Epilogue
“I HAVE TO keep telling myself it’s real,” I said, glancing at Lei.
She grinned and gently clinked her champagne flute against mine. “As real as that enormous diamond on your finger.”
As I did several hundred times a day, I extended my hand and admired the five-carat emerald-cut engagement ring Jax had wowed me with. His proposal had been the single most exciting moment in my life, although the opening of the first Trifecta restaurant was nearly up there with it.
I dropped my arm back to my side and turned my attention to the three chefs who were the stars of the party. Chad, David, and Inez stood together as a single unit, talking with the VIPs who’d been invited to the exclusive soft opening of the Atlanta venue.
“Chad looks awesome,” I pointed out unnecessarily. Lei was a red-blooded woman, after all. She knew a prime piece of male eye candy when she saw it. “I’m so proud of him.”
“I’m proud of you,” she said. “We wouldn’t be here now, if not for your dedication and hard work.”
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity.” Seeing the smile on Lei’s face sent a bright sense of accomplishment tingling through me. A lapel pin in the shape of Trifecta’s logo accented her figure-hugging red sheath dress. With her hair down and her eyes bright, she looked young and fresh.
“I feel sorry for her,” she murmured, gesturing discreetly with a slight tilt of her chin.
I followed her gaze and saw Stacy Williams hovering on the fringes of the crowd, her attention on her brother. “I wonder when her first restaurant will launch.”
“Good question. I haven’t heard anything.”
The pretty redhead didn’t look happy. I didn’t know if that was because her brother had shot out of the proverbial gate before she did or because Ian was spending the evening at Isabelle’s side. By all appearances, Ian had a new favorite.
“Does it bother you that he’s here?” I asked, searching the room until I found Jax talking with a man I recognized as the host of a Food Network TV show. Taking a deep breath, I enjoyed the sight of my man, which still hadn’t lessened in impact even after months of living together. He wore an elegant black sweater and dress slacks, and I was looking forward to stripping him out of both in just a few hours.
He caught me staring and winked.
“Ian?” Lei shook her head. “I would’ve been surprised if he hadn’t come. You should say hi to him.”
“Will you?”
She grinned. “When he breaks down and comes to me, yes. I’ll offer him a drink, too. It’s the least I can do.”
Lifting my flute in a farewell toast, I took her advice and started mingling. Eclectic fusion music pumped through the hidden speakers, an audible reflection of the menu. The food was garnering raves and the excitement was high. Opening a new restaurant was always a momentous occasion. Like Lei, I lived for the high.
Soon Vincent would be launching his own Rossi’s. So much to celebrate. Life was getting better every day.
“Congratulations, Gianna. This is quite an accomplishment.”
I stopped and faced Ian Pembry. My mother would call him “dashing.” I thought of him as arresting, with an undeniable charisma.
“Thank you,” I said, holding out my hand to him. “I’ll pass the kudos along to the chefs.”
He kissed my knuckles with firm, dry lips. “I know exactly how much work goes into a successful launch like this. Take the praise—you deserve it.”
I bowed my head in acknowledgment. “I couldn’t have done it without Lei. She’s an awesome mentor.”
Ian’s blue eyes gleamed with amusement and he squeezed my hand before releasing it. “You might be surprised at what you can accomplish without Lei. When you’re ready to take that step, let me know.”
I debated keeping my mouth shut for a minute, then I just went with it. “You blew it with her, you know. She loved you.”
Ian’s face hardened, but before he could reply, his gaze fixed on a point beyond my shoulder. When a steely arm hooked around my waist, I knew who’d drawn his attention.
“Jackson,” Ian greeted him stiffly. “I hear congratulations are in order for you, as well.”
Jax tucked me into his side. “I’m a lucky man who got a second chance.”
I arched a brow at Ian, since Jax’s words tied so neatly into what I’d just said. Ian’s response was a tight smile.
Jax excused us and led me away, his hand cupped around my hipbone in a grip that sent heated thoughts through my mind. “I managed to get us the same room you were in the last time we were here together.”
I remembered that trip well. It had been a turning point for us. The beginning of the end that kicked off a new beginning. “Are you being sentimental?” I teased, drawing to a halt and facing him.
“Still working on fixing past mistakes.”
“Oh? What was the mistake?”
He ran the tip of his finger down the bridge of my nose and his dimple flashed. The one-two punch made me more than a little weak in the knees. “Leaving you naked and wanting. Gotta fix that, baby.”
“I think you’ve left me hanging more than once. Maybe I should make a list.”
Jax’s grin widened. “Absolutely.”
“It might be a long one,” I warned, thinking about all the times he’d gotten me hot and bothered, then made me wait until I thought I’d lose my mind.
He reached for my hand and played with my ring. “Good thing we’ve got plenty of time.”
A lifetime. Which might just be long enough.
* * * * *
We hope you enjoyed this
COSMO RED-HOT READS FROM HARLEQUIN.
Dangerously addictive, these sexy, contemporary romances
are for today’s fun, fearless female. And what’s more fun
after enjoying a great romance than testing yourself
with a COSMO quiz?
Keep reading to find out
IS HE WORTHY OF YOUR LOVE? and
WHAT TYPE OF MEN DO YOU ATTRACT?
Is He Worthy of Your Love?
Find out whether your man’s worthy to worship at the temple of you, is not fit to paint your fingernails, or is just in need of a little TLC (Tender Loving Changing).
1. You’ve dressed up for a meeting. His reaction when he sees you:
“Hey, can I be around when you take those clothes off?”
He doesn’t say anything.
“You look nice today.”
2. The boss came down really hard on you at work. Shaken, you feel like crawling into bed and staying there for a week. You call your honey to weep and whine. He:
Listens, then offers to come over and snuggle. Brings a pint of vanilla swirl.
Cuts the conversation short—he’s meeting the guys for beers.
Listens, suggests you get a good night’s sleep, and calls the next day.
3. He makes sure you climax:
When he does or soon thereafter.
Before he does.
You’re on your own, kid.
4. Out of nowhere, you start getting anxiety attacks. Your boyfriend:
Helps you hunt down a therapist.
Tells you it’s all in your head.
Shows concern but seems a little freaked by your behavior.
5. You’re out to dinner, and when the check arrives, your boyfriend:
Lets you know your portion of the bill, pointing out that you ordered 2 glasses of wine plus an appetizer salad while he only had a beer and burger.
Says, “It would be my pleasure” when you reach for your wallet.
Puts down cash for half the amount.
6. When a gorgeous woman walks by both of you, he usually:
Sneaks a sideways look at her.
Stares at her long and hard.
Says, “Don’t worry, darling, she’s not even fit to polish your pumps!”
7. When you both have a fight, you end up feeling:
Frustrated. He shuts down.
As if you are in the process of working something out. He may get mad, but he always remains rational.
Frightened by his behavior.
8. You tell your boyfriend that your mom [sister/girlfriend] has just advised you against taking that fabulous new job. His response:
“Don’t listen to her, you’ll be great.”
“She’s just afraid for you. You’ll be great.”
“I never really liked your mom.”
9. You had a terrific time at the party—sure, you flirted with a couple of men, but it was all in good fun. The next day, your boyfriend would most likely:
Be turned on by your popularity.
Amorously tell you how lucky he is to be the one who goes home with you.
Sulk and make a snide comment about your drinking.
10. When both of you spend a weekend together:
You often feel lonely; he sits in front of the TV a lot, tinkers in the garage.
You’re completely comfortable—you both laugh, relax, make love.
The sex is fabulous, though he’s lazy about making out-of-bed plans.
11. How do your friends describe the man you are dating?
The catch of the year.
A nice man who seems to adore you.
Someone to have fun with but not someone you want to get serious with.
12. Check any of the following statements that apply:
When he knows something (a fact or current event) you don’t know, he never patronizes you.
He would get allergy shots so he could live with you and your 2 cats.
He’s tried to turn you on to whatever sport he’s into (golf, kayaking, baseball).
You frequently hear from friends that he’s been bragging about you.
He truly doesn’t even notice when you’ve put on an extra 5 pounds.
He brings home unexpected treats for you—books by authors you’ve said you like, articles he’s cut out that would interest you, your favorite bakery cookies.
He doesn’t freak when you cry or accuse you of having PMS.
He holds hands and hugs a lot—always makes you feel cherished.
If he found a wallet full of money, he’d hunt down the owner and give it back with all the dough.
You are comfortable with the amount of alcohol that he drinks.
Scoring
1. a-3 b-1 c-2
2. a-3 b-1 c-2
3. a-2 b-3 c-1
4. a-3 b-1 c-2
5. a-1 b-3 c-2
6. a-2 b-1 c-3
7. a-2 b-3 c-1
8. a-2 b-3 c-1
9. a-2 b-3 c-1
10. a-1 b-3 c-2
11. a-3 b-2 c-1
12. Give yourself 3 points for each statement checked.
More than 44 points: Worthy
“A worthy man is one who makes you feel good when you are around him,” says psychologist Michele Kasson, coauthor of The Men Out There (Rutledge Books). “The two of you have shared goals and common interests, and you each give the other support in facing the tough, cruel world.” He’s kind, compassionate, supportive…but not just to you. “If he treats his mom—and even the waiter—well,” adds Kasson, “then he will be respectful of you too.” Remember, though, true love doesn’t mean conflict-free love. How do you handle the situation when problems arise? “Do you feel more connected and like you know each other better after a disagreement?” asks Daphne Rose Kingma, author of Coming Apart (Conari Press). “Couples who are not threatened by differences but instead see them as a process of discovery have wonderful relationships.”
26 to 44 points: Workable
Every man has his good points…and his flaws. The question is, Can you live with this man’s imperfections—can you even get him to change some annoying behaviors? “We all have a bottom line when it comes to choosing another human being to love,” says Kingma. “A woman needs to ask herself, ‘Does this man have the one quality that is most important to me in a mate?’ It may be that he shares your spiritual values or is willing to communicate. This is the grounding bond that, over time, allows the various imperfections of your relationship to recede.”
In addition, we all have a number of things we’d prefer to have in a relationship. Kingma suggests you make a list of 10 characteristics that you would like your man to have. If he has 5, it’s probably worth sticking around. “Also, see how he responds to the fact that he has attributes you dislike,” adds Kingma. “He may be a football fanatic; perhaps you can convince him to watch at a pal’s house so you can have the place to yourself.” Also, remember what’s truly important to you. “Forgetting the anniversary of your first date is chump change,” says Sharyn Wolf, author of How to Stay Lovers for Life (Dutton). “You want to be with the guy who’ll sit with you in the doctor’s office if you find a lump in your breast.”
If there is some aspect of his behavior that you truly can’t put up with, then approach changing him in a positive way. “You can only change a man who wants to change,” says Kingma. “But he has to be inspired by love, not nagging. If you’re a health nut and he expresses a desire to get in shape, you can be supportive, but if six months pass and it hasn’t happened, then you’ve got to decide whether or not you can live with this in the long run.”
The Moment I Knew He Wasn’t Worthy
“He bought the papers on a Sunday morning and then said, ‘Can I have $3.50, because I won’t have time to read them.’ I knew he was cheap, but that was the final straw.”
—Suzanne, 31, physical therapist
“He asked me not to tell his ultraconservative friends that I volunteer at Planned Parenthood.”
—Linda, 28, magazine writer
“He didn’t understand why my sister was angry that her husband went golfing the day she delivered their baby.”
—Valerie, 28, book publicist
“My father died, and my boyfriend told me he was ‘sorry but couldn’t handle it’ and promptly disappeared for the next few weeks.”
—Tina, 29, music agent
Fewer than 26 points: Worthless
This man dismisses your feelings, has more fun channel-surfing than talking with you, and ogles other women right in front of you. Are you so eager to be with a man—any man—that you will settle for someone so undeserving of your love? “You simply can’t be with someone who has more emotional power in the relationship than you do,” says Kasson. “If you feel you can’t stand up for yourself, then this isn’t the right man for you.”
Perhaps you’re aware that you’re stuck in an unhealthy relationship—why is it so hard for you to leave? “Because we all want to be loved and we’re afraid no one else will come along again,” says Kingma. “But the truth is, every person I’ve ever counseled who’s ended a relationship has found someone better.” If you know you need to leave and you can’t do it on your own, get some help from trusted friends or even a professional counselor.
10 Signs He’s the One
He looks at Kate Upton centerfolds and insists he doesn’t know what the big deal is.
He spends the weekend with your family and still wants to date you.
On Super Bowl Sunday, he offers to spend the day in bed, painting your toenails and giving you backrubs.
He doesn’t fall asleep immediately after sex.
He lets you use his toothbrush when you crash at his place.
He leaves you cute, little “shmoopie” messages every day at work…and has for the past 2 years.
Even after seeing you in a mud mask, stuffing your face with Ben & Jerry’s, he still looks at you the same way he did the moment he first saw you.
When you argue with him, he never chalks it up to your PMS.
He brings you daisies just because it’s Tuesday.
He insists on waking up at 5 a.m. just to take you to the airport.
What Type of Men Do You Attract?
There are all types of guys out there and we’ve split them up into 5 categories. Take this quiz to find out if you attract the wildest or mildest—or if they’re somewhere in between.
1. As a rule, the men you date:
Expect you to pick up the tab.
Insist on paying.
Pay the tab, resent it, and use this as a reason to stop seeing you.
Never take you out.
Expect you to pay your share or take turns picking up the tab.
2. The men you see are:
Overly romantic and affectionate.
Affectionate, as long as you do things their way.
Seldom affectionate or are affectionate early in the relationship but less so as time goes on.
Affectionate only in bed, if then.
Affectionate more often than not.
3. When you discuss a problem you’re having, a man
usually:
Mentions one of his own that is worse than yours.
Tells you how to handle it.
Avoids you.
Assumes that you are strong enough to cope with it alone.
Offers to discuss it with you—and supports your decision.
4. When you meet a man and he says he’ll call, he:
Calls the next day, and every day thereafter.
Calls but seems too busy to talk.
Doesn’t call.
Calls at midnight and asks if he can come over.
Calls when he says he’ll call.
5. When you’re with a man and there are other women around, he:
Is oblivious to them.
Notices them, flirts a little, but tries to protect your feelings.
Flirts incessantly and dashes from woman to woman.
Talks about how attractive the other women are.
Is friendly with them but not disrespectful to you.
6. After you’ve had sex, a man often:
Needs to talk to you or be with you.
Becomes possessive.
Rolls over, goes to sleep, and/or never calls you again.
Forgets your name.
Treats you the same as before.
7. When you call men you’re interested in, they usually:
Love it and encourage you to call.
Make it clear that they are supposed to call you.
Act too busy to talk or rush you off the phone.
Say they’ll call you right back and don’t.
Act the same as when they call you.
8. In arguments, the men you date:
Give in and do it your way.
Make you believe their way is right and yours is wrong.
Let you have your way but hold a grudge.
Ignore your point of view.
Negotiate.
9. When a man you’re involved with has a problem, he:
Talks about it incessantly and wants your advice.
Makes his problem seem insignificant in comparison to yours.
Says, “What problem?”
Pretends it’s your problem.
Tells you he’s upset but lets you know he can handle it himself.
10. When you cry, the men in your life often:
Cry too.
Are like putty in your hands and will do anything for you.
Withdraw.
Don’t take you seriously.
Understand but aren’t manipulated by your tears.
11. When you first meet a man, he:
Reveals himself but asks little about you.
Wants to know all about you but reveals little of himself.
Comes on strong, then peters out after a few dates.
Doesn’t tell you much about himself or ask much about you.
Tells you about himself and wants to know about you.
12. Usually, a man’s first priority is:
Being in love.
Working and making money.
His buddies, or exercise and sports.
Anything except you.
Maintaining a balance between you and his career and other interests.
13. Most men give you:
Their emotions but not their money.
Their money but not their emotions.
Everything, at first, and nothing later.
Nothing.
Both their money and their emotions, and expect you to do the same.
14. When the men you know become upset or angry, they often:
Talk about the problem but do nothing about it.
Handle it themselves without letting you know they are upset.
Clam up.
Blame you for everything.
Tell you they’re upset, why they are, and what they want.
15. You find most men:
Overly emotional.
Protective of your feelings but not emotional themselves.
Appear to be sensitive but aren’t.
Cold and insensitive.
Emotionally available but not whiny.
16. When you have an opinion, men you know usually:
Overvalue it.
Have a what-would-you-know-about-that attitude.
Seem attentive at the time but later don’t remember what you said.
Ignore it.
Listen carefully, even if they don’t necessarily agree.
17. Men seem to be interested in you when you:
Act strong and in control.
Are weak and at their beck and call.
Act disinterested.
Chase them.
Feel happy about yourself.
18. In arguments, you usually end up:
Feeling like you’ve been unnecessarily cruel.
In a power struggle.
Having no one around to argue with because they leave.
Feeling like you’ve been taken advantage of.
Talking it out and resolving the problem.
19. When you’re upset with a man, he:
Feels guilty and apologizes, even if it isn’t his fault.
Criticizes you or accuses you of overreacting.
Avoids you.
Acts as if nothing is wrong.
Asks you what the problem is.
20. In relationships, you feel:
Like you have all the responsibility.
Like he knows more than you.
Like he’s searching for your flaws.
Used and abused.
Appreciated.
Add up all a’s to see if you attract wimps, b’s for daddies, c’s for Peter Pans, d’s for outlaws, and e’s for healthy men. Don’t be surprised if you attract different types. Outlaws and Peter Pans, for example, share some similar traits.
Wimps
WIMPS are the kind of men we attract when we appear to be emotionally and/or financially strong. They’re looking for women who can mother or even father them. Sometimes they seem refreshing because they’re emotional—but don’t let them fool you. They’re emotional only about what they need from you, and they can never be there for you.
0 to 3 a’s
Although you may control men from time to time, you let few, if any, drain you or leech on to you.
4 to 7 a’s
Although you don’t let men drain you dry, you need to be more careful about what you do for them.
8 to 13 a’s
You tend to become involved with men who rely on your strength. Don’t let them take, take, take without giving you something in return.
14 to 20 a’s
You are a beacon of strength for wimps and probably attract them in droves. Be careful that they don’t drain you of your emotional or financial resources. Try making some demands on them for a change.
Daddies
DADDIES are the kind of men we attract when we’re weak and needy. They’re attracted to us because our insecurities make them feel strong. They maintain control by giving us protection, advice, and material things as trade-offs for emotional love. They keep us down by preventing us from trusting ourselves.
0 to 3 b’s
Although you like to be taken care of from time to time, you’re basically a grown woman and not someone’s little girl.
4 to 7 b’s
You let men take control more often than you should, but you can stand on your own.
8 to 13 b’s
You have a tendency to rely on men instead of yourself. You must develop more self-confidence.
14 to 20 b’s
You attract men you want to run your life. You must try to take charge of your own life.
Peter Pans
PETER PANS are attracted to us as long as they feel no emotional pressure. When they do, they withdraw. They may be workaholics, sportaholics, or exerciseaholics who escape from emotion in their addictions. They may be dance-away lovers who run at the first sign of imperfection, or sexual con artists who chase sex without responsibility. They love the thrill of the chase, but once the chase is over, they fly away from the emotional responsibility of the relationship.
0 to 3 c’s
You may have gone after this type and lost before, but now you probably know a Peter Pan when you see one.
4 to 7 c’s
You have a tendency to go after this type, but can probably also let go when you have to.
8 to 13 c’s
Getting involved with men who will never be there could be a problem for you.
14 to 20 c’s
Look out. You attract men who fear emotional commitment, and you could get hurt.
Outlaws
OUTLAWS are attracted to women who demand very little. They’re self-involved, self-serving men who give nothing and take everything. They play on a woman’s fear of rejection. They come in a variety of types from cowboys to married men. They’re disrespectful and gain control by making a woman feel unworthy.
0 to 3 d’s
You’ve met a few, but your self-respect prevents you from getting involved with outlaws.
4 to 7 d’s
You let men treat you more disrespectfully than you should because you don’t recognize what’s happening. But once you do, you get out.
8 to 13 d’s
You attract more than your share of outlaws. To salvage your self-esteem, tell them what you won’t put up with when you feel you’re being taken advantage of. Then go through with it.
14 to 20 d’s
Outlaws ride roughshod over you. You must defend your rights and not be ruled by fear of rejection.
Healthy Men
HEALTHY MEN are attracted to healthy women who are strong and capable, yet warm and feminine. These men aren’t afraid to be emotional and can solve their own problems. They’re not afraid of intimacy, although they don’t want to be possessed by a woman.
0 to 3 e’s
Think about the men you attract, and why healthy men aren’t drawn to you. You probably have many unresolved issues about relationships.
4 to 7 e’s
You know some healthy men and probably attract some not-so-healthy men too. Work on becoming more secure in yourself, and you’ll know as many healthy men as you want.
8 to 13 e’s
Many healthy men find you attractive. You, too, must be pretty healthy.
14 to 20 e’s
Lucky you. You have a strong sense of yourself, and men know it and respect you for it.