Second Chance Girl (Happily Inc. #2)

Silver had pulled her platinum blond hair up on her head. She wore a silky dress that clung to every perfect inch of her body. Natalie had on a dress that came to midcalf. While the background was black, the swirling pattern was every shade of red. She looked like sexy fire. Wynn had a sparkly top over black pants.

“I never get out during the week,” Wynn said with a laugh. “Or much on weekends. You’d think dating a single mom would be more appealing to men, but that doesn’t seem to be happening. So I’m very happy to be with you.”

Carol couldn’t believe they’d all come. She expected to see Violet, and Pallas would be there with Nick, but these three had gone above and beyond.

“Thank you again for the wonderful origami giraffes,” she told Natalie. “They’re brilliant and adorable and so original.”

“I’m pretty happy with how they turned out,” Natalie admitted.

“And you!” Carol looked at Wynn. “I can’t believe you printed all those pictures so quickly.”

“I’ve got game,” Wynn teased, then raised her eyebrows as she shook her head at Silver. “What did you do, young lady?”

“Very little. I’m here for the food.”

They all laughed.

Mathias returned with two glasses of champagne. Carol took one but hesitated before taking a sip.

“I’m not sure alcohol is a good idea,” she admitted. “I have to give a speech later.”

“Then you’d better drink at least one glass,” Silver told her. “It will take the edge off. You have notes?”

Carol patted her small bag.

“Then you’re all set.” Silver looked at Mathias. “Can we trust you to keep her from overindulging?”

“You can.”

Anything else he was going to say was silenced by the sudden electricity that moved through the room. Everyone turned to look toward the entrance. Carol’s stomach clenched as she braced herself for the inevitable onslaught.

Ceallach Mitchell had arrived.





CHAPTER NINETEEN

THE COMBINED SALE PRICE of Ronan’s and Ceallach’s two pieces was 1.27 million dollars. Bidding had been fierce, with three international buyers bidding by phone. Nick’s carvings had gone for double what was expected and Natalie’s animal origami collection had sold for nearly two thousand dollars—a record amount for her. Ulrich’s statue and the photographs had also sold.

Mathias checked his watch for the eighteenth time in as many minutes, wishing the night would end. He told himself Millie and her herd were secure for the rest of their lives and then some. The goal had been achieved. Carol had given a charming, heartwarming speech that had probably been responsible for the increased windfall, although some of it had no doubt come from the underlying tension everyone had felt.

Nick wandered over. “How you holding up?” he asked.

“I’m just here as Carol’s escort. I’m fine.”

Nick’s expression told Mathias he didn’t buy that crap for a second, but thankfully he didn’t say anything.

“Pallas has Del and Maya’s wedding this weekend,” Nick said instead. “She left early so she could be rested.”

“You should have gone with her. It was a great excuse to get out early.”

“I wanted to see what would happen.”

Translation—Nick had been worried about him.

“I don’t have any skin in the game,” Mathias pointed out. “You should be with Ronan.”

“Del and Aidan are running point.”

Aidan and Shelby had arrived that afternoon. Poor timing on their end, Mathias thought.

“He’s an asshole,” Nick said conversationally. “We all know it. This was never supposed to be about him. It was for a good cause.”

“Everything is about him. Our inability to learn that lesson is part of our problem.”

Ceallach had claimed the spotlight from the second he’d walked into the gallery. He’d posed for pictures, had talked about his work until Atsuko had been forced to intervene. He’d ignored all his sons, the other work and everyone who wasn’t with the press or there with a big checkbook.

“You should have brought your piece,” Nick said. “That would have shut him up.”

Mathias appreciated the support even though he knew it wasn’t true. What he’d done was good, but there was no way it was in his brother’s league...or his father’s.

He was okay with that. He was proud of the work and one day he would give it to Atsuko to put in the gallery. But not tonight. Not when Ceallach was around. The old man had already destroyed too much.

He visually searched the crowd and found Carol talking to Natalie. He read exhaustion in her posture and turned to his brother.

“Go home to your girl. Carol’s done and I’m going to get her home.”

Nick slapped him on the back. “It’s only forty-eight hours, give or take. We’ve been through worse.”

“It gets harder as we get older.”

“You got that right.”

Nick headed for the exit. Mathias started for Carol. He passed his mom and Ronan on the way and caught a few words.

“You never call me,” Elaine said, her voice thick with emotion. “Ronan, please.”

Mathias’s step slowed, then he shook his head and kept moving. Some problems he could solve, but certainly not that one.

As he approached Carol, he felt the strain of the evening fade away. They’d done it—Millie was going to get her herd. Carol had made it happen.

As if sensing his approach, she turned. Their gazes locked. Wanting slammed into him, nearly stopping him midstride.

Damn she was beautiful, he thought, forcing himself to start moving again. She was everything he’d ever wanted and nothing he could have. Sometimes life was a bitch.

“There’s your ride,” Natalie said with a yawn. “I’m going to head home. I’ll talk to you after the wedding. Let me know how it goes. Oh, and I want a picture of Sophie in her dress.”

“I promise,” Carol said with a laugh. “I’m not sure Maya has considered the possibility of being upstaged by a very pretty beagle.”

She slipped her hand into Mathias’s and they walked out.

“Tired?” he asked.

“Exhausted, but also happy. Everyone had a great time. My dad and uncle were thrilled with the outcome. Violet looked so pretty. Ulrich was charming.”

“Not really. It’s the accent.”

She grinned at him. “If you say so.”

They drove back to her place. After parking in her driveway, he walked around and opened her door. Carol got out and turned to him.

“Thank you for coming with me tonight. I felt so much better knowing you were here with me.”

You’re welcome was the expected response. Mathias told himself to say it, get in the car and go home. But he couldn’t seem to say the words. Or leave. Instead he leaned close and kissed her.

She responded immediately, kissing him back. As their tongues tangled, she made a noise in the back of her throat that had him hard and ready in two seconds. What was it about this woman that got to him? What combination of features and personality and just her-ness made him unable to stop dreaming about her?

He broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers. “I want you,” he breathed. “Not because of what happened before or for any other reason than I desperately, hopelessly want to be with you.” He straightened and looked into her eyes. “But it’s completely your call.”