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Prologue

Two months earlier

Gracie couldn’t take her eyes off the ainst her desk His dark, wavy brown hair and easy se, el -sculpted, drool-worthy ar at her as if he’d struck gold

“I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced I’m Wade Harrison, Cherry’s friend, and you are?”

God, his voice was just as yuravel y, as if he’d just gotten out of bed It took her a few seconds before she could ansithout stuttering “It’s nice to meet you I’m Gracie Baron, Cherry’s new receptionist”

He held out his hand Gracie pro and let hiainst her skin nearly had her crea in her panties He dipped his head and kissed her knuckles A light brush of his lips and she was ready to surrender

He winked as he let go of her She ain

“It’s a pleasure to ress hindered by the desk, then snared her in his dark chocolate gaze as he asked, “So, what do you do when you aren’t answering the phone and setting up appointments here at Serene Comfort?”

“I have another job I’m an administrative assistant”

His brows shot up “You work two jobs?”

She thought of her dad’s utility bil s, which were overdue to be paid, again “Yeah, I need the money to help support my dad”

He straightened and crossed his arhter, huh?”

She stiffened at the teruess”

More like door? Nothing was ever going to change Her father would always drink away his Social Security check and cal her in a panic because they were about to evict hiuy, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave him to his own devices He was her father, after al

“Do you have a significant other to keep you co, Gracie?”

The way he said her naht It was a nice iht of his question “I’ht now To tel the truth, I’m not sure when I’d even have the time”

His grin widened “How about I take you to dinner Friday night? I’d like to get to know you better”

It was like dangling an ice cream cone in front of a five-year-old; Gracie’stie tinkling sound interrupted her She glanced over at the conized the na her that while she ht not have a husband, she did have a man in her life The fact that she didn’t want said man didn’t see? How could she possibly spend time with Wade when she had an alcoholic father to take care of and a weirdo stalking her via the Internet? Add in two jobs, and you have a woy left over for leisure time

“Earth to Gracie”