License to Date (15 page)

My heart melted a little, but I took a deep breath and reminded myself that was just money. And Milton was rolling in it.

Holding my wine glass, I slipped open the living room slider, and my heels sank into the lawn as I crossed my backyard. As I walked, Paul’s words echoed through my head and I wanted to believe them. Especially the part about finding the connection between us, because I felt it too. But words were easy to come by. So were limos and fancy white dresses when you had more money than you’d ever need.

My eyes burned and the railroad-tie steps blurred in front of me, and I thought about turning back. My heart told me that Paul’s words were the truth, but my head told me I’d been burned before. A war waged inside me between what I knew in my heart and what I feared with my head. Then at the bottom of the steps, I looked up and froze.
 

I stared wide-eyed at my happy place, a tear spilling down my cheek as chills vibrated through me. Instead of dead grass and dirt, a patio of terra-cotta tiles splayed out before me. My heels clicked against the tiles as I stepped forward, gaping in awe. The Adirondack chairs and beverage table had been stained the perfect shade of blue, reminding me of the ocean in Kauai. In addition to all I’d planned, there was also a border running around the patio with bushes of colorful flowers that had a tropical look about them, and through the center lay a tiled pathway to the water.

My first thought was that Paul had hired someone to make my dream come true. But then I remembered lunch with my dad. Paul had showed up last minute, freshly showered, and with paint smeared on the side of his jaw.
Blue
paint.

Paul had done this himself. For me.

A twig snapped behind me and a
crack
echoed across the quiet night. I spun around, then nearly spilled my wine because there he stood on the first railroad tie. I wanted to say something, throw my arms around him, but I felt too stunned to do anything but blink through watery eyes. I watched him approach me.
 

“I lied to you earlier.” He dropped off the last railroad-tie and came toward me in sure and steady steps. “I told you there was nothing more I could do to convince you.”

I lifted my lashes as he closed the space between us. “Paul?”

“Kaitlin.” He set my wine glass down, cupped my face in his warm hands, and tilted my face toward his. He peered into my eyes with his deep blues. “I love you.”

Tingles danced across my chest and down my arms. I stretched onto my toes, gazed into those ethereal eyes, then paused a breath away from his lips. “I love you, too.”

As if that was all he needed to hear, his mouth captured mine and my world exploded into a dream. The rippling water echoed behind me as Paul kissed me sure and strong like he wanted to claim me. But I was already his. Our mouths opened as we explored, tasted, and savored each other. I snaked my arms around his neck, then wove my fingers into that thick tousled hair, wanting to pull him even closer and never let him go.
 

When he finally leaned back, I was breathless. His arms went around me, his lips curved upward, and he lifted me against him. I threw my head back and laughed as my feet left the ground and he twirled me around and around—pure bliss flowing through every cell in my body.

In this moment, I found my true happy place.
 

And that was with Paul.
 

****

Instead of coming to the Black & White Ball in a limo, I arrived in a silver truck, but I’d ended up on a date with Milton after all. My black heels clicked across the marble lobby floor and I gazed over at Paul who slipped his hand into mine and winked at me.

Warmth flooded my belly as we headed down the hall, then strolled into the Geoffries’ grand ballroom hand in hand. The waiter at the entrance did a double-take at Paul and me before serving each of us a glass of champagne.
 

I bit my lip and raised my flute. “To you finally agreeing to go on a date with me.”

Paul lifted his glass toward mine. “What do you think we’ve been doing all week? I’ve just been waiting for you to realize it.”

My mouth spread into a wide grin. “Sneaky guy.”

He clinked his glass into mine. “Sweetheart, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
 

I sipped the bubbly liquid and surveyed the room. Black and white drapery, an incredible crystal chandelier above us, and elegantly dressed guests scattered across the entire room. A wooden dance floor took up the far corner of the room where hundreds of people were getting down to a hit song I recognized from the radio.

My eyes squinted as I peered at the band. “Oh, my . . . is that the Street Knights?!”

Paul chuckled. “Most definitely. I’ll introduce you to the band when they take a break. I think you and Tiffany will hit it off.”

“Tiffany Heart and me?” I couldn’t imagine what I’d possibly have in common with the Grammy winner. “How exactly did she become a knight, anyway?”

“It’s a long story. I’ll let her tell you.” He laughed, then brushed his lips against my cheek. “Would you like to dance?”

“I’d love to.” I followed him across the room toward the pumping music. We reached the edge of the dance floor and as we set our drinks on the table, an enchanting fragrance wafted up my nose and filled me with joy. My eyes flashed to the glass bowl center piece filled with white-petaled flowers that had bursts of yellow at their core. My hand flew against my chest. “Paul, those are plumeria flowers.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “You told me you wanted a white dress, music, plumeria flowers, and your friends.”
 

I followed his gaze to the edge of the dance floor where familiar faces greeted me, smiling. Ellen and Henry. Kristen and Ethan. Ginger. Melanie and Matt.
 

Ellen waved. “It’s about time you got here!”

Placing my hand along the side my mouth, I shouted, “Better date than never!”

Mel gave me a knowing look, nodded her head at Paul, then mouthed, “I told you so.”

I nodded, smiling.

The band switched to a slow tempo and Tiffany belted out the beginning of a love song about
saying what you want
,
getting what you want
, and the familiar song had never rung truer. Ginger, Ethan, and Kristen stepped off the dance floor. Ethan shook Paul’s hand and they began chatting as I turned to my friends.
 

Ginger rubbed her hands together. “Looks like you’ve done it.”

Kristen raised her brows. “Are we on for painting tomorrow?”

I shook my head. “I’m afraid not.”
 

Ginger’s brows came together. “But the bartender is date number five—”

“No, he’s not part of the game.” I hugged Ginger first and then Kristen. “Thank you.”

Kristen squeezed me back. “For what?”

My eyes watered as she released me. “I thought by consuming myself with the remodel, I was making my house my sanctuary. In reality, I was hiding. Not wanting to hurt again.” I shook my head. “I wouldn’t have met Paul if it weren’t for you both.”

“Glad we could be of service.” Ginger laced her arm through Kristen’s. “Now we just need to find a man for me. I’m thinking someone like that guy right there. Or maybe him.”

I laughed as Ginger pointed from the Street Knight’s hot guitarist, to their keyboardist.

“Ladies,” Paul came over and held his hand out to me, “mind if I steal her away?”

He led me to the dance floor, twirled me around once—my white satin dress flying around me like a ballerina—and then he pulled me against him.
 

I lifted my lashes. “You invited all my friends?”

He shrugged. “I sent the tickets to Kristen and she did the rest.”

I glanced down at my white strapless gown with its black satin sash. “You picked this dress out for me?”

He grinned mischievously. “Alice helped me out. She’s my assistant.”

A bright light flashed above my head. “So that’s why I always see her with you.”

He tapped my nose playfully as we swayed to the music. “I did approve of the dress if that counts for anything.”

I grinned. “It counts for a lot. All of it.”

His sapphire-blue eyes gazed into mine. “You said you wanted the fairytale ending in a white dress, but I’m giving you a fairytale beginning. For now.”

My stomach flipped as the air between us thickened and pulsed—matching the heavy pounding rhythm of my heart. “I lost my bet. You’re going to have a lot of painting to help me with.”
 

He brushed his fingers along my cheekbone. “Your wish is my command.”
 

Then he kissed me and I was in my happy place.

Epilogue

Two months later. . . .

News Article:
Sacramento Social Scene

Photo (man and woman embraced in a kiss as they rappel down a building)

Triple S has discovered that the man in this photo is actually Milton Paul Geoffries Junior, hotel heir and former Hollywood playboy. The woman in the photo has been identified as local Human Resources Manager, Kaitlin Murray. Reports have been circulating that the couple is engaged. Both parties declined to comment, but Triple S was able to get this statement from Geoffries’ ex Virna DiAngelo:

Triple S:
Are the engagement rumors true, Ms. DiAngelo? Any idea how the happy couple met?
 

Virna DiAngelo:
If I had inside knowledge, I wouldn’t be at liberty to say. I would, however, like to formally extend my best to the couple. Paul has been looking for the right woman for a long time and I’m thinking he’s finally found her.

Triple S:
I’m sure Paul and Kaitlin appreciate your heartfelt support. Now, please dish on you as we were all thrilled with your Oscar win this year!! What’s in the works right now?

Virna DiAngelo:
I’ve just started work on a new movie. It’s about a woman who’s given up on love, then she’s handed a second chance when the perfect man walks up and serves her martini. He’s not what he seems, but he’s everything she never knew she was looking for. It will be released in theatres next year and it’s called License to Date.

THE END

If you enjoyed spending time
 

with these characters,
 

be sure to read Jill’s story in:

Driven to Date

(Better Date than Never series, Book #7)

(Coming - March 1, 2014!)

Acknowledgments

When I started working on License to Date, I made the decision not to go through the usual drama, trauma, and roller coaster of emotions that occur every time I write a book. This time I’d work in an organized manner and enjoy the smooth, calm process.

Yeah, didn’t happen.
 

I freaked, groaned, pulled at my hair, determined (more than once) that this story was impossible to write and never going to come together. Since multiple people had to endure my mania, I figure a token of gratitude is in order.

Much appreciation to my first readers for their feedback and kind words: Veronica Blade, Tiffany Davis, Virna DePaul, Cyndi Faria, Mike Hatler, Kristin Miller, Ann Rego, and Parisa Zolfaghari. You all rock!

Big hugs to Kristin Miller for being super fun to brainstorm with over coffee and giggles. Smooches to Kate Perry for writing dates with champagne, and for denying me the Internet code at a certain coffee shop when I needed to get some pages written (tough love). Endless hugs and kisses to Veronica Blade, who is always there for me and drops everything when I need her.

Words can never describe how grateful I am for Virna DePaul, who is always the voice of reason during my chaotic writing process, reminding me, “That is exactly what you said the last time.”

Most of all, I’m forever thankful to my hubby, Mike Hatler, for listening patiently while I stress (a lot), bringing me food while I work, giving me shoulder rubs, reading my stories, and for always believing in me. You’re my real life romance hero.

About the author
:

SUSAN HATLER is an international bestselling author who writes humorous and emotional contemporary romance and young adult novels. A natural optimist, she believes life is amazing, people are fascinating, and imagination is endless. She loves spending time with her characters and hopes you do, too. You can visit her website at
www.susanhatler.com

Books by Susan Hatler: