“Have we got a deal or not?”
“It’s a deal. Congratulations, Tyler,” she said, holding out her hand to shake on their agreement. “You may now date your wife.”
He took her hand, shaking it for only a moment before pulling her knuckles to his mouth to kiss them. “What do you say we seal the deal with a real kiss?”
A smile lit Amelia’s eyes and curled her lips. She moved ever so much closer to him, causing him to lean in as well, but before he could reach for her, she stopped short.
“Sorry,” she said with a shake of her head. “I don’t kiss on the first date.”
* * *
Thirty Days to Win His Wife is part of the Brides and Belles series—Wedding planning is their business … and their pleasure.
Thirty Days to Win His Wife
Andrea Laurence
ANDREA LAURENCE is an award-winning contemporary romance author who has loved books and has been writing stories since she learned to read and write. She always dreamed of seeing her work in print and is thrilled to be able to share her books with the world. A dedicated West Coast girl transplanted into the Deep South, she’s working on her own happily-ever-after with her boyfriend and five fur-babies. You can contact Andrea at her website, andrealaurence.com.
To the Dedicated Soldiers of My Street Team Andrea’s Army of Awesomeness—
I can’t list all of you individually, but know that this dedication is for you! Thank you for all the hard work you put in to help make each of my books a success. It may not seem like a lot, but every review you write, every bookmark you hand out, every post you share with friends … makes a difference. I am happy to reward all of you with books and goodies because it’s worth every penny to have you on my team. Thank you for your support and friendship. You’re awesome.
(Obviously!)
Contents
“Do you want to get out of here?”
Amelia Kennedy turned and looked up into the cool blue eyes of her best friend, Tyler Dixon. Of course he would be the one to save her. “Yes, please.” She got up from the banquet table and accepted his hand, happily following him out of the ballroom, through the casino and out to the glittering lights of the Las Vegas Strip.
Just breathing in the cool desert air made her feel better. Why had she thought her high school reunion would be fun? It was just a room filled with people she never liked, gloating about how great their lives were. Even though she couldn’t care less about what Tammy Richardson—cheerleader and all-around stuck-up brat—had done with her life, hearing Tammy brag had somehow made Amelia feel less enthusiastic about her own achievements.
It was ridiculous, really. She co-owned her own company and was very successful, but the lack of a ring on her hand and toddler photos on her phone made her the odd girl out tonight. This entire trip was a waste of her precious vacation time.
Well, not the whole thing. It was worth it to see Tyler. They had been best friends since the ninth grade, but recently they had both gotten so busy they were lucky to see each other once a year. The reunion was a good excuse.
They stumbled down the sidewalk hand in hand with no destination in mind. It didn’t matter where they ended up. Every step they put between them and the reunion improved Amelia’s mood. That, or—if her softening knees were any indication—the tequila was finally kicking in. A low rumble caught their attention, and they stopped outside the Mirage to watch the periodic eruption of the volcano out front.
They leaned against the railing, Amelia resting her head on Tyler’s shoulder and sighing with contentment. She really missed spending time with him. There was just something about being with Tyler that made the world seem better. There was a comfort and ease in his arms that she’d never found in another man. Although they’d never dated, Tyler had set the bar high for her future relationships. Maybe too high, considering she was still single.
“Feel better?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you. I just couldn’t look at any more pictures of weddings and babies.”
Tyler wrapped his arm around her, chasing away the January desert chill. “That’s what happens at reunions, you know.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t expect it to make me feel like such a...”
“Successful, talented businesswoman in control of her own destiny?”
Amelia sighed. “I was thinking more along the lines of a relationship failure on the fast track to a house with too many cats.”
“Quit it,” he said in a stern voice. He turned toward her and tipped her chin up so she had to look him in the eye. “You are amazing. You’re beautiful, talented, successful... Any man would be lucky to have you in his life. You