Thatcallsforacelebration.
What?No.I’mgoinghome.ShewantedtoseeEileen,butshedidn’thavethementalenergytogoout.
Nowayinhell.MeetmeatTheNightOwl.
Come on, Eileen. I can't afford to go out. Especially now. Just let me go home. So much for her

promisetoherself.Shecouldgooutafterschoolstarted.

Mytreat.Youneedtocelebratethegoodthings,oryou'llburnout.
Whydon’tyoucomeover.We’llcurluponthecouch,watchchickflicks,andmakebrownies!
Eileenwouldn’tgoforthis,butitwasworthashot.
You almost had me at brownies. But no. Bar. Two hours. Go home. Put on something cute
andmeetmethere.

Annadraggedherfeetallthewaytohercar,notarguingwithEileen.Athome,shedroppedherpurse

onhersidetableandglancedaroundthenearlyemptyapartment.She'dgottenabugearlierinthedayand
cleanedeverythingfromtoptobottomandlockedallofhergrandfather'sthingsinhisbedroom.Nowit
was weird without his shoes sitting by the door, his pillow on the lazyboy or his glasses on the coffee
table.

Anna needed to start her life. Getting her scholarship was the first step. She could go to school and

finallyfeellikeanadult.Hersenioryearinhighschool,hergrandpa,whohadbeenhersolecaretaker,
gotsick.Shemanagedtograduate,butthenspentthelastsixyearsbeinghisnurse.She’dalwaysdonethe

responsiblething.Evennow,shewasgettingreadytogotoschooljuarbecauseshewassupposedto.She
didn’tevenknowwhatshewantedtobe.Justnotanurseanymore.

Shewentintoherclosetandthumbedthroughheroutfits.Mostofthemweren'tanygoodforgoingout.

She didn’t have the money to buy nice clothes. Eileen would want her to wear one of the dresses she
boughtforAnna,butshewentwithapairofjeanshortsthatweretooshorttobeconsidereddecent,butat
leastitwasn’tadress.Theyweren'tgoingtoaclub.Shethrewonathick-strappedblacktanktopanddug
outheroldcowboyboots.It'dbeennearlyayearsinceshewentout.

Sheenjoyedflirting.Mostguyscalledherateasebecausesherefusedtogohomewiththem,butshe'd

alwayshadtocomehometotakecareofhergrandfather.Inthelastseveralyears,thelatestshe'dever
stayedoutwastenp.m.Tonightwouldbedifferent.Sheneededthis.

She kept her makeup subdued and let her hair out of its ponytail. If the opportunity arose, she didn't

needtocomehome.She’dneverhadthiskindoffreedom.Well,technicallyshecould'vegoneoutanytime
inthelastsixmonths,butshewasinmourning.ShewasgratefulEileenhadrespectedthat.

Annawasputtingonsomelipstickwhenherphonebuzzedagain.Whatareyouwearing?
Annarolledhereyes.Clothes.

Uh, uh. It must be cute and sexy. None of the yoga pants and t-shirts you've been rocking
lately.

Yogapantsaresexy.
Notforthebar.
Annasighed.Fine.MyLevi’sshorts,ablacktank,andboots.
Thatworks.TheshortsaretheoneswhereIcanseethepockets,right?Notyourgrandmashorts.
Iknowbetter.
Well,wehaven'tbeenoutinforever.Ihavenews.
Whatkind?
Nottelling.Seeyousoon.
Eileen's news could be about anything. Anna dropped her phone in her purse, grabbed her keys, and

lockedthedoorbehindher.Tonightwouldbringsomethingnew.Shecouldfeelit.

Thebarwasdarkandmusty,butbusy.Thiswastheplacetobeifyouwereunderthirtybutwereover

theclubscene.Eileenmetmostofherhookupshere.

AnnafoundEileenatthebarchattingupHeath,thebartender,andsheslidontoastoolnexttoEileen.

Heathspottedher, lefthisspot atthebar, andcamearound toher. Hegatheredher upina bighugand
whisperedinherear."I'msorryaboutyourgrandfather."

"Thanks.I'mtryingtomoveon,"shemumbledintohisshoulder.
Heletgoofher.“You’vecometotherightplace.Letmegetyouabeer.”
Heathhandedherthebeerandmovedontoothers.AnnalookedupatEileen."What'syourbignews?"
"Igottheinternship."
"Whatinternship?"
"Itoldyouaboutit.It'sinBeijing.I'llbethereawholeyear."
Anna's stomach fell. This was not good news. "What are you talking about? You can't leave." Eileen

hadmajoredininternationalbusiness,soitmadesense.Plus,whentheywerekids,Eileenalwaystalked
aboutlivingoverseas.Shewasn’treadyforEileentoleavethough.Notnowthatshewasfinallymoving
on.

Eileencreasedhereyebrows."OfcourseIcan.Thousandsofpeopleappliedforthatinternship,andI

gotit."

Therewasn'tmuchEileendidn'tgetifshewantedit.ForAnnathough,thismeantthatshewouldn'thave

anyonetohangwithbecauseEileenwastheonewhopulledheroutofhershell.

Annastareddownintoherglassandblinkedawayhertears.Shedidn’twantEileentoseethatshewas

upset."Whendoyouleave?"

"Inacoupleofweeks.Ican'twait."Eileenwasbeingnonchalant,andAnnaknewthatwasonlyforher

benefit.Eileenhadtobeburstingwithexcitement.Beijing.Itsoundedsoforeign.

Annatookasipofherbeer.It'dbeenalongtimesinceshedrank,andshe'dhavetotakeiteasy.Eileen

touchedhershoulder."You'llbefine.You'llmeetallkindsofnewpeopleatschool."

“AndthenwhatdoIdoforfun?”
“Thenyougoout.”
Annaraisedhereyebrows."Really?SincewhenhaveIevergoneoutwithoutyou?"
"WhenyouweredatingJosh.”
Annashookherhead."Thatwasthesummerafterhighschool.Itdoesn'tcount."
"Well, it's time for you to do something different. You'll be fine, and we can Skype everyday if you

want."

Annatriednottobeupset.Theywereheretocelebrate,andshewashappyforEileen,butshewassad

thateverythingwaschanging.Shecouldn'texpectEileentostickaroundforever.Eileenhadalife,andshe
shouldliveit.She'dstayedandgonetoschoolatalocalcollegeinsteadofCalifornialikesheplanned.
Eileenneversaidit,butAnnaknewitwasforher.

A few minutes later Eileen squealed and flung herself off the stool and into the arms of a tall, dark-

hairedman.Annaspunonherstoolandwatchedforasecond.Themanleaneddownandplantedhislips
onEileen's,andAnnaknewshe'dlosther.

Sheturnedaroundanddebatedcallingitanight.Eileendidn’tditchherveryoften,butwhenshedid,it

wasusuallyforthewholenight.

Heath walked over to her. "You know she's been coming here a lot without you. I think she's been

lonely.Don'tbetoohardonher."

"Oh,I'mnot.ThisisEileen.I'musedtoit.ButI'mprobablygoingtoheadout."
Heshookhishead."Nope.Youstaythere.Hotpieceofmanfleshheadingyourway."
Annablushed."Heath."
Hewinked."Justgiveitafewminutes.Ifhedoesn'ttalktoyou,Iwon'tsayawordwhenyoubail."

Chapter3

Haydenhadn'tplannedonthebarbeingsocrowded.Heweavedhiswaypastacouplemakingoutand
decidedtositatthebarinsteadofatable.Hewasn'tgoingtostaylong.

Hesatonastoolnexttoaprettyyoungblonde.Shegavehimasmile,andhewavedoverthebartender.

"JohnnyWalkerBlue,please."

Theyoungwomanwasfidgety.Sheswirledthelastofherbeeraroundherglassandswepthereyes

around the entire bar, except at him. Maybe she was waiting for someone and was nervous. He’d been
therebefore."I'mHayden,"hesaid.

"Anna.Nicetomeetyou."
"Areyouwaitingforsomeone?"
Sheshookherhead."No,myfriendabandonedme.Iwasactuallyleaving."
"No,stay.CanIgetyouanotherdrink?"
Shefrownedathim."Okay,thanks.Butjustone.ThenIshouldgo."
Hewavedoverthebartender."PleasegetAnnawhatevershewants."
ThebartenderwiggledhiseyebrowsatAnna."Oh,Iknowexactlywhatshewants."Hemovedtothe

othersideofthebar,pullingoutglasses.

"Youknowthebartender?"
Annanodded."EileenandIhavebeencominghereforyears.Longbeforeitwaslegal."
Haydensnorted."Reallyandhowlonghasthatbeen?”
"Sincewewereeighteen.Heathdidn'tbuyit,buthegaveusourdrinksanyway.Whenwefinallygot

legalIDs,Heathaskedhowitwaspossiblethatwewerestilltwenty-one."

"Sowhatishegettingyou?"
"Thatdepends."
"Onwhat?"
"Well,ifhethinksIshouldgohome,he'llbringmeabeer.Ifhewantsmetoflirtwithyou,he'llbring

meamargarita,andifhewantsmetogohomewithyou,itwillbetequilashots.Threeprobably."

"Howoftendoeshebringyoutheshots?"Haydenwasintriguedbythisyoungwoman.It’dbeenalong

timesincesomeoneinterestedhim.

"Never.He’salwaysjokedthathewould,butusuallyit'samargarita."
Thebartendercamebackwiththreeshotglassesandraisedhiseyebrowsather."Drinkup,sweetie."
Annaburstoutlaughing,andHaydenjoinedher.Shewascharming.Sheraisedoneoftheshotglasses

tohimandswalloweditwithagrimace.

"Sotellme,Hayden,whatbringsyoutomybar?"
"WorksuckedtodaysoIthoughtI'dgetadrinkbeforeIwenthome."
Annafingeredthenextshotglass."Whatdoyoudo?"
"I'madoctor."
Shesnorted,andhewasinsulted.Maybeshethoughthewaslyingtopickherup.
"What?"heasked.
"I'm a nurse. Sort of. I have my CNA. I used it to take care of my grandpa. What kind of doctor are

you?"

Haydendidn'twanttotellher.Herreactionwouldbeoneoftwothings.Eithershe'drollhereyesand

makesomesnidecommentaboutwhathemightdotoherbody,orshe'dstartgushingoverhim.Hedidn't
wanttoseeeitherone.Shemust'vesensedhishesitation.

"You don't have to tell me, if you don't want. It's a dumb question anyway. Why does everyone lead

withthat?WhenIwastakingcareofmygrandpa,IalwaystoldeveryonethatIwasanursebecauseitwas
easierthanexplainingIwasn'tactuallyworking.Howaboutweskipallthestupidnormalquestionsand
onlyaskquestionsyouneverasksomeoneyoumeetatabar?Also,thisistotallythetequilatalking."

Sheeyedthesecondshot.
“You’veneverdranktequilabefore,haveyou?”heasked.
Sheshookherhead.“I’mnotlookingforwardtothenextshot.”
“Here,letmehelp.”Hepulledoverthesaltandthelimewedgesthebartenderleft.
Hepointedtoherpalm.“Lickthat.”
Shepursedherlipsandthendidasheinstructed.Hetookherhandinhisown.Herskinwassoftand

warm.Hepouredsaltontothespotshehadlicked.

“Okay,nowlickthesaltoff,dotheshot,thensuckthelime.Itshouldbeeasierthatway.”
Shefollowedhisinstructions,andhegrinnedathergrimace.
“Better?”heasked.
“Yeah,stillburnedthough.”
He took a sip of his scotch. She was proving to be quite interesting. If he'd met her in college, she

wouldbeexactlythekindofgirlhe’dwanttogettoknow.Butnowshe’dbeobliteratedbythewives.

"Okay,"hefinallysaid."Youstart.Askmeanything."
Shetappedherfingeronherchin."Okay.Who'syourfavoritefamilymember?"
"Mymom."
"Ah,mama'sboy."
"No. But she completely holds our family together. She's smart, is accomplished, and was the best

mother anyone could ask for. I don't talk to her every day or anything, but she’s definitely my favorite.
Though,ourwholefamilyisprettyclose."Heoftenwonderedifheshouldthrowthetowelinandmove
home.Hecouldworkwithhismom,fishwithhisdad,andgivehisbrotherabadtime.

Annagavehimagrin."Sure.Whatever.Okay,yourturn."
Hethought.He'dneverdonesomethinglikethisbefore."What’syoursecretwish?"
Thesmilefellfromherface."Thatmyparentswerestillalive."Shedroppedhereyes,andhegrabbed

herhand.Hefelthorribleforbringingupsadmemories.Hewantedtoseeherlaughingandsmiling.

"Hey,Ididn'tmeantobeadowner.Howoldwereyou?"
"Twelve."
Hepickedupthelastshotandhandedittoher."Nomoreseriousquestions.I'msorry."
Shethrewbackthelastshot."What'syourfavoriteDisneycharacter?"
He hadn't watched cartoons in a very long time, so he spouted out the first one he thought of. "Bugs

Bunny."

Shegiggled."BugsBunnyisn’tDisney."
"Heisn’t?Sorry,Idon’twatchcartoons."
"Thenyouaremissingout.YoushouldcometomyhouseandwatchDisneymovieswithme."
He nodded, wondering if that was the alcohol talking, but he was enjoying their game. "Who's your

favorite Harry Potter character? You can't say Harry, Hermione, or Ron." You could tell a lot about a
person by who their favorite Harry Potter character was. Even if people hadn’t read the books, they’d
seenthemovies.Andiftheyweren’tfans,theyweren’tworthgettingtoknow.

"Luna.Handsdown.Whataboutyou?"
Thatwasadecentanswer.
"Dobby."
Sheputherhandonhisknee."Yep,youneedtocomewatchDisneywithme.Thenwe'llbingewatch

theHarryPottermovies."

“Isthatso?Aren’talltheDisneymoviesprettygirly,likeCinderellaorSnowWhite?”
Sheleanedclosertohimwithasillygrin.“No.They’replentyofDisneymoviesforboys.”Shestarted

tickingthemoffonherfingers.“FindingNemo,Hercules,Monsters,Inc.,ToyStory.”

"Okay,pointproven.We’llneedtostartwiththose.I’mnotsureIcouldstomachaprincessmovie.”
“Hey,princessmoviesrock.”
“We’llseeaboutthat.Favoriteflower?”
“Oh,nowIknowyou’retryingtopickmeup.CanIexpectabouquetofliliestoshowupatmyhouse

tomorroworwhat?”

No,buthewasn’tgoingtotellherthat.Theywerejustplayinganyway.
“Maybe.Tellmeyourfavoritegemstone,andtheremightbeatennisbraceletinthereforyoutoo.”
Shelaughed.“Nogemsforme.Onlypearls.”
“Classy.”
“Hey,thatwastwoquestions.Myturn.”
“Fairenough.Askaway.”
“Catsordogs?”
“Dogs.”
“What'syourfavoritedessert?"heaskedher.Helikedaskingthequestions,learningmoreabouther.
"Applebee’slavacake."
"Okay,canItakeyoutogetsome?"Hewantedtogetherawayfromthealcohol.Hedidn'tknowwhy,

buthehadthisdesiretoknowher,andhedidn'twantherwasted.Sheseemedsoinnocent,yetasidefrom
alittlesilliness,thetequiladidn'tseemtoaffecther.

Shewinkedathim."Sure.Andwe'llletHeaththinkI'mgoinghomewithyou."
He didn't tell her, but that was the plan. Though he did want her completely coherent. Drunk girls

weren'tmuchfuninbed.

"IgottagotellEileen."
He threw down a hundred for the bartender and slipped his arm around her waist. Just as they were

walkingaway,thebartenderyelled,"Useprotection."

Annagiggled,andhewavedtothebartender.TheyfoundherfriendEileenmakingoutwithaguyina

cornerbooth.Annatappedherontheshoulder,andEileenuntangledherselfandstaredupatthem.

"I'mleaving,"Annasaid.
"Withhim?"Eileenaskedwithnarrowedeyes.
"Yeah,we'lltalktomorrow."
EileenstumbledoutoftheboothandgaveAnnaahug.ThensheturnedtoHaydenandgavehimabig

hug, which he was not expecting. She whispered low in his ear. "You be good to her, or I will hire
someonetogutyou.Doyouunderstand?"

Shepulledawaywithasmile."Understood,"hereplied.
HeguidedAnnaouttohiscar.Sheranherhandacrossthebrightyellowhood.
"Thisisaprettycar."
Hehadtoagreewithherthere.ThepoorPorschewouldn’tseethelightofdayforanothersixmonths.
"Iknow."
"Whydoyouhavesuchaprettycar?"sheaskedasshepulledonherseatbelt.
Heshrugged."IguessbecauseIcan.Iworkalot,andIlikecars.I'mgoingtomissit."
"Why?"Shecreasedhereyebrows.
"I'mgoingtoworkoverseasforseveralmonths."
"Sothisisn'tgoinganywhere?"Shestaredathimwithsuchseriousness.Hedidn'twanttoleadheron.
"No.I'mafraidthisisn'tgoingtogoanywhereaftertonight.Areyouokaywiththat?"
Shebitherlip."Yeah.Iam."

"Good.Let'sgogetthatlavacake."
Hewasusedtospendingonlyanightwithagirl.SinceFaith,hehadn'tlethimselfgetclosetoanyone.

Hecouldn'triskanothergirlturningoutlikeher.

He pulled into the Applebee’s parking lot. Anna got out with a surprising amount of grace for a girl

whojusthadthreetequilashots.Maybehe'dmisjudgedherinnocence.

Thehostessdirectedthemtoabooth.Insteadofsittingacrossfromher,heslidinwithher.Hereyes

widenedinsurprise.Heputhisarmaroundher.Hewasbeingforward,buthewantedtogetafeelfor
wherethiswasgoing.Ifsheshruggedhimoff,he’dprobablybegoinghomealone.Sheleanedintohim.

"Realfoodorjustdessert?"heasked.
"Dessertandthenrealfood."
"Thatsoundslikeagreatplan."
Thewaitresscame,andtheyorderedthelavacakeandtwoCokes.Helikedthefeelofheragainsthim.
"Howoldareyouanyway?"heasked.
Sheshookherhead."Nope,that'snotallowed.Remember,onlyquestionsthatyouwouldn'tnormally

askatthebar."

Henodded."Fairenough."
Theytalkedwhiletheywaitedfortheirfood.Shewasquirkyandfun,andhelikedherwaymorethan

heshould.Thedessertarrived,andAnnasnatchedthespoonanddugin.Sheclosedhereyesandletouta
moan.Itwasanincredibleturnon.Hehadtothinkaboutsomethingelseandsearchedforanotherspoon.
Therewasn'tone.

Annaopenedhereyes."Thanks.Thisisamazing."
"Youhavetheonlyspoon."
Shesmirkedathim."ThenIguessIgettoeatitall."Shescoopedoutanotherbite.
"That'snotfair,"hesaidwithafakepout.
"You'reright,"shesaid."Openup."
Hewassostartledthathedidascommanded,notbreakingeyecontact.Sheinsertedthespoonintohis

mouth,andhewastemptedtoclosehiseyesaswell.Theflavorwasincredible,buthekepthergaze.He
chewedandquicklyswallowed.Thenhedippeddownandplacedachastekissonherlips.Hewantedto
tasteher.

She responded instantly, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into her. She slid her

tongueintohismouth,andhewasslayed.Shecouldaskhimforanything,andhe'dgiveittoher.Heknew
that.Therewassomethingaboutthisbeautifulwomanwhotastedlikechocolateandtequila.

Afterwhatfeltlikeaneternity,shewithdrew.
"Wow,"shewhispered.
"Nokidding,"hesaid.
Heputhisarmaroundherandtuggedherclose.Shedugintoherdessertwithoutlookingathim.She

offeredhimanotherbite,andheshookhishead.Therewasonlyonethinghewantednow,anditwasn't
food.

She kept one hand on his knee as she finished off her dessert. Then she met his eyes, and he had an

overwhelmingdesiretokissheragain.Butherefrained.

"Doyouwantanythingelse?"heasked.
“Nope.”
Hethrewafewbillsdownonthetable."Thenlet’sgetoutofhere."
Heheldherhandouttothecar,andbeforeheopenedthedoor,hepinnedheragainstthewindowand

leaned down and kissed her again. She was more than eager, running her fingers through his hair and
pressingherbodyagainsthis.

He pulled way, breathless. "Your place or mine?" he asked without thinking. He needed it to be her

placesothathecouldleaveinacoupleofhours.Itwasmucheasiersneakingoutofagirl’shousethan
kickingheroutofhisown.

"Howfarareyou?"sheasked.
"Aboutthirtyminutes.You?"
"Ten.Somyplace."
Shedidn'thavetotellhimtwice.Heopenedherdoorandwatchedherlonglegsslideintothecar.Then

heracedaroundtohisowndoorandspedoutoftheparkinglot.

Chapter4

Haydenknewhe’dmadeamistakewhenhewokeup.Heshould’veknownthenightbefore,buthe’dbeen
tooenthralledwithAnnaandherincrediblysexylegs.Heneverstayedthenight.Hecouldn’tbelievehe
brokehisrule.Maybehecouldsneakoutwithouthernoticing.

Thatwouldbethecowardlythingtodo,buthewasn’tlookingforwardtotheconfrontation.Hesatup

andpulledonhispants.Shestirrednexttohim.

“Stay,”Annamuttered.“I’llmakebreakfast.”
“No,Ihavealotofpackingtodo.”Whichwasanexcuse,butalsocompletelytrue.Hewouldn’tlook

ather,buthefeltherdisappointment.

Shestretchedandsatup.“Whereareyougoingagain?”
“Phuket.I’llbethereseveralmonths.Youshouldcomevisitme.”Hewaslyingofcourse,butitwas

easytoputgirlsoffthatway.

Shelaughed,andhisheartconstricted.Lastnighthadbeenamazing.
“Yeah,right.I’lljusthoponaplaneandheadtoPhuket,whereverthehellthatis.”
“Thailand.”
Shesnorted.“Yeah,Thailand.LikeIcanaffordthat.”
Heglancedaroundhertinytwo-bedroomapartmentandrealizedthatThailandmustsoundsoexoticto

someonelikeher.Healsorealizedthatinspiteoftalkingforseveralhourslastnight,heknewnothingreal
about her. Aside from the death of her parents, her past was a mystery to him. Though he knew her
favoriteDisneyprincesswasBelle,thatshewantedapuppybutworriedaboutbeingabletotakecareof
it,andthatshehatedroses.

“Well,ifyoueverfindyourselfthere,callme.”Thiswasasafebetandtheeasiestwaytowalkaway

fromher.Letherthinktherewashope.Hetrulywasdespicable.Hehopedshewouldn’trealizeshedidn’t
havehisnumberuntilafterheleft.

Hefoundhisjacketandwalletandslippedoutwithoutanotherword.Outsideonthecurbnexttothe

run-down apartment sat his Porsche. Had he really driven that yesterday? No wonder she’d taken him
home.

Phuket. Tropical paradise and up-and-coming medical tourist center. He was eager to get out of

Michiganforawinter.He’dbebackbeforesummer,thoughhe’dbearrivinginthedeadofsummerthere.
He’dreadabouttheheat.Hewasn’tsureifhewaspreparedforwhatitwouldbelikeyet.

Hisdayjobwouldbeeasy,onlyafewdaysaweek,buthedidn’trelishthethoughtofworkingwith

medical tourists. People flew from all over the world to have surgeries done in beautiful third world
countries because they got better care and a vacation for the same cost they would have paid for the
surgeryintheStates.Theclientstherewereprobablyworsethantheoneshere.Oneofhiscolleaguesat
thehospitalspentayearinVietnamandsaiditwasthemostrewardingtimeofhiscareer.

HaydenhopedPhuketwouldbethatforhim.Hewantedtofillaholeinhischestthatseemedtonever

goaway,andhehadnoideawhatitwasorwhereitcamefrom.Hejustknewhewasmissingsomething
inhislife.Hismothertriedtoconvincehimthathewasmissingawifeandkids,butthatwasthelastthing
heneeded.

Chapter5

AnnametEileeninfrontoftheProntoPupstandinGrandHaven.Itwasoneoftheirfavoriteplacestoeat
andgossipaboutguysandfriends.EileenwaseverythingAnnawasnot:gorgeous,adventurous,rich,and
spontaneous,andAnnalovedherforit.

Anna ordered two Pronto Pups and slathered ketchup on one side and mustard on the other. Eileen

ordered the same thing. Napkins in hand, they found a bench and watched the boats come and go from
LakeMichigan.AnnawonderedwhatthiswouldbelikewithHayden.They’dhadsomuchfunlastnight.

“Weshould’veorderedicecream,”Eileensaid,wipingsweatfromherforehead.
“Maybewestillwill,”Annareplied.Thesunbeatdownonthem,butanoccasionalbreezecameinoff

thewater.

“Ifwehadmoretime,maybewecouldtaketheboatout.”
“Thatwouldbesofun.”Yetanotherreminderofthethingsshewouldn'tbedoingbecauseEileenwas

leavingher.

“So,it’stimetospill.Whathappenedwithsexydoctorlastnight?Didyougethisdigits?”
Annaflushed.Shedidn’tusuallyhavejuicystoriesforEileen.
“Um,sortof.”
“Whatdoyoumeansortof?”Eileentookabiteofhercorndogandgotbothmustardandketchuponher

face.

“Well, when he left this morning, his business card was on the floor. He must’ve left it on the

nightstand.”

Eileen’seyesbugged.“Getout,”shesaidwithhermouthstuffedwithfood.ItwashardtomakeEileen

unattractive, but talking with a mouthful of corndog did the trick. She chewed quickly and swallowed.
“Noway.You’veneverhadaone-nightstand.”

Annagrinned,andEileenlaughed.
“Sowheredoesherank?Topthree?”
“Consideringhe’sonlynumberfour,definitely.”
“Okays,soJosh,Brad,thencreepyFred.SobeforeorafterJosh?”
Annathoughtforasecond.CreepyFredhadbeenherboyfriendfortwomonthshersenioryearinhigh

school. She lost her virginity to him on prom night. So cliché. Both Josh and Brad had been long-term
relationships.ShemissedJosh.Brad,notsomuch.Asfarassexwentthough—Haydentookthecake.

“Numberone.”
“Noway.Comeon,youweretotallyinlovewithJosh.Youmeantotellmethatsomeguyyoujustmet

wasbetterinbed?”

Annanodded.Shehadn’tstoppedthinkingaboutit.
“HeinvitedmetocomestaywithhiminPhuket.”
Eileencreasedhereyebrows.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“He’sgoingtoThailandforseveralmonthsonsomedoctorexchangething.Hetoldmetocomestay.”
“Oh,honey,Idon’tthinkhewassincere.Guyssaythatkindofstuffwhentheydon’twanttoseeagirl

again.Chancesarehe’snotevengoingtoPhuket.”AnnahatedthepityinEileen’svoice.

Annadugoutherphone.“No,heis.See,hepostedthisonInstagram.”
Eileencheckedoutthepictureofthepackeduproom.“Didhefollowyouback?”
Annashookherhead.“Buthe’sbusypacking,youknow.”
“Istilldon’tthinkhewassincere.”

“It’snotlikeIcouldafforditanyway.”
MoneyhadalwaysbeenasorespotforAnnaandEileen,soAnnatriednottobringitup.Annasmiled

toreassureher.“Butit’sfuntothinkaboutit.”

Eileensighedandstaredoutoverthewater.“I’mgoingtomissthisplace.”
Anna’sheartclenched.Shedidn’twanthertogo.“Sostay.”
“YouknowIcan’t.I’llmissyouthough.”
“ButChina.That’ssofaraway.”Annacouldn’tfathomthedistance.
“It’sonlyforayear.”
“I’llmissyou.”
“Maybeyoushouldcomewithme.”
“Ican’taffordthat.”NowshewasstartingtogetirritatedthatEileenwasn’tthinkingabouther.That

wasselfishandunfairofAnna,butsheallowedherselftofeelitanyway.

“Didn’tyourgrandpaleaveyousomelifeinsurancemoney?”
“Yeah,butmostofthatwenttopayforthefuneral,andtherestisgoingtogetmestartedinschool.”
“Schoolcanwait.Godosomethingstupid.Howmuchdoyouhaveleft?”
Somethingstupid.Yeah,right.Itwasn’tinhernature.
Annalookeddownatherhands.Shedidn’twanttoseeEileen’sface.“Justoverathousand.”Thatkind

ofmoneywaspocketchangeforEileen.

“Well,that’senoughtogetyouaone-wayticketalmostanywhereintheworld.”
“SomewherelikePhuket?”
Eileenlaughed.“MaybenotPhuket,butsomewhere.Seriously,youshouldtakemorechances.You’re

onlytwenty-three,andyouhaven’tdoneanythingbuttakecareofyourgrandpa.Comeon.Dosomething
dumb.”

Eileenwasright.Annahadneverdoneanythingthatwasn’texpectedofher.Butshedidn’tknowhow

to do anything reckless. She’d toed the line and took care of her grandpa. She hadn’t planned on that
becoming her life, but when situations got thrust upon you, you become that person. For her that was a
caretaker.Nowshedidn’thaveanyonetotakecareof.

Chapter6

HaydenletUnaoutofhercrate,andshemadeabeelineforthepool.Onlyhisdogwouldspendtwelve
hoursonaplaneandjumpintothepoolfirstthing.HaydensmiledatthetinyThaiwomanwhoshowed
himaround.HerEnglishwasimpeccable.

“Thehousecomeswithafull-timemaidwhowillalsodoallofyourcooking.Whateveryouwantfrom

thestore,giveheralistandthemoney,andshe’llgobuyitforyou.Shedoesn’tspeakEnglish,butshecan
translateanythingonherphone.”

ThehousewasonthebeachinPhuket.Haydenhadn’thadachancetocheckouttheareaaroundhim

because it was dark on the way in. But the house and grounds were gorgeous. The air was hotter than
anythinghe’deverexperiencedthough.

Theywalkedoverbythepool.“Thisisyourguesthouseandspa.Ifyouwantamasseuse,letmeknow,

andwecanhaveonecomein.”Shepointedtowardtheroomnexttothepool.Sureenough,therewere
twomassagetables.Haydenwouldbetakingadvantageofthat.Hisworkwasn’teasy,anditwasniceto
relax.

“Let’s plan on every Wednesday at seven. If I like it, I might add another day.” If this clinic was

anythingliketheclinichemoonlightedatwhenhewantedachangeofpace,he’dneedtoaddthreemore
days,justtogetoutthestressinhisshouldersfromdealingwithvainpeopleallday.

“Verygood.Now,ifyou’llfollowme.”Shemotionedtowardthemainhouse.
Hedidn’twanttofollowher.Justbeyondthepoolwasthecrystalclearwaterofthesea.Hewantedto

grabachair,takeoffhisshoes,sitonhisprivatebeach,andrelax,sincehedidn’tgettodothatveryoften.
Heshould’vetoldtheclinichewantedtostartaweeklaterandtakenthetimetoenjoythecityfirst.

He followed the woman into the main house, which was modern and sleek. The L-shaped home had

fourbedrooms,allopeninguptothecourtyard.Thebottomfloorhadanentertainmentcenterwithawide
couch,andanofficespace.Nexttoitwasatinykitchenthatwasnobiggerthanhiswetbar.

Theywalkedouttheslidingdoorofthekitchenandsteppedintoanoutsidekitchen.Haydenhadnever

seensuchathing.Ithadcupboards,afridge,andastove,justlikeanykitchenhe’dseenintheStates,but
itwascompletelyopentotheelements,excepttheroofoverhead.

Then she directed him up the stairs that led to the doors for the gym and master suite. There was an

enormous bed, and the bathroom had a shower head in the middle of the room. No doors or curtains.
Weird.Awidewindowinthebedroomlookedontothebeach.

“CanIgetyouanythingelsetonight?”thewomanasked.
“No,IthinkI’lljustturnin.”Hehadtoreporttotheclinicfirstthinginthemorning,andhedidn’tsleep

wellontheplane.

“Ubonwillbehereinthemorning,andshewillmakeyoupancakes.Willthatbeokay?”
Healmostlaughed.HerehewasthousandsofmilesfromtheU.S.,andhiscookwasgoingtomakehim

pancakes.

“Sure.Thankyou.”
Shewentdownthestairs,andhewhistledforUna.Shelovedwater.Hemightjusthavetokeepastack

oftowelsinthebedroomsoshedidn’tgetthefloorwetafterherswims.

After he rinsed Una off and dried her, he fell into bed. The bed was as hard as a rock. He’d read

somewherethatallAsianbedswerelikethat.He’dhavetoputafoamorfeathermattresstopperonhis
shoppinglistfortomorrow.HehopedUbonwouldbeabletohandleit.Hewouldn’thaveadayoffuntil
Saturday.

He lay awake for longer than normal. He wasn’t sure how he was going to like Thailand and was

nervousabouthisnewjob.Quitefrankly,hewasmorethanalittlepissedathimselfforlettingFaithrun
himoff,buthecouldn’tstandbeingremindedofwhathedidtoher.

Anna was a lot like Faith was before she befriended his colleagues’ wives. He wondered if Anna

would’vefallenintothesametrap.Hesqueezedhiseyesshut.Ofcourseshewould.Theyalldid.Faith
wasn’ttheonlynicegirlhe’dseenchange.

Hewonderedwhatthewiveswouldstartwith.Probablyherbreasts.Thatwasusuallythefirstsurgery.

They’dtellherhe’dbemoreattentiveifshewentupacoupleofsizes.Thenthey’dtellherthathercute
littlenoseneededtobethinner.Theymightevenconvinceherthatsheneededtobotoxhertinylaughline.
Thewivesweremerciless.Andusuallywrong.

Itwasashamethattheyallendedupthatway;helikedAnnajustasshewas.Normallyhedidn’thave

strongconnectionswiththegirlshesleptwith,butAnnalikedLunafromHarryPotterandchocolatelava
cake.ShewantedtowatchDisneymovieswithhim.Hewasn’tsurewhy,butthatendearedhertohim.
WhatmoviewouldAnnahavestartedwith?

Sleep was pointless. He snapped a quick picture of Una and posted it on Instagram with the hashtag

sleepydog. Then he browsed through Netflix and put on Toy Story. He’d never seen it before, and he
figureditwasagoodanimatedfilmtostartwith.

Hewassurprisedthathemadeitthroughthewholethingbeforehefelthiseyesdriftingshut.Maybe

AnnawasontosomethingwiththoseDisneymovies.Hesetanalarmanddriftedoffthinkingofher.

Theshowerwasnice,likestandinginthepouringrain,butwatergoteverywhere.Unaassumedthatsince
therewasnothingblockingher,sheneededashoweraswell.Therewasaltogethertoomuchwaterinthis
place.

Hedressedandjoggeddownthestairs.Hestoppedabruptly.Severalcovereddishesfilledthetable.

Therewasnowayhecouldeatallofthisfood.

Helookedpastthetableandsawatinywomanwashingdishes.Hesatdownatthetableandfoundthat

notonlyhadshemadestacksofpancakes,she’dcookedhashbrowns,sausages,andcuttwoplatefulsof
fruit.Sherushedovertohimandheldouttwobottlesofjuice,oneorangeandonepink.Hepointedtothe
orangeonehopingthatitwasorangejuice.

HerememberedwhatthewomansaidlastnightaboutEnglish.Hepulledouthisphoneandhandedit

over.Shetypedinherphonenumberandhername.Ubon.

Ubon was younger than he had expected. Maybe in her thirties. Her face was flawless and her hair

long.Hersmilerevealedbrightwhitebutslightlycrookedteeth.Shewasbeautiful.

Viatext,hethankedherforbreakfast,toldhershedidn’thavetomakethatmuchinthefuture,andgave

heralistofthingsheneeded.

Shesmiledwideandnodded.
HefollowedhisGPStowork.Ontheway,hespottedasignwithanenormousdessertthatlookedlike

thechocolatecakehesharedwithAnna.She’dlookedsodamnsexyeatingthat.Wouldeverythinghesaw
remindhimofher?

Hepulleduptohisclinicandsighed.Hewouldbeintheofficethreedaysaweek.OnTuesdayand

Thursday,he’dworkatalocalhospital.

Heenteredthesleekandclassybuildingandmethiscolleagueintheoffice.
“Dr.Jorgenson,it’sapleasuretofinallymeetyou.Dr.Phillipshadfantasticthingstosayaboutyou.I’m

Dr.Ferrar,butyoucancallmeMike.”Mikewasolder,withgrayinghair.

Mikestartedthetourofthefacility.“MostofourpatientsarefromvariouspartsofAsiaandEurope,

thoughwegetahandfulofAmericans.Howlongareyouplanningonstaying?”

“Sixtoninemonths.”
Mike gave him a grin and clapped him on the back. “Then I’ll plan on you being here for about

eighteen.Oncepeoplestarthere,theydon’tgohome.Icameforasix-monthstint,andthatwastenyears
ago.Theweatherisgreat,thebeachesareamazing,andthefoodistodiefor.”

“Howcanyoustandtheheat?”Theclinicwasfreezing,butwhenhesteppedoutside,hewassweating

beforeheevenreachedhiscar.

“Itgrowsonyou.Didyoubringagirlfriendorwifewithyou?”
“Nope,it’sjustme.”
“Well, your maid can usually help you with your, uh, needs, until you meet someone. It’s quite

expected.”

Mike paused as if to read Hayden’s reaction, but Hayden didn’t give him one. The idea disgusted

Hayden,buthedidn’twantMiketoknowthat.

“There’salsoanicesinglesscene.Imetmywifehereafewyearsago.ShewasaclientfromItaly.”
Haydencringed.AfterFaithhedecidedonbachelorhood,muchtohisparents’chagrin.Hegotalotof

fulfillmentoutofhelpinghispatients,andtherewereplentyofwomentotakecareofhisotherneeds.He
didn’tneedarelationship.Ifhedid,he’dstillbeinMichiganwithAnna.

Hehadtostopthinkingabouther.
TheymadetheirwaytoMike’soffice.MikemotionedforHaydentosit.ThenhepickedupHayden’s

resumeandperusedit.

“Iseeyouhaven’tpracticedinaclinicinawhile.”
“Ipreferahospital.ButIwouldmoonlightoccasionallyatclinicstolearnnewtechniques.It’sactually

oneofthereasonsIcametoPhuket.”

Whichwastrue.Ifhespenttimeinclinics,hecouldlearntechniqueshecouldapplytopatientswho

actuallyneededit.

“Well,forthenextweek,youcanshadowmyselfandtheotherdoctorwhoworkshere,andthenyou

canstarttakingonyourownpatients.Ifyou’dlike,wecantellyouwhenwegetdifficultcasessoyoucan
learn.”

“Thatwouldbefantastic.Thankyou.”

ThatafternoonhearrivedhomeandfoundthatUbonhadcomethroughwithanewmattresspadonhisbed
andahugestackoftowels.HejoggeddownstairstothankherandfoundaBarbieDolllookalikestanding
inhisoutsidekitchenwithUbon.TheywereconversinginThai.

Thewomansmiledwhenshesawhimandheldoutabasketoffruit.
“Dr.Jorgensen,itissonicetomeetyou.Ilivenextdoorandwantedtosayhi.I’mChloe.”
Hetookthebasketfromher.“Thankyou.YouspeakThai?”
“Ido.”
“CanyoutellUbonthatI’mveryhappywithherpurchasestoday?”
“Sure.”SherattledoffsomethinginThai,andUbonglaredathim.Hedidn’thavetimetoreactbefore

Chloeputherhandonhisarm.“I’velivedhereforyears.Ihopeyou’replanningonstayingforawhile.”

“Onlysixmonths,I’mafraid.Whatbroughtyouhere?”
“Myhusbandworksatyourclinic,Dr.Hollens.”
“Imethimbriefly.IspentmostofthedaywithMike.”

Chloe’ssmilefaltered.“Well,Ihopehedidn’tscareyouoff.”Haydenwasn’tsurewhattomakeofthis

woman,butshedefinitelyhadinformationhewantedabouthisclinic.

HaydenpulledouthisphoneandsentamessagetoUbon.
Couldyougetusbothaglassofwine?
Ubonpulledoutherphoneandrushedtogetthewine.
“WhydoyouhavesuchalowopinionofMike?”
Shegavealightlaugh.“Idon’t.He’sjustalittleintense.”Haydencouldtellshewastryingtoplayit

offasnothing,butsomethingaboutMikebotheredher.

SheacceptedtheglassfromUbon.
“Wouldyouliketogoforawalk?”HealreadyfeltabitofkinshipwithheroverMike.Hecouldusea

friendhere.

Theywalkeddowntothebeach.“What’sthesocialscenelikeintheevenings?Wheredoyougoout?”
“Notmuchofanightlifearoundhere.IfyouwanttogodowntoPatongBeach,it’sfulloftourists.My

husbandandIgotoseveralnicerestaurantsinthearea.Icansendmymaidoverlaterwithalist.Jimhad
to work late tonight, so I stayed in.” Her smile was tight. Hayden wasn’t about to tell her that Jim left
beforehedid.HewonderedifJimwashavinganaffair,orifhewassimplyavoidinghiswife.Infidelity
wasn’tuncommoninhisfield.

Chloepointedoutintothesea.“Youknow,rentingboatsisprettycheapifyouwanttogooutonthe

water.Youguysonlyworkthreedaysaweek,soyougetalotoftimetoexplore.Phuketisbeautiful.”

“I’llbeworkinginalocalhospitalonmydaysoff.Butthanksforthesuggestion.”
She nudged him with her shoulder and gave him a coy grin. “Sounds like you’re a workaholic. You

need to have a little fun. Ubon said you didn’t bring anyone. Did you leave a girlfriend or wife in the
States?”

“No. I like being single.” He couldn’t figure out everyone’s fascination with his love life. It was

nobody’sbusinessbuthisown,buteveryonehereseemedtothinktheyneededtoknowallthedetails.

Anothercouplewalkedtowardthem.“Ithoughtthiswasaprivatebeach,”Haydensaid.
Chloecrossedherarmsandscowled.“Itis.Theyliveontheothersideofyou.”
Thewomanhadawidesmileandwasanotherstunningspecimen,butshewasdarkwhereChloewas

fair.Hefeltlikehe’dsteppedintoTheStepfordWivesmovie.Theyhadthesamecheekbones,smile,nose,
andfigure.Thewomanworeapinkblousewithperfectlypressedwhitepants.

The man with her was enormous. At least six foot seven and two hundred fifty pounds. He wore no

shoes,wrinklykhakishorts,abuttondownbrightfloweredshirt,andnecklacewithaseaturtlecharm.He
hadagoateeandasmilethatmatchedthewoman’s.

“Areyougoingtointroducemetoyourfriend,Chloe?”thewomanasked.
Chloehesitated.“ThisisHaydenJorgenson.He’sworkingwithJim.”
Thewoman’seyesdanced.“Ah,you’rethecompetition.”
“Excuseme?”Haydenasked.
“I’mDr.JuliaKawai.Iownaclinicacrosstown.Wecompeteforpatients.IhavetowarnyouI’mthe

bestinthebusiness.”

Ah,awomansurgeon.Theywererare.Shewasprobablyright.
“Iwon’targuewiththat.Womensurgeonsarefierce.”
Shegavealightlaugh.“Ilikeyoualready.MeetLiam,myhusband.”
Haydenstuckhishandouttoshakeit,butLiamreachedoverandcrushedhiminahug.“Welcometo

Phuket.”

“Thanks,”saidHayden,completelytakenaback.Buthehadafeelinghe’dbespendingmoretimewith

JuliaandLiamthanChloeandJim.

“Whatdoyoudo?”heaskedLiam.

“Istayhomewithourtwins.They’retwoandarecompletepistols.”
“Soundslikealotofwork.”Haydenwasn’tcrazyaboutkidsandcouldn’timaginetwins.Therewasa

timeinhislifewherehewantedthem,butwhenhewroteoffwomen,thedreamofafamilywentaway
too.

Julialaughedagain.“Don’tlethimfoolyou.Weemploytwonanniesandahousekeeper.”
Chloe handed her empty glass to Hayden. “Thanks for the wine. I’m going to head in.” She smiled

sweetlyathim.

“Itwasnicemeetingyou.”Hewasn’tsurewhattomakeofChloe.Shewasniceenough,butheknew

clawswereundertheresomewhere.

JuliawaiteduntilChloewasoutofearshot.“Becarefulofthatone.”
“Why?”
“She’soneofthewickedwitches.”
Hayden raised his eyebrows at her. He’d never heard someone else refer to the wives like that.

Especiallynotawoman.

“Julia,benice,”Liamsaidwithafrown.
“What?YouknowaswellasIdothedamageshecaused.Herandhertwominionshavecompletely

smearedmyname.”JuliaputahandonHayden’sshoulder.“Butyoudon’thavetoworryaboutthat.She’s
inanunhappymarriage,andshe’sboundtotrytolandyou.”

Ifthewarningwascomingfromanyoneelse,hemightthinkshewasbeingoverdramatic,butheknew

how the wives could be. He wasn’t surprised they’d smeared her name. She was gorgeous and was a
doctor.Theywouldbecompletelyjealous.

Liam clapped him on the back. “If you ever want a beer or something after work, I keep my fridge

stocked.You’rewelcomeanytime.Justcomeonover.”

“I’llprobablytakeyouuponthat.Thanks.”HewaslikingJuliaandLiammoreandmorebytheminute.
“Also,youshouldjoinusfordinneronFriday.We’regoingout.Wecanshowyoupartofthetown,”

Juliasaid.

“Thanks,I’dlikethat.I’llstopbylaterthisweekandtakeyouuponthatbeer.”
JuliaandLiamwalkedtotheirhouse,handinhand.Hefeltasmallpangofhurtinhisheart.He’dnever

havethat.Wine,heneededmorewine.

By Friday Hayden remembered why he liked hospitals better, and he was itching to get into the trauma
sideofthings.Everypatienthetreatedattheclinicwasvapidandshallow.

Thatafternoon,heandMikewereseeingtheirlastpatient,buthe’dgettostartwithhisownthenext

week.

Awomansatonthetablewithcaramelskinandglossyblackhair.ToHayden,shewasbeautifuljust

the way she was, but he had a hard time seeing physical faults in others. He loved it when women
embracedtheiruniquebeauties.

Mikereadovertheclient’schart.“Yousaidyouwantanosejob.Exactlywhatdoyouwantdone?”
ThewomanheldoutapictureofAngelinaJolie.“Iwanttolooklikeher.PeopletellmeIdo,exceptmy

nose.Canyoumakeitlooklikethat?”

Mike examined her for a second. “Of course. Though you know, if you want to look like her, you’ll

needmoreworkdone.”

Haydennearlyrolledhiseyes.He’dseenthisallweek.
Every patient that came in would ask for one thing, and by the time they left, they had signed up for

three other surgeries. Hayden studied the woman’s face. If he were going to do an Angelina Jolie
lookalikeonher,he’dprobablygiveherlipsaboostandmaybenarrowherjaw.HeguessedMikewould
goformore.

“Whatelsedoyousuggest?”
“Lipinjections,slightnarrowingofthejaw,liftyourcheekbones,andaneyelift.”
Thewomanhungonhiswords.“Okay.Allofthat.Whencanyoudoit?”
Mikepointedathim.“Dr.Jorgensonisfreeallnextweek.WouldyouliketocomeinonMonday?”
The woman nodded eagerly. Mike scribbled on the chart and handed it to her. “Just give this to the

secretary,andshe’llgetyouallsortedout.”

Haydentriedtofollowthewoman,butMikecaughthim.
“WedococktailsthefirstFridayofeverymonthwithalltherestoftheplasticsurgeonsinPhuket.You

shouldcomeandmeeteveryone.Eachmonthwerotatehouses.Tonightit’satDr.Pritchard’shouse.Next
monthit’satmine.Here’stheaddress.Seeyouatseven.”

ThatwasallHaydenneeded.Moretimewiththevainpeopleoftheworld.Hecouldn’twaituntilnext

Tuesday.Itwouldbehisfirstdayatthehospital,wherepeopleactuallyneededthesurgeries,insteadof
beingtalkedintoproceduresthatwouldmakethemlookfake.

Thankfullyhehadanexcuse.HewonderedwhyJuliawasn’tinvitedforcocktails.
“I’mafraidIhaveplanstonight.Sorry,butmaybenextmonth.”
Mikefrowned.“Okay,nextmonth.”

Chapter7

EventhoughAnnapromisedherselfshewouldn’t,shecriedwhenEileenleft.Shedidn’tknowwhatshe
was going to do without her. Who would she watch Dancing with the Stars with? Who would she eat
tacoswithonTuesdays?Shedidn’tknowhowtolivewithoutEileen.

JustbeforeEileenleftfortheairport,shegaveAnnaanexpensivebottleofwine.
“Toremembermeby,”shesaid.
Annanearlythrewthebottleaway.Shedidn’twantsomethingtorememberherby.Shewantedherto

stay.Whowouldsharethisbottleofwinewithhernow?

Anna arrived home from Eileen’s, and she threw her keys on her end table. She opened the bottle of

wine and poured herself a glass. She needed it more tonight than any other one. She already missed
Eileen.Shesatdownonhercouch,openedheremailandsawamessagefromschool.Ithadherschedule,
set to start August twentieth. She was taking five classes: College Algebra, Biology 101, World
Civilization,English101,andPsychology.

Theemailalsohadherbill.She’dreceivedascholarshipthatwouldgiveherenoughmoneytocover

eighty-fivepercentofherexpenses.Hergrandpahadleftenoughmoneyforhertopayfortherestforthe
firstyear.Thescholarshipwouldbekey.Shehadtomaintaina3.5GPAtokeepitfortherestofthefour
years.Shewasdamnluckytohavereceivedthescholarship.

Theemailalsocontaineddetailsofapossiblework-studyprogramforuptothirtyhoursaweek.That

wouldbeenoughtocoverherrentandfood.Sheclickedonthe“acceptjob”linkandswitchedoverto
herInstagramaccount.Shewasdonethinkingaboutdepressingthingslikereallife.

ShenearlycriedagainwhenshesawthepictureEileenpostedofthetwoofthem,justbeforeshegot

on the plane. Eileen had a wide smile, but Anna could see the sadness in her own eyes. She envied
Eileen.Tohavethatkindoflife.

Anna poured herself another glass of wine and flicked over to Hayden Jorgenson’s pictures. She’d

stalkedhimmorethanshelikedtoadmit.Hepostedalot.Mostofhispictureswereofhisdog,Una,but
healsopostedpicturesofPhuket.Everythinglookedsoforeign,soexotic.SonotMichigan.

What would he do if she showed up on his doorstep? Would he welcome her or throw her out? She

typed,“cheapflightsPhuket”intoGoogle.Severalwebsitespoppedup.Sheclickedonthefirstsite,and
itlistedseveralflights.Thepriceswereallridiculouslyoutofherpricerange.Excepttheoneleavingon
thetwentieth.Sheopeneditup.Itwasalongflightwithaten-hourlayoverinBangkok.Thereturnflight
wasn’tforamonthlater.AwholemonthinPhuket,whileshewassupposedtobeinschool.Whatwould
she do if she showed up and he said, “Sorry, I was just joking?” Because that was entirely possible.
Probableactually.

Shepouredherselfanotherglassofwine.
Itwoulddefinitelybethedumbestthingshe’deverdone.Notonlywouldsheberiskinghimthrowing

herout,butshe’dalsoloseherscholarship,andshe’dhavetostartalloveragainwhenshereturned.

Butwhatwasthelastdumbthingshedid?Sheswallowedtheglassofwineinthreegulps.
Beforeshecouldstoptothinkaboutit,shepushedthebuybuttonandtypedinherdebitcardnumber.

She’dpurchasedoneroundtriptickettoPhuket,Thailand.Sheclosedhercomputerwithagrin.

Annawokeupthenextmorningwithafeelingofdread.Whyhadsheboughtthatticket?Surelyshecould

fix this. She logged onto the website and quickly scanned the fine print, and one thing was very clear.
Therewerenorefunds.Shecalledthemupandgotthesameanswer.Hermoneywasgone.Onastupid
drunkwhim.

Nowshehadtogo.Seemedstupidtowastetheticket.Shecouldn’taffordschoolanywaywithoutthat

money.She’dgo,andifitwasabust,she’dcomebackandworkforasemesterandtryschoolagainin
January.Herdreamswouldbeonholdforafewmonths.Thoughthelossofherscholarshipleftapitin
herstomach.Toolatenow.

ShepulledupInstagramandstaredatthepictureofthemanwhostarteditall.Wouldhethrowherout

orwelcomeher?Therewasonlyonewaytofindout.

Thenextcoupleofweeksflewby.Preparingtobegoneforawholemonthwasalotofwork.Shehadto
stopattheanimalshelterandletthemknowshewouldn’tbeinanymore.She’dstartedvolunteeringthere
once a week when her grandpa was sick. She’d wanted a dog, but she couldn’t take care of one with
grandpa.

Sheturnedoffherinternetandprepaidherrent.Thedaybeforesheleft,thedoorbellrang.Shedropped

theshirtsshewaspackingandflungthedooropen.

Shoot.She’dforgottenabouttheflowers.Sheacceptedthebouquetofliliesandpickedupherphone.
Judyansweredonthefirstring.
“Hey,it’sAnna.Ineedyoutosuspendtheflowersforamonth.I’mgoingoutoftown.”
“Okay,letmeknowwhenyougethome.”
“Ofcourse.”
She hung up the phone and inhaled the lilies. When she was young, her mother grew lilies. It was a

scentthathelpedherrememberhermother.Theentirefuneralforherparentshadbeenfulloflilies.The
firstbouquethadarrivedtheweekafterhermotherdiedandcontinuedtothisday,onceaweek.Annahad
triedtogetthenameofherbenefactoronmorethanoneoccasion,butthefloristwastight-lipped.

Anna put them in her lily vase and went to her room. She had no idea what to take to Phuket. She

packedhertwobathingsuits,ofcourse,allhershortsandtanks.Shethrewacoupleofdressesinthere
justincase,buthadnoideawhyshewouldneedthose.

Shespunaroundandinspectedherbookshelf.She’dhavetotakebooksshe’salreadyreadsinceshe

couldn’tkeepbooksfromthelibrarythatlong.Shepackedthreeofherfavorites.

Shewasready.
Ormaybenot.
ShesatonherbedandstaredatHayden’sbusinesscard.She’dthoughtaboutcallinghimacoupleof

timesbuthadchickenedout.WhatifEileenwasright,andhedidn’twanttoseeher?Therationalpartof
her brain argued that it was better to know that now instead of when she was thousands of miles from
home.Butshewasafraidofhisreaction.HecouldtellhernottocomeifshewasstillinMichigan,but
he’dneverturnherawayifshecamethatfar.Atleastthat’swhatshewasbettingon.

Sheputhiscardinherpursesoshewouldn’tloseit,andlookedattheletterfromcollegeonelasttime.

Itinformedherthattheywouldnotholdherscholarshipandthatshewouldhavetoreapplyifshewanted
tobereconsidered.Itstillstung,butitwastoolatenow.

Shedroppedtheletterinthegarbageandzippeduphersuitcase.

Chapter8

Two weeks into his Phuket stay and Hayden was miserable. He hated the men he worked with. He’d
startedatthehospital,butinsteadoffindingjoyinhelpingthosewhocouldn’thelpthemselves,Hayden
feltdepressedbythesheeramountofpoverty.Thosepeoplehetreatedhadnothingandnowaytobetter
theirlives.Henowunderstoodhowfoodandclothesweresocheap.Theycouldn’taffordanythingelse.
Even if he dumped his entire fortune into the local hospital, it’d be gone in a few years, and then the
peoplewouldbebacktowheretheystarted.Hefelthelpless.Itwasn’tsomethinghewasusedtofeeling.

On Monday night he sat at the table and watched Ubon cook, still amazed that everything was done

outside. It was nice to sit outside after being cooped in all day, even in the humidity. Ubon cooked an
enormousspread.Farmorethanhecouldevereat,buthecouldn’tconvinceherthathedidn’tneedthat
mucheventhoughhercookingwasamazing.JuliaandLiamhadjoinedhimacoupleoftimesoverthepast
week,buthedidn’twanttoseemdesperatebyinvitingthemovereverynight.Juliawasassmartasthey
came,andhealwaysfeltmorerelaxedbyjustbeingaroundLiam.Plus,itkeptthewitchesaway.

Speakingof.
Chloestrolleduphiswalkwithadishinherhand.Itwasprobablyanotherdessert.Shelovedtobake,

butdidn’tliketoeat,sosheoftenbroughtthemtohim.Hedidn’tknowhowtotellhertheyweren’tthat
great. Plus, he wasn’t crazy about her. But she was better than Maria, Mike’s wife. She’d been by a
coupleoftimesaswell.Thankfullyshelivedontheothersideoftown.

He waved to Chloe and then cringed when he saw Victoria sauntering up behind her. She was Dr.

Pritchard’swife,andshelivedontheothersideofChloe.AtleastChloewassubtleinhermovestoget
intohisbed.Victoriapracticallycrawledintohislapwhensheshowedup.

Ubonscowledatthewomen.
“I know how you feel,” he said to her, and she held her hands up. He kept forgetting she couldn't

understandawordhesaid.Mostlyherememberedtotextherwhenheneededsomething,buthemuttered
toheralot.

Unastartedbarking,andHaydenshushedher.Shedidn’tlisten.ShelovedChloe.Victoria,notsomuch.
Chloesetherdishdownonthetablewithaflourish.“Imadeanappletart.”
“Thanks.Youknow,youdon’tneedtomakeanythingforme.Ubondoesagreatjob.”
Victoriatookthechairnexttohim.Sheputherhandonhisknee.“ButtherearethingsUboncan’tdofor

you,”shepurredintohisear.

Hepushedherarmaway,andhisphonebuzzedinhispocket.ItwasprobablyMiketryingtoconvince

him to go golfing with him tomorrow. He was unbelievably torn. Hayden liked golfing as much as any
other doctor, but it was way too hot here. Besides, he was going to the hospital, and he enjoyed that a
hellavalotmorethanhangingwithMike,whoseemedtothinkitwashispersonalmissiontobeHayden’s
bestfriend.Buthewantedanexcusetogetridofthewomen.

Chloedroppedintotheseatontheothersideofhimandjabberedabouthowshemadethetart,andhe

gaveherhisfullattention.

Thephonestoppedringing,andhetookabigbiteofhisPadThai.He’djustswallowedwhenthephone

rangagain.Damn.Thatmanwaspersistent.

He pulled his phone out so he could hit the ignore button, but he didn’t recognize the number. An

Americannumber.Weird.

He stood. “Ladies, excuse me for a moment.” He stepped into the inside kitchen and answered the

phone.

“Hello.”
“Hey,thisisum,Anna.Doyourememberme?”
“Anna?”Hisheartfluttered.Shewashardtoforget,andherfacehadshownupinthoselonelyhours

whenhecouldn’tsleep.

“Yeah,doyourememberme?We,uh,we…”
“Irememberyou.Cute,blonde,andlegsthatgoonforever.”
Hecouldn’tremembergivingherhisnumber,butitwasnicetohearavoicefromtheStates.Avoice

that was somewhat sane. Plus, it would keep him inside here instead of out there with the witches. He
peeredoutthewindowatthem.Theyseemedtobearguingaboutsomething.

Heturnedhisbacktothem.“SotowhatdoIowethispleasure?”
“Um,I’mattheairport.”
He’dgiveanythingtobetherewithher.Goingsomewherethatwasn’there.
“Whereareyouheaded?”
“I’malreadyhere.YoutoldmeifIevermakeitPhuket,tofindyou.”
Hestoodupstraighter.Hehadsaid,that,hadn’the?Butherememberedherapartment.Shedidn’tcome

frommoney.

“Ithoughtyousaidyoucouldn’taffordthetrip.”Hewasn’tquitesurewhattothinkofhershowingup.

He’dneverhadawomanfollowhimlikethis.Shecouldendupbeingpsychotic.Buthewantedtothink
thebestofher.Especiallysinceshe’dsavedhimfromthewitches.

Shegiggled.“Ican’t.Iliterallyspentmyentiresavingsontheplaneticket.CanIcomestay?”
He sighed. This was the last thing he expected right now. He relished the memory of her, but that’s

becauseitwasperfect.Ifshecamenow,whatwouldthatdotohismemory?Shedidn’tbelonghere.

“Howlongwillyoubehere?”
“Coupleofweeks.”
Acoupleofweekshecouldhandle.It’snotlikehedidn’thavethespace.Plus,itmightkeepawaythe

witches.Buthedidn’twanttointroducehertohisworld.Thiswasn’ther.

Haydenranahandoverhisface.“Sure.I’mgoingtotextyoutheaddress.Showittoacabdriver,and

he’llbringyououthere.”

“Okay, see you soon.” Her voice was full of excitement. He hoped she wouldn’t be too terribly

disappointed.He’dlethercomestay,buthewasn’tabouttoplayboyfriend.Orevenholidaylover.She
wasthekindofgirlhe’dfallhardfor,andhedidn’twanttoriskit.

HesentherapictureoftheaddresswritteninThaiandsteppedoutside.
“Ladies,I’mafraidyou’llneedtoleave.Ihaveaguestcoming.Chloe,thankyouagainforthedessert.”
Neitheronemovedtogetup.Hedidn’twanttoberude,buttherewasnowayinhelltheyweregoingto

beherewhenAnnaarrived.

“Seriously,youneedtogo.”
Victoriastoodandgavehimakissonthecheek.“Anothernightthen.”
He wasn’t paying attention to her though. Chloe had Ubon cornered and was whispering furiously to

her.Ubondidn’tlookscared,butshedidn’tlookpleasedeither.

Chloegavehimawave,andtheybothpranceddownhiswalkwaytothebeach.Heshookhisheadat

them.He’dlovetogetagateputin,butthenhewouldruinhisview.

Hesankdowninhischairagain.Atleastmoreofthisfoodwouldgeteaten.Hepulledouthisphone

andsentUbonamessage.

WhatdidChloesaytoyou?
Hepointedtoherphone,andshepickeditup.Herfacefellwhenshereadthemessage.
Toputtheappledessertintherefrigerator.
Hedoubtedthat’swhatshesaid,buthedidn’tknowhowtoconvinceherthatshecouldtrusthim.

Forty-fiveminuteslater,acarpulleduptothesidegate.Heopeneditwiththeremote,andincamea

car.

Hemetheratthecardoor.Shemighthavesurprisedhim,butthatwasnoreasonforhimtoberude.

Besides,hewaslookingforwardtotheconversation.Helovedthatabouther.

Hetookherbagfromherwhilethecabdriverhauledhersuitcaseoutofthetrunk.Hepaidthecabbiea

couplethousandbhat,whichwasmorethanheshould’ve,buthedidn’tcare.Thelittlebitextraforhim
wasnexttonothing,butforthecabbiethatwasfoodmoneyforanentiremonth.

“Comeon,there’sfood.I’msureyou’rehungryafteralongflight.”
Shenodded.Hereyesweretired,buttheystillsparkledwithexcitement.Herblondehairwaspulled

into a ponytail. The next two weeks would be long if she looked that amazing with no effort. But he
couldn’tbringhertohisroom.

He led her to the table where Ubon had covered all the food. Anna still hadn’t said a word. She

gawkedatthehouse.“Thisisenormous.”

“Yeah,Ihadnoidea.Truthfully,Idon’tneedaplacethisbig.Butthiswasthehousetheygavemewith

thejob.”

Shesankdownintoachair.Hecouldn'ttakehiseyesoffofher.He’dgottenusedtoseeingthewitches

andtheirfakebeauty.EvenJuliahadalotofworkdone.Anna’sfacewassoft,notseverelyangular,and
hersmilecouldlightupawholeroom.Herarmsandlegsweretonedbutnotoverlydefined.Inshort,she
wasstunning.Nowonderhe’dgonehomewithherthatnight.

Heneededtokeepheratarm’slength.Butheavenhelphimifshemadeaneffort.
Hewouldn’tbeabletoresist.

Chapter9

Annawasn’tquitesurewhattosay.Atleasthe’dlethercome.She’dalreadyliedtohim,buthedidn’t
seemtoblinkaneyewhenshesaidacoupleofweeks.Maybesheshould’vebeenhonestandsaiditwas
forawholemonth.

Shecouldn’tgetovertheforeignnessofPhuket.Thetrees,thehouses,everythinglookeddifferent.She

could hear waves crashing not too far away and couldn’t wait to see the ocean. She’d never seen it
before.

Theairwasthickwithhumidity,andsweatformedonherbrow.
“Isitalwaysthissticky?”sheasked.
Helaughed.“Yeah.I’vebeenhereforafewweeks,andI’mprettyusedtoit.Theheatishard,butyou

getusedtothehumidity.Frankly,Ilovethateverythingisoutsidehere.Ihaven’teatenamealinsideyet.
Forthemostpart,ifI’mhome,I’msittingouthere.”Heappearedmorerelaxedthanhehadwhenshe’d
methiminMichigan.Shecouldseewhy.Everythingaboutthisplacescreamedchill.Theoutsidekitchen
wasincredible.Thefridge,stove,andsinkwerealloutside,liketheybelongedthere.

“Itispeaceful,thoughloud.What’sthatnoise?”Thecacophonyofbuzzingwasoverwhelming.
“Frogs,Ithink.ItriedaskingUbon,butshedidn’tunderstandwhatIwasasking.”Hechuckled.
“Who’sUbon?”
“The maid and cook. She doesn’t speak English, and sometimes things don’t translate right when I

messageher.”

ADobermancameandsniffedAnna’shand.Shescratchedthedogbehindtheears.“She’scute.What’s

hername?”

“Una.Ihopeyoulikedogs.”
“Ilovedogs.I’mplanningongettingonewhenIgetback.”Comingherewasabigstep.Shefeltlike

after this, she’d finally be able to get started with her life. A dog was a big commitment, but it was
symbolic of beginnings. This trip was a breather. A way to step back and reevaluate what she wanted.
WhenshegotbacktotheStates,herlifewouldbegin.

Haydenranahandthroughhishair.Itwassuchasimplemove,butonhimitlookedsodamnsexy.
“SoIwasn’texpectingyou.”Hefurrowedhisbrow,buthedidn’tlookangry,thankgoodness.
Shefrownedandhopedthiswasn’tthepartwherehekickedherout.“Iknow.I’msorry.Itwassortofa

spontaneoustrip.Iwasn’tsureIwasactuallygoingtogountilIsetfootontheairplane.Ineverdostuff
likethis.”

“Yousaythatalot.Soundslikeyourlifeischanging.”
Hewasrightaboutthat.Heloadedherplatewithfood,andshetriedtofigureoutwhathewasputting

on there. Noodles, some weird looking vegetables, and what she hoped was chicken. It smelled like a
Chineserestaurant.

Shetriedtonotcheckhimout.Hewasbetterlookingthansheremembered.Howdidsheforgetthose

broadshouldersandgorgeoussmile?

“What’sgood?”sheasked,pointingtothefood.
“Everything. Don’t ask me what any of it is called though. I try to ask Ubon, but the names never

translateright.”Shetookabite,andthespicesexplodedacrosshertongue.

Shecoughed.“Water,”shechoked.
Hehandedheraglassandchuckled.“Sorry,Iforgottowarnyouaboutthechicken.”
Shedranktheentireglass,buthermouthstillburned.“What’snotspicy?”

“Pretty much everything else. You should be fine. That’s my favorite dish. I didn’t even think that it

mightbetoospicy.”

“It’sokay.”
Hestudiedherwhilesheate.Itmadeherself-conscious,andshedeliberatelychewedwithhermouth

closed. Then she remembered the night they’d slept together. She hadn’t been as bashful when she was
eatingthelavacake.

Sheblushed,andhecockedhishead.“Sowhatpossessedyoutoactuallygetonthatplaneandcome

here?Nooffensebuttheofferforyoutocomevisitwaskindofapolitegesture.”He’dleanedawayfrom
her,andsheimmediatelyfelthumiliated.

“Icanleave.Idon’tmeantoimpose.”Shepushedagainstthechair,herhandsstickingtothearmrests.

Thiswasahugemistake.Whatwasshethinking,cominghere?

Heputhishandonhers,andshefroze.
“Don’tbesilly.You’reherenow.I’mnotthrowingyouout.I’mjusttryingtofigureoutwhyyoucame

whenyousayneverdothingslikethis.”

Shecautiouslysatdown.Shewasn’tsurehowtomakehimunderstand.“Mybestfriendjustleftfora

year-long internship in China. I was lonely and depressed. After a few too many glasses of wine, I
purchasedanon-refundableticket.Aweeklater,hereIam.”

He leaned back in the chair and rubbed his chin. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

“Understandable.”

While they ate, they talked about his first couple of weeks in Thailand. When she was done, she

reachedforwhatlookedlikeanappledessert.Buthestoppedher.“Youwon’twanttoeatthat.”

“Whynot?Toospicy?”
“No.Myneighbormadethat,andshe’sahorriblecook.”
“YoumindifIjudgemyself?”Thedessertlookedamazing,likesomethingshe’dseeoncookingshows.

Shewasn’tabouttonoteatitbecausehedidn’tlikeit.

Heshrugged.“Suityourself.”
Shereachedherforkinandtookaheapingmouthful.Thengagged.Haydenlaughedandhandedhera

napkin.Shespititout.Itwasawful.Acacklecamefromtheothersideofthekitchen.Annametthegaze
ofthecook,whocoveredhermouth,buthereyesweredancing.

“See,evenUbonknowsthat’scrap.”
Hayden stretched his arms over his head, and his shirt crept up. Anna had flashbacks to running her

fingersalongthoseincredibleabs.

“Well, it’s late,” he said, “and I have to work tomorrow. Let me show you to your room. You are

welcometostayforthedurationofyourtrip.I’msorryifImadeyoufeeluncomfortableearlier.Iwant
youtostay.I’llleaveyouthenumberofmydriver.Hecantakeyouanywhereyouwanttogo.”

Heledhertoasmallhousebehindthepool.Thenhepointeduptothemainhouse.
“That’smyroomifyouneedanything.Justknock.Youhavefreereintocomeandgoanywhereelsein

thehouse.Ithoughtthiswouldbethemostcomfortableforyousinceithasitsownbathroomandliving
room.Helpyourselftoanythinginthekitchen.Uboncancookwhateveryouwant,evenifit’sAmerican,
butshe’sbetteratThaifood.Shedoesn’tspeakEnglish,butifyougethernumber,youcanmessageback
andforth,andthephonewilltranslateit.”

Heopenedthedoortothesmallhouseandpulledhersuitcaseinside.Shefollowed,disappointedthat

shewasn’tjoininghiminhisbed.

“I’mgoingtobed.I’llseeyoutomorrow.”Heleftwithoutanotherword.Sheshutthedoorbehindhim.

Thelivingroomwaslightandairy,decoratedinsoftwhitesandgreens.

Shesankdownonthecouchandcringed.Itwasrockhard.Notexactlythekindofcouchshecouldcurl

upandreadon.Therewasachairacrosstheroomthatlookedjustasuncomfortable.Inthemiddleofthe

roomwasalowwoodentablewithafewmagazinesspreadout.

Sheturnedaroundandtookinhertinykitchen.Ithadasmallfridge,sink,andtwocupboards.She’d

havetocookinHayden’sbigone.

AcrossfromthecouchtherewasalargeTV.Shedoubtedshe’deventurnthatthingon.Shewasgoing

toplantherselfoutbythatpooltheentiretimeshewashereandneversetfootindoorsexcepttosleep.

ShepulledoutherphoneandcalledEileen.Shecouldn’twaittohearherreaction.
“Hey,girl,howwasyourfirstdayofclasses?”Eileenaskedassoonassheansweredthephone.
“Ididn’tgo.”Shecouldn’tbelieveshewashalfwayacrosstheworld.
“Whynot?”Eileensoundedconcerned.
“BecauseI’minPhuket.”
“Shutup!Youarenot.”Eileen’sreactionwasexactlyassheexpected.Itwasrareshecouldsurprise

Eileen,andshewasgladforit.

“Iam.It’shotandsticky.Beautifulthough.Isawmonkeysinthetreesonthedrivetothehouse.Crazy,

huh?”

“Crazyisonewaytoputit.Whatwereyouthinking?”Eileenaskedwithalaugh.
“ThatIwasmissingyou,andIwastiredofaboringlife.”Shestillwonderedifshe’dmadeamistake.

Shewasthrowingalotawaytobehere.Shewasn’tlookingforwardtostartingalloveragainwhenshe
gothome.

“Whereareyoustaying?”
“AtHayden’splace.”
Eileenwentsilent.Annamust’vereallysurprisedher
“Didyoutellhimyouwerecoming?”Hervoicelosttheexcitement.
“No.Ijustshowedup.”
Eileenchuckled.“You’renuts.What’dhesay?”
“Heputmeupinhisguesthouse.Hehasahugeplace.Themainhousehaslikefourbedrooms.There’s

apoolandabeach.Idon’teverhavetoleave.”Andshewouldn’tbeableto.Shecouldn’taffordto.

“No,youhavetogetout.Phuketissupposedtobegorgeous.Howlongareyoustaying?”
“Amonth.”
“Holycrap,girl.DoesHaydenknowthat?”
“Itoldhimtwoweeks.I’mhopinghewon’tbetoomadwhenItellhimit’slonger.”Shewasn’tsure

whatshewasgoingtodowhenitcametimeforhertogetonherfakeairplane,butshehadtwoweeksto
figurethatout.

“ImighthavetoseeifIcanflyoutforalongweekend.Phuket’snotthatfarfromhere.”
Annagrabbedathrowpillowandhuggedit.“Eileen,thatwouldbeawesome.”
“Hey,Igottago.Callmethisweekend.”
“Cando.Loveyou.”
“Youtoo.”
She’dgiveanythingtohaveEileenherewithhernow.
Annawanderedtothebackoftheguesthouseandfoundabedthatwastwiceasbigashertinybedat

home.Shecollapsedonit,anditfeltlikearock.Itmightbebettertosleeponthefloor.Shewasn’tsure
she’dbesleepingafterall.

Shehungherclothesinthetinyclosetandsteppedintothebathroom.Thefloorsandthewallwerea

brilliantbluetile.Ithadasink,toilet,andshowerheadthatlookedlikeitwouldraindownonthetoilet.
Theshowerheadwasinfrontofawidewindow,andtherewerenoshades.Noshowercurtainforthat
matter.Theentirebathroomwouldgetwetwhensheshowered.

Shecertainlywasn’tinAmericaanymore.

Thenextmorning,Annawokeupdisoriented.Shewasn’tsurewhichendwasuporwhattimeitwas.She
checkedherphone.Tena.m.Shehadn’tsleptthatlateinawhile.Thenagain,hertimewasmessedup.

Shehadaheadacheaswell.ShefoundsomeTylenolinherbathroombagandswallowedacoupleof

themwithabottleofwaterfromthefridge.Shestaredattheshower.Shedidn’twanttogetthetoiletand
sinkwet.Also,thewindow.

She left her towel and clothes in her bedroom and turned on the shower to see what would happen.

Waterwenteverywhere.

This was impossible. She left the water running and stripped down, trying not to think about the fact

thatanyonecouldseein.Sure,thewindowbackeduptoajungleofgreenandbrowntrees.Butstill.

After she showered, she wiped the whole bathroom down, and her stomach grumbled. She hoped

Hayden had some food. She was certain he was as work, which meant she could explore the house
withouthimaround.

Shedressedquicklyinapairofshortsandatanktop.Shesteppedoutofherlittlehouse,andthehot

stickyhumidityassaultedher.Shestretchedandshutthedoor.Inthedaylightshecouldseetheareabetter.
Palmandothertreesdottedtheyard.Thepoolwouldbeheavenlyinthisheat.Theoceanappeareddark
blueandsmallwavescrashedonthewhitesand.Aftersheate,shewasgoingtocampoutdownthere.

Unaboundedoverwithasqueakytoyinhermouth.Annawrestleditawayandthrewitacrosstheyard.

UnachasedafteritwhileAnnamadeherwaytothekitchen.

Ubonwasdoingdishes.Sheturned,gaveAnnaahugesmile,andmotionedforthetablewherethere

wasstilloneplacesetting.Annasatdown.Ubonpulledaplateoutoftheovenandsetitinfrontofher.It
hadastackofpancakesandfourpiecesofbacon.Oh,heaven.

Ubon motioned toward the syrup and then held up two bottles, one with apple juice and one with

orange.Annapointedtotheorange.Shewasquitesurprisedbytheserviceandcertainlywasn’tusedto
beingtreatedlikethis.Itwasnice,andthefoodwasincredible.

Afterbreakfast,UboncleanedupandthenmovedtostartontherestofthehouseandleftAnnaalone.
Annawentintoherhouse,grabbedherbookandalawnchair,andtraipseddowntothebeach.Sheset

thebookinthechairandletthewaterwashoverherfeet.Itwassoclear,anditsmelleddifferentthanthe
beachesinMichigan.She’dneverunderstoodwhatbrinysmelledlike,butnowshedid.Shewasn’tsure
howlongshestoodtheremesmerizedbythewaves.

BeforeGrandpahadgottensick,theyusedtogotoLakeMichiganallthetimeandsitonthebeach.He

often told her stories of his youth. At the time she’d found them so boring, but now she wished she’d
listenedmore.

She went to her chair and picked up her book. She’d never been more relaxed in her entire life. At

somepointshefellasleep.

Shewasshakenawake.
“Thisisaprivatebeach.”
Annablinkedupatablondewomanwithapinchedface.
“I’msorry.I’mstayingwithHaydenJorgenson.”
Thewomancrossedherarms.“Youhisgirlfriendorsomething?”
“Um, no. Just a friend. Who are you?” Though if Anna was being honest with herself, she was

disappointedthathe’dgonecoldonher.She’dsoenjoyedthenighttheyspenttogetherandhopedthatit
wouldbethateasyagain.Maybesheneededtobreakoutthealcohol.

“I’mChloe.Ilivenextdoor.”

“Areyoutheonewhomadetheapplething?”
“Thetart,youmean.Youhadsome?”Sheseemedsooffended.
“Yeah,itwasgood,”shelied.
Chloe’sshouldersrelaxed.“Really?Thanks.SowhatareyoudoinginPhuket?”
“Justcheckingitout.I’veneverbeentoAsiabefore.Haydenwasniceenoughtoletmestay.”
Chloe’sfacelitup,andAnnafinallyunderstood.“He’sprettysweet,isn’the?”Chloesaid.
“Heis.Whatbroughtyouhere?”Annaasked.Chloeseemedlikeshewasaneastcoaster,butmaybe

not.

“MyhusbandworkswithHayden.”
Annacreasedhereyebrows.Shecouldn’tfigureoutthiswoman’sdeal.Shedefinitelyhadathingfor

Hayden,butshewasmarried.Alarmbellsweredingingallovertheplace.Annadidn’twanttospendany
ofhervacationwatchingHaydenparadearoundwithanotherwoman.Notthatshehadarighttothinkthat,
but she wanted to. Especially since Chloe was married. She wondered if Hayden would go there. She
hopednot.

“YougonnaletHaydendosomeworkonyouwhileyou'rehere?”Chloeasked.
“I’msorry?”
“Yournose.Orbotoxforthoselaughlines.Youshouldlethim.”
Annadidn’tunderstand.“WhywouldIhavehimdoworkonme?I’mperfectlyhappywiththewayI

look.”

“But you could look better. What’s the point of having friends who are plastic surgeons if they can’t

improveyou?”Thenshesnorted.“Butdon’tlethispartner,Dr.Ferrar,doanything.Youshouldseethe
wayhebotchedMaria’snewboobs.Oneisbiggerthantheother.”

Anna’smindwasspinning.Whothehellwasthewoman?AndpoorMaria.Shehadtogetoutofhere.

Shegrabbedherbookandfoldedupherchair.

“Itwasnicemeetingyou,butIthinkI’mgoingtoheadinside.It’sprettyhot.”
“Itis.”
AnnafeltChloe’seyesonherbackallthewayuptothehouse.Shewasn’tsurewhatChloe’sdealwas.
Shewassweatinglikemad.Ithadtobeahundreddegreesoutthereandninetypercenthumidity.She

droppedthelawnchairnexttoherdoor,changedintohersuit,andjumpedintothebigpool.Unajumped
inafterher,surprisingher.Annagrabbedafloatingtennisballandthrewitacrossthepool.Unaswam
afterit.ShespentanhourorsoplayingwithUnaandthensatononeoftheloungechairs,seeingnopoint
inchangingoutofhersuit.Itwastoohot.

She was nearly finished with her book when Ubon tapped her on the shoulder. She pointed to her

watch.Itwasalmostsix.

Anna shrugged her shoulders. She wasn’t sure what Ubon was getting at. Ubon grew more and more

frustrated,motioningallkindsofthings.

“I’msorry.Idon’tunderstand.”
Ubon stomped a foot and waved her over. Anna stood and followed Ubon off the patio to her little

house,curiousastowherethiswasgoing.UbonletherselfinandglancedbacktomakesureAnnawas
behindher.UbonwenttoAnna’sbedroomandflippedthroughhercloset.Shepulledouttheshortblue
dressthatAnnabrought.

Ubon pointed to the dress and then outside. Did she mean for Anna to wear the dress for dinner?

Maybe.UbonscrunchedupherfaceandglaredatAnna.ThensheshovedthedressinAnna’shandsand
pushedhertowardthebathroom.Okay.Soshewaswearingherbluedress.

UbonspottedAnna’smakeupbag,grabbedhereyelinerandmascara,andhandedbothtoAnna.Then

shenoddedonceanddisappeared.Annachuckledaftersheleft.Ubonwantedhertolookniceatdinner.

Anna couldn’t get over how thoughtful that was. Why did Ubon care anyway? Whatever her

motivations,Annadidn’tcare.Maybeshe’dbesuccessfulinmovingherroomfromtheguesthousetohis
bedroomifUbonwasonherside.Shefeltawfulforeventhinkingthat.Shewasgratefulhewasletting
herstay.

But there was nothing wrong with getting dressed up. She certainly wasn’t going to discourage him

frompursuingher.Annashowered,putonthebluedress,andpaidcarefulattentiontohereyes.Shecould
makethemlookbiggerwhenshewantedto.Shelikedmakeupalotbutcouldn’taffordthenicestuff,so
shedidn’twearitmostofthetime.Shesteppedoutside,andthenoiseassaultedherears.Thefrogs,or
whatevertheywere,hadstartedupagain.Haydenstillwasn’thome,butUbonsmiledwhenshesawher.
Annaspuninacircle.

“HowdoIlook?”Annaasked,realizingaftershespokethatUboncouldn’tunderstandher.
Ubon nodded anyway, then held up one finger. She pulled her purse out from under the sink and dug

around in it for a second. Then she whipped out a bright red lipstick. She handed it to Anna. Lipstick
wasn’t her thing, but she couldn’t deny this woman who seemed so intent on helping her look nice for
Hayden.Shetookthelipstickintotheguestbathroomandputonalightlayer.Itactuallyaddedquiteabit
toherappearance.Ubonknewherstuff.

Annagavethelipstickbackjustasthesidegateopened.Ubonquicklypulledoutachairandmotioned

for Anna to sit, and Anna followed her command. It had become evident that if she wanted Hayden to
thinkofherasanythingmorethanahouseguest,Ubonwaskey.

UbonsmiledwideandpointedathermouthindicatingshewantedAnnatodothesame.Annahoped

noneofthelipstickgotonherteethasshegaveawidesmileashewalkedupthepath.

Chapter10

HaydenstoppedshortwhenhesawAnnasittingatthetable.She’ddressedupfordinner.Hedidn’tknow
whatthebottomofherdresslookedlike,butthetopwassleevelesswithaheart-shapedneckline.Itwas
stunningonher.Andtheredlipstickwasnew.Hewantedtokissitoffherlips.

Hecouldn’tthinkthatway.Shewasstayingathishouse.Iftheystartedkissing,itwouldleadtoother

things,andhedidn'twanttogiveherthewrongidea.Gettinginvolvedwithanyonewouldbeabadidea.
Annaturningintooneofthosewitcheswasthelastthinghewanted.

He handed her the flowers he was holding. He didn’t know what possessed him to stop on the way

homefromwork,buthesawasmallflowerstand,andheboughtabouquetofpinkandwhitelilies.

“Thankyou,”shesaid,stickinghernoseintotheflowers.
“Yousaidlilieswereyourfavorite,right?”
“Idid.I’msurprisedyouremember.”
Hesatdownacrossfromher,andUbontooktheflowersandarrangedtheminavase.
Afterthat,Ubonbroughtoveralltheirfood.“Didyouhaveanicedayatwork?”Annaaskedhim,those

lusciousredlipsformingwordshecouldbarelydiscernthemeaningofbecausetheyweresodistracting.

“Yeah, I did. I worked in the hospital today, which I like better than the clinic.” He was actually

temptedtogobacktoMichiganandsayforgetit.Hehadn’tlearnedanythingnewsincehe’darrived.But
hewasneveronetoquitsomethinghestarted.

“Whatkindofdoctorareyouanyway?Younevertoldme,”shesaid.Thenshetookabiteofherfood

andclosedhereyes.“Mmm.Ubon,thisisfantastic.”

Howthehelldidshemakeeatinglooksensual?Itwasgoingtobeaverylongtwoweeks.Heglanced

awayfromherasheponderedwhattosay.Hewantedtolie,butitwouldprobablycomeouteventually.

“I’m a plastic surgeon.” He watched for her reaction, to see if she was pleased or amused by his

chosenprofession.Shetookanotherbiteofherfood.Shechewedandswallowed.Hehadtostoplooking
ather.

“Whydoyoulikethehospitalmore?”
“BecauseIworkonrealpatientsratherthanthosewantingtochangetheirappearance.”
“Likewhat?”
“Todaywehadawomanwhowasinabadmotorcycleaccident.Wehadtoreconstructherfacesoshe

lookednormal.”Histeamwasamazingtoday.He’dworkwithsomeincredibledoctorsintheStates,and
hewaspleasedtoseethatthehospitalherewasjustasprofessional,eveniftheydidn’thavethelatest
and greatest equipment. It was definitely challenging to perform the surgery without some of the
technologyhewasusedto,butthenursesmadeupforitwiththeirskill.

“Soundsrewarding.”
“Itis.OnThursdayIhavethreecleftpalletsurgeriesscheduled.Ilovegivingkidsnewsmiles.”
Anna’seyeswidened.“That’sincredible.Ihadnoideayoudidsuchamazingwork.”
Hebrushedoffthecompliment.Hewasnevercomfortablereceivingrecognitionforhiswork.“What’d

youdotoday?”

“HungoutwithUna.Shelikesthepool.”
Unapushedagainsthimandsoakedhisshirt.She’dhoppedinthepoolafterhegothome.
“Thatshedoes.Whydidn’tyougoanywhere?”
Shewouldn’tmeethiseyes.“Jetlag.Ifellasleeponthebeach.”
“Oh, yeah, it can be bad. You should try to get out tomorrow. There’s a lot of great stuff to do here.

Takeaboatride,goshopping,visittheelephants.Therearemagazinesinyourhouse.Flipthroughthem,
callmydriver,andgowhereveryouwant.”

Annashrugged.“Maybe.Honestly,Ihaven’thadtimetorelaxinyears.I’menjoyingdoingnothing.”
ThatHaydencouldunderstand.Worktodayhadbeenexhausting.
“Ialsometyourneighbor.”
“Liam?” Hayden hoped it was Liam because although he tolerated Chloe, she was definitely a

surgeon’swife,andhedidn’twantherinfluencingAnna.

“No,Chloe.”
Haydencoveredhiseyesandgroaned.“I’msosorry.Pleaseignoreanythingshesaidtoyou.”
“Shedidn’tsaymuch.I’mnotsureshelikedme.”
Hechuckled.“No,probablynot.Don’tlethergettoyou.Itrytoavoidher,butunlessIinstallafence,

thatwillbeimpossible.”

“Okay.IsthereanyoneelseIshouldbewarnedabout?”sheaskedwithachuckle.
“ProbablyVictoria.ShelivesontheothersideofChloe.She’sprettysnotty.Carefulorshemightclaw

youreyesout.LiamandJulialiveontheotherside.Niceguy.Hiskidsarecrazythough,”hesaidwitha
smile.

Annanodded,andhewishedheknewwhatshewasthinking,whatmadehertick.
Hestood.Hecouldn’tgetinvolved,orshe’denduplikeChloeorworse.Victoria.

Annadidn’tdoanythingdifferentonWednesday.ExceptshetriedtolearnhowtocookfromUbon,who
seemedtowantheroutofthekitchen.Justbeforedinner,sheinsistedAnnawearniceclothesforHayden
again.

As the side gate squeaked, female chatter came from the beach trail. Ubon jerked her head up and

frownedatAnna.

Haydendroppedhisjacketonthechairnexttoherandgaveheradevastatinggrin.Hiseyestraveled

thelengthofherbody,andsheshivered.

“Youlooknice.Didyouhaveagoodday?”
“I did. Thanks.” She didn’t know what else to say. He made no move to get closer to her, but she

wantedhimtowraphisarmsaroundherandkissher.

“Hello,”Chloecalledfromtheothersideofthepool.ShesauntereduptoHaydenwithanotherdishin

herhands. Anna resistedrolling her eyes.Obviously Chloe followed theadage that theway to a man’s
heartwasthroughhisstomach.WhichAnnasupposedcouldwork,butonlyifonewasactuallygoodat
cooking.

Theotherwomanstoodbehindher,andAnnaguessedshewasVictoria.Shehadateenywaist,breasts

thesizeofmelons,bighair,andbrightredtwo-inchnails.

“Hayden,who’syourlittlefriend?”Victoria’svoicepurred.Annawaspositivethatvoicelandedher

morethanherfairshareofmen.Theboobsdefinitelyhelpedtoo.

Chloeansweredforhim.“ThisisAnna.She’safriend,isn’tthatright,Hayden?”
“Yeah.”HisfacewasstonyashetookthedishfromChloeandhandedittoUbon,whohoverednear

thetrashcanforasecondtoolongbeforesettingitonthecounter.Annanearlylaughed.Shehadtofigure
outhowtocommunicatewiththiswoman.She’dlovetohearherstories.

HaydensatnexttoAnna,andVictoriastoodacrossfromthemstillgivingAnnaadeathstare.
“She’stooprettytobejustafriend,”Victoriasaid.
Couldshebeanymoreobvious?HaydendrapedanarmacrossthebackofAnna’schair.“Anna’smy

brother’sgirlfriend.Withanyluck,she’llbemysister-in-lawsoon.”Hewinkedather.Ifhewastryingto
putthosewomenoff,hewasn’tdoingaverygoodjob.Butshecouldn’tstomachadinnerwiththemhere.
Ubonwasplacingthefoodontable.Therewasplentyforallofthem.

“Idon’tmeantoberude,butIdon’tgettoseeHaydenveryoften,andweneedtodiscussthesein-law

options, so if you don’t mind, we’d like to eat alone.” Anna tried her best to keep her voice even and
sweet.Shedidn’twanttogivethesewomenanyreasontohateher.

Victoriacrossedherarms.“Whatin-lawoptions?”
Haydenchuckled.“Mybrotherisachicken.We’retryingtofigureouthowtogethimtopropose.”
ChloegrabbedVictoria’sarm.“Comeon,let’sgo.Anna,whendoyouleave?”
“Nextweek.”
“Okay,wewon’tbotheryouagain.Goodluckwiththeweddingplans.”
VictoriaglaredatAnnaassheleft.Assoonastheywereoutofsight,Annawhippedoutherphoneand

sentUbonamessage.

Thetrashcaniswaiting…
Ubonglancedatherphone,gaveAnnaasmile,pickedupChloe’sdish,anddroppeditstraightintothe

garbage.Haydenburstoutlaughing.

“Yep, Ubon, that’s about right.” He turned to Anna. “Sorry about the whole brother thing. If those

womenthinkthatyouandIaretogether,they’llneverleaveyoualone.”

“It’sokay.Igetit.Thanksforsavingme.”Shehopedthoughthatmaybehe’dthinkofherasmorethana

friendwhileshewashere.Thiswouldnevergoanywhere,buthere,inparadise,shecouldusethefling.

Thursday afternoon Anna planted herself near the kitchen again, determined to learn how to make Thai
food.Ubonfrownedwhenshereturnedwithallthegroceries.Thebagswereoverflowingwithgreens.
Anna’smouth watered justthinking about whatUbon could do withthat. Ubon droppedthe food on the
counterandstaredupatAnnawithherhandsonherwaist.

“Can you keep secret?” Ubon asked in English. Anna’s mouth dropped open. She did not see this

coming.

Shedidn’tknowhowtorespond.“Uh,sure.”
AgrinsplitacrossUbon’sface.“ItalkEnglish.”
Annaleanedagainstthecounter,nowinsanelycuriouswhythiswomanwouldkeepsomethinglikethis

asecretwhenitwouldmakeherjobsomucheasierifitweren’t.“Obviously.Whyisthatasecret?”

“Because if Mr. Hayden knows, then he will ask me to do things he can’t…” She made exaggerated

motionswithherhands.“ItmakesmyjobeasyifhenoknowItalkEnglish.”

“Youmeanhe’llwantsexualfavors?”Anna’sinsideswentcold.She’dneverheardofsuchathing.
“Maybe.Lotsofmendoit.Icleanandcook.Notaprostitute.”
“Youdon’tthinkHaydenwoulddothat,doyou?”
Ubonthoughtforafewseconds.“No,notMr.Hayden,butIstillnowanttotalktohim.”
“Whynot?”
Ubonwrinkledhernose.“Iteasierthisway.”
Annawasslightlyconfused,butpleasedthatUbontrustedher.“Wellthen.Yoursecretissafewithme.

Why’dyoutellmeanyway?”

“Ilikeyoubetterthantheotherwomen.Also,youwanttolearnhowcook?Weneedtalk.”
UbonwasincrediblychattyasshetaughtAnnahowtomakeanoodledish.Itseemedeasy,butAnna

wasn’tsureshe’dbeabletodoitagain.

“Ubon,youknowHaydenandIcan’teatthismuchfood.Youdon’thavetomakesomuch.”
Ubonshrugged.“Iknow.Itakehometomyfamily.ImakefoodevenifMr.Haydendon’tshowupso

myfamilyeats.”

Annathoughtaboutthatforafewmoments.Whatmustitbeliketomakesolittlethatyouhadtoeat

someoneelse’sleftoverseveryday?Thatwouldbeawful.

“Howbigisyourfamily?”
“Ihavefourkidsandalazyhusband,”shesaidwithasmile.
Annalaughed.“Howoldareyourkids?”
“Bupphaisten,Kosumissix,Maliisfour,andSumaleeisthree.Allgirls.”
“Ibetthey’reallbeautifullikeyou,”Annasaid.
Ubon didn’t respond, but she smiled at the dish she was preparing. Anna’d have to see if she could

sneaksometreatsinthereforUbon’skids.

Astheywerefinishingup,Ubonglancedattheclock.
“Ohmy.YougetdressedandlookniceforMr.Hayden.”UbonpushedAnnaoutofthekitchen.
“WhyisitsoimportanttoyouifIlookniceforHayden?”
“Becauseyousopretty.WhyyounosleepinMr.Hayden’sbed?”
Annawastakenaback.“MaybeIdon’twanttosleepinHayden’sbed.”
Ubonlookedconfused.“MissAnna,everyonewanttosleepinMr.Hayden’sbed.Andyousopretty.

Youshouldwin.”

Annalaughed,andUbonfollowedsuit.Thensheescapedtoherlittlehouse.Sheputonasundress.It

madeherfeelsexy.SheaddedabitofmakeupandwentintothekitchenwithUbon.

ShespuninacircleforUbon,andUbonnoddedappreciatively.
“Yousopretty.YousleepinMr.Hayden’sroomtonight.”
Annablushedandchangedthesubject.“CanImakeasalad?”
“Nomatter.”Ubonshrugged.
Annadugoutlettuceandsomecherrytomatoesandstartedchopping.Thescreechygateopened,butshe

didn’tturntolook.Shedidn’twanttogivehimthesatisfactionthatshewaswaitingforhim.

HegreetedUna,andthenhecameandstoodcloseenoughtoherthathecouldpluckcherrytomatoesout

of the bowl. He leaned casually against the counter. His tie was loosened, and he’d unbuttoned the top
two buttons of his shirt. A five o’clock shadow peppered his jaw, and his muscles flexed as he moved
closertoher.Shecaughtalingeringwhiffofhiscolognethatmadeherkneesweak.

Forasecondsheletherimaginationrunwild.Whatwoulditbeliketobeinacommittedrelationship

withsomeonelikehim?Withamanwhocamehomefromwork,kissedheronthelips,andtoldherhow
muchhemissedherduringtheday,andlookedthatdamngood.

Instead,Haydensaid,“Youknow,IpayUbontocookforme.Shecould’vemadethesalad.Youdidn’t

havetodothat.”

“I like cooking. She’s been teaching me.” Ubon could understand every word he said. Anna nearly

giggledthinkingofthethingsHaydenmustsaywithoutrealizingUbonunderstood.

Hemadenomovetoputdistancebetweenthem.Shewantedtoreachover,grabthattie,andpullhim

intoher.Butshecouldn’tdothat.

Heleanedcloser,andsheinhaledhisfaintcologne.Hiseyessparkled,andAnnaheldherbreath.This

wasn’tfair.

“Really.How’sthatworkingwithnoEnglish?”
“Wemanage.”AnnaglancedpastHaydentoUbon.ShepointedtoHayden,thentoAnna,thenshemade

akissyface.

Anna shook her head slightly, and Ubon flipped her hair and batted her eyes. Anna couldn’t help but

giggle.

Haydencreasedhiseyebrows.“What’ssofunny?”
“Nothing.”AnnatriedveryhardnottolookatUbon,whowasnowsashayingherhips.
Anna brought the salad to the table, and Hayden sat down across from her. Anna couldn’t keep the

smileoffherface.Whoknewshe’dfindafriendinthecookofallpeople.

Ubon brought the rest of dinner over. It was a chicken and rice dish with sauce on the side. Anna

wouldn'teatthesaucebecauseitwastoospicy,butthechickenandricewasexcellent.Verygarlicky.

Haydentookabite.“Thisisgood.Didyoumakeit?”
“Ihelped.Ubondidmostofit.I’msureifsheweren’taround,Iwouldn’tbeabletorecreateit.How

waswork?”

Heshrugged.“Iworkedintheclinic.Itwasallveryfrivolous.Unnecessary.StuffIalreadyknowhow

todo.Iwashopingtolearnnewtechniques,butsofar,nothing’sbeenthatchallenging.”

UbonstoodbehindHaydenandpointedtohernose.Thenherstomach,thenherrear.Thensheputher

handsinfrontofherbreastsandmovedherhandsbackandforth.Annatotallylostit.

Haydenturnedaround,butUbonhadalreadydisappearedinside.
“Whatareyoulaughingat?”
Anna thought fast. She couldn’t tell Hayden what Ubon did. But this wasn’t Anna’s first time making

jokesatplasticsurgery.“Nothing.I’msorry.It’snothingyousaid.It’sjustmyfriendEileenandIusedto
make fun of plastic surgery. And when you were talking about the frivolous stuff, I remembered a
conversationwehad.”Itwasaweakexcuseforherlaughing,butshehadnothingbetter.Hedidn’tlook
convinced.

“Letmeguess.Yourjokesgenerallyfocusonbreastaugmentation.”
Annanodded,nottrustingherselftospeak.
“It’sactuallywhatIhatemostaboutthisjob.Plasticsurgeonsdoamazingwork,butallpeoplethinkwe

doisboobjobs.”Hescowledandtookanotherbiteofhisfood.

Annasobered.Shereachedacrossthetableandplacedherhandonhis.“Hayden,Ididn’tmeanit.You

saidyourselfwhatyoudidtodaywasmostlyunnecessary.Ifitmakesyoufeelanybetter,weusuallyjoke
aboutthewomenwhohadworkdone,notthesurgeonswhodoit.Tellmemoreaboutwhatyoudointhe
hospitals.”

Hedidn’tsayanythingforafewmoments,andAnnathoughtshe’dpissedhimoff.Butafteracoupleof

bites,helaunchedintostoriesaboutsomeofthereconstructionshedid.Annamadeamentalnotetonever
teasehimabouthiscareeragain.ButUbonwouldprobablymakethatimpossible.

Afterdinner,Haydenstood.“Wouldyouliketogoforawalkonthebeach?”
“Sure.”Finally.Shewantedtospendasmuchtimewithhimasshecould.Shewashappytobeherein

Phuket,butshewashappierwhenshewaswithhim.

Haydenwasquietonthestrolldownthepath.Afewfeetfromthewaterhekickedoffhissandalsand

sankintothesand.Annajoinedhim.Sheleanedbackandstaredupatthestars.

“Theskyissoprettyhere,”shesaid.
Henodded.“I’mtoldit’sevenbetterawayfromthecity.Didyougoouttoday?”heasked.
“No. I stayed in. Really, I’m not interested in going out. The beach. Thai food. Una. What more do I

need?”

Hestartedtoargue,butaratherlargemanandprettywomaninterruptedhim.Haydenmovedtostand,

buttheguycalledout.

“Don’tyoudaregetup,oldman.I’mcomingtoyou.”
Haydenchuckledastheguycollapsednexttohimandhandedhimabottle.
“Ibroughtyouabeer.”HehandedanotherbottletoAnna.“Wewantedtoseewhotheprettyladyyou’re

entertainingis.”

Annastuckoutherhand.“I’mAnna.”

“I’mLiam,andthisismytrophywife,Julia.”
JuliarolledhereyesandsettledontheothersideofAnna.“Don’tlistentohim.He’shadalittletoo

muchtodrinktonight.Oneofthenanniescalledinsick,sohehadaroughday.”

“They’reterrors,I’mtellingyou,”Liamsaid.
“They’reangels.They’rejustkids.That’sthewaytheyaresupposedtobehave.”
“Howmanydoyouhave?”Annaasked.
“Justthetwins,butsometimesitfeelsliketherearesixofthem,”shesaidwithagrin.
“SoHaydendidn’ttellushewasgoingtohaveaguest,”Juliasaid.
“Itwasalastminutetrip.I’mgratefulHaydenletmestay.We’refriendsfromMichigan.”Annadidn’t

wantHaydentothinkshethoughttherewasmoretotheirrelationshipthanhedid.

Julianodded.“Doyoulikeithere?”
“It’shot,butpretty.”
“Whathaveyouseensofar?Iknowagreattourguide.”
“Nothing yet. I’m just relaxing.” She was getting so tired of saying that. In truth, she’d looked over

thosemagazines,andshewasdyingtogorideanelephant.

“Attagirl,”Liamsaid.
“Howlongareyoustaying?”Juliaasked.
“Acoupleofweeks.”
“Well,ifyouwant,wecangoshoppingsometime.Iknowallthebestplaces.Iworkalotthough,soit

willhavetobeintheevenings.”

“Thanks.Maybe.”Annadidn’tknowhowtotellhershewasbroke.“Whatdoyoudo?”
“I’maplasticsurgeon,butIworkatadifferentclinicthanHayden.”
“She’stheonewhowarnedmeaboutChloeandVictoria,”Haydensaid.
Julia frowned. “So you’ve met the witches, huh? Don’t listen to anything they say. Also, don’t go

anywhere with them. Before you know it, they’ll have you in a doctor’s chair getting botox and laser
treatmentsyoudon’tneed,andtheymightsuggestproceduresthatactuallymakeyoulookworse.Ifyou
needgirltime,comeonover.Anytime.”

“Thanks,”Annasaid,andshemeantit.Shehopedthatwhileshewashere,sheandJuliawouldbeable

tohang.

Chapter11

Fridayafternoon,Haydenpreparedtoleavetheclinicearly.Noonescheduledappointmentsafternoonon
Fridays.Mikepoppedintohisoffice.Damn.Hehadn’tgottenoutoftherefastenough.

“Youbusytonight?”
“Yeah, I have a houseguest.” Thankfully he could use Anna as an excuse. He wasn’t sure what he

would’vesaidifshewasn’tthere.ProbablyusedLiamandJuliaagain.

“We’reallgoingtoashowtonight.Youcanbringyourguest.I’msureMariawouldlovetomeether.”
HaydenpickedupacoupleoffilesandmovedpastMiketothefilecabinet.“Wealreadyhaveplans,

butthanks.”

ThenheduckedoutbeforeMikecouldsayanythingelse.Hedidn’thaveplans,buthewantedtofigure

out Anna’s deal. So far, they’d successfully avoided discussing anything that had to do with that night
they’dspenttogether.Iftheytalkedaboutit,they’dendupinbedtogetheragain.

Hedidn’tunderstandwhatshewasdoinghere.She’dshoweduptohishouse,thousandsofmilesfrom

herownhome.Probablythefirsttimeshe’devenbeenoutofthecountry,andshedidn’tgoanywhere.He
offeredhisdriver,andshehadn’ttakenhimuponit.Sheseemedhappyjusthangingoutatthehouse,but
whyspendthatkindofmoneygoingsomewhereandnotdoanything?

He’dheldheratarm’slength,andhelikedherfarmorethanheshould,andifheinvitedheruptobed,

hewouldn’tbeabletolethergo.Soinstead,hemadesureshewassafelytuckedintoherlittlecottage,
andhewentupstairstowatchthoseDisneymoviesshetoldhimabout.He’dwatchedanewoneevery
nighthe’dbeeninPhuket.

Hefoundhersittingonabeachwearingnothingbutaskimpybikini,herlongbronzelegsspreadoutin

front of her. She didn’t even look up from her book. He sat on the end of her chair and had to resist
touchingthoselegs.Maybeifhewaiteduntilitwasnearlytimeforhertoleave,thenhecouldsleepwith
heragain.Hewantedto.Buthecouldn’triskhisheart.

“What’dyoudotoday?”heasked,hisfingersitchingtotouchher.
Sheheldoutherbook,completelyoblivioustothethoughtsinhishead.“Ihavefivepagesleft.Also,

UnaandIwentswimming.She’sagreatdog,bytheway.IthinkI’mgoingtogetaDobermanwhenIget
home.”

“Icanrecommendagoodbreeder.”Buthewasn’tabouttoletherchangethesubjectthatfast.“That’s

whatyou’vedoneallweek.”

“Iknow.”Shegavehimalookthatdaredhimtoarguewithher.
Hetookthedare.“Whydon’tyougosomewhere?”
“WhywouldIneedto?Thisplaceisparadise.I’veneverbeensorelaxedinmyentirelife.”
Hesawthesincerityinhereyes.Whatkindoflifehadshelived?Maybeshewasscaredtobeouton

herowninaforeigncountry.HecouldcallJuliaupandaskhertotakeAnnaout,buthehadn’tbeenout
muchhimself,andhecouldusethecompany.Atleastthat’swhathetriedtotellhimself.

“Getdressed.We’regoingout.”Thoughhewouldn’tmindifsheneverchangedoutofherbathingsuit.

Itwasoneofthoseridiculoustwopiecesthatdidn’tshownearlyenough.

“Where?”
“It’sasurprise.Comeon.”
Shestood,andhenearlypulledhercloseandkissedheronthosegorgeouslipsofhers.Dammit.He

hadtogetaholdofhimself.

“Casualordressy?”sheasked.

“Casual.”He’dplannedoncheckingoutthenightmarket.Notimelikethepresent.
Sheblinkedupathim.Thensheputabookmarkintoherbook,pulleditclosetoherchest,andstrolled

toherlittlehousewithhimwatchingherhipsmovethewholeway.

Hetookadeepbreath.Intheguesthouseshewasoutofreach,wheresheshouldstay.Sheremindedhim

toomuchofFaithbeforeshechanged.TherewasnowayhewoulddothattoAnnaaswell.Hewondered
forasecond,though,whatshemustthink.She’dmadenomovesonhim,butsheprobablyexpectedhimto
treatherasmorethanafriend.

Hechangedintoat-shirt,shortsandflip-flops.Thenhewaitedforher.Hehopedsheunderstoodwhat

hemeantbycasual.Phuketwasabeachtown.Flip-flopswerethenorm.

Thirtyminuteslatershecameoutinshortsandasleevelessbuttondown.Itwasfancierthanwhathe

had on, but still casual. She was stunning. He was not going to make it through this next week without
doingsomethingdumbwithher.

HepulledouthisphoneandtextedUbon.Noneedtomakedinner.Wearegoingout.
Ubonfrowned,butshenodded.
HisdriveropenedthedoorforAnna.Sheslidintothecaranddidn’tsayawordastheydroveoutof

hisneighborhood,hereyesplasteredonthesightsaroundher.Haydenhadgottenusedtothecrazypower
lines,thousandsofmotorbikes,andoccasionalexoticanimalonthesideoftheroad.Shecertainlyhadn’t.

“PrettydifferentfromAmerica,huh?”hesaid,justtomakeconversation.Thingshadnotbeenaseasy

astheywerethatnightinMichigan.Butthatcouldbebecausetheydidn’twanttodiscusstheelephantin
theroom.

“What?Ohyeah,Ican’tquitegetoverit.Ohlook,monkeys.”
Thereweretwomonkeyssittingonthepowerlines.
“Iseethatallthetime.Youmustbeananimallover.”
Shenodded.“Ilovethem.IwasseriouswhenIsaidIwantedaDoberman.ThoughI’llprobablyget

onefromarescueinsteadofabreeder.IthinkUnaismyfavoritepersoninPhuket.”

“I’moffended.Ithoughtthatwasme.”
Hersmilefaltered.“Well,Ispendalldaywithher.Ionlyseeyouintheevenings.”
Hechuckled.“True.Youknowthereareallkindsofanimalencountershere.Youcanrideelephants,

playwithtigers,feedthemonkeys,andwatchcrazymenteasecobras.”

Hereyeswidened,buttherewassadnesstheretoo.
“Haveyoudoneallthat?”
“No,I’vebeentoobusyworking.ButIplanonitwhileI’mhere.I’vegotsixmonths.Youonlyhave

anotherweek.Mydrivercantakeyou.Ifyoudon’tdothisstuff,you’llregretit.”

Sheshrugged.“I’menjoyingmyself.”
He didn’t believe that for a second. Something was going on, and he would get to the bottom of it.

Thoughhewasn’tquitesurewhyhecared.Injustoveraweek,she’dbeonaplanetoMichigan,andthis
wouldalljustbeamemory.Maybehe’dlookherupwhenhegothome.

Thedriverpulledontoastreetpackedwithcars.
“Whatarethose?”Annaaskedpointingtoatinythree-wheeledopenairtaxi.
“TheyarecalledTukTuks.Youshoulddefinitelytakearideinonesometime,butbecareful,thoseguys

drivelikemaniacs.”

People dodged in and out of the cars. It was chaotic and crazy, and Hayden loved it. He should’ve

comehereearlier.MaybeitwasgoodthatAnnawasgettinghimoutofthehouse.Thedriverstoppedin
frontofasmallbuilding.

“ThisistheclosestIcanget.Theentranceisoverthere.”Thedriverpointedtotheendoftheblock.
“Fairenough.Thanks,”Haydensaid.
“Whattimedoyouwantmetopickyouup?”

Haydenglancedathiswatch.“Threehours.Thisspot?”
“Yes,sir.Seeyouthen.”
HaydenhelpedAnnaoutofthecaranddidn’tletgoofherhandastheyweavedinandoutofpeople.

Hediditsohewouldn’tloseher.Shedidn’tseemtomind,andhishearttightened.

“Whatisthisplace?”sheasked.
“Nightmarket.BiggestoneinPhuket.”
Thesmellhitthemfirst.Fishandfriedfood.HaydengrinnedandpulledAnnatowardthefoodsection.

Amanwavedscorpionsonastickinherface,andsherecoiled.

“Yousureyoudon’twantthose?”heasked.
“Ididn’tseeyouwhipoutyourwallet.”
“True.I’mprettybravewherefoodisconcerned,butnoscorpionsforme.Whatdoyouwanttoeat?”
Sheglancedaroundatthevariousstands.Meatsonasticks,noodles,andricefilledeverystall.Anna

studiedthedifferentdishes.“Ihavenoideawhatissafe.”

“Noneofit.That’spartoftheadventure.Youmightgetsomethingtasty,spicy,gross,orsomethingthat

willkeepyoustuckinthebathroomallnight.”Hewinkedather,walkeduptoastall,andpointedtotwo
sticksthatmight’vebeenchicken.Themanrunningthestallslatheredonsomeyellowsauceandhanded
himthetwosticks.HetookabiteofoneandgavetheothertoAnna.

“Tryit.It’sgood.Curryofsomekind.Nottoospicy.”
She took a small bite, and her eyes widened. “That is amazing. But what is it? I don’t think it’s

chicken.”

Hegaveheragrin.“Doesn’tmatter.Idon’tactuallyknow.Don’tthinktoomuchaboutit.”
Theywanderedthroughthestallsandtriedanoodledishandpancakesonastick.Oneplacehadthe

bestfreshpineapplejuicehe’deverhadinhislife.

Aftertheyate,heledAnnaintothemerchandisesectionofthemarket.Hewasn’tsurewhattoexpect,

but there were stalls for everything. From kitchen supplies to clothes to any souvenirs you could want.
He’deventuallyhavetogetthingsforhisfamily.Hemightaswelldoitnow.

Heboughtawoodenelephantforhisbrother,ascarfforhismom,apictureofthebeachforhisdad,

andacoupleoft-shirtsforhimself.Annalookedbutdidn’tbuyathing.

“Ifyouaregoingtobuysouvenirs,thisistheplacetodoit.”
“I’mokay.”HereyeslingeredonthedisplayoffatBuddhas.
“Comeon,I’msureyouwanttogetsomethingforyourmom.”
“Mymom’sdead.”Herfacegrewhard,andshehuggedherself.
Dammit. He’d forgotten. Not only were her parents dead, but she mentioned her grandfather had just

died.Hewonderedifshehadanyfamilyleftatall.

“I’msorry.Iforgot.”
“No,I’msorry.Idon’tmeantobesnappy.It’sjust...Ispentallmymoneyontheplaneticket.Idon’t

haveanythingleftforstufflikeelephantrides.”

Ohshit.Shelookedlikeshewasabouttocry.Butatleasthefinallyunderstood.
Hetookouthiswalletandhandedherastackofcash.“Nostrings.Seriously.Buywhatyouwant.”The

thoughtthatshewasn’tgoingoutbecauseshewasbrokeneverevenoccurredtohim.Whichwasstupid.It
should’ve.Hehadtobemoreawareoftheneedsofthosearoundhim.Hesupposedthatwaswhyheliked
theworkhedidasadoctor.Theneedswereeasytospot.

She sniffed and took a deep breath. “I don’t want your charity. I’m already staying at your house. I

won’tbeindebtedtoyouforanythingelse.Putyourmoneyaway.”

Hehesitatedforahalfsecondthenputitaway.Shewouldn’tlookdirectlyathimafterthat.Hewatched

herassheperusedthestalls.Shedidn’tlookatmanysouvenirs,butshebrowsedtheclothes.Hestudied
thethingsshewasdrawnto.Hehadtoplaythisright,orshewouldn’taccepthisgifts.

Shewasdaring.Toupandleaveonaplaneandshowupatastrangeman’shouseandaskforaplaceto

stay. He’d risk pissing her off, but she might play into his plan. She should accept his money to enjoy
herself.Thoughhemightgetintoodeepbecausethisinvolvedhimpretendinglikehewasinterested.Not
that it was really pretending. Not by a long shot, but he had to somehow distance himself from her
emotionally.

He took a chance and placed his hand on her back, which he enjoyed far more than he should’ve.

“You’rehereforanotherweek,right?”

Shenodded.
“Well,ifyouaren’tgoingtoleavethehouse,atleastyoucangivemesomethingnicetolookat.”
“What are you talking about?” Her face flamed red, and for a second, he wondered if he’d done the

rightthing.

Hewavedthestallowneroverandpointedtothepinkskirthe’dseenhercheckingoutafewminutes

earlier.“Iwantthatinhersizeandthatshirt.”

“Youcan’tdothis,”shesaid,pullingawayfromhim.
“I'mnotdoingthisforyou.I’mdoingthisforme.Nowcomeon,we’vegotsevenoutfitstopickout.”
She held his eye for a second, but didn’t say no. He wanted her to do this so she’d at least have

somethingtotakehomefromPhuket.Heplannedonshowinghersomeofthesites.Hewantedhertogo
homewithnoregrets.

Hegrabbedherhandandpulledhertothenextstall.Shedidn’tcomplain,andheknewhe’dwon.

Chapter12

Annahadneverhadsomuchfunshopping.Ofcourseshewasn’tdoingmuchofthepickingout,butitwas
interestingtoseewhatHaydenwantedtoseeherin.Everythinghepickedoutwasshorterandtighterthan
thethingsshewouldnormallywear.Buthehadgoodtaste.

Theywalkedpastastallthathadnicemen’sclothes.
“Youwanttopickoutanythingforme?”Haydenasked.
Sheshookherhead.Hehadsuchaninnatesenseofstylethatsheworriedshe’dpickthewrongthing.It

didn’tmatterifhewasgoingtoworkorhangingaroundthehouse,healwayslookedfantastic.

“Comeon,helpmeout.Whataboutthisone?”Heheldoutahideoust-shirtwithanelephantonit.
Shelaughed.“No.”Thoughhe’dprobablystilllookgoodinit.Haydenlookedperfectnomatterwhat.

This felt oddly like the night they first met. Things had been so easy that night. Though she’d had three
shotsoftequila,butstill.

“Thenwhat?Picksomething,seriously.”
Whatshewantedwasforthenighttoendlikeithadfirsttime.Withhimnaked.Heclosedthedistance

between them, and she had to resist reaching out and touching his chest. His eyes never left hers. She
swallowed.

“Honestly,Ipreferyouinnothingatall.”
Hisshockedexpressionrevealedthatshehadactuallyspokenoutloud.Shehadn’tmeanttosayit,butit

wasallshecouldthink.Herstomachtwistedinembarrassment.Shehadnoideahowtorecoverfromthat.
ItwassomethingEileenwouldsay.Somethingbold.Annaneversaidthingslikethatoutloud.

Haydenwasquietastheymovedthroughthenextfewstalls,butrecoveredwhentheyfoundastallwith

abunchofstringbikinis.Heboughtthreeofthemandhandedthemtoherwithoutaword.Shewishedshe
couldtellwhathewasthinking.

When they arrived home, he helped her carry her bags to her house. Throughout the night he’d been

affectionateandfriendly,andshewasn’tsurewhatshewasexpecting,butwhenhedroppedherbagson
hercouchandlookedather,herfaceburnedwiththememoryofthenighttheyspenttogetherinMichigan.
Shewasdesperatelyhopingforarepeat.Didheeventhinkabouther,orwassheonegirlinastringof
many?

Insteadofdragginghimintothebedroomlikeshewanted,shewalkedhimtoherdoor.Shedidn’twant

himtothinkshewasdesperate.Especiallyinlightofherearliercomment.

Thoughthatshipmighthavesailedwhensheshoweduponhisdoorstep.Heleanedontheopendoor

framelookingaltogethertooyummy.Shesighed.Shewasn’tquitesurehowtosaygoodnighttohim.

Shemovedcloser,wonderingifsheshouldgivehimahugorsomething.Shakinghandsseemedweird,

and a kiss was out of the question. He’d given her no indication that he thought of her as more than a
friendlyhouseguest.

To her surprise, when she reached him, he leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on her lips. They

burned,butshedidn’twanttomakehimthinkshewastooeager.Shetookastepback.

“Thanks.Tonightwasnice.”Hervoicewasalittlebreathless.
Hiseyesflashedwithdesire,andbeforesheknewwhathadhappened,hepulledherintohisarmsand

crushedhislipsagainsthers.Hishandswoveintoherhairandclenchedintofists.Shewrappedherarms
aroundhiswaist.Hetrailedkissesdownherchinandnippedatherneck.Sheletoutasqueakofsurprise
andmethiseyes.

“Caretoreassesstonight?”

“What?”Shecouldn’tthinkstraight.Herheartwasracing.
“Tonightwasmorethanjust‘nice.’Wearthereddresstomorrow.”
Hesweptoutoftheroomandslammedthedoorbehindhim.Howdareheleadheronlikethatandthen

leaveherhere,desperateformore.

She almost laughed out loud. She’d never gone out with a man like Hayden, and already she was

wantingmoreofhim.Whatwaswrongwithher?Shewasn’tsurewhatshewaswearingtomorrow.Butit
wouldn’tbethereddress.

Chapter13

Haydensatonthepatioforalongtime.Annahadgotintohishead.Hehadn’tmeantforthattohappen.
Herlightstillhadn’tgoneout,andhekepthopingshe’dcomeoutside.Notthatitwouldbeagoodthing.If
shedid,shemightgoupstairswithhiminsteadofbackintoherownroom.

Annawasn’tthetypeofgirlhecouldsleepwithandforget.Hethoughtofherconstantlyandnotjust

aboutherbody.Thatworriedhim.Hewantedtoknowwhyshecameallthewayouthere.Whatherpast
hadbeenlike.Whatshelovedtodoandwhatwouldmakeherhappy.

Una nudged him, and he was momentarily distracted. He threw her tennis ball into the pool and

watchedherforafewmoments.

TheproblemwithAnnawasthatshewastooperfect.Shewasbeautiful,smart,witty,andsweet.
Though,shehadjokedaboutplasticsurgery.Maybeshe’dbeimmunetothewivesclaws.Butsincehe

began practicing, he’d never met a wife or girlfriend of a colleague that he liked. He’d known a few
colleaguesforseveralyears,andevenifthewifestartedoutnice,theydidn’tendupthatway.Hayden
didn’tunderstandhowithappened,butoncetheotherwivesgottheirhooksintothem,theywereneverthe
same.

No,thosewomenwouldtearAnnaapartbeforesheevenknewwhatwashappening.AtleastChloeand

Victoria didn’t see her as a threat yet. If they did, Hayden was certain they’d be over here every day
chippingawayatherpersonality.

Annawouldbehereforanotherweek,andthenshe’dgohome.He’dmakeitveryclearthathenever

wanted to see her again. It’d be easier if he didn’t sleep with her. But he’d make sure her trip was
memorable.Hewantedtodothatforherevenifhecouldn’thaveher.He’dkeepherbusyenoughduring
thedaythatshe’dbeexhaustedatnight.Aslongashekeptherphysicallyatadistance,heshouldbefine.

HewhistledforUna,whohadcurledupoutsideAnna’sdoor,andhewenttobedthinkingofhersmile

andthoselegs.

SaturdaymorningHaydengotupearlyandcalledhisdriverandthetourguideJuliarecommended.Then
heknockedonAnna’sdoor.Hewaitedandheardherstumblingforthedoor.

Sheblinkedupathimsleepily.Herhairwentineverydirection;hethoughtitwasadorable.
“What?”sheasked,rubbinghereyes.
“Thedriverwillbeherinanhour.Getdressed.We’regoingouttoday.”
Shenoddedandmovedtoshutthedoor,buthestoppedit.“Also,Ubonwillhavepancakesreadysoon.

Anddon’tforget,thereddress.”

Sheglaredupathim.“WillIneedmysuit?”
“Bringonejustincase,butno,we’redoingthebeachtomorrow.”
He sat down at the table and browsed through the things he had planned for today on his phone. He

figuredhe’dgetthetouristystuffdonewhileshewashere.ThatwaywhenhisfriendscameatChristmas,
he’dknowwheretotakethem.Ubonbroughthimcoffee,slicedfruit,andherusualstackofpancakes.

“Thanks,Ubon.”Hesenthertexttellinghernottoworryaboutdinner.She’dhavedinnerpreparedfor

themanyway,buthecouldalwaystry.

HisheadjerkedupwhenAnna’sdooropened.Damn.Whenhadhestartedreactingtoher?Thiswas

bad.

She didn’t wear the red dress, and he had to smile at her obstinacy. She had on a pair of deep blue

elephant pants. It was the one thing he bought her that wasn’t sexy, but every tourist in Thailand had to
have one. They came in all different colors, were loose fitting, and had elephants all over them. They
wereuglyashell,butshe’dhadhereyeonapair,soheboughtthemanyway.She’dalsowornawhite
croppedtanktop.Shehadalongtorso,andmostofherstomachwasrevealed.Somehowshe’dmanaged
tomakeeventhoseuglyelephantpantslooksexy.

Hewassoinforit.Oneweek.Hecoulddothisforoneweek.
Shecollapsedintotheseatnexttohim,sunglassesinhandandawidegrinonhermouth.“Whatarewe

doingtoday?”

“Nottellingyou.”Helovedsurprises.Well,notnecessarilyreceivingthem,buthelovedgivingthem.
“Youdothatalot.What’swrongwithalittleinformation?”
Heglancedupfromhisphone,whichhehadbeenstaringattoavoidlookingather.Shehadacrooked

smile on her face, and he wanted desperately to crawl across the table and kiss her. He took two deep
breaths.

“We’regoingtorideelephants,dosomeziplining,andcheckoutthetigerzoo.”

“Ziplining?”Shenarrowedhereyesathim.

“Yeah,areyouafraidofheights?”Hehadn’tpeggedherforagirlwhowasafraidofanything,letalone

afewheights.

“No,butyouwantedmetowearadress.”
“Themonkeyswouldenjoytheview.”

Shethrewagrapeathim,andhelaughed.
“Iwould’vehadyouchangebeforeweleft.Ijustwantedtoseeyouinthatreddress.”Thiswastoo

relaxed.Tooeasy.Heshouldbackoutnowwhilehestillcould,buthecouldn’thelphimself.Hewanted
tobewithher.

She devoured the pancakes. “Man, I’m not looking forward to going home and having to cook for

myselfagain.”

“Whatareyougoingtodowhenyougethome?”Hehopedthatmaybetodayshe’dopenupalittlebitto

him.Lethimin.

Sheshrugged.“Idon’tknow.Iblewmycollegesavingsonthistrip.I’llfindajoborsomething.I’mnot

thatworriedaboutit.HowcanIworryaboutanythinghere?”

“Thisistrue.”Helikedhermorethanheshould.Hewasalreadytryingtoworkouthowtohelpher

whenshegothome.He’dhavetodoitanonymouslyofcourse.She’dneveraccepthischarity.Thatwasa
lessonhealreadylearned.Maybehecouldcallthecollegeandsetupascholarshipforherorsomething.

Hisdrivercameinthegate,andshejumpedupwithawidesmile.
“Youseemexcited.”
“Arewereallygoingtorideelephants?”
“Sureare.”
“Thenyes,I’mexcited.Comeon.”Shetuggedathishand.Hetookanothersipofhisorangejuiceand

madehiswayovertothecar,appreciatingalittletoomuchthewayshemovedinthoseelephantpants.

Chapter14

Sofar,allAnnahadseenofPhuketwasHayden’sbeachandthemarket.Thebuildingsastheydroveout
of the city to the elephants fascinated her. They looked so different from the ones in America. Mostly
madeofconcrete,theyseemedtobeinaconstantstateofconstructionordisrepair.Veryfewhadglass
windows,justopeningswherethewindowshouldgo.Clotheshungoutonlinesattachedtothebuildings.
IntheyardsofeveryhomewasasmallshrinethatlookedlikeaminiatureThaitemple.Theyoftenhadred
Fanta’sandorangessittingonthem.Incensewascommontoo.

AnnaspunaroundtoHayden.“Whydotheyhavepopsittingontheiralters?”
Haydenchuckled.“ThisisanotherquestionIaskedUbon,butshecouldn’tgivemeaclearanswer.Her

messagesaid,‘Becausethespiritlikesit.’”

Slowly,thehousesgotfartherandfartherapart.Everythingwasverygreen.
“We’vestillgotabitofadrive,”Haydensaid.
“That’sokay.It’sincredible.”
“Thatitis.Haveyouevertraveledatall?”
Sheshookherhead.“IdidwhenIwasakid,butthatwasonlytoChicagoorCedarPoint.Aftermy

momanddaddied,wedidn’tgomuchofanywhere.Grandpalikedthebeach,butonlyifhedidn’thaveto
drivemorethananhour.Whataboutyou?”

“Ohyeah,MomandDadmadesurewesawtheworld.Dadworksfortheschools,soeverybreakwe

wentsomewhere.”

“What’syourfavoriteplace?”
“Italy,probably.Thefoodisamazing,andthepeopleareincredible.”
Annafeltatwingeofjealousy.She’ddoubtedshe’deverhavealifelikethat.“Thatsoundsnice.Have

youeverbeenanywhereyoudidn’tlike?”

“Onlyone.India.Nevergoingback.”
“Noway.IwanttogotoIndiasobad.”Shewantedtogotoalotofplaces,butIndiaalwaysseemedto

topherlist.

“Why?It’sfilthy.”
“Thecolors.Thefood.Itseemssoforeignandexotic.”
“Well,you’llhavetogowithsomeoneelsethen,becauseI’mnotgoingback.”
“Fairenough.I’llgowithyourbrother.Onourhoneymoon.”
Helaughed.“Youknowthat’snotabadidea.He’saniceguy.Youshouldconsiderit.”
Shedroppedhereyes.Shefounditoddthathewasputtingherofflikethis.Hisbrother?
“Youknow,you’reagoodguy.”
Hesnorted.“No,I’mnot,notreally.”
“Yeah,youare.YougavemeaplacetostaywhenIshowedupoutofnowhere.Youboughtmeallthose

clotheslastnight.”

“Thatwasformybenefit,notyours.”
Sherolledhereyes.“YouandIbothknowthat’snottrue.”
He stiffened. She hadn’t planned on having a conversation like this at all. It would make everything

extremelyawkwardforthenextseveraldaysifthiswentsouth.

“Anna, I don’t know what you were expecting when you showed up, but we’re never going to be

anythingbutfriends.”

“Whynot?WeseemedtogetalongquitenicelyinMichigan.”

Hiseyesflashedwithdesire,andsheknewshe’dhithermark.Helookedpastheroutthewindow.
“SeveralyearsagoIdatedthisgirl.Faithwasalotlikeyou.Sweet,pretty,innocent,andfun.Butthen

thewivesgottoher.WomenlikeChloeandVictoria.ShechangedsomuchthatIdidn’tevenknowher
anymore.I’mnevergoingtogetinvolvedwithsomeoneagain.Ican’triskanotherFaith.”

Annatwistedherhands.Shewasabouttosaysomethingratherdaring,andshedidn’tknowifshe’ddo

it.Sheputherhandonhisandleanedforwardabit.“Youknow,I’mnotlookingforarelationship.”

Heopenedhismouthandcloseditagain.Thedriverslammedonthebrakes,andherseatbeltjerkedher

back.Shestaredoutthefrontwindow.Atleastthirtymonkeysfilledthestreetinfrontofthem.

“Ohmyword!Look,”shesaid.
“Iknow.”Haydentappedthedriverontheshoulder.“Canwepullover?”
Thedriverpulledthecartothesideoftheroad,andthemonkeysmovedtowardthecar.Thedriver

handedHaydenabagwithabunchofbananas.

“Throwthem.Monkey’sbite,”thedriversaid.
Anna snatched the bananas out of Hayden’s hands, unbuckled her seatbelt, and rolled her window

down.Themonkey’sstayedalittlewaysfromthecar.

“DoIpeelthem?”
“No.Theycandothatthemselves,”thedriversaid.
Annaleanedoutofherwindow,andHaydenpressedupagainsther.Shetriednottothinkabouthow

closehewas.

She tossed one of the bananas, and monkeys went scrambling for it. The one that won the banana

skitteredupatreeandopenedupthebananawithhisteeth.Theothermonkeyssatuptaller,andalleyes
wereonthecar.Haydentookanotherbananafromherandthrewitintothemiddleofthem.

Nowthemonkeysweregettingexcited.Afewranforthecar.Annagotscaredandtossedtherestofthe

bananasoutatthem.Afewstoppedtogoafterthebananas,butothersstillboundedforthecar.

“Quick, the window,” Hayden said. Anna rolled it up as they both dissolved into laughter. The

monkey’sswarmedthecar,andthedriverhadtoslowlydriveoutofthem.

Haydensatclosertoher.“DoyourememberhowyouaskedmewhatmyfavoriteDisneymoviewas?”
“Ido.Andyoutoldmeyou’dneverseenany.”
“Well,I’vebeenwatchingthematnight.”
“Here?”Thelastthingshe’dwanttodoherewasstayinsideandwatchmovies.
“Yeah.Ihavetroublefallingasleep.”
“Ah,soyou’resayingthey’reboring.”
“No,quitetheoppositeactually.Iusuallystayawakeuntiltheending.ExceptSnowWhite.Ifellasleep

forthatone.”

“So which one is your favorite?” She wasn’t sure what to think of this. Up until now, he’d given no

indicationthatshe’dbeenonhismind.

“Cars.”
“Really?”InAnna’sopinion,Carswasastupidmovie.
“Yeah.Whataboutyou?”
“Aladdin.”
“Haven’tseenthatoneyet.”
Annafakedoffense.“Youmustwatchthatonetonight.”
“Okay.Maybeweshouldwatchittogether.”
“Weshould.”
Theconversationafterthatwaseasy.Theytalkedaboutmovies,books,andtheirfamilies.Annawas

surprisedhowclosehewastohisfamily,especiallyhisbrother.

Afteraboutforty-fiveminutes,thedriverturnedontoasmalldirtroad.Thejungleroseuparoundthem.

Aftertheyparkedinagrasslot,HaydengotoutofthecarandofferedAnnahishand.Shetookitandslid
out.Theairsmelledlikeazoo.Shecouldseeafewelephantsoffintothedistance.

Their driver talked to a few of the Thai boys standing around, and before Anna knew what was

happening, she and Hayden were climbing up stairs to a large rickety platform with a thatched roof.
SeveralThaimensatononeside,smokingcigarettesandtalking.Alittlewaysoff,shecouldseethehead
ofanelephant,withitstrunkflickingupeveryonceawhile.

Haydenputhishandonherback.“Youready?”
“Um. They are really big.” An irrational fear crept over her. What if she fell off? It was a long way

down.

Helaughed.“Comeon,ladiesfirst.”
Sheheldonassheclimbedintothebasketontopoftheelephant,andHaydenfollowedher.Heputhis

armaroundherandpulledherclosetohim.Maybewhatshesaidaboutnotwantingarelationshiphad
gottentohim.Couldshedothat?Aweekwithhimandthenneveragain.Shelikedhim,andshewasa
littlenervoushowherfeelingswoulddevelop.Shewasfairlycertainshecouldrecover,butaheartwasa
fragilething.

Thepathwaswideandopen,butafewtreesroseuparoundthem.AThaiboyclimbedupontheback

of the neck of the elephant and settled behind her ears. He turned to face them with a wide smile. He
pattedtheelephantandsaid,“Dao.”Thenhepattedhischestandsaid,“Kiet.”

“I’mHayden,andthisisAnna,”Haydensaid.
Kietwiggledhiseyebrows.“Annaprettywoman.”
Haydenchuckled,andAnnablushed.KietturnedaroundandsteeredDaobypushingonherearswith

hisfeet.Theridewasbumpyandrough.Theyrockedbackandforthintheseat.Theyroundedabend,and
the elephant started down a hill that Anna wouldn’t have dared to even take a bike down, let alone a
massive beast. She gripped Hayden’s arm, and he laughed at her. Falling to one’s death from atop an
elephantwasnotalaughingmatter.

Astheynearedthebottomofthehill,thedirtpathturnedtogravel,andawideriverspreadoutinfront

ofthem.Kietclimbedoff,andDaolumberedintothewaterandtookadeepdrink.KietpointedtoAnna
andthenpattedDao’sneck.

“Hewantstoknowifyouwanttoridebehindherears.”
Annashookherhead.“No.Idon’tthinkso.”Ridinganelephantwasalotmoreuncomfortablethanshe

thoughtitwouldbe.

But Hayden was already undoing the latch on the chair they were riding in. “Where’s your sense of

adventure?”

“WhatifIfalloff?”
“GoodthingI’madoctor.”Hewinked.“Youwon’tfalloff.Comeon,I’llgowithyou.Butyouneedto

gofirst.”

Shesliddowntheelephant’sneck,theroughhaircatchingatherpants.Shesettledherkneesbehindthe

ears,andHaydenpressedupbehindher.Annahadtoconcentrateontheelephantbecauseshelikedthe
feelofhimagainstherwaytoomuch.Evenifitwashotandsticky.

HaydenwiggledbehindherandhandedhisphonetoKiet.
“Smile.”Hisvoicewasharsh,almostcommanding.Shewonderedifhewasalwaysthisbossyoronly

withher.Thoughifhehadn’tbeen,she’dstillbesittingathishousereadingbooksandswimmingwith
Una.

“Ican’tbelieveI’minThailandridinganelephant.Thisisthestuffofdreams.”
Hegaveherasqueeze.“Careful.Lifestyleslikethiscanbeaddicting.”
“Then I suppose I better make my career choices carefully.” She wondered what she could do that

wouldallowhertotravellikethis.

Theridebackwasbetterthantheridethere.AnnakeptherhandsonDao’shead.Herskinwasn’tquite

as rough there, and Anna was still in disbelief that she was on an elephant. Hayden held her tight and
helpedherwhentheyclimbedoff.

Theywenttothetigerzooafterthat,andonceagain,Annamarveledatthethingsshewasabletodo.

Shegotherpicturewithatiger’sheadinherlap,andshefedthecubs.Haydenwasattentive.Touching
heralot.Hesaidhislifestylewasaddictive,butAnnawasmoreconcernedaboutbecomingaddictedto
him.Shelikedhimalotmorethansheshould.Atthispoint,he’dbasicallytoldherthatalthoughhemight
beopentoaflinghere,hewouldn’tbeopentoanythingbeyondthat.

As they were leaving the tiger zoo, Hayden got a phone call. Anna watched two jaguars pacing in a

cagewhileshewaitedforhimtofinish.

“Sure.Meetmethereinahalfhour.”Hehungupandlookedatherapologetically.
“Ineedtostopbytheofficeforaminute.Youokaywiththat?”
“Sure.Willwestillhavetimetogoziplining?”
“Areyoukidding?I’vebeenlookingforwardtothatallday.I’mnotintoalltheanimalencounters.”
“You did that for me? Thank you.” She was touched that he thought that much of her. People didn’t

usuallydothingslikethisforher.

“It’snotaproblem.Iwould’venevergottenonanelephantonmyown.”
“Nowyou’vegotpicturestoproveit.”
“Yep.Withagorgeousgirlinthemtoo.”
Anna’sheartfluttered.Hehadnoideawhathewasdoingtoher.Sheshould’veneversaidallthatabout

notlookingforarelationshipbecausethatwasexactlywhatshewanted.Maybenotatfirst,butnow,after
spendingtimewithhim,shewasfallinghard.

“This won’t take long. One of my patients is concerned that her incision is infected. I’m sure she’s

overreacting.We’llbeinandoutofthereinfifteenminutes.Youcanwaitinmyoffice.”

TheclinicHaydenworkedatwasnewandwasalmostallwindows,whichstoodoutinstarkcontrast

totherun-downbuildingsaroundit.HaydenscowledataMaseratiintheparkinglot.

“Whosecaristhat?”Annaasked,curiouswhyHaydenwouldhavesuchanadversereaction.Maybehe

wasjealous.

“Mike.He’stheleaddoctoratthisclinic.Idon’tknowwhathe’sdoinghereonaSaturday.Ihopewe

don’trunintohim.He’lltrytogetustogotosomeboringget-togetherwithhimandtheothersurgeons.I
can’tstandgoingtothem,neverhave.IfyourunintohimwhileI’mwithmypatient,theansweris,‘No,
wehaveplans.’Hemaykeeppushing.Standyourground.”

Annastopped.“MaybeIshouldwaitinthecar.”Shedidn’tlikedealingwithpeoplelikethat.
Haydentuggedatherhand.“Don’tberidiculous.It’snotabigdeal.”
“WhatifIsaysomethingIshouldn’t?”Shedidnotbelonginthisworld.
Hepulledhercloseandkissedhernose.“Nonsense.You’recharmingandsweet.There’snothingyou

couldsaythatwouldmessthingsupforme.”

Butterfliesexplodedinherstomach.Hewasdoingthis.Allweekhe’dheldheratarm’slength.Now

that she told him she didn’t want a relationship, he’d loosened up. But now she was having second
thoughts.Didshewanttospendafewdayswithhimandthenforgetabouthim?Shewasn’ttheforgetting
type.

Shelethimleadherintothebuildingandtohisoffice.
“I’llbebackinfifteenminutes.Promise.”
He grabbed a file off his desk and disappeared. Anna wandered around the large and bright office.

Photosfilledanentireshelf.Onepicturewasobviouslyhisfamily.Anoldercouplestoodinthemiddleof
Haydenandayoungerversionofhim.TheywerestandinginfrontoftheGrandHotelinMackinac.Anna
hadalwayswantedtovisittheisland,butneverhadthetimeorthemoney.She’dhearditwasbeautiful.

“Well,aren’tyouasweetlittlething.”
Anna spun and found herself face-to-face with a striking woman. Though her waist was too thin, her

nosetoonarrow,herlipstoofull,andherbreaststoobigforherbody.AcopycatofVeronicaandChloe,
butclassiersomehowwithaHermesbaginsteadofPrada.

“Hi,”Annasaidweakly.Womenlikethisonealwaysintimidatedher.UnlessshewaswithEileen.With

Eileenshecouldtakeontheworld.

“Ididn’trealizeHaydenwasseeingclientstoday.He’llprobablytellyouworkisn’tneeded.He’stoo

nicetohisclients.Butyoucoulduseanarrowingofthejaw.It’stoostrongforawoman.Iimagineyou
cameinforabreastaugmentation.Doyourselfafavorandgoonesizebiggerthanherecommends.Your
nosecouldusesomeworktoo.”

Anna’shandflewtohernose.She’dalwayslikedit.
“Whoareyou?”Annaasked.
“I’msorry.Ididn’tintroducemyself.I’mMariaFerrar,Mike’swife.Hedoeswonderfulwork.”
“I can see that,” Anna said with too much venom. What right did this woman have coming in here

tellinghersheneededwork?

Haydenwalkedinatthatmoment.
HegaveMariathesamesmilehegaveChloe.“Maria,whatareyoudoinghere?”
“JustwaitingforMiketofinishhisappointment.Hehadawomancallhimandoffertopaydoubleifhe

woulddoherlipotoday.”

“HaveyoumetAnna?”
“Ihave.Youcoulddowonderswithher.”
Haydenlookeddisinterestedasheperusedhischart.AfterapauseheglancedupatMaria.“Oh,she’s

notapatient.She’safriendfromtheStatesvisitingforacoupleofweeks.”

Therewasthatwordagain.Friend.Shedidn’twanttobehisfriend.
“Oh,that’swonderful.YoucanbringherwithonFriday.Cocktailsareatourhousethismonth.”
Haydennodded.Annastoodstill,herfistsclenched,seething.
“Youreadytogo?”heasked.
“Yes.”
“Whereareyoutwooffto?”Mariaasked,placingherhandonHayden’sarm.
“I’mshowingAnnaallthetouristystuff.We’regoingzipliningthisafternoon.”
“Whatabouttomorrow?”
“I’mgoingtotakeherouttoPhiPhiIsland.”
“Soundslovely.EnjoyyourstayAnna.I’mlookingforwardtovisitingwithyouagainonFriday.”
AngerburnedinAnna’schest.NotjustbecausethewayMariatreatedher,thoughthatwasabigpartof

it,butbecauseofHayden’scoolness.NoneofwhatMariasaidseemedtobotherhim.

Backinthecar,Haydenspoke.“Youokay?Mariacanbeintense.”
Annacrossedherarmsandstaredoutthewindow.“That’sanicewayofsayinginsufferablebitch.”
Haydenlaughed.“What’dshesaytoyou?”
Sheheldbacktears.Shedidn’twanthimtoseehowthatwomangottoher.
“It’snotimportant.I’mlookingforwardtoziplining.I’veneverdonethatbefore.”
Haydenreachedoverandrubbedthebackofherneck.“Waituntiltomorrow.I’vebeentoldthatPhiPhi

hasthemostbeautifulbeachesintheworld.”

Sheshruggedhimoff.Shedidn’twantthisanymore.Shedidn’tbelonghere.Sheshouldgohome.“You

sureitcanbeatourMichiganbeaches?”

“I’mpositive.Whatdidshesaytoyou?Youseemrattled.”
Shestillwouldn’tlookathim.Shehadtopullittogether.
Haydenstoppedinfrontofaplacewithafunnylookingcritterhangingfromtheceilinginaharness.He

parkedthecarandplacedhisfingeronherchinandmadehermeethiseyesthatwerebrightandsincere.
Sheblinkedandfewtearsescaped.Dammit.

“Tellme,”hesaid.
Withasigh,shetoldhimwhatMariahadsaid.Haydenlaughed.Shejerkedawayfromhimandwiped

athertears.Shestaredoutthewindowandfocusedonthetouristswalkingdownthestreetwithcoconuts
intheirhands.

Haydencuppedherfacewithhishands.“Comebackhere.I’msorryIlaughed,butplease,don’tcry.

WomenlikeMariawanttobethemostbeautifulwomenintheroom.Sheseesyouasathreat.Yournatural
beauty is more than anything she could ever achieve under the knife. She said those things because she
wantedyoutohaveflaws.It’sagoodthingshethoughtyouwerejustapatientwhenshesawyoubecause
ifshethoughtforasecondthatyouwerewithme,shewould’vebeenfarmorevicious.Thesamegoesfor
ChloeandVictoria.ThereisareasonIgooutofmywaytomakeitseemlikewearejustfriends.”

Now she was confused. Her chest still burned with embarrassment, but she wanted to understand.

“Why?”

“IfyoucomeonFriday,you’dbethemostbeautifulwomanintheroom.They’lltrytotearyouapart.”
Noway.Hewaslying.Hehadtobe.“Areyouserious?”
“As a heart attack. Trust me. If you were ugly, they wouldn’t be encouraging you to do anything to

yourself.Theyallwanttobeprettierthantherest.Everytimewehaveaparty,theyallgetworkdonethe
weekafterwards.It’sthesameeverywhereI’velived.I’veneverbroughtagirlwithmetoanythingthat
involves other plastic surgeons and their wives. They’re vapid and vain, and I don’t want to expose
anyonetothat.I’llpretendtobesickonFriday,andwecandosomethingmorepleasant.”

“Aren’t you obligated to go to these things?” She didn’t want to keep him from something that was

importanttohiscareer.Nottomentionthefactthatshehadascoretosettle.

“NotifI’msick.”
Annapursedherlips.“No,we’llgo.Nowthatyou’veexplained,Icantotallyhandlethem.”She’dlet

Mariahumiliateher,andshewantedMariatoknowthatshecouldnotbebroken.

Chapter15

Hayden watched Anna as she climbed up the ladder to get to the next zip lining platform. The ladder
swungprecariouslyasshemadeherwayupeachrung.Thetwoguides,JohnnyandBilly,stoodatthetop
tryingtoscarethehellofouther.

“Hey,mister,”Johnnyyelled.“Wecanfindyouanewwifeifthisonedoesn’tmakeit.”
“She’snotmywife,butshe’sstillnotreplaceable,sodon’tletherfall.”
Billy rattled the ladder, but Anna kept on, seemingly unfazed. As she neared the top, Billy reached

down and pulled her up. She sat on the edge with her legs dangling over. Billy settled next to her and
threwhisarmaroundher.

“Soifyouaren’thiswife,doesthatmeanI’vegotashot?”
Annagavehimacoygrinandshrugged.
“Yeah,ifyouaren’thiswife,whatareyou?”Johnnyasked.
“We’rejustfriends.”
Haydengruntedasheclimbeduptheladder.Annamightenjoyflirtingwiththosetwobuffoons,buthe

didn’tfinditamusing.

Hekepthiseyesontherungsoftheladder.
“Doyouwanttostayupinthetreeswithus?Wecanshowyougoodtime.”
HaydenlistenedcarefullyforAnna’sanswer.Shegiggled.“Maybe.It’sbeautifuluphere.”
Thatwasthewronganswer.Hehadnorighttoclaimher,butthelongertheyspenttogether,themorehe

wantedherinhisbed.

He pulled himself up onto the platform. They were way up in the trees. The height made Hayden

nervous, but Anna didn’t seem the least bit bothered by it. The tour guides argued in Thai about
something.Probablywhichboyshe’dbegoinghomewith.Itwastimetoputanendtothis.Hewrapped
hisarmaroundAnnaandpulledherintohim.Shesquealed.

“Youenjoyingyourself?”heasked.
Shespunsoshewasfacinghim.Hereyeswerebright,andhercheeksflushed.“Verymuch.”
Hebrushedherhairoutofhereyes.“Youwanttostaywiththem?Theyseemprettytakenwithyou.”
Heexpectedhertosayno.Totellhimtogrowuporagivehimaswatorsomething.Ormaybewhathe

wantedhertosaywassomethingaboutspendingthenightinhisroom.

Sheraisedhereyebrowsathim.“Well,I’dgetmoreactionwiththemthanIdowithyou,somaybe?”

Shegavehimacheekygrin,andhecouldn’thelphimself.Hekissedherlongandgood.

He’dbeenwantingtodothattoheragain.Herlipsmovedeasilyagainsthis,andhewishedtheywere

somewheremoreprivate.Hewantedher.

Oneoftheguidesbehindhimyelledout.“Hey,wethoughtyoutwowerefriends.”
Anna danced away from Hayden and put her hand on the arm of the tour guide. “We are. Don’t you

worryaboutathing.”

Inthecaronthewayhome,AnnatalkedHayden’searoff.Helikedlisteningtoher.Shetoldhimstories
aboutherandherbestfriend,Eileen.

“You mentioned growing up with your grandfather. What happened to your parents?” She’d barely

mentionedherfamily.

Shewrungherhands,andhecouldtellhe’dstruckanerve.“Mymomdevelopedanaggressiveformof

ovariancancer.Fortwoyearsshefoughtit.Neartheend,weknewshewasn’tgoingtomakeit.Onenight
mygrandpa,helivedwithus,broughtmydaddinneratthehospitalandfoundhimslumpedoveratmy
mom’sside.He’ddiedofaheartattack.He’dbeensobusytakingcareofherthatheforgottotakecareof
himself.Assoonasmymomwascoherentenoughtounderstandthathe’ddied,shegaveup.Theydied
less than twelve hours apart. What are the odds, huh?” Her voice had become soft. Silent tears flowed
down her cheeks. In one day she’d lost both her parents. No child should have to go through that. It
remindedhimhowluckyhewastohavehealthyparents.Hisheartbrokeforthelittlegirlwholosther
parents,thewomanwhosatnexttohim.

“I’msosorry,”hesaid,grippingherhand.Hewantedtochangethesubject,makeherthinkofhappier

times.“Tellmeaboutyourgrandfather.”

Annahesitated.“Wehadgreattimestogether.Untilhehadastroke.Afterthatitwasveryhard.Iwas

hisnurseforfiveyears.Beforethat,wedidalottogether.Helikedtotakebikeridesandgotothebeach.
WediddaytripstovariousplacesinsouthernMichigan.Helovedtheoutdoors.”

“Whataboutyourgrandma?”Herpastfascinatedhim.Itwassodifferentfromhisown.Tragicthough.
“ShediedbeforeIwasborn.Grandpalivedwithusevenbeforemymomgotsick.”
“Itmust’vebeenhardforyouwhenyourgrandpadied.”
She shrugged. “It was. But he’d been miserable for five years. It was so difficult to watch him. He

wasn’tthemanheusedtobe.Bythetimehedied,Iwasreadyforit,butIdidn’texpectaholetoopenup
inmychest.Ittooksixmonthsformefunctionagain.ThenightwemetwasthefirstnightIwentoutafter
hisdeath.”

Shestaredoutthewindowforafewminutes.Hedidn’tknowhowtofollowuptothatconversation.
Sheturnedandblinkedathim.“Enoughaboutme.Tellmeaboutyourfamily.Isawapictureofyour

parentsandbrotherinyouroffice.YouwereonMackinacIsland.I’vealwayswantedtovisitit.”

“Mackinacishome.”
“Really?Lucky.”
He shrugged. “It’s boring if you live there year round.” The island was stiflingly small. Beautiful,

quaint,andpeaceful,butafteryou’vevisitedthefortfiftytimes,itlostitsappeal.

“Doyourparentsstilllivethere?”
Haydennodded.“Yeah,Mom’stheislanddoctor.Dadrunstheschool.They’rehappy.”
“HereIwashopingyouwereafudgefamily.”
“I’vegotabuddywhorunsashop.Bestfudgeontheisland.Ifyouevermakeitupthere,letmeknow,

andI’llmakesureyougetthegoodstuff.”Hewantedtotellherhe’dtakeher,butthatwasn’tpossible.If
theytalkedaboutdoingthingsafterPhuket,itwouldbetooreal.Andhecouldn’tdoreal.

“WhendoyougobacktoMichigan?”
“April.”Hegrabbedherhand.“Whateverhappenshere,Ican’tseeyouwhenwegetbacktoMichigan.

Idon’twantarelationship.Iwon’triskanotherFaith.”

“NotallwomenarelikeFaith.”Annawatchedhimwithconcern.Heclosedhiseyes.Hecouldn’tlook

ather.Heneededtoremindhimselfwhyhecouldn'tbewithher.

“DidyounotmeetMariathisafternoon?I’venevermetaplasticsurgeon’swifethatIliked.It’snotjust

Faith. A buddy of mine dated this girl who was incredible. Sweet and caring, beautiful inside and out.
Duringmyinternship,shebroughtuscookiesandsandwicheswhenthedayswerelong.Iactuallygotto
knowherprettywell.Shedatedhimthroughmedschooltoo.Iwasintheweddingpartyandeverything.
After that, they moved to Chicago. We didn’t keep in touch, but I ran into him when he was back for a
visit,andheinvitedmetogoouttodinnerwiththem.Ibarelyrecognizedher.She’dhadsomuchwork
donethatherfacewasn’tevenclosetothesame.Itgotworsewhensheopenedhermouth.Shespokeof
Prada and expensive yachts, the opposite of the girl who’d been fine shopping at Wal-Mart. I couldn't

waittogetoutofthere.”

Hehesitated.He’dneveropeneduplikethistoanyone.Butnowthathewastalking,hehadtogetitall

out.

“I already knew I didn’t like most of my friends’ wives, but I’d never known any of them before. I

assumedthey’dalwaysbeenthatway.ButafterFaith,IrealizedthatwhoeverImarried,she’dendupjust
likethem.IpromisedmyselfI’dnevermarry,neverevenhavealong-termrelationship.”

Shecrossedherarmsandgloweredathim.“Thenwhatisthis?”
Haydencouldtellshewastryingtokeepthebitternessoutofhervoice.Hedidn’tunderstandbecause

earliershe’dmentionedshewasn’tlookingforanythingeither.Hethoughttheywereonthesamepage.He
hadtoturnthisaround.

“Idon’tknow.Ilikeyou.Inspiteofmyeffortstokeepyouatbay,you’vegottenintomyhead.”
“Soyoujustwanttodatemeuntilyougetboredandmoveon.Sorry.Nothanks.”
Theypulledintohisdriveway.Haydenwasconfusedbytheturnintheconversation.
Neitheronemadeamovetogetoutofthecar.Hetriedtofigureoutwhathe’dsaidthatmadeherangry.
“I’msorryifyouthoughtIwasimplyingsomethingelse.Butyoudon’texactlystrikemeatthetypeof

girlwhovaluescommitment.Ijustthoughtitmightbenicetoenjoyeachotherwhileyou’reintown.Ilike
you.”

Sheblinkedathim.“WhatmakesyouthinkI’mthetypeofgirlwhodoesn’tvaluecommitment?”
“Let’ssee,yousleptwithmethenightwemet,neverhearfrommeagainandyetyoushowupinPhuket

expecting me to take you in. Not only that, you seemed more than willing to go home with those Thai
guidestonightinsteadofme.Nottomentiontheconversationwehadearlieraboutyounotlookingfora
relationship.WhywouldIthinkanythingdifferently?”

He’dcrossedaline.Butthewayshethrewherselfatthoseguysinfuriatedhim.Thenwhenhetriedto

reignherin,sheflirtedharder.

Hecouldseethetearsfallingbeforesheevenopenedthedoor,andsheranforherhouse.
HeslowlygotoutandfoundUbonwithahugespreadoffoodonthetable.
Hayden sat down and began dishing up his plate. He ate slowly, his anger simmering. Mostly at

himself.Heshould’veleftherinthefriendzonewhereshebelonged.Instead,hewasfrustrated,andshe
washurt.Ubonwaswatchinghim.Afterafewminutes,shepickedupaplateandshruggedhershoulders.

HepulledouthisphoneandsentUbonamessage.She’smad.
UbonspoketohiminrapidThai.Hehadnoideawhatshesaidbutitwasprobablysomethingalongthe

linesof,“Youasshole,whathaveyoudone?”

Finally, he stopped eating, filled a plate with food for Anna, and handed it to Ubon. He pointed to

Anna’shouse.Shestompedherfootandraisedhervoiceathim.

Heletoutabreathandtookouthisphone.
PleasetakeAnnatheplate.Hepointedagain.
Ubonglancedatherphoneandglaredathim.Hewatchedhertaketheplateandgoknockonthedoor.

Hecouldn’tseeAnnafromwherehesat,butUboncamebackwithouttheplate.

Haydenfinishedhisfoodandtookhisplatetothesinkasapeaceoffering,butUbonwouldn’tlookat

him.HaydenwasangrywithhimselfformakingAnnacry,butitwasbetterthisway.Shecouldn’tthink
anythingwasgoinganywherewithhim.Buthe’dthoughtshewasofthesamemind.Hecouldn’tfigureout
whatshewassoupsetabout.

Chapter16

Annawokeuptoapoundingonherdoor.Itwasstilldarkoutside.Whatthehell?

ShelookedoutthewindowandsawHaydenstandingthereinhisswimmingtrunks.Ohno.Shewasn’t

goinganywherewiththatbastardtoday.

Shecrackedopenthedoorandkeptherfootbehinditsohecouldn’tpushitopen.“Whatdoyouwant?”
“We’regoingtothebeach.Needtogetanearlystart.”
“IcangotothebeachanytimeIwantandnotwithyou.”Shemovedtoshutthedoor,butheblockedit

withhisfoot.

“Notthisbeachyoucan’t.It’ssupposedtobethemostbeautifulbeachintheworld.Comeon,when

willyougetanotherchancetogo?”

Dammit.Hehadapoint.Butshedidn’twanttogoanywherewithhim.
“Whattimeisit?”Itfeltlikeitwasstillthemiddleofthenight,especiallysinceshecriedherselfto

sleep.

Hayden grinned at her. “Five-thirty.” He shoved past her and flung himself down on her couch. “I’ll

waitforyouhere.You’renotgettingoutofthis.Youdon’tneedtoshower.Justthrowonyoursuit,packa
changeofclothes,andgrabatowel.”

Shestayednexttothedoorandcrossedherarms.Herbrainwasn’tfunctioningfully,andshehadno

ideahowtoarguewithhim.Shedidn’twanttospendthenextweekavoidinghim,buthehadbeenanass.
Abigone.Shesupposedshecouldgotothebeachandignorehim.

She stumbled to her bedroom and found one of those tiny bikinis he’d bought her, and she changed

quickly.Sheputonashortcover-updressandblinkedatherselfinthebathroommirror.Theskinunder
hereyeswaspuffy,andtearstainsstreakedhercheeks.

Shesplashedwateronherface,drieditoff,andjumpedwhenshelookedinthemirror.Haydenwas

standinginthebathroomdoorway.

“Whatareyoudoing?”sheasked.
“Makingsureyoudidn’tgobacktobed.”
Sherolledhereyes.“Letmeputonsomemakeup,andI’llbeoutinaminute.”
“Nope.Nomakeuptoday.”
She turned to him, toothbrush in hand. “My eyes are all puffy. I’m not going out without putting on

something.”

Her hand shook when she put the toothpaste on the brush. She ran water over it and stuck it into her

mouth.Whatwasthehellwasshethinking?Sheshouldjuststayholedupinherlittlehouse.

He’dbasicallyaccusedherofbeingaslutlastnight,andshehadnoideawhattoexpectofhimtoday,

butshewantedtogotothatbeach.Sherinsedouthermouthandreachedforhermakeupbag.ButHayden
snatcheditupfirst.

“Nope.Let’sgo.”
“I’mnotleavingwithoutcoveringupthelinesundermyeyes.”
Heshookhishead.“Thesunwilltakecareofthat.Untilthen,itwillremindmeofwhatanassIwas

lastnight,andIneedtobereminded.Nowgo.I’llputyourmakeupawaywhenyou’reinthelivingroom.”

Shestoodinfrontofhimforafewmoments,glaring,withherarmscrossed.Shecouldn'tthinkofan

argument, so she grabbed a beach bag and put in her towel, a change of clothes, and sunscreen. She
shovedhersunglassesontoherface.Onewayoranothershewascoveringuptheevidenceofhertear-
fillednight.

She yawned and followed Hayden out the front door. A wet nose bumped her, and Anna scratched

behindUna’sears.

Haydenopenedthecardoorandwhistled.Unajumpedintothebackseat.
“She’scomingwithus?”
“Shelovesthewaterandboats.”
Anna sank into the front seat, wondering if she could sleep in the car. Though she supposed she’d

probablygetsomenaptimeonthebeach.Shewasslightlymoreawakenowthanshewasbefore,andshe
wasregrettingherdecisiontogowithhim.Hehadbeenanass,andshedidn’treallywanttotrytobeall
buddy-buddywithhim.

Haydenhandedherasmallbagwhenhegotintothecar.
“What’sthis?”sheasked,wary.
“Apeaceoffering.I’mreally,reallysorryaboutlastnight.Iwasjealousofthoseotherguys.”
“Jealous,why?”
“BecauseIlikeyou,Anna.AndIcan’thaveyou.SoIsaidthingsIdidn’tmeantodriveyouaway.I’m

sorry.”

Shetookthebagwithcaution.Shelookedinside,andherstomachtingled.“Thankyou.”
He’dboughtherfournewbooks.Itdidn’tmakeupforwhathesaid,butatleasthewastrying.
“Idon’tknowwhatyoulikedtoread,soIpickedafewoffthebestsellerrackinTesco.Iwentlast

nightafteryouwenttobed.Gotussnacksandstufffortodayaswell.”

Shepulledoutallthebooks.“I’vereadthisone,”shesaid,settingitaside.“Butnottheotherthree.”
Hetookitfromher.“GuessI’mreadingthisonethen.Isitdecent?”
Shenodded,stillnotquitesurewhattosay.Itwasasweetgesture.
Sheremainedquietastheydrove,andshewatchedthecoconuttreesandbuildingsflyby.Haydenwas

fidgety and antsy. He was trying to make it up to her, but she figured it would be best if she distanced
herselffromhim.

Theypulledintoamarinajustasthesunbegantorise.
HeputaleashonUnaandhandedittoAnna.“CanyouhangontoherwhileIgoseewhatboatwe’re

on?”

Thereweretouristseverywhere.Allcrammedonboatsthatseemedtoosmallforthenumberofpeople

theyweretransporting.AnnawonderedhowHaydenhadplannedondoingthiswithUna.Nooneelsehad
adog.

Hecamebacktothecarandtookacooleroutofthetrunk.
“Canyoucarrytheotherbackpack?I’mfull.”
Sheshruggeditonandfollowedhimpasttheboatsanddownalongdock.Trashfloatedinthewater,

and Anna wondered if the beach they were heading to was even going to be safe to swim in. As they
nearedtheendofthedock,hepointedtoaboatthatwasmuchbiggerthananyoftheonesthatthetourists
weregettingon.

“Thisisus.”Heclimbedupandsethisstuffdownontherearoftheboat.Unajumpedupafterhim.He

heldhishandoutforAnna.Shetookit,andhepulledherup.TheboatwassimilartotheoneEileen’s
familytookoutonthelakeeverysummerbutbigger.She’dalwayslovedgoingoutonthelakewiththem.

“Ourcaptainwillbeheresoon,andthenwecango.Doyouwanttohelpmeputthefoodaway?”
“Sure.”Shefollowedhimintothegalley.
Thecaptainandhisassistantjoinedthemafewminuteslater.Annasatonthebowastheboattookoff.

Unalaydownnexttoher.HaydenjoinedthemandsettlednexttoUna.

“Whatarewedoingtoday?”Annaasked.
“It’sabitofaridetogetawayfromallthetourists.We’llspendacoupleofhourshereontheboat,and

then we’ll stop and go snorkeling. After that we’ll eat lunch, and then we’ll go to a private beach and

spendtherestoftheday.Theislandwe’regoingtohassomehikingifyouwant.We’lleatdinner,andthen
headtothemainland.Doesthatsoundokay?”

“Itsoundsamazing.”Itsoundedincrediblyromantic,butshewasn’tsureshewasreadytoletherguard

down.Theyslicedthroughthecrystalclearwater.

“Doyouknowhowtosnorkel?”Haydenasked.
“No.IspentalotoftimeswimminginLakeMichigan,butthere’snotmanyopportunitiesforsnorkeling

there.”

He chuckled. “No, there’s not. You’re in for a treat today then. It’s pretty easy. I’ll help you get

situated.”

Shestood.Shehadtogetawayfromhim.Sofar,hehadn’tgivenheranyindicationhewantedtorepeat

thekissfromtheothernight,andshecouldn’tresisttouchinghimwhenhewasclose.Plus,shewasstill
madathim.

“IthinkI’mgoingtogotakeanapupontheupperdeck.Wakemeupwhenwegettothesnorkeling.”
Henoddedandmadenomovetofollow.
Shespreadouthertowelupstairsandslatheredonsunscreen.Shemanagedtogethershoulders,buther

back was too difficult. She wanted to sleep on her stomach. Could she risk it? The sun beat hot on the
deck.Nope,she’dbefriedtoacrisp.

Bottleinhand,sheclimbeddownandfoundHaydenstillsittingonthebowwithUna.
“Canyougetmyback?”
Heraisedhiseyebrowsather.“Sure.”
Shehandedhimthesunscreen,andhesqueezedalittleintohishandsandrubbedthemtogether.“You

needtoturnaround.”

Shehadtoforceherselftolookawayfromhim.“Right.”
Hestartedwithhershouldersandneck,andsheshivered.Histouchwaselectrifying.Slowlyhemade

hiswaydownherback.Hewasdeliberatelytakinghistime,butshedidn’tcare.Thisfelttoogood.

Hisfingersbrushedthetopedgeofherbikinibottomandpushedouttowardherhips.Shenearlyletout

amoan.

“Alldone,”hesaidandremovedhishands.
“Thanks.”Sheracedforthestairsbeforeshesaidordidsomethingstupid.
Once on the top, she lay down on her stomach, trying to calm her racing heart. She’d hoped sleep

wouldcomequickly.WhatwouldthenextweekbelikewithHayden?Whatwouldhappenwhenhefound
outshewasn’tleavingforanothertwoweeks?Wouldhestillletherstay?Didshewantto?

Thosequestionsplaguedherastriedinvaintofallasleep.Shefeltthefloormoveassomeoneclimbed

onto the roof. She kept her eyes closed and her breathing even and deep. She didn’t want to talk to
Hayden.Notyet.

She felt him sit down very close to her. He brushed her hair out of her face. “Are you awake?” he

whisperedinherear.

Whenshedidn’trespond,heslidhisfingersdownherarm.Hemust’velaiddownnexttoher,because

shecouldfeelhisbreathonherface.Herpulsespedup,andshehadtoconcentratesoasnottogiveaway
thatshewasawake.

“How come you make me so crazy?” he muttered, so close she felt his breath across her lips. He

continuedtorunhisfingersupanddownherarmsashespoke.“Ican’tgetyououtofmyhead.You’re
incredibleinwaysIdidn’tevenknowwerepossible.YoumakemewantthingsIcan’thave.ThingsthatI
shouldn’t.Iwantyousobad,butIcan’thaveyou.BecauseifIhaveyou,Imightnotbeabletoletyou
go.”

Anna couldn’t take it anymore. Those words were exactly what she wanted to hear. She blinked her

eyesopenandsawhiseyeswideninsurprise.

“Sodon’t,”shesaidandpressedherlipsagainsthis.Hereturnedthekisseagerlyandleanedintoher.
Abruptly,hepulledawayandstood.“Ican’tdothis.”
“Whynot?”Annaasked,sittingup.Shecouldn’thandlethiswhiplash.Firsthewantedher,andthenhe

didn’t.

Hepacedbackandforth.“BecauseI’mgoingtoenduphurtingyou.Seriously,youleavenextweekend

andthenwhat?You’rejustgoingtowaitformetocomeback?Forwhat?Ican’tpromiseyouanything.
I’mnotinthisforthelongrun.Butseriously,youdrivemeinsane.Ican’tstopthinkingaboutyou.Andthe
thought of you being with anyone else makes me jealous. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I don’t
understandhowthisispossible.”

Annastaredattheturquoisewater.He’dbasicallytoldherthatnomatterwhat,she’dgethurt.Wasshe

willingtoriskthat?Iftheygotcloseandheleft,he’dleaveherinapuddleonthefloor.Butmaybeafew
monthswithHaydenwasanexperienceshewantedtohave.Evenifitwasdangerous.

Shestoodandslidherhandacrosshisabdomenandpulledhimclose.Shecouldn’tbelieveshewas

beingsoforward.

“WhatifIdon’tcare?Iknowthatthiscouldhurt,butI’mwillingtotakethatchance.Because,Hayden,

you’vegottenintomyheadtoo.Forthepastweek,allwe’vedoneistrytodenytheattractionwehave
towardoneanother.Whatifwegiveinandseewhathappens?”

Haydenkissedherlightlyandmadenomovetopullaway.“Soundsscary.”
“Scary is not always a bad thing. I was terrified before I came, and now I’m not sure I’d trade this

experienceforanythingintheworld.”

“It’sbeenalongtimesinceIdidanythingthatfrightenedme.Maybeyou’reright.”
“Really?” Anna was surprised he’d given in so easily. She’d expected to have to talk him into this.

Thoughmaybehewashopingforthesamethingshewas.Sheshookherheadknowingshewaswrong.He
warnedherhewouldn’tbearoundforever.

For the next hour they talked, kissed, and laughed. Anna couldn’t ever remember being more

comfortable with a man. Nothing about him was awkward, and she felt like she could completely be
herself.Itwaslikethefirstnighttheyspenttogether,excepttherewasnotequilatodothetalking.

Theboatstopped,andthecaptainyelledup.
“Doc,thisisagoodplacetoswim.”
“Bedowninasec,”Haydencalledandtheyclimbeddowntheladder.
Fifteenminuteslater,theystoodontheedgeoftheboat.Annafeltridiculouswiththesnorkelgearon

herface,butHaydenlookedequallyridiculous.Heevenmadeherwearfins.Sheslidintothewaterafter
him.Itwascrystalclear,andshecouldalreadyseethefishswimminginthecoralbeneathher.

Haydentookhismouthpieceout.“Thetrickistobreathinandoutofyourmouth.Itfeelsweirdatfirst,

butafterafewminutesitseemsnormal.Youready?”

Sheputhermouthpiecein,noddedherhead,andstuckherfaceintothewater.Anewworldopenedup.

Directlybeneathherwereyellowstripedfish,andfarbeneaththemafewclownfishswamnearthecoral.
Annahadtogetabetterlook.Sheplungeddownintothewater,kickingherfeetbehindher.Sheinhaleda
mouthfulofsaltwater.Shejerkedupandwhippedouthermouthpiece,coughing.Haydenpoppedhishead
upandpulledouthisownmouthpiece.

“Youokay?”heasked.
Shecontinuedtocough,butnodded.Aftershepulledherselftogether,sheshookoutthemouthpiece.
“Itriedtogodowntoofar.Thatisincredible.”
Hechuckled.“Youneedtolearnhowtodive.”
“Yeah,Ido.”
Shehadwaterinthemaskaswell,sosheshookthatoutandresituatedherself.
Shesuckedinadeepbreaththroughhernosetosealthemaskandplungedherfacebackin.Thecolors

werebreathtaking.Brightblueandyellow.Nearthecoral,shespottedaneel.

Haydenpointedtoaseaturtleswimmingamongthefish.Itwassopeaceful,quietandbeautiful.
Ahugeschoolofsilverfishscattered,andAnna’sheartnearlystopped.Asix-footsharkswamseveral

yardsbeneathher.SheclutchedHayden’sarm,andhepointedatthesharkandthengaveherathumbsup.
Shewasn’tconvinced.Herbloodpoundedinherearsuntilitwasoutofsight.

Afterawhile,theyslowlymadetheirwaytowardtheboat.Aschooloftinysilverfishswaminandout

ofherlegs.Shejerkedupinsurpriseandfoundtheboatinfrontofher.Thecaptainstoodonthebackof
the boat, laughing. He had bread in his hand, and he was throwing the pieces at her so the fish would
swarmher.

Shelaughed.
Haydenclimbedontotheboatandhelpedheronboard,andshetookoffhermask.
“Thatwasincredible.ButIwasterrifiedwe’dgeteatenbythatshark.”
“Thatwasareefsharkandcompletelyharmless.I’vedivedbeforeandseenthem.”
Hayden handed her a towel, and Anna followed him up the stairs once again. Several dishes were

spreadoutonablanket.Fruit,rice,andwhatshehopedwaschickenonastick.Theysatclosetoeach
otherastheyate,andwatchedthewater.

Afterlunchtheysatonthebowoftheboat.Haydenleanedagainstthecabinandpulledherdownonto

hislap,andsheleanedagainsthischest.

Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherastheyspedthroughthewater.
“Thankyouformakingmecometoday.Thisisbeautiful.”
“You’rewelcome.Thanksforgivingmeasecondchance.”
Shewasgladshehadeventhoughshe’dfallenhardalready.Hopefullyhewasworthit.

Chapter17

Hayden watched Anna as she stepped onto the sand, waiting for her reaction. This beach was so
unbelievablybeautifulittookhisbreathaway,andhe’dseenhisfairshareofbeautifulbeaches.

Annakneltdownandslidherfingersthroughthewhitesand.Hewasn’tquitesurewhatthehellhewas

doingwithher,buthehopedshewouldn’tbetooupsetwhenhecalleditoff.

“Thewater.It’ssoclear,”shesaid,pointingouttowardthewater.
“Thatitis.”
Shebeamedathim.“Iwanttobuildahousehereandneverleave.”
“Youknow,ahouseherewouldfallintotheocean.Tidesandall.”
Shewalkeduptohim,andhehadtofighttheurgetopullherclosebecausehelikedherwaytoomuch.

Wouldhehavethecouragetocallitoffwhenheneededto?

“Haha.Imeantbackthere.”Shepointedtothemountain.
“Itwouldbenice.Unfortunately,that’sallnationalpark,sowe’llhavetodealwithjustadayhere.My

beachdoesn’tlookasniceafterthis,doesit?”

“Nope.”
“Well,maybe…”Hestopped.Hewasabouttosay,“Maybeinafewweekswe’llrentahouseonthe

beachfortheweekend,”butthenherememberedshe’dbegone.Hedidn’tlikethinkingaboutherleaving.
Whatwashappeningtohim?

“Youwanttogoswimming?Maybecheckoutthoserocksoverthere?”Hepointeddowntheshore.
“Absolutely.”Sherantowheretheyhaddroppedtheirstuff.Rightnowjustabagwithafewtowels.

Thecaptainandhisassistantwouldcomeashorewhiletheywereswimmingandsetupanumbrellaand
chairs.Haydenfollowedherback,reluctanttostepoutofthewater.Itwastoonice.

She pulled her dress over her head, and he froze. He’d seen her in a bikini, but something about her

standingtherewithhardlyanyclothesontookhisbreathaway.Thisonewasblackandalmosttoosmall
forher.Shehadthestringstiedinthefront,andthebackbarelycoveredherass.

Hepulledhertightagainsthimandwhisperedinherear,“Youknow,thisbeachisprivate.Wecando

whateveryouwant.Thereisnooneelsehere.”

Shegavehimalongkiss,thendancedawayfromhim.“Exceptthecaptain,whoiscomingashore.”
He turned around, grateful at least one of them was thinking, but frustrated. He should’ve told the

captaintostayaboardtheboat.Hedidn’twantanaudience,buthewouldn’thavebotheredtocheckand
seeifanyonewaswatching.

Thewaterwaswarmandclear.Theyspentmostoftheafternooninit,withUnarighttherewiththem.

Theywereoutbytherockscheckingouttidepoolswhenthecaptainwavedthemin.

HaydentuggedatAnna’shand.“Ithinkit’stimetoeat.”
“Aw.”Shepouted.“I’mhavingfun.”
“Metoo.ButI’mhungry.Comeon.”
Annasplashedinthewaterbehindhim,andhewishedshewereinfrontsohecouldenjoytheview.
Backonshore,sheputadressonoverherswimsuit,andHaydenimmediatelymissedallthebareskin.

Buthewasdistractedbythedinnerthecaptainsetup.Itwasabeautifultablewithcandlelightandmore
foodthantheycouldpossiblyeat.He’dthoughtitwasjustUbonwhocookedtoomuch.Apparentlyitwas
theentirecityofPhuket.

Dinner was quiet and comfortable. Anna rubbed her feet up against his. He wasn’t sure if she was

doingittodrivehimcrazyorjusttobeaffectionate.Heguessedthelatterbecauseshedidn’tseemoverly

turnedon.Hewantedtoflipthetableover,say“forgetdinner,”andmakelovetoherrightthere.Buthe
hadtorestrainhimselfbecausethecaptainandhisassistantwereonlyafewfeetaway.Damnaudience.

Annashouldbetired,butshewaskeyedupbythetimetheyarrivedatHayden’shouse.Mostlybecause
shewasprettysureshewouldn’tbesleepinginherownbedthatnight.

She stepped out of the car and froze when she saw a behemoth of a man sitting at the table, being

fawnedoverbyUbon.

“Hayden,Ithinkyouhaveaguest.”
“What?” he asked, looking up. His face split into a grin, and he jogged over to the kitchen. Anna

followed.

“Blake,manwhatareyoudoinghere?”
“Foundsomethingyoumightfindinteresting,”Blakesaidwithagrin.
Anothermansteppedoutfrominsidethehouse.
“Wecould’vecalled,butI’mneveronetopassonatriptoThailand,”theothermansaid.
“Plus,IwantedtouseAdam’sjet,”Blakesaid.
“Thereisthat.”AdamchuckledandthenglancedupatAnna.“Youhaveaguest.Weshouldgo.”
Haydentookherhand.“Don’tbesilly.There’smorethanenoughroomforyouguyshere.Anna,thisis

BlakeandAdam.They’retwoofmyfratbrothersandsometimesbusinesspartners.”

AdamsteppedforwardandtookAnna’shandandplacedalightkissonherknuckles.“Pleasuretomeet

you.”Hewassmoothandextremelyhandsome,likeaMiddleEasternplayboy.Allheneededwasalong
whiterobe,andhe’dlooklikehejuststeppedoutofDubai.

Una made a beeline for Blake. He knelt down, and she barreled into him. “Sorry, girl, I left Tria at

home.”

Annadroppedherbagintoachair.“Who’sTria?”sheasked.
“Mydog.”Hestoodandscratchedthebackofhisneck.“It’sraretomeeta‘friend’ofHayden’s.”
AnnawonderedaboutHayden’spast.
Haydensatdown.“Sowhatdidyoufind?”
Blakelookedsidelongather.“It’sprobablybestifwetalkprivately.Thisisagamechanger.Adam’s

gonnafrontusthemoney.”

Haydenpulledouthisphoneandfiredoffatext.Ubonlookedatherphoneandescapedinsidefora

fewmomentsandcameoutwithabottleofwineandfourglasses.

“What’swiththedognames?”Annaasked.
“Unameansone.Triameansthree.Adam’sdogisNona.Nine,”Blakesaid.
“Iknow.Butwhywouldyounameyourdogsafternumbers?”
“Youdon’tknowthestoryofthedogs?”
Annashookherhead.
“Well,mineshould’vebeenDio,butthatprickLukasgottherefirst.”Blakescowled.
Haydensnorted.“Stillbitter?YouloveTria.”
“OfcourseIdo.ButhernameshouldbeDio.”
Annatookasipofherwine.“I’mconfused.”
HaydenwavedtowardBlake.“Wegotdogswhenweallhitourfirstmillion.Theirnamesaretheorder

inwhichwehitthemillion.Iwasnumberone.Blakewasnumberthree.”

Anna nearly choked on her wine. They were talking about money that she couldn’t even begin to

fathom.Tobehonest,shewassurprisedthatHaydenwasnumberoneandAdamwasninebecausethey’d

beentalkingaboutAdam’sjet.

Finallysheformedaquestion.
“Whydoyouthinkyoushould’vebeennumbertwo?”Shefiddledwithherglass.
“Because Hayden and I did it together. Created and sold a drug to a pharmaceutical company that

landedus1.5bigones.Butwehadtosplitit,soIstillhadtocomeupwithanother250k.Itwaseasyfor
Hayden; he’d already had some smart investments. Took me another three months. By then Lukas had
claimedhisspot.”

“Wow.Whatwasthedrug?”Shewasseriouslyimpressed.
“It helps chemo patients not get so sick during treatment. It’s still in clinical trials, but it looks

promising.”

Thingsclickedtogetherinhermind.“Andtonightyou’vecometotalkaboutanotherdrug?”
Blakenodded.“Adaminvestsinalotofourprojects.”
Annacreasedhereyebrows.“Butdidn’tyousaythatAdam’sdogwasnumbernine.”
“Yes,buttrustfundmoneydidn’tcount.Itwasdifficultformedoitbymyself.”Adamtookasipofhis

wine.

“He’sgotmoremoneythanGod.Hefundsallofourbusinessventures,”Blakesaid.
Adamhelduphisglass.“Andyouguyshaveneverlostmeadime.They’regoodinvestments.Speaking

of,weneedtodiscussthisnewdrug.”

Haydengaveherasadsmile.Theywouldn’tbesleepingtogethertonightafterall.
Annastood.“Wellthen,I’mgoingtoletyouboystalk.I’mtiredanyway.”
SheleanedoverandkissedHaydenlightlyonthelips.“Ihadagreattimetoday.Thankyou.”
Hesqueezedherhand.“Metoo.Ihavetoworktomorrow,soifIdon’tseeyouinthemorning,don’t

giveBlakeandAdamtoomuchcrap.”

ShegaveBlakeacheekygrin.“Nopromises.”

Annawokeinthemiddleofthenightcompletelyparched.Shecheckedherphone.Twoa.m.Shestumbled
intothelivingarea.Sheopenedthefridgedoor,grabbedabottleofwater,turnedaround,andscreamed.
Notfivefeetfromher,amonstrousblacksnakeraisedhishoodedhead,nearlythreefeetofftheground.
Shedroppedthebottleofwater,leftthefridgedooropen,andrantoherroom,slammingandlockingthe
door.HerfingerstrembledasshescrolledthroughhercontactsforHayden’snumber.

“Hello,”heansweredgroggily.
“There’sacobrainmykitchen.”Shenearlyscreamedthewords.Shepacedbackandforthandthenthe

thoughtoccurredtoherthattherecouldbemoresnakes.Shejumpeduponherbed.

“Areyouokay?”heasked,soundingmoreawake.
“No!Thereiscobrainmyhouse.”Sheknewshesoundedhysterical,butreally,therewasasnakeinthe

kitchen.

“Bethereinasec.”
Severalminuteslater,Annaheardherdooropenandcrashingandbanging.Thenaknockatherdoor.
“Youcancomeoutnow.It’sdead.”
Sheopenedthedoorandpeekedout.“Yousure?”
“Yeah,Iwokeuponeofthelocalboys.Hebeatittodeathwitharake.He’scleaningitupnow.Come

on,you’resleepingwithmetonight.I’llhavesomeonecomeintomorrowandsnakeproofthehouseand
yard.Idon’twantyouorUnagettinghurt.”

“I’mnotcomingoutuntilit’sgone.”

Hechuckled.“Fairenough.”
Shewentintothebathroomandpackeduphertoothbrushanddeodorant.Shewasn’tsurewhatelseto

bring. She was wearing her pj’s—a tank top and short shorts. She could come back in the morning and
change. On second thought, she wasn’t coming back in here until Hayden made sure it was completely
snakeproof.Shepulledouthercarry-onsuitcaseandthrewinacoupleofoutfitsandabathingsuitplus
herbathroombag.Herhandsshook,andshehadtositdownbecauseshedidn’ttrustherlegstokeepher
up.Howclosehadshecometobeingbit?

Haydenpokedhisheadintotheroom.“They’redone.Nomoreevidenceofasnake.Areyoumovingin

orsomething?”heasked,pointingtohersuitcase.

“I’mnotcomingbackinhereuntilIknowit’ssafe.IwanttomakesureI’mprepared.”
Hepickeduphersuitcase.“Fairenough.Comeon.”
“Whereareyourfriends?”Annaaskedoutonthepatio.
“Asleep,Ithink.”Hepointedtothebedroomsonthemainfloor.
“Doyouthinkthey’llbeokay?Asnakecouldgetintooneofthoseroomstoo.”
“I’m pretty sure if Blake and a cobra got into it, Blake would win. He’s milked his fair share of

venomoussnakesfordrugs.AndAdam’sinvincible.”

Thousands of questions flashed through Anna’s mind. Milking snakes? What the hell was that? Anna

creasedhereyebrows.“Whatdotheydo,exactly?”

“Blake’sachemistrynerd.Createsallkindsofconcoctionsforpharmaceuticalcompanies.Getspaida

bazillion dollars when he makes something worth selling. Once every couple of years he creates
somethingamazing.Iconsultwithhimquiteabit.Adam’sdadownsalotofLasVegas.I’mprettysurehis
dadwantshimtotakeoverthefamilybusiness,butAdamhasn’ttakenthebait.Yet.”Haydenpointedto
thestairs.“Afteryou.”

She still hadn’t seen his bedroom. He’d never invited her up, and she didn’t want to intrude. She

opened the door, and Una stuck her cold nose on Anna’s thigh. Anna pushed her away and took in the
room.Unajumpedonthelargebedandwiggledherstubbytail.

Annasatdownnexttoher,andUnalickedherear.
Hayden dropped the suitcase and kicked the door closed. “Looks like there are two of us excited to

haveyouinbedtonight.”

Anna raised her eyebrows at him. “Are you really excited? I got the impression that you were more

than happy with me in my little house.” She was trying to diffuse her nervousness. Adrenaline still
coursedthroughherveinsfromthesnake,andshehadbutterfliesinherstomachbecauseofHayden.

Hetoweredoverher,hiseyesheated.“Ididn’tknowhowtotellyoutosleepupstairswiththeguysout

there.Itwouldhavebeenextremelyawkward.Thenwhenitcametimetogotobed,Ididn’twanttobarge
in.Trustme.Youwould’vebeenspendingthenightupheretomorrow,evenifthishadn’thappened.”

“Ohreally?”
“Yeah.Nowlet’sseewhatIcandotohelpyouforgetaboutscarycobras.”
He pulled her up, captured her lips with his own, and sure enough, all the fear she felt earlier

disappeared.

Chapter18

HaydenwokeupthenextmorningandfoundAnnafastasleeponhischest.Itshouldn’thavetakenacobra
togetherhere.Sheshould’veneverbeendownstairstobeginwith.Hisheartswelled.Hehadn’tfeltthis
comfortableinalongtime.Itwasrarethathefellasleepwithagirl,andhe’dneverbeenhappytowake
upwiththem.Buthedidn’twantAnnatoeverleave.Thiswasnewandalittlebitscary.

Heshifted.Sheblinkedhereyesopenandsmiled.
“Morning,”Haydensaid.
Sherolledoffofhimandstretched.Thensherelaxedandcurledintohim.“Icouldstayhereforever.”
“Maybeyoushould.”
Shelaughed.“Yeah,right.You’reonlysayingthatbecauseyouknowI’mleavinginaweek.ButPhuket

isbeautiful.Icouldlivehere.Seriously.”

“AndIthinkyoushouldstay.Rightherewithme.”
She shook her head at him and slid out of bed, heading for the bathroom. He didn’t know how to

convinceherthathewantedhertostay.Hesupposedhecouldlethergohome,andthenwhenshewas
missinghim,flyherback.Withaone-wayticketofcourse.

MikesteppedintoHayden’soffice.“Howwasyourweekend?”

“Itwasnice,thanks.Howwasyours?”
Mikeshrugged.“Iheardyouhaveahouseguest.”
“Twoactually”How’dhehearaboutBlakeandAdam?
Mikewaggledhiseyebrows.“AndIthoughtIwasgood.Ihadnoideayouweresuchaladiesman.I

underestimatedyou.”

“They’refriendsfromcollege,andtheyarebothguys.”
“IthoughtMariasaidhernamewasAnna.”
“Oh,yeah,Anna.She’sbeenhereforaweek.”
“Ithoughtyouwereunattached.”MikeleanedagainstHayden’sdesk.
Haydenhadtoplaythisright.Hedidn’twantAnnatofallpreytothewives,andifhementionedhe

wasseriouswithher,itwouldgettoChloe,andthatwouldbetheendofhissweet,innocentAnna.

“Iam.Anna’smybrother’sgirlfriend.”
Mikebustedoutlaughing.“ThatisthesorriestexcuseI’veeverheardforkeepingagirlaroundforsex

inexchangeforanexoticvacation.”

“It’strue.”
“Itisnot.Doyoupayherextratoentertainyourbuddieswhileyou’reatwork?”
HisopinionofMikeplummeted.Whothehelldidstufflikethat?“Anna’snotentertainingthem.”
“Isee.Youliketokeepyourgirlstoyourself.You’rebringingheronFriday,right?”
Hayden nodded absentmindedly while he glanced over the chart of his latest client. It was a typical

nosejob.Easyenough.

AnnawatchedHaydenleave,andUbonploppeddownnexttoher.“YousleepinMr.Hayden’sbednow.
SeeItoldyou.Youpretty.Youwin.”

Annalaughed.“IguessIdid,huh?Whatarewecookingtoday?”
“Nocookingtoday.YoukeepMr.BlakeandMr.Adambusy.”
“Idon’tsupposeyouthinkIshouldsleepintheirbedstoo?”Shegrinnedtoshowshewasjoking.
“Onlyifyouwantto.”Ubonseemedunfazedbytheremark.
Annafrowned.She’dbarelymettheguys,andnowshewassupposedtospendthedaywiththem.She

knewnothingaboutthem.Thiswasgoingtobesoweird.

Anna sipped at her coffee and stared out at the waves. She wasn’t looking forward to going to

Michigan where everything was cold and where she spent most of her time indoors. Eating out on the
patio had become one of Anna’s favorite things. She’d laughed yesterday when she walked through the
insidekitchenandrealizedtherewasnotable.Theycouldn’teatinsideiftheywantedto.

Afewminuteslater,Blakestumbledoutofhisroomwearingnothingbutapairofshorts.
Hecollapsedinthechairnexttoher.“Coffee,”hecroaked,andUbonjumpedonit.Annasentaquick

texttoUbon.

Careful.Blakeshouldn’tknowyouspeakEnglish.
Iforget.Beingaroundyoutooeasy.
Annasmiled.
Blakelaidhisheadonthetable,andAnnastudiedhisback.Hewasmadeofnothingbutmuscle.Big

bulky muscles like you see in bodybuilding competitions. She preferred lean muscle like Hayden had.
Adamjoinedthemafewminuteslater,fullydressedinasuitandtie.Notexactlybeachwear.

“Anna, it’s good to see you this morning. I have go check out a few properties. I’ll be back this

evening.”Hisspeechwasclipped,forced.Heopenedthegate.Blakehadn’tevenacknowledgedhim.

UbonsetBlake’scoffeeinfrontofhim,andhesatup.
“Sorry. I’m not a morning person.” He took a sip. “Ah, nice and black. So I’m not much of a

conversationalistbeforeIfinishmyfirstcup.”

“Adamjustleft.”
“Iknow.Iheardhimgo.Hisdadmakeshimworkwhenhetakesthejet.”
Ajet?Whothehellhasajet?
“So,tellme,youandHayden.Inoticedyousleptinadifferentroom.”
Ubonsnorted.Annawasn’tsurehowtoanswerthat.“Howdoyouknowwesleptindifferentrooms?”
“BecauseIsawyoubothgotobed.”
Annasmirkedathim.“Butyoudon’tknowwhathappenedafteryouwenttobed.”Shewaitedforhis

reaction.Shewashopingforasmirkorsnortorsomething,butinsteadhenodded.Hopefullyhewasmore
funafterhisfirstcupofcoffee,ortodaywasgoingtobeinsanelydull.Maybeshe’dinviteChloeoverto
keephimcompany,andshecouldread.

“True.Soareyouhisgirlfriendorsomething?Haydenhasn’thadagirlfriendsincehisresidency.”
“Idon’tknowwhatIam.”Thiswastrue.Shewasdefinitelynothisgirlfriend.Butshewassurelymore

thanafriendiflastnightwasanyindication.

“Where’dyouguysmeet?”
“AtabarinMichigan.”
“Andnowyou’rehereinPhuketwithhim.I’dsaythat’sthedefinitionofgirlfriend.”
“It’snotquitethatsimple.“
“Soenlightenme.I’mcurious.”
“Youreallywanttohearthestory?Icomeoffalittlecrazy.”Shewasn’tsureshewantedtotellhim,

butBlakewasoneofthosepeoplethatmagicallywithdrewinformationfromothers.Annadidn’tknow
whatitwasabouthim,becauseshe’donlymetahandfulofpeoplelikethat.

“It can’t be weirder than my love life. You seem like a nice girl. Hayden doesn’t usually date nice

girls.”

Annatookadeepbreath.MaybeBlakecouldhelpherfigureoutexactlywhatsheandHaydenhadand

howtokeephim.Plus,shewasallconfusedaboutwhereshestoodwithHayden,andshehadnooneto
confide in here. Eileen wasn’t around and couldn’t see what was going on. She’d tried to call her a
coupleoftimes,butEileenwasalwaysbusy.

“Okay,butifItellyoumystory,youhavetotellmeyours.”
“WhosaysIhaveastory?”
“It can’t be any weirder than my love life,’” Anna replied. That comment right there got her. “Of

courseyoudo.”

Blakenodded.“Fairenough.”
Annalaunchedintothestoryofhowshe’dhadtoomuchtodrinkatthebarandbroughtHaydenhome

withher.

“Notthatunusual.That’sgenerallyhowHaydendoesgirls.”
Anna’sstomachclenched.Shedidn’tliketothinkofHaydenasawomanizer.
“Butyouhavetounderstand.Itwasn’tnormalforme.I’mkindofaflirt,butI’veneverhadaone-night

stand.”

“Yep.DefinitelynotthetypeofgirlHaydendates.Continue.”
ShetoldhimhowmuchshemissedEileen,andafteralittletoomuchwine,shepurchasedtheticket.
“AfterIboughtit,Icouldn’tnotgo.Anyway,onceIwashere,heheldmeatadistance,butyesterday

wespentthedayoutonaboat,andIdon’tknow…chemistryisastrongthing,andHaydenandIhavealot
ofit.HewarnedmeImightgethurt.ButI’mwillingtotakethatrisk.Forhim.”

Blakescowled.“Youshouldn’thavetotakethatrisk.There’snoreasonforhimtohurtyou.”
“Doyouknowwhyhedoesn’tdateseriously?”AnnawonderedhowmuchBlakeknew.
Blakerolledhiseyes.“Yes.Andit’sdumb.DidhetellyouaboutFaith?”
“Yeah.AndIgetit.Especiallyaftermeetingafewofthewiveshere.Butjustbecauseithappenedto

Faithdoesn’tmeanitwillhappentome.”

Blakelookedatherseriouslyforafewmoments.“Maybeyoucantalksomesenseintohim.Tellyou

what.Ifhebreaksyourheart,youcallme,andI’llbeathimupforyou.”Hewiggledhispecks,andAnna
laughed.

“Okay.I’lldothat.”Shestoodupandstretched.“Doyouwantsomethingtoeat?”
“Ifyou’vegotabananaorsomething,thatwouldbegood.”Ubonwascleaningsomewhereinside,for

whichAnnawasgrateful.Otherwise,she’dinsistonslicingupthefruit.Annagrabbedtwobananasand
settledonherchaise.

“I’vetoldyoumystory.Nowit’syourturn.”
“SowheredoIstart?”
“Thebeginning.”
“It’s a long story. Way longer than yours.” His normal smile had fallen. Anna studied him. He didn’t

lookangry.Justsad.

Annashrugged.ShewashopingtogleansomeinsightintoHayden’spastbyhearingBlake’s.“We’ve

gotallday.Thebeginning.”

Blakesettledinhischairandstaredouttowardthewater.Theseawascalmtoday.
“Debbie’solderthanmebyaboutfifteenyears.Idon’tcare.Shelookslikeshe’sabouttwentyandis

smokinghot.That’snotwhyIloveher,butIneededtoclarifythat.Shewasmyorganicchemprofessor.
Ofcourse,lotsofusweresmittenwithher.IbookedeverypossibleofficehourwithherIcould.Shewas
quiet,withdrawn,andalittlesad.AllIwantedtodowasmakeherlaugh.Ineversucceeded.Notthen,
anyway.Theattractionbetweenuswasundeniablethough.Shefreelyadmittedthat.Nightbeforethefinal

examweslepttogether.IgotanA,andIdidn’tseeheragainforanotherthreeyears.”

“Whathappened?Whydidn’tyouseeheragain?”
Blakesighed.“Assoonasthetermended,Iwenthome,andwhenIgotbackinthefall,Iwenttoher

office,butshe’dleft.Noonewouldtellmewhereshewent.”

“Butthat’snottheendofyourstory.Didyoueverfindout?”
“Yeah,DebbieandIdon’tworklikethat.Wedon’ttalkaboutthepast.Ever.Ihaveafeelingshehada

roughchildhood.Soweonlyfocusonthepresentandthefuture.ButI’mgettingaheadofmyself.”

Blakewasright.Hislovelifewasstrangerthanhers.
“Anyway,threeyearslatershewasmyprofessoronceagain.Thistimeitwasgradschool.Shehada

differentlastname,soIdidn’tknowitwasheruntilIsteppedintoherclassroom.I’dwalkedinlate,and
shealreadystartedlecturing.Shestumbledwhenshesawme.Iwastemptedtowalkuptothefrontofthe
roomandkissher,butIfiguredthatwouldbereckless.Instead,Itookaseatintheveryfrontrow.The
onlyonesittingthere,actually.Drovehercrazy.Courseweslepttogetherthatnightandeveryothernight
untilIfinishedmyPhD.Wehadtokeepourrelationshipquiet,soitwasmostlyjustsex.Itookajobin
SouthAmericawhenIfinished,andwebothagreeditwouldbebesttojustendit.”

“Wait a minute. Was she married?” Anna didn’t have a very high opinion of people who slept with

otherswhoweremarried.Toher,thatwasacompletejackasserythingtodo.

“Divorced,Ithink.Shenevertalkedaboutit.Ididaskherifshewasmarried,andshesaidno.”
“Andshenevertalkedaboutwhathappenedwithyoutwobefore?”
“Nope.Debbiealwayssaid,‘Thepastisinthepast.Talkingaboutitwon’tchangethefuture.’”
“Soyouknownothingaboutherpast.”
Blakeshookhishead.“Nada.”
“That’sweird.”
“Iknow.Toldyou.”
“Sothat’sitthen?”
“Ohno.Itgetsbetter.”
Annasighed.Blakeseemedtobeagluttonforpunishment.“Continue.”
“SoafewyearsafterthatItookanotherjobinEurope,consultingwithauniversityinItaly.”
“Letmeguess.Debbiewasthere.”
Blakenodded.“Newlastnameagain.Thistimethough,Iplayedthingsdifferently.Yousee,theother

timeswehookedupwecouldn’tdateopenlybecauseshewasmyprofessor,butnowshewasn’t.Instead
ofjumpinginbedwithher,Iaskedheroutfordinner.Wedatedforthreemonthsbeforeweslepttogether
again.Ididn’twasteanytimeafterthat.Wemovedintogetherandwerehappyfortwoyears.”

“Uhoh.Thatdoesn’tsoundgood.”Annashiftedsoshewasfacinghim.Hisstorywasfascinating.
“No, it wasn’t. I was all ready to propose. Had a whole scheme worked out. My buddy from Egypt

flewuptoPraguetohelpmepullitoff.Butshenevershowedup.Calledmeandtoldmesheneededa
break and met an Italian. She told me I could clean out my stuff from the apartment the next weekend
becauseshewouldbestayingwithhernewboyfriend.”

Annawonderedhowlongagoithadhappened.Hisfistswereclenched,andhisfacewasstony.
Annareachedoverandgrippedhisarm.“Thatisawful.Beyondawful.Youneedtomoveonandfinda

girlwho’sworthyofyou.”

“That’sthething.I’mstillmadlyinlovewithher.Idon’twanttomoveon.”
“Uh,Blake,thisisn’thealthy.”
“Saysthegirlwhohoppedonairplaneandflewfivethousandmilestoseeaguyshe’donlymetonce.

Nojudgment,sister,”hesaidwithasmirk.

“I’mnotjudging.Ithinkyou’dbehappierifyoumovedon.”
“Maybe.Maybenot.Iloveher.”

Annadidn’tknowhowelsetoarguewithhim.MaybesheshouldhookhimupwithEileen.Sheliked

Blakeandcouldn’tfathomwhyhewaswaitingforawomanwhoobviouslydidn’tdeservehim.

“Well,that’senoughserioustalkfortoday.Youwanttowatchamovie?”Blakeasked.

HaydenarrivedhomethateveningandfoundAnnainthepoolwithBlake.Jealousybloomedinhischest
whenhesteppedoutofthecar.Histraitorousfriendhadhishandsalloverher.HaydenwatchedasBlake
hoisted her up and threw her across the pool. She splashed with a squeal, and Una jumped in after her
withabark.

Anna surfaced, laughing and pushing away Una, who was trying to pull her out of the water. Hayden

stoodontheedgeofthepool.Annaswamovertohimandgrinnedupwithhereyessparkling.

“Youshouldgoputyoursuitonandcomeswimmingwithus.Blakethinkshe’sstrongenoughtolaunch

meacrossthewholepool,butsofarhe’sbeenunsuccessful.”

Haydencrossedhisarms.Heshouldn’tbeangry,butsomethingaboutAnnaturnedhistestosteroneinto

overdrive.“He’sjustusingthatasanexcusetotouchyou.”

“Iresentthat,”Blakecalledout.“Wewerejustplaying.Plus,sheimpliedthatmymuscleswereonly

forshowandnotusefulforanything.”

“So far all you’ve proven is that Una thinks you are trying to drown me,” Anna said. She grabbed

Hayden’sfoot.“Seriously,gochange.Wehaven’tbeeninthewaterlong.”

Henodded.“Givemeasec.”
HemadehiswayupstairsandthoughtabouttheemotionsAnnastirredupinsidehim.Hewasn’tusedto

feelingjealous.BlakeonlyeverhadeyesforDebbie.ThoughhehopedBlakewouldbeabletomovepast
her.Shebrokehisheart,andhehadn’tbeenthesamesince.Itwasactuallyprettynicetoseehimlaughing
withAnna.

HewasjustabouttojumpinwhenAdamcamethroughthegate.
“Youwannacomeinwithus?”Haydenasked.
“Definitely. I’m sweating like crazy. Next time I’m just going to fly first class. Blake wanted the jet

though.”

“Areyougoingtobuyanyproperty?”
“No.Idon’tthinkso.”Hestaredoutoverthepool.“AreyoucomfortablewithBlaketouchingyourgirl

likethat?”

Haydenspunaround.BlakewascrouchedinthewaterwithAnnastandingonhisknees.Blakehadhis

handsonAnna’shipslikehewasabouttothrowher.

“It’sagamethey’replaying.ButI’mgoingtogorescueher.”
“I’llbeoutinaminute.”
Haydencannonballedintothepool,andassoonashegothishandsonAnna,hepushedherupagainst

thesideandkissedherdeeply.

“Ohcomeon,man,”Blakesaid.“Getaroom.”
Atleasthegotthepoint.Adamjumpedin,splashingthemall,andsoonthepoolwaschaoticandcrazy.

They swam for an hour or so and then enjoyed Ubon’s cooking. Adam went to bed early, claiming he
wasn’t feeling well, but the other three sat for a while. The sky went dark, and the frogs began their
croakingagain.

Blakefinishedoffhisbeerandstood.“I’mgoingtohitthehay.We’vegotadrivercomingforusatsix

tomorrowmorningtotakeustotheairport.Timetoseeifyourideasareanygood,soIneedtogettomy
lab.”

Annajumpedupandgavehimabighug,andHaydenfelthisjealousycreepupagain.Hedidn’twant

Annatouchinganyonebuthim.

“Itwassonicetomeetyou.ThanksfortellingmeallthosestoriesaboutHayden.It’llgivemelotsof

thingstoteasehimaboutwhenlifegetsboring.”ShereachedupandgaveBlakeakissonthecheek.Then
sheglancedatHayden.“I’llbeupstairs.”

Healmostfollowedher,butheneededtosaygoodbyetohisfriend.EvenifhedidwanttoripBlake’s

ballsoff.

HaydenfollowedBlaketohisroom,andBlakemotionedhiminsideandshutthedoor.“Don’tscrew

thatoneup,”hesaid.

“What’sthatsupposedtomean?”Haydenasked.
“Thatyouhaveahabitofusinggirls.”
Haydenstartedtoargue,butBlakecuthimoff.
“I’m not saying that in a bad way. I just mean that you and relationships don’t mix. Anna’s special

though.I’venevermetanyonequitelikeher.Shebasicallygavemeherlifestorythisafternoon,andit’s
prettytragic.She’sinnocentinwaysIdon’tthinkyoucancomprehend,andIdon’tthinksheunderstands
whatshe’stakenonwithyou.Becarefulwithher.”

Haydenfeltlikehe’dbeenslapped.“Ididn’trealizethatyouthoughtsolittleofme.”
“Dude,that’snotwhatImeant.She’snotliketheothergirlsyouusuallydatewhocanhandlegetting

droppedbyyou.”

Haydencrossedhisarms.“Iknow,butthatdoesn’tmeanI’llbeajerk.”WhatwasBlakeplayingat?

MaybehewasmoreofthreatthanHaydenthought.

“Youmightbewithoutknowingit.Iexpectshetoldmemorethanshetoldyou.Maybeyoushouldtry

gettinghertoopenup.”

“Whywouldshetellyoumorethanshetoldme?”
“Becauseshehadnothingtolosebytellingme.She’sstillcompletelyunsureofyourrelationship.She

doesn’tknowwhatyouexpectorwant.”

Haydennodded.Hedidn’twanttohearanymore.“Thanksforlettingmeknow.I’llletyougetsome

sleep.Letmeknowifyouneedanymorehelp.”

“Cando.Night.”
Haydendidn’tgoupstairs.Unawasnowheretobefound,whichmeantshe’dgonetobedwithAnna.

Hesatatthetableandstaredoutoverthepool.WherewasthisgoingwithAnna?Heknewnexttonothing
abouther.He’dbeenthinkingaboutaskinghertostaylonger,butnowhewasn’tsosure.Blakewasright
aboutonething.

Ifshestayedwithhim,she’dgethurt.

Chapter19

AnnafinallyhadanexcusetowearthatreddressHaydentriedtogethertowear.Itwasshort,butflared
outalittleattheskirt.Itwasn’tsomethingshewouldnormallywear,butitdidlookprettyonher.

She walked into the living room where Hayden was answering a few emails, and he looked up. His

eyestraveledthelengthofherbody,andheslowlyapproachedherwithasmolderinglook.

Heranhishandupthebackofherthighandpulledheragainsthim.Sheletoutasqueak,butrecovered

quicklyandmethishungrylips.

“Maybeweshouldstayhereandskiptheparty.Wedon’thavetogo,”Haydensaid.
Hetrailedkissesalongherneck,andsheseriouslyconsideredtakinghimuponhisoffer,butshemight

notgetachancetotakeonthewivesagain.Tonightwasgoingtobefun.

“Don’tbesilly.I’vebeendyingtogetbackatnastyMaria.”
“Ohreally?Becareful.You’llbethemostgorgeousgirlintheroom,andyouhaven’thadastitchof

work done. Don’t be surprised if they don’t believe you when you say it’s all natural. Their claws are
goingtocomeout.EspeciallywhenChloeandVictoriarealizeyouandIareanitem.”

“Oh,I’vedealtwiththeirkindbefore.”
Hecreasedhiseyebrows.
“What?”Annaasked.
“Yousurpriseme.”Herakedhiseyesupanddownherbodyagain.“Yourdressismissingsomething.

Anecklace.”

Sheshrugged.“I’mnotcrazyaboutjewelry.”
Hetracedherneckline.“Notevenastrandofpearls?They’dlookbeautifulrightthere.”
“HowisitthatyouremembereverythingIsaidthatfirstnightweweretogether?”
“Anna,youareutterlyunforgettable.It’stoolatetonight,buttomorrow,I’mgettingyouthosepearls.”
Shewasn’tgoingtoarguewithhim.Hetookherhandandledhertothecar.“Iwishwehadmoretime

togettoknowoneanother.”

Thiswouldbetherighttimetobringupthatshedidn’tactuallyhaveaplaneleavingonSunday.She

sighed.Therewouldbeplentyoftimetotalkthiseveningaftertheparty.

Anna’spalmsweresweating.Shehadafewtricksuphersleeve,butshe’dnevertakenonmeangirls

withoutEileenonherside.

Haydenheldherhandonthewayover.“Hey,Iknowyou’regoinghomeonSunday,butdoyouthink,I

don’tknow,thatwecankeepintouchonceyou’rehome.”

Now.Sheshouldtellhimnow.“I’dlikethat.MaybewecanmeetupforadrinkatTheNightOwl.”
He let out a breath. “We should. Anna I…” He trailed off as they pulled up to the house. She

desperately wanted to know what he was about to say. But she was also struck dumb by the house that
roseupinfrontofthem.Mike’shouselookedlikeoneofthehotelsinPhuket,notasingle-familyhome.
Theyenteredthefrontdoor,andAnnawasstruckbytheopulence.

Haydennoddedpolitelytoafewpeople,butsteeredherawayfromthecrowds.
A man with salt and pepper hair approached them. Hayden removed his hand from around her waist

andshooktheotherman’shand.

“Anna,thisisDr.MikeFerrar.HeownstheclinicIworkat.”
Miketookherhandandkissedherknuckles.“Please,callmeMike.You’reevenprettierthanHayden

said. He won’t shut up about you.” He stumbled over his words a little, and Anna wondered if he was
drunk.

Sheknewhewastryingtoflatterher,buthiseyesneveronceventuredhigherthanherchest.Hercreep-

ometerwasoffthecharts.Haydentuggedathistie.

“IhaveafewcolleaguesI’dlikeHaydentomeet,”Mikecontinued,stillstaringatherbreasts.“Doyou

mindifIstealhimforafewmoments?”

Haydensnatchedtwoglassesofchampagneoffapassingtrayandhandedherone.“I’llbebacksoon.

Willyoubeokay?”

Annanodded,butwasn’tsureshewouldbe.HegaveheralightkissonthelipsandfollowedMike.
“Anna,”avoicetrilledbehindher.
AnnaturnedandsawMariaandVictoriatrailingbehindChloe.Allthreeworeshort,tightdressesthat

showedoffthetalentsofthedoctorsintheroom.Mariagaveherasmallsmile,andAnnatookacoupleof
deepbreaths.Shecouldhandlethesebitches.

Allthreeofthemwerenearlyidenticalexceptfortheirhaircolor.Thatwaswhatplasticsurgerygot

you.Theabilitytolooklikeeveryotherwomanintheroom.

“Whatwaswiththatkiss?IthoughtyouandHaydenwerejustfriends,”Chloesaidwithaforcedsmile.
Annawasgoingtoputthatlietorest.“Ohplease,doyoureallythinkIcouldbejustfriendswithhim?”
Chloeraisedhereyebrows.“Isn’thisbrotheryourboyfriend?”
“Was.”Shedidn’twanttohavetoexplainthelie.
Victoriasmirkedather.“How’sheinbed?”
Annawaitedforoneoftheotherwomentotellheritwasoutofline,butinsteadtheyallstaredather

expectantly.

“He’sgood,”Annafinallysaidwithablush.
“Howbig?”
“Excuseme?”Annaasked.Thisconversationhadtakenaturnshewasn’texpecting.She’dneedtostep

uphergame.

“Howbigishispenis?Theyallhavesurgeriestomakethembigger,”Victoriasaid.
Anna’smouthdroppedopen.“That’s…that’spossible?”
Marianodded,unfazed.“Mikehasthebiggest.Eleveninches.He’sthebestatthissurgery,sohedoes

alltheothers,andhewon’tmakethembiggerthanhim.”

Anna couldn’t help herself. She giggled. This was the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard. Maria

frownedather.AtleastAnnathoughtitwasafrown.Itwashardtotell.Herfacedidn’tmovemuch.

“We’rewaitingforananswer,dear.Allofushavetriedtosleepwithhim.”
They had to be kidding. Try as she might she couldn’t get the image out of her head of those silly

doctorscomparingsizes.She’dneverbeabletolookanyofthemintheeyesagain.Anna’sgigglesturned
intoalaugh,andshecouldbarelypullherselftospeak.“It’snotlikeIwhippedoutarulerandmeasured.
Nottomentionthatit’snoneofyourbusiness.Wouldyouexcuseme?Iseeafriend.”

Annamovedawayfromthewomen,andshecouldn’tstophergiggles.Peoplearoundherwerestaring,

butshedidn’tcare.She’dneverbeabletolookMikeintheeyesagain.

She desperately wished Eileen had been here. She would’ve had the perfect response. Anna found a

quiet corner and took out her phone to text the story to Eileen. She just finished one line when a slimy
voicegrowledintoherear.

“Youareexquisite,aren’tyou,dear?”
Shespunaroundandfoundherselfface-to-facewiththefamousMikehimself.Shegiggledandtriednot

toloseit.

“Where’sHayden?”sheasked.
“Don’tknow.IheardyouweregoinghomeSunday.”Hiswordsslurredalittle.
“I am.” She looked around. Mike had her trapped in a corner. He stood way too close and panic

blossomedinherchest.Surelyhewouldn’ttryanythinginappropriateinaroomfullofpeople.Thoughhe

wasobviouslydrunk,sowhoknewwhathewoulddo.

Heleanedintoher,spillinghisdrinkonhisshirt,buthedidn’tseemtonotice.“Youknow,Haydentold

meaboutyourlittlearrangement.Ifyou’reinterestedinstayinginPhuketlonger,Icouldputyouupinone
ofmybeachcondos.”

Annapaled.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“Ohplease,dear,don’tbeshy.Thiskindofthingisverynormalhere.Prettygirlstravelingtoexotic

placesandfindingabenefactorinexchangeforbedroomfavors.Inadditiontothehouseandfood,Ican
alsoofferyouasurgeryortwo.ThoughIwouldsaytheonlythingyouneedisbiggerbreasts.”

Shewasmortified.“Don’tyouhaveawife?”
Mikenodded.“Ofcourse.Andtwogirlfriends.Butit’snicetohavesomeonethat’sjustthereforsex.

Youknow?Noworriesaboutromanceordinner.”

Anna pushed past him. She’d heard enough. She shouldn’t believe him. Hayden had told all kinds of

liesofwhoshewas,andsheshouldn’tbesurprisedhe’ddonethesame.Shewasn’tevensurewhatshe
wastoHayden.Butthisonestung.DidHaydenreallytellMikethatAnnawasahigh-classhooker?

Mikewasdrunkandobviouslynotinhisrightmind.Thoughdrunkpeopleusuallytoldmoretruththan

lies.Sheleanedagainstawallandtookacoupleofdeepbreaths.

Chloetouchedherelbow.“Areyouokay?”Therewascompletesincerityinhereyes.
Annaranashakyhandthroughherhair.“Ithinkso.”
“Somethinghappened.IsawMikewithyou.Hecanbepushysometimes.”
Without meaning to, Anna spilled to Chloe what he’d said. She didn’t know what she was expecting

fromChloe,butshewashopingdenialofsomekind.Instead,Chloejustblinkedather.

“Doyouthinkhewastellingthetruth?”Annaasked,notwantingtohearChloe’sresponse.
“Probably.It’sverycommon.”
“WhywouldhetellyouguysIwashisbrother’sgirlfriendthen?Idon’tunderstand.”
“He probably said that to keep us away. If you were just a friend or something, he would’ve

encouragedyoutogooutwithus,butforjustsex,thenhe’dwanttokeepyouclosetohome.Youhaveto
admitthatsayingyouwerehissoontobesister-in-lawwasagreatexcuse.Idon’tknow,I’dratherbethe
onehe’ssleepingwiththanthewifewhostayshome.Maria,sheknowsthatMikesleepsaroundonher.
He’snotaliar.Hetellsherexactlywherehe’sgoingandwithwho.Canyouimagine?”

No,Annacouldn’t.Butrightnowshedidn’tevencare.
Shemadeittothefrontdoor.WasthatallshewastoHayden?Justsex?WhywouldHaydentellMike

somethinglikethat?Well,hedidn’tneedtoworryaboutheranymore.

Ifsheleftnow,shecouldbegonebeforehegothome.Thankfully,Mikelivedonafairlybusystreet,

anditonlytookherafewminutestoflagdownacab.

She waited until she was safely tucked away in the back seat before she let the tears come. All the

commentshe’dmadeoverthelastweekabouthernotvaluingcommitmentandhowhedressedherupin
sluttyclothes.Shecouldn’tbelieveshe’dbeensoblind.Sheshould’veseenitbeforeMikeeventoldher.
She was just a girl sleeping with him so she’d have a place to stay. She’d thought what she had with
Haydenwasreal,butitwasallacosmicjoke.

Motorcycles buzzed by the car, and she stared at the run-down shops as they sped toward Hayden’s

house. She wished she were home. At least there, she could go to her apartment. Now she had no idea
whattodo.

Shehadafewhundredbhatinherwalletandheremergencycreditcard.Itshouldgetheracheaphotel

andfoodforthenexttwoweeks.Itwouldn’tbefun,butshe’dsurvive.

Shecouldgetajobassoonasshegothome.Shesighed.Thiswasallastupidfantasy.Neveragain.

She’dputherheaddownanddothingsthesmartwaynow.Nomorestupidwhims.

Chapter20

HaydenfeltawfulforabandoningAnnaforsolong,buthe’drunintooneofthedoctorswhoworkedatthe
hospitalwithhim,andtheywerediscussingideasofhowtheycouldhelpthelocalsmore.Hescannedthe
roombutcouldn’tseeherbrightreddressanywhere.

Mariasidleduptohimandpressedherbreastsintohisarm.“Lookingforyourgirl?”
Haydennoddedandbackedupafewsteps.
“Sheleft.”
“Whatdoyoumeansheleft?”
“ShewastalkingtoMikeandthenranforthedoor.Probablycaughtacaborsomething.She’snotquite

cutoutforthisworld,isshe?”Marialeanedintohimagain,andhemadeanexaggeratedstepbackwards.

“Howlongagodidsheleave?”
“Aboutfifteenminutes.”
She’dbehalfwayhomebynow.WhathadMikesaid?
HaydenshookoffMariaandwentinsearchofherhusband.HefoundMikehittingonaprettyblonde

waitress.

“Hey,Mike,haveyouseenAnna?”
Miketurnedaround.“Yeah,sheleftafewminutesago.”
“Why?”
“HowshouldIknow?”
“Becauseyouwerethelastonetalkingtoherbeforesheleft.”
Mikegavehimalazygrin.“Iofferedherthesamearrangementyouhadwithher.Thoughtmaybeshe

wantedtostayinPhuket.Guessshedidn’t.”

“Whatarrangement?”
“Theonewhereshesleepswithyou,andyougiveheraplacetostay.Youforgetyoutoldmethat?”
“Inevertoldyouthat.InfactIdeliberatelytoldyoushewasjustafriend.”
Mikelaughed.“Weallknowthatcouldneverbetrue.”
Hayden’sbloodboiled.Thenerveofthatman.“You’reanasshole,youknowthat.”
Haydenpushedthroughthecrowdandcalledhisdriver,buthadtowaitanothertenminutes.Hestood

on the street fuming. Anna probably wouldn’t speak to him again. Mike had basically called her a
prostituteandprobablytoldherthatHaydenthoughtsotoo.Dammit.He’dbeensoworriedaboutwhatthe
wiveswoulddotoherthathe’dforgottenthedoctorswerejustasbad.

Onceinthecar,Haydentriedtothinkofwayshecouldmakethisuptoher.Hehopedhecoulddoit

beforesheleftonSunday.Fatchanceofthat.Therewasacaraccident,andsoittookhimanextraforty-
fiveminutestogethome.

Hecheckedherhousefirst.Hersuitcasewasgone,alongwithanyevidencethatshe’dbeenthere.On

thepatio,hefoundherreddresslaidoutononeofthebeachchairs.Anotewastapedtothefront.

Keepthisforyournextwhore.
Haydencrumpledupthenote.He’dlosther.ExactlylikeBlakesaidhewould.

Chapter21

Anna didn’t know how long she’d have before Hayden returned, so she had the cab wait while she
packed.ShehadhimtakehertoacoffeeshopwheretheyhadfreeWi-Fi.Theshopwascrowdedwith
young Thai men looking at porn. She ordered a small coffee and found a tiny table in the back so she
didn’thavetoseeanybodyelse’sscreen.

She had two weeks and a thousand dollar limit on her emergency credit card. She immediately

dismissedallthehostels.Sheneededasafeplacetostay.Surprisingly,therewereafewhotelsthatwere
onlyahundreddollarsforthewholetwoweeks,andtheyhaddecentreviews.ShebookedoneinPatong
Beachandflaggeddownanothercab.

Tourists were everywhere as she dragged her suitcase up the walk to the dingy hotel. A nice Thai

woman greeted her and gave her the key. Her room was small but clean. It certainly wasn’t Hayden’s
place,butitwasn’tbad.Foodherewasdirtcheaptoo,soshewouldn’thavetoomuchdebttopaywhen
shegothome.

Shesatonherrockhardbedandpickedupherphone.SheknewwhensheheardEileen’svoice,she

wouldloseit,butshehadtotalktosomeone.

Eileenanswered,andAnnaheardloudvoicesinthebackground.
“Hey,girl,howarethingswithyourstudmuffin?”
Annasniffed,notsureshecouldgetthewordsout.“He’sanass.”
“Hangonasec.LetmegetsomewhereIcanhearyou.”
AnnalethertearsflowfreelyasshewaitedforEileentofindaquietcorner.Afteraminutethesound

died.

“Okay,I’minthebathroom.What’sup?”
“Whereareyou?”
“Aget-togetheratmyboss’shouse.Butwearen’ttalkingaboutme,we’retalkingaboutyou.Whyare

youcrying?”

Betweensniffles,AnnaspilledthewholestorytoEileen.
“Andnow,I’minacheaphotelnearthebeach.”Thetowelsweresmallandscratchy,andwhenAnna

turnedontheshower,onlyalittlebitofwatercameout.Itwashotthough.

Eileenletoutastreamofcursewords,andAnnahadtofighttheurgetolaugh.ItwasatypicalEileen

response.

“Isitsafe?Icanputyouupsomeplacenicer.”
“It’sfine.Ihaveaprivateroom,andit’ssuperclean.I’vegotafewbooksandaten-minutewalktothe

beach.I’mgoingtorelaxforthenexttwoweeksandmaybefilloutsomeCNAjobapplicationsforback
home.I’msureIcanfindsomething.”

Eileensighed.“Youdidn’tlikebeinganurse.”
“Iknow.But Imadea stupidmistake,and thisismy bestoption ifIwant togeta decentpayingjob

quickly.”

“I’mgoingtocomeseeyounextweekend.I’llbookasuite,andyou’llcomestaywithme,andwe’ll

shopawayyoursorrows.”

Annasmiled.“Can’twait.Missyou.”

Chapter22

Annawokeupthenextmorningandmassagedherrightshoulder.Thebedwasincrediblyhard.Hayden
hadamattresstopper,sohisbedwasn’tthatbad.Shetriedtostopthetearsthatcamewhenshethoughtof
him.Shecouldn’tspendthiswholeweekpiningafterhim.

No.She’dgetoutthereandenjoyherself.Shewasn’tfarfromagorgeousbeach.Shestillhadabook.

She’dgodowntothebeachandletthesunandthesandabsorbherworries.

ShefeltsostupidforfallingforHayden.Ithadn’tbeenthatlong,butshe’dconnectedwithhiminaway

she’dneverdonewithanyone.Forthepasttwoweeks,he’dconsumedherthoughts,andshe’dsettledinto
lifewithhim.

She’dneverbeenonetolookthatfarahead.WhenGrandpawasalive,hetookallofherenergy.She

didn’thavetimetodreamoreventhinkaboutthefuture.Anna’sbiggestproblemwasthatshedidn’tknow
wheretogofromhere.

Sheknewwhatshedidn’twant.Shedidn’twanttobeanurse.Shedidn’twanttohurt.Andshenever

wantedtobeinthispositioneveragain.Shewasn’tsurewhatshe’ddowhenshegothome,butitwould
besafeandsecure.

Sheneededtostartlookingtowardthefuture.Whatwouldhercareerlooklike?Wherewouldshelive?

WouldshestayinMichigan?Shedidn’tknow.

Nowshehadagoal.Bythetimeshegotonthatplane,she’dhaveaplan.Adirection.
She skipped the shower, threw on a bathing suit, and headed out. The street looked different in the

daylight.Smallcafesdottedthealley,andshecouldhearthewavesbreaking.Shepoppedintotheclosest
caféandwaspleasedtoseethatithadanEnglishmenu.Sheorderedtoastandeggsandcrackedopenher
book.

Shetriedtoread,butshewasn’tcomprehendinganything.HermindwasonHayden.Sheworriedhe’d

walkthroughthedoor,andthenwhatwouldshedo?Thiswasdumb.Hedidn’tevenknowshewasstillin
town.HeprobablythoughtshewasonaplaneheadingtoMichigan.

HerfaceburnedwhenshethoughtthatHaydenwasjustdoingnicethingsforhersoshe’dsleepwith

him.She’dthoughttheyweremorethanjustsleepingtogether.He’dsaiditwasnothingmore,buttheway
helookedather,shethoughtforsurehewantedmore.ShewasprobablyfoolishforlisteningtoMike,but
Chloebasicallyconfirmedit.

Afterbreakfast,sheheadeddowntothebeachandspreadouthertowel.Shelayonherstomachand

readforawhilebeforefallingasleep.Whenshewoke,thebeachwasbrimmingwithpeople.

She gathered up her stuff and wandered the streets that were filled with quirky shops and colorful

people.Shestoppedinasmallbarfordinnerandtriedagaintoreadherbook,butthewordsjustslipped
byher.

“CanIbuyyouadrink?”
Annajerkedherheadupandfoundayoungblondemansmilingather.
“Sure,”shesaidwithoutthinking.
“Whatwouldyoulike?”heasked,wavingdownthebartender.
“Amargaritaplease.Whereareyoufrom?”SheassumedEnglandfromhisaccent.
“Australia.Diving.Whataboutyou?American,yeah?”
“Yes.I’mjustenjoyingthebeach.”
“Thistheplacetodothat.”
They chatted while she ate and sipped at her drink, but all she could think about was Hayden. She

didn’twanttobeinabarflirtingwithanadorableAussie.ShewantedtobeatHayden’shousesittingby
thepoolwithUna.

Whenshefinishedherdinner,shethankedhimforthedrinkanddisappearedoutthedoor.Shehurried

toherhotel,fightingtheanxietybuildinginherchest.Shecouldn’tbelieveHaydenhadthiseffectonher.

Atthehotel,sheopenedherlaptop.Itwastimeshethoughtaboutthefuture.Sheneededajob.Shesent

outherresumetoseveralopeningsforCNAs.Shewouldn’thaveaproblemgettingajob.

Shehadtroublefallingasleepthatnight,onceagain,andhopedthatmaybeshewouldn’tpineawaytoo

muchthenextday.

Thenextfewdayspassedinablur.Shespentmostofhertimereadingonthebeach.Therewasanache

inherchest,butsheatleastshewasn’tconstantlythinkingofHaydenanymore.

OnThursdaymorning,shecrackedopenherlaptopagain.She’dbeenapplyingforjobsandalreadyhad

threeinterviewssetupfortheweekaftershegothome.Theyweren’tjobsshewanted,buttheywouldpay
thebills.ThefirstthingshesawwasanemailfromEileen.

Here’smyitinerary.Seeyoutomorrow.Loveyou.
Eileen would be flying in late in the morning and spend the rest of the weekend with her. She was

lookingforwardtonotbeingalone.

BeneathEileen’semailwasonefromahomehealthcareagency.Itlistedaphonenumberandasked

thatshecallassoonaspossible.Shelookedattheclock.Itwaseighta.m.,whichmeantitwaseightp.m.
inMichigan.Thatwasstillearlyenough.Shedialedthenumber,andawomananswered.

“MynameisAnnaBarlow,andIappliedforajob.”
“Anna. This is Heather. I was one of the nurses who helped with your grandpa. When I saw your

resume,IknewIhadtohaveyou.Youdon’tevenhavetointerview.”

Anna’sgrippedtheedgeofthebed.“WhatwouldIbedoing?”
“Basicallywhatyoudidwithyourgrandpa.You’dbegoingintohomesandgivingfamilymembersor

full-timenursesrespite.It’llbethirty-sixhoursaweek,fifteendollarsanhour.Ourcompanyoffersnice
healthbenefitstoo.I’msureyouhavelotsofoffers,butIknowyourworkethic,andI’dlovetohaveyou.
Oh,andifyouwanttogetyourRNlicense,thecompanywillpayforyoutogotoschool.Pleasesayyes.
Youcanstarttomorrowifyouwant.”

Herchesttightened,andshewashavingtroublebreathing.Sheneededtimetothink.
“I’mactuallyoutofthecountryrightnow.CouldIhaveacoupleofdaystothinkaboutit?”
“Ofcourse.Youcancalloremailwithyouranswer.I’llemailyoualltheinformationaboutthebenefits

andtherestofthepackage.”

“Thankyou.”
Annahungupthephoneandflungherselfbackonherbed.Shedidnotwanttobenurse.Butshedidn’t

knowhowtodoanythingelse.Sheneededthemoneythough.She’dhaveacreditcardbilltopay,andshe
couldsaveupforschool.Shehadnootherwaytosupportherself,andifshechosenottoworkasaCNA,
she’dendupatafastfoodrestaurantorsomething,whichwouldneverpaythebills.

Shecouldseeherwholefuturelaidout.Shewasgoodatnursing.Heatherwouldtalkherintogoingto

schoolandgettingherlicense,andbeforesheknewit,twentyyearswouldpass,andshe’dstillbestuckin
GrandRapidsdoingajobshehated.Wasthiswhatshewanted?No.Butitwasheronlyoption.

By the time the evening rolled around, she still hadn’t made a decision. She headed to a small

restaurantshe’dbeenmeaningtotry.

ShewalkedinandspottedJuliaandLiam.Annatriedtobacktrack,butJuliasawherandwavedher

overtothetable.

Annaapproachedslowly.
“Ithoughtyou’dalreadygonehome,”Juliasaid.
“Myflightisn’tuntilnextweek.Ididn’ttellHayden.Ihopeyouwon’ttellhimyousawme.”

“Onlyifyoueatwithus,”Liamsaid.“Sit.”
Shedidasshewastold.Shehadnoreasontoleave,butshewishedshedid.
“Thisisthebestrestaurantintown,”Liamsaidwithhisusualwidesmile.
Annalookedaroundatthedingywallsandfurniture.Restaurantslikethiswereoftenfantastic.
“Whycan’twetellHayden?”Liamasked.
“Sheprobablydoesn’twanttotalkaboutthat.AreyouenjoyingPatongBeach?”Juliaasked.
“Iam.”
Awaitressbroughtheraglassofwater,andAnnafiddledwithit.Anawkwardsilencefellaroundthe

table.ShewonderedhowmuchJuliaknew.ShewantedtoaskaboutHayden,butshedidn’twanttoknow
theanswers.Sheneededsomethingsafetotalkabout.

“Didyoualwaysknowyouwantedtobesurgeon?”Annaasked.
“Yeah.FromthetimeIwasalittlegirl,Iwastakingapartinsects.”
“Wow.Thatmustbenicetohaveknownrightaway.IhavenoideawhatIwanttodo.”
“You’vegottime.”
Annaletoutabreath.“Iguess.Igotajoboffertoday,butI’mnotsureifIshouldtakeit.”
“Whatisit?”Juliaasked.
“Anursingassistant.Idon’tlikenursing.”
“Thendon’ttakeit,”Liamsaid.
“ButIhavetopaythebills.It’sgoodmoney.”
“Well,whatdoyouwanttodo?”Liamasked.
“That’s part of the problem. I have no idea. Everything I’ve ever done has been because it was

convenientorwhatIwassupposedtodo.”

“WereyousupposedtocometoPhuket?”
“No.”
“You’veenjoyedthis,right?”
“YoumeanasidefromthefiascowithHayden?Yeah.Thishasbeenamazing.ButIcan’tmakeacareer

outoftravelingtoexoticlands.”

“That’snottrue.Whatdoyouthinkpilotsandflightattendantsdo?”
She’dneverthoughtaboutdoingsomethinginthetravelindustry.Butshecoulddefinitelyhandlehaving

thechancetoseenewplaces.

“That’sagoodpoint.”
JuliaputherhandoverAnna’s.“Youhavetodosomethingyoulove,oryourlifewillpassyouby,and

you’ll have lots of regrets. Trust me. Go home and research some different career paths. Try different
thingsuntilyoufindoneyoulove.Whereareyoustayingnow?”

“Alittlehoteldownthestreet.”
Juliashookherhead.“No,youcomestaywithusuntilyouleave.Liamcanhelpyoufigureoutyour

dreams.”

Annalaughed.“Thanks,butIdon’twanttostaythatclosetoHayden.Plus,afriendofmineiscoming

totowntomorrow.I’llbefine.”

That night, Anna got online and googled how to become a flight attendant. Several posts popped up.

Shebrowsedthroughafewsitesthatwerebasicallyjustadsandwentdirectlytoamajorairlinewebsite.
They didn’t require a college degree. She filled out one application and then went to bed. Maybe she
didn’thavetobeanurseafterall.

Chapter23

ThenightAnnaleft,Haydenstayedupforalongtime.Hesatdownbythebeachwithabeerandthatnote
she left him. He read the words over and over again. What an idiot he’d been. For the first time since
Faith,hehadsomeoneworthfightingfor,andhe’dblownit.

Thewavescrashedonshore.Whatthehellwashedoing?Helovedhisjob.Oratleasthediduntilhe

movedhere.He’dneverimaginedthisjobwouldleadhimtoquestioneverythinghe’dbeendoingwith
hislife.ThoughhisquestionsmightjustbebecauseofAnna.

Unanudgedhim,andhepattedherhead.“Youreadyforbed?”
Shejumpedupandranupthepath.Hedustedoffhisslacksanddraggedhimselfuptothehouse.He

didn’twanttogotobed.ThereweretoomanyremindersofAnnainthere.

Unawashalfwayupthestairstohisroom.
“Nottonight,girl.”Heopenedthedoortooneoftheguestrooms.Annahadneverbeeninthere.Maybe

hewouldn’tmisshersomuch.

Mondaymorning,Haydengottoworkearlywithabox.Beforehiscolleaguesarrived,heputallofhis
picturesawayandthenwaitedinMike’soffice.Overtheweekendhe’ddecidedtoquit.Hecouldn’tdo
this anymore. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but he refused to work with a man who
representedallthathehatedaboutplasticsurgery.Especiallyonewhoessentiallyranofftheonlygood
thingthathadhappenedtohiminalongtime.

MikewalkedinandstartledatthesightofHayden.
“Hayden,what’sup?”
Haydenstood.“Iquit.”
“What?Youcan’t.”
“Yeah,Ican.I’llbeoutofthehousebytheendoftheweek.”
Haydendidn’twaitforMiketomakeanyotherarguments.Hewasn’tsurewhathisnextmovewasor

wherehewouldgo,buthewouldnotworkforMikeanymore.NotafterwhathesaidtoAnna.

Ubonranoutofthehousewhenhegothome,butherfacefellwhenshesawhim.
“Yeah,IwishAnnawasheretoo.”
Ubonpulledoutherphoneandsentamessage.Hefelthisphonebuzz.
WhereisMissAnna?Shegonetwodaysnow.
LikeHaydenneededreminding.Hesentaquickmessage.She’snotcomingback.
Ubonfrownedandwentintothehouse.
HepickedupabookAnnahadleftandsettledintooneoftheloungechairs.Hewashalfwaythroughit

whenhesawsomeonewalkingupthepath.Heletoutabreathofrelief.Julia.

Shesatdownnexttohimwithoutaword.
“Whatareyoudoingoffwork?It’sonly”—helookedathisphone—“two.”
“Iheardyouquit.”
“Wherethehelldidyouhearthat?Itjusthappened.”
“IranintoMariaatlunch.Shecouldn’twaittospillthenews.”
Herolledhiseyes.Ofcoursenewstraveledthisfast.Heshouldn’thaveexpectedanythingless.
“Why’dyouquit?”Juliaasked.

Haydensighed.Thereweresomanyreasons,butonetoppedthelist.“IlostAnna.”
Shecreasedhereyebrows.“I’mnotsurewhatthathastodowithyourjob.”
“It’sthevanityofeverythingandallthat’sexpectedofthoseofwholiveinthisfield.Mikesaidsome

thingstoher,andIcouldn’tfacehimeveryday.”

“You want to come work with me? I’m bringing on a full-time partner in January, but I could use an

extrapairofhandsuntilthen.Iprobablycan’tpayyouasmuchasMike,butyoucankeepthehouse.”

Hayden contemplated the offer. He liked and respected Julia immensely, and he imagined she did

businessquiteabitdifferentlythanMike.He’dfiguredhe’dhavetogohome,buthelikedithere.Hehad
no idea what he would do when he got home because he was supposed to be gone for another several
months,andthiswouldbeagoodcompromise.

“CanIstillhaveTuesdaysandThursdaystoworkatthehospital?”
“Ofcourse.I’llseeyouWednesday?”
“I’llbethere.Thanks,Julia.”Thiswouldhelp.Hewasn’treadytogohome.Annawassupposedtogo

backtoMichiganovertheweekend,andifheleftnow,he’dgohuntherdownandmakethingsworse.

“Noproblem.DoyouwanttotalkaboutAnna?”
“No.”Annastirredtoomanyfeelingshedidn’twanttoconfront.Itwaseasiertonotthinkabouther.
JuliastoodandscratchedUnabehindtheears.“She’sworthfightingfor.”
JuliadisappearedbeforeHaydencouldrespond.OfcourseAnnawasworthfightingfor.Theproblem

wasthatHaydendidknowifhewasworthyofher.Hisphonebuzzed,andhejumped.

Hewasdisappointedwhenhesawthenumber.Itwasn’tAnna.
“Hey,Mom,”hesaid.
“Howareyou?Ihaven’theardfromyouinawhile.”
“Notgood.”
“Whynot?”
“Therewasthisgirl.Iblewit.”
His mom didn’t say anything for a few seconds. “I was under the impression that you’d given up on

womenbecauseofFaith.”

“Ihad.ButAnnachangedthat.”
“TellmeaboutAnna.”
Hespilledthewholestoryforher.Hismomwasanexcellentlistener,andsheneverpassedjudgment.

Helovedthatabouther.Ubonhoverednearhim,cleaningtheareaaroundthepool.Haydenwasgladshe
couldn'tspeakEnglish.Hewouldn’tbenearlyasforthcomingwithhismotherifUboncouldunderstand.

“Whereisshenow?”hismomasked.
“Michigan,I’massuming.Shewassupposedtoflyhomethisweekend.”
“That’sprobablygood.Lettingherhavesomespace.”
“WhatamIgoingtodo?”
“Youcomehome,soIcanretire.”
“WhatdoesthathavetodowithAnna?”
“Whenyou’redonewithyourjobthere,you’regoingtocomehomeandtakeoverthepractice.Then

youcancallAnnaupandseeifshe’llgiveyouasecondchance.”

His mom had offered him the practice several times in the past few years, but he’d never seriously

consideredit.

“CanIthinkaboutit?”
“Sure.Also,sweetie,ifAnnawon’tgiveyouasecondchance,therearealotofothergirlswhocan

makeyouhappy.I’mjustgladyou’rewillingtogetoutthere.”

Hedidn’twanttotellherthatAnnahadsealedthatcoffinshut.Hishearthadtakenenoughofabeating.

Hewasdone.

ByThursdaynight,Haydenwasfeelingbetterabouthisjob.Julia’sclinicwasstillplasticsurgery,butthe
surgerieswerelowkeyandnotasdramatic.Noonecameinandaskedtolooklikeacelebrity.

He hated coming home though. Ubon cooked for him, but she often burned the food or added spices

evenhecouldn’ttolerate.HewonderedhowmuchsheunderstoodaboutwhathappenedwithAnna.

Justashefinisheddinner,Victoriacamewalkingupthepathfromthebeach.
“Where’s Chloe?” he asked. He didn’t like Chloe much better, but at least together they weren’t a

threat.Alonethoughmeantonlyonething.

“She’swithherhusband.DidyourlittleAnnagohome?”Victoriastrolledtowardhim,rockingthose

hips.

“Shedid.”Hedidn’twanttothinkaboutAnnaorwhereshewas.Everytimehethoughtofherfaceor

smellorvoice,hisheartsqueezedtootight.

Victoriasatnexttohimandscootedsoclosethatherkneespressedintohis.Sheranherfingersthrough

his hair. He almost pulled away, but he was lonely. And Victoria was different from Anna. She was
alreadypartofthisworld,andhecouldn’truinher.Heneededtomoveon.Annawasn’tcomingback.

HeleanedclosertoVictoria,andshedidn’thesitate.Shepulledhisfacetohersandkissedhimfiercely

onthelips.Hewaitedforthefeelingsofdesiretocrawluphischest,buttherewasnothing.Nopartof
himwantedthiswoman.ForgethimruiningAnna.Shehadruinedhim.

Hepulledback.“I’msorry.Ican’tdothis.Gohome.”
Victoria jerked away as if she’d been slapped. She was silent as she stormed down the path to the

beach.Haydenwatchedhergo.

Ubonploppeddownintothechair.
“Youidiot,”shesaid.
“What?”
“Youdeaf?Youidiot.”
Whatthehell?“YouspeakEnglish?”
“IalwaysspeakEnglish.”
“But.”Haydenthoughtoverthetimesthey’dbeentogether.Hesaidalotofthingswithheraroundthat

heonlysaidbecausehethoughtshecouldn’tunderstand.

“Nobuts.GogetAnna.Annaagoodgirl.Andpretty.Shenolikethosebitches.”
Haydenstaredatherdumbfounded.“SoyouunderstandeverythingIsay?”
“Almost.Nomatter.GogetAnna.”Herlipsformedatightline,andshepoundedthetablewithhertiny

fist.

“Ican’t.She’salreadygonehome.”
“So.Yourich.Youbuyplaneticket.Bringherback.”
Therewassuchdeterminationinhereyes.Likenothingaboutthatplancouldgowrong.Shehadfaith

thathecouldflytoAnnaandbringherhere.

“Andifshewon’tcome?”
“Thenyoufail.Butyoumusttry.Sheworthit.”
“You know what, you’re right.” He pulled out his phone and booked a flight home for Saturday

morning.Hewasgoingtobringherback.

Chapter24

Fridayafternoon,AnnawaslookingupatTheShore.OneofthebestresortsinPhuket.Eileenengulfed
herinahuganddraggedheruptothetwo-bedroomsuitewithaprivatepool.Fromthepoolshecouldsee
the crystal clear sea. This was better than Hayden’s place. Her heart clenched. In spite of herself, she
missedhim.

“Niceview,huh?”Eileenasked.
“It’sbeautiful.”
“Well,it’syoursfortherestoftheweek.”
“What?Eileen,no.”Thiswastoomuch.Eileenalwaysdidstufflikethisforher,knowingAnnawould

neverbeabletopayherback.Annalookedaroundatthemarbleandluxury.Theviewwastodiefor.She
couldstareatthatallday.

“Theybookbytheweek,soIdidn’thaveachoice.”
“That’salie.”
“Goahead.Askthem.”
“YouknowIwon’task.Ican’tacceptthis.”
“It’s already paid for. Are you telling me you want to go back to that skanky fifteen-dollar-a-night

place?”

“Itwasfine.”
Eileensnorted.“Comeon,theshopsarecalling,andI’vegotreservationsatasuperniceplacetonight.

We’regoingtomakeyouforgetallaboutthatassholeHayden.”

Annanodded,butwasn’tconvinced.Shehadn’tstoppedthinkingabouthim.
Theyspentthedayshopping,andEileeninsistedonbuyingAnnaanewdressfordinnerthatnighteven

thoughshetoldEileenshehadoneatthehotel.

Eileenhadalsobookedthemspaappointments.Bythetimetheygotreadytogodowntodinner,Anna

feltrelaxed,pampered,andgorgeous.SheverynearlyforgotaboutHayden.

Chapter25

Fridaynight,Haydenwasfeelingoptimistic.Tomorrow,he’dbeonhiswaytowinningbackthewoman
who’dchangedhislife.Insteadofgoinghomefromwork,hedecidedtotryoutarestaurantthatoneofthe
doctorsatthelocalhospitalrecommended.Itwasinaclassyhotelacrosstown.Hehandedhiskeystothe
valetandsteppedintothehotellobbyandsawasightthatmadehisstomachdrop.

Annastoodthere,lookinggorgeousinadeepbluedressthathadaplungingneckline.Hethoughtshe’d

flowntoMichiganlastweekend.Whatwasshedoinghere?

The young woman with Anna said something, and Anna laughed, looking beautiful. He couldn’t help

himself. He had to talk to her. The women had their backs to him when he approached, and he touched
Annaonherelbow.Shespunandgasped.

“Hayden,whatareyoudoinghere?”Herjawwastense,andsheclutchedatherpurse.
“Havingdinner.IthoughtyouwentbacktoMichigan.”
“Igohomenextweek.Ifyou’llexcuseus,wehavereservations.”
Annagrippedherfriend’sarmandpulledhertowardtherestaurant.Anna’sfriendshookoffAnnaand

slappedhimhardacrosstheface.

Anna’smouthdroppedopen.“Eileen,”shehissed.
Herubbedhisstingingface.“Ideservedthat,”Haydensaid,meetingAnna’seyes.Therewasatorment

therehewasn’texpecting.

Eileengotinhisface.“Damnrightyoudid.Nowgoeatsomeplaceelsesowecaneatinpeace.”
Haydennoddedandescapedoutthefrontdoor.HeneededtoputdistancebetweenhimselfandAnna,

orhe’ddosomethingstupidliketrytokissher,andalthoughhehadeveryintentionofwinningherback,
hewascertainhaulingoffandkissingherwouldbeabadidea.

HereturnedhomeandfoundUboncooking.Nowhecouldfinallyaskheraboutit.Shealwayscooked

evenwhenhetoldherhewouldn’tbehome.

“WhydoyoucookevenifItellyounotto?”
Ubon blushed. “My family eats leftover. If you no eat, they no eat.” Hayden was surprised by her

response.Herfamilygoinghungryneveroccurredtohim.Hecouldn'tfathomthatkindofpoverty.He’d
seenitatthehospitalbuthejustassumedUbonwaswelltakencareof.

“Okaythen.Cookallyouwant.I’mgoingovertoJulia’s.Domeafavorandleavemeaplate.”
Hedidn’twaitforaresponseandboundeddownthebeachandupthestairstoJulia’sbackdoor.He

knockedandLiamflungitopen.

“Hey,man,howareyou?”
“Ineedhelp.”
“Sure,sure.Comein.”
Juliawascurleduponthecouchplayingwithherphone.“Hayden,iseverythingokay?”
Heploppeddownintoachairacrossfromher.“Itwillbe.Annaisstillhere.Shedidn’tgohome.”
“Iknow.”
“Wait,whatdoyoumeanyouknow?”
“Weranintoherlastnight.Sheaskedmenottotellyou.”
Hayden wanted to argue with her about why she didn’t tell him, but he needed her help, and she

wouldn’tifhestartedoffyellingather.

“Willyouhelpmewinherback?”
“How?”Julialookedathimskeptically.

“She’llnevergoanywherewithme.Ineedyoutotakeheroutandleaveherwithmesowecantalk.”
“Thatsoundssneaky.”Shepursedherlips.
“Iknow.ButI...”Hethoughtoftheholeinhisheart.ThewayhelookedforAnnaeverytimehewoke

upandhowhewantedherfacetobethefirstthinghesaweveryday.Thetruthslammedintohim.“Ilove
her.Ican’tlethergo.Please.”

Juliagavehimasmallsmile.“Sure.I’llsendheramessageandseeifshe’dlikeaspaday.”
“Thankyou.Letmeknowwhen,andI’lltellyouwheretobringher.”
Liamhandedhimabeer.“Stayawhile.Iwanttoknowwhathappenedwithherandwhyshe’sstaying

atahotelinsteadofwithyou.Noonetellsmeanything.”

Haydenspentafewhourswiththem,andjustashewasheadingout,JuliagotamessagefromAnna.
“Mondaynight,afterIgetoffwork.Youstillhavethedayoff.”
“Thanks,I’vegotalotofplanningtodo.”Hewashopeful.Annawasstillintown.Hecouldbringher

back.Loveherthehewayheshould’vethefirsttime.

Chapter26

“Wherearewegoing?”Annaaskedinthecar.Thiswasnicerthanthecabsshecaughtonherown.

“Surprise,”Juliarepliedwithasmile.
After seeing Hayden Friday night, she didn’t want any more surprises. He looked as good as she

remembered,andittookeveryounceofself-controlshehadnottorunintohisarms.

Thedriverpulledintoasmalldrivewithtreesthatlookedliketheywereabouttoreachoutandgrab

you. He stopped in a clearing. At one end there was a sign with Thai writing on it and a winding path
throughthetrees.

“What’sthis?”AnnaaskedJuliawithafrown.
“Itoldyou.Asurprise,comeon.”
Juliapulledheroutofthecaranddraggedhertothepath.“Yougofirst.Yoursurpriseisattheend.”
“IsweariftherearesomescarysnakesorsomethingI’mgoingtokillyou.”
“Nosnakes.Ipromise.Goon.I’llfollow.”
Juliapushedherontothepath.Everythingaroundherwasabrightgreen.Thepathwasnarrow,andshe

andJuliacouldn'twalktogether.Theychattedforafewmoments,andthenJulialetoutacurse.

“What’sthematter?”Annaasked,spinningaround.
“Iforgotmyphone.Keepwalking.I’llbethereinaminute.”
“I’llcomewithyou.”
“No,really,we’realmostthere.Justkeepwalking,andyou’llsee.I’llbebackintwominutes.”
Annacaughtawhiffofsomethingfloral,andshewasinsanelycuriouswhatwasattheendofthepath.

Oncethere,thetreesopeneduptoawideclearingsurroundedbyfloweringbushes.Hundredsofwhite
flowers covered the surface of the clearing. She knelt down and fingered one of them. They were all
lilies,andtheysmelledamazing.

Atablewassetupinthecenterunderneathagazebo.ThiswasanoddsurprisefromJulia.Surelilies

wereherfavoriteflower,butthisseemedmoreromanticthanjustfriends.

Hayden stepped out from the gazebo. He was the last person she wanted to see. Especially when he

woreatightpolothatdefinedhismuscles.Shespunonherheelsandwashalfwaydownthepathwhenhe
grabbedherarm.

“Letmego,”shesaid,shakingfree.Shedidn’twanttohaveanythingtodowithhim.ThenerveofJulia

todothistoher.

“Anna,please,canIatleastexplain?”
Shelookedupathim,whichwasamistake.Hiseyeswerehauntedandhaddarkringsunderneaththem.

She opened her mouth to say something but thought better of it because if she started talking, she might
havetolistentowhathehadtosay,andshedidn’twantthat.Shespunaroundtogetbacktothecar.Ifshe
got lucky, the car would still be there. But she didn’t think it would be. Julia was in on this. Traitor.
Beforeshewalkedtwosteps,Haydenthrustapaperintoherface.

SheswatteditawayandHaydensteppedinfrontofher.
“Wouldyoujustlookatit?”
Shesnatchedthepaperoutofhishand.ItwasaplanetickettoMichigan.Sherolledhereyes.Ofcourse

itwasfirstclass.EverythingHaydendidwasextravagantandreekedofmoney.Whichiswhyhethought
ifhethrewherafewgifts,she’dhoprightintohisbed.Shewassostupidtothinkhemightactuallyhave
feelingsforher.

“What’sthis?”sheasked.

“I planned on going to Michigan to convince you to come back here with me. If I was willing to fly

thousandsofmiles,couldyouatleastallowmetoexplain?”

She glared at him. “You have two minutes.” She was more curious than she was serious. There was

nothinghecouldsaythatwouldchangehermind.IfhehadshoweduponherdoorstepinMichigan,she
probablywould’veheardhimout,soshewouldhereandsaveherselfthetrouble.

Helaunchedintoalonganddetailedexplanationofwantingtoprotectherfromthewivesandtheother

doctors.

“Youdon’t think Icould handle themmyself?” The wind blewa flowering treebranch into her face,

andshebrusheditaway.

“Theonetimeyoucameface-to-facewithMaria,shetoreyouapart.”
“AndIhandledheratthepartyjustfine,thankyouverymuch.”
“Iknowyouhandledthembeautifully.ButIblewit.I’msorry.Willyougivemetheeveningtomakeit

up to you? Please. If at the end of the night, you still hate me, I’ll leave you alone. Please give me
chance.”

He didn’t actually say anything about the main issue, and Anna needed closure on that. She couldn’t

bringitupyet,butshewould.ShehadtoknowwhyhewouldtellMikethoseawfulthingsabouther.This
wouldbeagoodwaytoendeverything.Onelastnight.“Fine,tonightisyours.Butyouwilltakemetomy
hotel.Noquestionsasked.”

Henodded,andaslowgrinappearedonhisface.She’dmissedthatsmile.No,shecouldn’tthinklike

that.Shewasstayingsohecouldunderstandhowbadlyhehurtherandsoshecouldendthistherightway
insteadofrunningaway.

Hegrabbedherhandandpulledhertotheclearing.Shehatedthewayhishandfeltinhers,likeitwas

supposedtobethere.Evenherownbodywasbetrayingher.Thankfullyherheadstilltoldherthiswasa
badidea.

“Doyoulikethelilies?”heaskedwhentheysatdown.Shecouldn’trisklettingherguarddown.
“I do. Thank you.” She hadn’t smelled lilies like this since she left home. She missed her weekly

bouquetfromJudy.

Heliftedthecoversofftheplates,andAnnacouldn’thelpbutsmile.“Ubon’sbeencookingforyou.”

She’drecognizeUbon’scookinganywhere.

“Yes.WhenItoldheritwasforyou,shegotallexcited.Unamissesyoutoo.”
Theconversationduringdinnerwasforced.Noonewassayingwhatneededtobesaid.Finally,Anna

hadtobringitup.Shehadtoknow.

“DidyoureallytellMikethatIwasasleepingwithyousoyouwouldpayformytripandshowerme

withexpensivegifts?”

Haydenletoutalongbreath.“Ididnottellhimthat.ButIdidn’tstophimfromthinkingthat.”
ToAnnathatwasthesamething.“Why?”
“BecauseIthoughtitwaseasierthanthetruth.ToMike,thereisnosuchthingasawomanasafriend.

They’reeitheryourwifeoryourmistress.That’sit.Whenhequestionedwhoyouwere,Iallowedhimto
thinkwhathewantedtothink.Inhindsight,thatwasstupid.I’msorry.”

“You’resorry?Heaccostedmeatthatpartybecauseofwhatyoulethimbelieve.Ifyou’dstoodupfor

melikearealman,thatneverwould’vehappened.Nottomentionthatbecauseofthewaypeoplethinkin
‘yourworld,’Chloeandtheothersprettymuchsawmethesameway.Ithoughtyourespectedmemore
thanthat.”

He gripped his fork harder and clenched his jaw. “Anna, if I could go back in time and change it, I

would, but I can’t. I’m sorry. I didn’t understand what that would do to you. You’re right. I should’ve
respectedyoumorethanthat.”

“Yeah,youcan’tchangeit.It’sdoneandoverwith.”

“Canwestartover?Please.Ifeellikethisisallmuckedupwiththewaythingsstarted.Iwantyouin

my life with no misunderstandings of what you are. I want you to be mine, and I want to be yours. In
public.Inprivate.Justyouandme.Together.”

ThiswasnotgoingthewayAnnawanteditto.Shewantedhimtokeepbeinganasssoshecouldyellat

himandtellhimtogotohell.Shewantedtoendthisonherterms,buthewasn’tbeingajerkatall.Could
sheforgivehim?Didshewantto?Shedidn’thavearesponseforhim,andhewasquietastheyate.She
supposedhewasgivingherthinkingtime.Afterdinner,heledherbackdownthepathwherehisdriver
waswaiting.

“MissAnna,”thedrivergreetedherandheldopenthedoor.Sheslidin.Haydengotintotheotherside,

butkepthisdistance.

“Wherearewegoingnext?”sheasked,breakingtheirsilence.Shecouldn’tthinkaboutwhathewas

asking,soshefocusedonthenight.Ifshecouldgetthroughthiswithoutbreaking,shecouldthinklater.

“Home.Justforafewminutes.Ihavesomethingtoshowyou.”
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.” Going home would remind her of what she was missing. She

wantedtohangontoheranger,notallowhimtosoftenher.

“Itwon’ttakelong.Promise.”
That’s what Julia said when she dropped her off. She promised there would be no snakes. But sure

enoughAnnafoundoneattheendofthepath.Haydenwasaspoisonousastheycame.Shewasn’tsure
whyshewasplayingalong.Shesupposedifsheaskedhimtobringhertoherhotelnow,he’dsayno.

Theypulledthroughthefamiliargates,andAnna’sheartclenched.Thisplaceheldsomanymemories.
Haydengotoutofthecarfirstandopenedherdoor.Heofferedhishand,andshetookit.Unaranupto

her,andAnnacroucheddownandscratchedherbehindtheears.Shehadtoblinkawaytearswhenshe
saw the pool and the stairs up to Hayden’s room. She’d found happiness here, and she wanted it back.
She’d probably lose it if Ubon stepped out from the kitchen. But she didn’t, and Anna pulled herself
together.

“See,Unamissesyoutoo.”
Annagavehimatightsmile.“Yousaidthiswouldn’ttakelong.Whatarewedoinghere?”
“Comeupstairs.I’llshowyou.”
Anna shook her head. “I’m not coming upstairs with you. Did you seriously think it would be that

easy?”

Hechuckled,andshebristled.
“It’snotwhatyou’rethinking.Infact,ifyouwant,I’llstaydownherewhileyougoupandlook.”
Shecrossedherarmsandstaredathimforagoodthirtysecondsbeforenodding.“Okay.Youstaydown

here.I’llgoup.WhatamIlookingfor?”

“Youcan’tmissit.”
Shemadeherwayupthestairsandturnedaroundtwicetomakesurehewasn’tfollowingher.Instead,

shesawhimgointothekitchen.

Shegasped.Onewholewallofhisbedroomhadbeenreplacedwithabookshelffilledwithatleasta

hundred books. She perused the shelves. All fiction, but there was a mixture of new and classic. She
wonderedwherehefoundthem.

She sank down on the bed. What was he doing? What was the point of the books? Dinner, she

understood. He was trying to win her back. But why put a bookshelf full of books in his room. She
wouldn’thavetoleavethisroomforsixmonthsatleast.Maybethatwasthepoint.Sheforcedherselfto
leavebeforepickinguponeofthebooks.

ShefoundHaydensittingatthetabledrinkingaglassofwine.Heheldoutaglassforher.
“Nothanks.I’mnotabouttomakeanotherstupiddecisionwhiletipsy.”
He nodded. “Fair enough.” He put his own glass down and grabbed two bottles of water out of the

fridge.Hehandedheroneandgaveheralookthatmadeherwanttojumprightintobedwithhim.She
broketheeyecontact.Shewassofreakingweak.

“What’sthepurposeofthebooks?”
“Toconvinceyoutostay,ofcourse.WhatdoyouhavewaitingforyouinMichigan?”
“School.Ajob.”
“Youtoldmeyoucan’tstartschooluntilnextsemester.Asfarasajobisconcerned,Icanfindyouone

here.Anna,I’mtotallylostwithoutyou.Ididn’tevenknowitwaspossibletomisssomeonethewayI
missyou.”

“I don’t know.” She dropped her eyes. She didn’t want him thinking she was actually considering it.

Because she wasn’t. But he sounded so damn sincere. She didn’t want to hurt him. But she couldn’t do
this.

Heclosedthedistancebetweenthemandtookherhands.“Justfortherestofthesemester.Please.You

cangohomeatChristmas.Thereshouldbeenoughbookstotideyouoveruntilthen.”

Shenearlyjerkedherhandsoutofhis.Thebooksweretoomuch.He’dtakensomethingshecouldn’t

resistanddangleditinfrontofher.Andtherewouldbenoeasingbackineither.He’dmadeitveryclear
hewantedherinhisbed.

“Ithinkit’stimeyoutakemetomyhotel.I’llthinkaboutitandgiveyouananswertonight.”
“I’mnotdoneyet.Iwilltakeyoutoyourhotel,butwehavetwomorestopsfirst.Isthatokay?”
Anna nodded. She was curious about what he could possibly have left. At least, that’s what she told

herself. In reality, a small part of her wanted him to convince her that she should stay with him. She
lookedoutthewindowastheydrove,andthesightsofPhuketmadeheralittlesad.She’dmissthecrazy
motorcycledrivers,thepalmtrees,andHayden.She’dmisshimmostofall.

Theypulleduptothemarket.“What’shere?”
Hegrinned.“Apartofthemarketyouhaven’tseenyet.”
Thesmellassaultedherfirst—amixtureofdogpeeandammonia.Shecoveredhernose.
“Itdoessmellprettybad.Withanyluckwewon’tbeherelong.”
Thesoundhithernext.Acacophonyofbarkingandotheranimalnoises.
“Welcometothepetmarket,”Haydensaid.
Theyturnedacornerandsawrowsandrowsofcages.
“Pickoutanythingyouwant.Kitten.Puppy.Monkey.”
Asifoncue,amanbroughtheratinymonkeywithafacethatlookedalmosthumanlike.Themansetthe

monkeyonherhead.Annagiggled.Themonkeyclimbedontohershoulderandwrappeditstailaround
her.Thenittriedtogodownhershirt,andthemansnatcheditback.

Haydenpulledherclose.“Maybenotamonkey.I’mtheonlyonewhogetstogodownthatshirt.”
Shepulledawayandwackedhim.“Notrightnow,you’renot.”
“IfIbuyyouapuppy,canI?YousaidyouwantedtotakeUnahome,buthopefullythisisjustasgood.”
Sheraisedhereyebrowsathim.“Itwilldefinitelyearnyoubrowniepoints,butitwon’tbeenoughto

getmeoutofmyclothes.”

Heshrugged.“We’llseewhatyousayatthelaststop.”
Annafrowned.Shedidn’tlikethatidea.Theywalkeddowntheaisles,andAnna’sheartnearlybrokeat

thecagedanimals.Shewantedtotakethemhomewithher.Kittens,puppies,birds,andavarietyofother
smallanimalswereallincagesnexttoeachother.Afewpuppieswereinpensonthefloorandcouldbe
pickedup.

Anna didn’t even want to think about where the animals came from. They approached a pen that had

eightpuffballsrunningaroundinside.

Shepickedupawhiteone,anditlickedherface.Thepuppyhadbrightblueeyesandcouldfitinthe

palmofherhand.

AnnahelditoutforHaydentoinspect.“What’sthat?”heasked.
AtinyThaiwomanwalkedout.“TeacupPomeranian.”
Anna giggled again as the puffball stuck its cold nose against her neck. “This one. Is it easy to get

home?”

Haydennodded.“I’llpayforyoutotakeitbacktotheStatesevenifyoudecidetogohomeonSunday.”
Annawantedtorejectthisgift.Shereallydid.Haydenwasslowlyworkingthroughallthatmadeher

happy.Butshecouldn’tputthepuppybackintothepen.Italreadyhadstolenherheart.

InthecarthepuppyboundedbackandforthbetweenherandHayden.
“Whatareyougoingtonameher?”heaskedasthepuppysettledinforanaponhislap.
“Traitor,”Annamutteredwithachuckle.
“Idon’tthinkshe’lllikethatnamemuch.”
“Idon’tknowwhatI’mgoingtonameheryet,butsheshouldbesleepingonmylap,notyours.”
Haydengaveheroneofhisdevastatinggrins.“She’sgotgoodtaste.”
“Don’tflatteryourself.Dogsarenotoriouslyeasy.Givethemalittleattentionandfood,andthey’llbe

yourfriendforlife.”

“Sheneedsaname.”
Anna studied the little white puppy. She reached over and stroked the soft fur. “I was thinking Baby

Bluebecauseofhereyes.”

“Ithinkthat’sperfect.WecouldcallherBlue.”
Annanoticedhisuseofwe,butshewasn’treadytogiveinyet.
Bluecrackedhereyesopen,yawned,hoppedoffHayden’slap,andcurledupinAnna’sinstead.
Thedriverpulledupinfrontofanawfullookingbuildingthatboasted,“World’slargestjewelrystore.”
Anna’shackleswentup.“Whatarewedoinghere?”
“Ithoughtwe’dalreadyestablishedthatI’mtryingtowinyouback.”
“Bybuyingmejewelry?”
He shrugged. “I’ve already got you lilies, books, and a puppy. I figured we’d round it out with

somethingthatglitters.”

Anna sneered at him. The nerve of him. He should’ve stopped with the puppy. “Then you obviously

don’tknowmewell.NottomentionthatthereasonIleftinthefirstplacewastheaccusationthatIwas
onlysleepingwithyouforaplacetostay,andyouthinkthewaytowinmyheartistobuymeexpensive
things?Youareanasshole,Hayden.Excuseme,Ihavegetthehelloutofhere.”ShegrabbedBlueand
openedthecardoor.Beforeshecouldgetnearthestreettohailacab,hewrappedhisarmaroundher.
Hisfacewasinchesfromhers.

“Willyouatleasthearmeout?”
“No.I’mgoingtofindacab.Stayawayfromme.”
“Iknowyoulovepearls.Thisstorehasthebiggestpearlcollectioninthearea.Youcanhavewhatever

youwant.”

Annafeltlikeshewasbeingbought.Shesupposedshecouldplaywiththisforalittlelonger.Plus,she

didwantastringofpearls.Thiswasthelaststop.Thenshewasgoingstraighttothehotel,andinaweek,
she’dgetonaplaneandleaveHaydenbehindlikeabaddream.

ShegaveBluetothedriver,whopromisedtotakegoodcareofher.Annawalkedintothemiddleofthe

store, Hayden on her heels. The entire store seemed to wink and glitter. Quite frankly it made her sick.
Everythingthosejewelsrepresented.

“WhatifIwantaring?”Annaasked.Ifhewasgoingtoplaydirty,thensowasshe.
“Whateveryouwant.”Haydengaveheragrinthatlookedalittleforced.
“WhatifIwantadiamondring?”
Hewasunfazed.“Sure.They’reoverthere.”

Damn.She’dbeenhopingforareaction.
There were hundreds of sparkly diamond rings. But Anna was looking for the right one. Finally she

spotteditandhadtoholdbackagiggleasshepointed.“Thatone.”

Haydeneyedtheringsuspiciously.“Youwantthis?”
Annanoddedandtriedtokeepthegrinoffofherface.Thesaleswomanbehindthecountertookitout

andgaveittoHayden.

“You’resure?Whydon’tyoutakeacloserlook?”Haydenasked,examiningtheringwithafrown.
Hegavetheringtoher,andshereallyhadtofighttokeepthegigglesdown.Itwashideous.Thesquare

diamond was at least a half inch wide with tiny diamonds surrounding it. It would look awful on her
finger,nottomentionthatifshewasn’tcareful,she’dpokehereyeout.

Shehandedittohimwithastraightface.“Yes.ThisiswhatIwant.”
“Youcanhaveanythinginhere,andyouwantthis?”heaskedwithafurrowedbrow.
Shenodded.
Hepursedhislips.“Okaythen.It’snotwhatIwould’vepickedout,butifyoulikeit.”
“Itis.”
Hekneltdown,andAnna’sstomachdropped.
“Hayden.Whatthehellareyoudoing?”shehissed.
“Anna,Itoldyoutopickoutanything.Youchoseadiamondring.Menonlybuywomendiamondrings

foronereason.”

Heheldupthathideousringandaskedthequestionshe’dhopedtohearsomedayfromsomeonewho

lovedher,andnotassomesickjoke.

“Anna,willyoumarryme?”Hehadthatgoofygrinonhisface,andsheknewhewasmessingwithher.

Aroundher,camerasclicked,andthewomanbehindthecounterletoutasqueal.ButAnnafeltnothingbut
anger.Shenarrowedhereyes.

“No.Thatringishideous.”
Sheranfromthestore,hottearsonhercheeks.He’dhumiliatedher.Shewassoovereverything.
Haydencaughtupwithherintheparkinglot.Hegrabbedherarmandpulledhertightagainsthim.She

pushedathim,butheheldtightandbrushedawayhertears.

“Don’tcry.Ididn’tmeantohurtyou.”
“Itwasalljustajoketoyou.”Shesquirmedagainsthisgrip,wantingnothingmorethantogetaway

fromhim.

Heraisedhiseyebrows.“Anditwasn’ttoyou?Thatringwasawful.”
Sheletoutashortlaugh.“Yeah,itwas.Ididn’texpectyoutogetdownononeknee.”
“Thatwasinbadtaste.I’msorry.”Hekeptonehandfirmlyonherbackandfishedaroundinhispocket

withtheotherone.“Now,I’mnotgoingtoletgoofyoubecauseI’mafraidyou’llrunaway.Butletmetry
thisagain.

“Anna, you have captured my heart in a way that I never thought was possible. It’s been a long time

sinceIdesiredtosettledownwithanyone.ButIcannotimaginemyfuturewithoutyouinit.Willyoustay
herewithme?Please.Don’tgohome.”

Heheldaringinfrontofherface.Ithadaslenderplatinumband.Insteadofadiamond,therewasa

pinkpearlsurroundedbytinydiamonds.Annacouldn’thelpherself.Shereachedupandpulledhisfaceto
hers.Shekissedhimlikeshe’dneverkissedhimbefore.Afterseveralseconds,hedrewaway,hiseyes
dancing.

Shecouldn’tdothis.Whenhewasclose,sheneverthoughtclearly.“Takemetomyhotelplease.”
Painflashedoverhisface,buthenoddedonce.Shehadthatringgraspedinherhand,andshehadno

ideawhatshewasgoingtodo.Haydenhadhurther.Shewasn’tsureifshewouldbeabletomovepast
that.

He didn’t say a word as they stopped at the hotel. He got out and opened her door for her. She held

Blueinherarms.

“Anna,please.”Hiseyesshonewithsincerity.Hisentirebodywastense.Sheknewhewantedtohear

hersay,“Yes,I’llstaywithyou,”butshecouldn’tdothatyet.

Shesqueezedhereyesshutandthenforcedherselftolookathim.
“Ineedtimetothink.”Shestooduponhertiptoesandkissedhimonthecheek.

Annawasn’tgoodatmakingdecisions.ShespenttherestoftheweekhidinginherhotelroomwithBlue.
Annaboughtacarrierforherandchangedherticketsoshecouldbringadogonboardtheairplane.For
now,shewasstickingwithherdecisiontogohome.

Haydenhauntedher.Ofcourse,withhimcallingatleastthreetimesaday,itwashardtonotthinkabout

him.Shedidn’tknowwhattodo.He’dhurtherbadly.Shewasn’tsureshecouldbewithsomeonewhoso
casually allowed someone else to think that she was nothing more than a prostitute. But every time she
thoughtofthefuture,theonlyonethatmadeherhappywastheonewithhiminit.

She’dbeenexploringothercareeroptionsandplacestolive,butitallseemedirrelevant.Evenwhen

shethoughtaboutupandleavingMichiganandstartingoversomewherenew,itdidn’tfeelright.Nothing
feltright.

Herphonebuzzed.
“Hey,Eileen.”
“Whattimedoesyourplaneleave?”
Annalookedattheclock.“Infourhours.Thecabispickingmeupinthirtyminutes.”
“Yousureyoudon’twanttogivehotstuffanotherchance?”
Sheflungherselfonthebed.“Ugh.Idon’tknow.DoyoureallythinkIshould?”
Eileenchuckled.“I’mnotmakingyourchoiceforyou.ButIwantyoutobehappy.You’vealwayslived

yourlifeforotherpeople.Choosethepaththatwillbethebestforyou.”

Eileen’swordsstuckinherheadallthewaydowntothecar,andsheloadedhersuitcasesinthetrunk.
“Totheairport,miss?”
“Yes,please.”
ShetookBlueinherlittlecarrierandsetitherlap.
Happiness.Whenhadsheeverbeenhappy?
ThosetimeswithHaydenhadbeenreal.Yes,she’dgottenhurt.Butshe’dmademistakestoo.Including

makingassumptionsaboutHaydensheprobablyshouldn’thavemade.Mayberiskingpainwasworththe
happiness.Ifshewenthome,shewouldneverknowwhatwaspossible,andshe’dspendtherestofher
lifewonderingaboutwhatcould’vehappened.Sheneededtostay.

Shetappedthedriverontheshoulder.“Wait,Ineedyoutogohereinstead.”
ShehandedhimherphonewithapictureofHayden’saddress.
Thirtyminuteslater,hepulledintothedriveway.Annabouncedoutofthecar,Blueinhand.Sheraced

forthegate.Shecouldn’tbelieveit’dtakenherthislongtorealizethatshebelongedhere.

Sheflungopenthegate.HaydenstoodnexttoUbon,choppingpeppers.BothturnedwhenAnnastepped

inside.Ubondroppedherknife.

“Anna,”shecried.
Annachuckled.
Haydenapproachedhercautiously.UbonpulledhertowardHayden.
“Kissandmakeup,”shecommanded.

“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Haydenasked,hisfacepassive.
“IwasonmywaytotheairportwhenIchangedmymind.CanIstayhereforawhile?”
“Thatdepends.”Hetooktwostepstowardher,agrinformingonhislips.
“Onwhat?”
“Onwhichroomyouplanonsleepingin.”
Annaclosedthedistancebetweenthem.“Yours.”
“That’stherightanswer.”
Heleaneddownandkissedher.Happinessbuzzedinherstomach.She’dmadetherightchoice.

Epilogue

Christmasmorningdawnedbrightandhot.Annasquintedagainstthelightcominginthroughthewindow.
Unawhined,andAnnasatup.Thedogswerebothbythedoor,wantingtogoout.Bluewasrunningin
circles around Una’s legs. Blue annoyed her to no end, but Anna often found the two of them sleeping
togetheronthepatio.

Annasatupandswungherlegsoffthebed,butanarmsnakedaroundherwaistandpulledherback

intothebed.

“Whereareyougoing?”Haydenasked,trailingkissesalonghershoulder.
She turned and grinned at him. “To let the dogs out. Plus, we really should get up. There are about

twentypeopledowntherewhowillwanttospendtimewithuswhentheygetup.Includingyourparents
andallofyourfratbrothers.Besides,Iwanttomeetthosethatcameinafterwewenttobed.”

“Theycanwait.”
Sheleanedoverandkissedhisnose.“Weshouldn’thidefromourfriends.I’mgoingtoheaddown.”

Annagotupandthrewonat-shirtandshorts.

“Wait,”Haydensaid.“I’vegotapresentforyou.”
Annaspunaround.“Ithoughtweweredoinggiftstonight.”
“Weare.I’llhavesomethingelseforyouthen.Ididn’twanttowait.”
Hehandedheraslenderbox.Shecrackeditopen.Itwasastringofpinkpearls.Theymatchedherring.
“It’sbeautiful.Thankyou.”
Hepulledherinforakiss.“No,thankyouforagreeingtostaywithme.”
Annasmiled.“Iwouldn’tdreamofbeinganywhereelse.”
“I’llbedowninafew.Iwanttoshowerfirst.”
Anna nodded as she opened the door, and the dogs flew down the stairs. She followed and found

Hayden’s mom and Tess sitting at the table. Anna liked Tess. She had an easy smile and seemed pretty
close to Hayden’s mom. Anna was having trouble keeping track of all of Hayden’s friends and their
families.TesswasmarriedtoLukasandlivedonMackinacwithHayden’sfamily.

“MerryChristmas,”saidTess.
“Thanks.MerryChristmastoyoutoo.”AnnaeyedtheChristmastree,whichwasnowbareofpresents

exceptafew.ShemadeUbontakethegiftsforhergirlshomethedaybefore.

Aslidingdooropenedbehindher.Annalookedovertoseewhowascomingout.Shewassurprisedto

seeEileenslippingoutofoneofthebedrooms.

Annaeyedhersuspiciously.Eileenwassupposedtobeinthelittlehouse.“Whatareyoudoingcoming

outofthatroom?”

Eileenwinked.“IlikedSeth’sroombetter.”
Annashookherhead.“Unbelievable.Youknow,IwastryingtosetyouupwithBlake.”
“Yeah,Iknow.HekeptgoingonaboutawomannamedDebbie.Ican’tcompetewithher.”Eileentook

thechairnexttoAnna.“Thisisparadise.Areyousureyou’rereadytogobacktothecoldweather?”

Annalookedaroundtheyard.She’dmissthepoolforsure,butHaydensaidtheycouldhaveoneputin.

She’d miss the incessant croaking of frogs too. But not the humidity. She’d leave that right here in
Thailand where it belonged. Plus, Hayden wasn’t happy with his job. “Sort of. I’m totally craving
Americanfoodrightaboutnow.”

Eileennudgedher.“Cravings?”
Anna blushed. “No. It’s not like that.” Eileen was joking, but Anna wanted to make sure no one

misunderstood.

Hayden’smom’seyeslitup.“Areyoupregnant?”Theexpectationinhereyeswasalmosttoomuchfor

Anna.

“No.Sorry.Wehaven’teventalkedaboutthatyet.”
ShepattedAnna’shand.“Sorry,dear,I’mjustexcited.IneverthoughtHaydenwouldsettledownwith

anyone.”

Anotherwomancameoutofoneoftherooms,bleary-eyed.Sheploppedintoaseat.“I’mJessica.We

cameinsuperlatelastnight.AreyouAnna?”

AnnaraisedherhandwhileUbonrushedoverwithacupofcoffee.
Jessicalookedupather.“Blessyou.Jetlagiskiller.”
“Wherewereyoucomingfrom?”Annaasked.
“Dubai. We were house-hunting. We live in Cairo now, but we’re moving just after the first of the

year.”

“Didyoufindsomething?”Tessasked.
“Ithinkso.Anicevillaonthebeach.Octo’sgonnaloveit.”Jessicatookasipofhercoffeeandlooked

overatTess.“Where’sthebaby?Iwashopingforsomecuddling.”

Tesssnorted.“Iwasnottakinghimonatwelve-hourplaneride.He’swithEstelle.”
Hayden plopped down next to Anna. Her heart swelled as she looked at him. How did she get so

lucky?“Estellewillwatchourkidswhenwegooutoftowntoo.She’scrazyaboutbabies.”

Hayden’s mother’s mouth dropped open. “Excuse me. Estelle’s not getting her greedy hands on my

grandbabies.”

Tesslaughed.“Butyouhavetowork.”
“No,I’mretiringinMay.”
Tessleanedforward.“What?No.WhoamIgoingtotakeJacktowhenhegetssick?”
Haydenclearedhisthroat.SofarhisnewswassecrettoeveryonebutAnnaandhisparents.
“Iwill,Tess.IknowI’mnotmymother,butI’lltakegoodcareofhim.”
Tesslookedfromhismothertohim.“You’removingbacktoMackinacIsland?”
Hesmiled.“Iam.Idon’treallywanttosubjectAnnatothelifestyleofaplasticsurgeon.Plus,itwill

givememoretimetoworkonmyprojectswithBlake.”

“Well,that’swonderful.We’llbeneighbors.”
“Thatwillbefun.”AnnahopedsheandTesswouldgetalong.Sheseemedprettydowntoearth.
Ubon brought over a plate of pancakes, and Anna looked down. Sitting on top of the stack was a

glitteringdiamondring.ShethumpedHaydenontheknee,whowasdeepinaconversationwithEileen.

“What’sthat?”Annapointed.
Hiseyeswidened,thenhespunaroundtoUbon.“Youweresupposedtowaituntildinner.”
“Dinner,breakfast.Isallthesame.”
Haydentookacoupleofdeepbreathsandthenturnedback.“Well,thisisnotexactlyhowIplanned.

Yourringwassupposedtobeontopofyourdessert.Afterdinner.”

Hegotdownononekneeandtookherhandsinhis.Annafeltthetearscomingbeforeheevensaida

word.

“Anna,willyoumarryme?”
Haydenwasherhappiness,andshewantednothingmorethantospendtherestofherdayswithhim.
“Yes,”shesaidwithouthesitation.Hestood,tookherintohisarms,andkissedher.Shecouldfinally

seeafuturethatfulfilledallofherdreams.

Theend

Thankyousomuchforreading,Ihopeyouenjoyedthebook.

CheckoutthefirstbookintheOmegaMuAlphaBrothersSeries

SnowfallandSecrets

Chapter1

Tesshadmadealotofmistakesinhershortlife.Shethoughtshegotitoutofhersystemafterhighschool,
but apparently at twenty-five, she was still as dumb as she was at eighteen. Maybe more. This was
definitelythestupidestthingshe’deverdone.

AftertheplanetoucheddownonthenearlyfrozennorthernMichiganrunway,sheturnedherphoneon

anddiscoveredtwentymessagesfromhermotherandfoursisters.Theyallsaidthesamething.

“Comehome.”
She’d lived in Southern Florida her entire life. But she had to get away from there. Though she sure

pickedacrappytimeofyear.ThesecondweekofJanuarywasn’texactlysmart.

Passengersatthetinyairportdisembarkeddownastairwayinsteadofintotheairport.Asshestepped

offtheplane,sheknewshemadenotonebigmistake,buttwo.Priortothismoment,she’dneverbeenin
weatherunderfortydegrees.Thiswasprobablybelowzero.Shewasn’tpreparedforcoldlikethis.

Thewindbitatherfaceandhandsassheranfortheairport.Shehadgloveson,buttheywereuseless

againstthechill.Lostinthought,shewaitedforherbags.Shewouldneedtostopatastoretogetabetter
coat before she headed to the island. Never mind that she blew most of her savings on the best winter
weathergearshecouldfindinMiami,whichwasn’ttheplacetobuyforaMichiganwinter.

A hand tapped her on the shoulder. She turned and found herself having to look up at a man with

chiseledfeatures.Shesuckedinabreath.Shealwayshadaweaknessfortall,dark,andhandsome.

“AreyouTess?”heasked.
Shenodded.Ifthiswasherboss,shewasinsomuchtrouble.
“AreyouDr.Jorgenson?”
Hechuckled.“No,I’mLukas,andI’malittleyoungtobethesuperintendentofaschool.Docdoesn’t

leavetheislandduringthewinter.I’myourlandlord.”

Shenearlyburstoutlaughing.Shewassoinforit.
“How’dyourecognizeme?”sheasked.
“You'retheonlyonenotdressedfortheweather.DocsaidyouwerefromFlorida,butIthoughtyou’d

havemoresensethanthis.”

Tessworeawoolcoatoverasweaterdress,anklelengthleggings,andkneehighblackboots.Shewas

morecoveredthanshe’deverbeeninFlorida.Yetshewasstillfreezing.

Beforeshecouldanswer,hecontinuedspeaking.
“Doyouhaveaheaviercoatandglovesinyoursuitcase?”
Tessshookherhead.“IboughtthebestIcouldfind.”
Hefrowned.“Theshopsareclosed.You’llhavetocomebacktothemainlandlaterandgetmoregear.

Inthemeantime,you’regonnaloseacoupleoffingers.Seriously,arethosetheonlyglovesyouhave?”

Shenoddedandlookeddownatherthinglovesthatmatchedherdress.Shehadfourotherpairs,but

theywereallthesamekind,andtryingtolayerthemdidn’tmakemuchsense.Sheknewhewasright;her
fingerswereindanger.

Chapter2

Lukasheftedthetwomassivepurplesuitcasesintothebedofhistruck.Hehopedlikehellhehadanextra
pairofglovesinthecab,otherwisehisfingerswouldn’tsurvivebecausetherewasnowayhewasgoing
letherfreezetodeathonthebackofhissnowmobile.Docwouldneverforgivehim.Though,ifshewas
thisill-equippedforthenorthernMichigantemperatures,shemightbeonthefirstplanebacktoFlorida.

“Did you bring any snow pants?” he asked her as he rummaged behind his seat. He didn’t find any

gloves,buthefoundhandwarmers.

“Oh,no,Idon’tski.”Hechuckled.Docwasprobablygoingtobelookingfornewteacherinlessthana

week.Lukashadanotherfull-facehattoo;atleastshewouldn'tcompletelyfreeze.Also,hisbodywould
protecthers,especiallyifshehungontohim.Notthatheminded.Hehadn’tseenabodylikehersinyears.
Shehadlegsthatwentonformiles,andheseriouslywonderedifthatrackwasreal.Theydidn’tmake
girlslikeherinMichigan.No,shedefinitelybelongedsomewherewithpalmtreesandbikinis.

“Doyouhaveanypants?”heasked.
“Whatdoyoucallthese?”
Helookedatherlegsagainbecausehedidn’twanttowastetheopportunity.
“Tights. You need pants. Do you have jeans? Sweat pants? Since you don’t have snow pants, you’ll

needtolayeralittlebit.”

“Ibroughtafewpairsofjeans.”
Theypulledintothelong-termparkinglot.Hedroppedherandherbagsoffattheferrywaitingroom.

Theykeptitopenandheatedmostoftheyear,evenwhenthelakefrozeover.

“Findthreeorfourpairsofpantsandputthemonovereachother.”
Tessgavehimatightgrin.“Okay,I’lltry.”
Try.Howdoesonetrytoputonjeans?Heshookhishead.Women.
He parked the truck and jogged to the waiting room. The wind chill was around negative twenty

degrees,cold,evenforsomeoneusedtoit.Tesshadonesuitcaseopen,andshewasrollingonthefloor,
fightingwithapairofjeans.

“Youokay?”heasked,chokingbackalaugh.
Hercheeksreddenedassheshookherhead.
“Theywon’tgoonovertheleggings.”
“Doyouhaveanythingthatisn’tskintight?”Allofthepantssittingaroundlookedtobethesamesize.
Shepouted.Itlookedadorable.Thoselipsofherspracticallybeggedtobekissed.“No.”
Herolledhiseyes.“Okay,listen,I’mgoingtothetrucktogetsomething.Inthemeantime,takeoffthose

sillytightsandputonapairofjeans.They’llkeepyouwarmer.Maybeyoucangetapairofleggingson
overyourjeans.”

“Theyaren’tasstretchyastheylook,butI’llseewhatIcando.”
Lukas tried to think of the best way to keep her warm on the drive across the lake. He grabbed the

blanketandhandwarmershekeptinthecab.Dammit.Thesnowpantswouldhavetobesacrificed.His
legswouldbecoldwhenhegothome,butatleastshe’dhaveallherbodyparts.

Tesslookedjustasunderdressedasbefore.Hetookoffhissnowpantsandhandedthemtoher.
“Don’tyouneedthese?”sheasked.Howsweetofhertobeconcerned.
“Not as bad as you do. I’ve got long underwear under my jeans. Do your boots have a lining of any

kind?”

“No,butIbroughtapairofUggs.Letmefindthem.”Sheopenedtheothersuitcase,anditlookedlike

allshehadwasdifferentkindsofbootsandtennisshoes.Mostofthemwouldbeuselessontheisland
untilMay.Heshookhishead.Sillygirl.

Lukassighedwhenhesawhersocks.“You’llneedtobuysomewoolsockstoo.Thosewillneverkeep

yourfeetwarm.Betterdigoutafewmorepairs.”

Anervousgiggleescapedher.“AtthisrateI’llbewearinghalfmysuitcase.”
Henoddedandyawned.Hehadtobeupearly,andthiswastakinglongerthanheplanned.Especially

sinceherplanewasanhourlate.

After Tess put her suitcases back together, he carried them outside and loaded them on the sled he

towedbehindhissnowmobile.

“Yougetonfirst,”hesaid,handingherahelmet.Shetookitwithoutquestionandsatonthebackofthe

snowmobile.Hewrappedtheblanketaroundherandthenclimbedoninfront.

“Getascloseasyoucanandputyourhandsinsidemycoat.”
“Whatthehell?”sheasked.
Hechuckled.“Listen,princess,it’snotlikeIwantyourhandsalloverme,butifyoudon’t,you'regoing

toloseafewofthosefingers,andyouneedthosefingerstoteach.”

Shepressedherselfagainsthisback,wrappedherarmsaroundhiswaist,andslippedherhandsupthe

frontofhiscoat.Hehissed,notquitepreparedforthecold,orthefeelingsofdesirethatcreptup.Itwas
goingtobealongride.

Wanttokeepreading?Youcanpurchasethebookhere:
www.kimberlyloth.com/snowfall
Wanttoreadtherestabsolutelyfree?Clickhere.

AbouttheAuthor

KimberlyLothcan’tdecidewhereshewantstosettledown.She’slivedinMichigan,Illinois,Missouri,
Utah, California, Oregon, and South Carolina. She finally decided to make the leap and leave the U.S.
behindforafewyears.ShespenttwowildyearsinCairo,Egypt.Currently,shelivesinShenzhen,China
with her husband and two kids as a full time author. She loves romantic movies, chocolate, roses, and
crazyadventures.She’stheauthorofAmazonbestsellingseriesTheDragonKings.

AlsobyKimberlyLoth

TheThornChronicles

TheDragonKings

OmegaMuAlphaBrothers

StellaandSol

GodoftheSun(ComingFeb2017)

Acknowledgements

Thankyoutomyfamilyforlovingmeunconditionally—Will,Xandi,AJ,Mom,Matt,Tiffany,andallof
myextendedfamily.Youarethebest.

Thankyoutothosewhohelpmeturnmymanuscriptsintorealbooks—Kelley,Suzi,Brittany,Donna,

Rebecca,andJaye.

Virginia,youareamazing.Thankyouforbeingmysecondhalf.Icouldn’tdothiswithoutyou.
Asalways,mysuperfansareincredible.Thankyouforbeingawesome—
AlieMorgan,AmberChristiansen,AndiTaylor,AndreaFloyd,AndreaHubler,AngelaDossett,Angie

Blankenship, Astrid Rudloff, Brianna Snowball, Cassandra Dahlin, Dawn Foster, Debbie Rodriguez,
Denise Austin, Donna Wolz, Gina Johnson, Gwen Smith-Leak, Hanife Ormerod, Jai Henson, Jennifer
McIntosh,KellyTress,LaurieMurray,MaryMartin,SamanthaMurphy,SophieKoufes,StephaniePittser,
ZoeGregory.

Document Outline

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Epilogue
Snowfall and Secrets
About the Author
Also by Kimberly Loth
Acknowledgements

Monkeys and Mayhem Omega Mu Al Kimberly Loth

Document Outline