Double Trouble
A widow of three years, Elizabeth Muldoon just wants to sleep her life away. Her husband's best friend, Jerod, steps in and reminds her that she has twin boys that need her. Elizabeth's response to the truth is anger and she kicks Jerod out of her life. What she doesn't expect is to miss him so much.
When Jerod Anderson comes back into Elizabeth's life, he's determined to hold onto her. But Elizabeth's twins aren't going to let him mess with their mom. Can her Guardian angel bring these two together despite teenage twins?
“What? You didn’t set me up did you?”
Michaela finally gave Elizabeth her full attention. “What? No! Actually…” Michaela stared at the tabletop. “I did invite a friend to join us for lunch.”
“Really? Great! Who is it?” Just as the words left her mouth, a shadow fell across their table.
Jerod Anderson.
As he sat down across from her, Elizabeth studied this man she’d known for almost twenty years. What a difference one year made. Once, she’d viewed Jerod as a friend. He was dependable, helpful and sympathetic at a time Elizabeth didn’t think much of herself. Now, with new eyes, she noted that he was attractive and part of her had always known it. Her feelings for him had been intertwined with her relationship with Greg.
Things had changed.
“I believe you two know each other.” Michaela’s voice was full of amusement.
READ MOREElizabeth realized that she and Jerod had been staring at each other for some time. Heat washed over her face.
He cleared his throat. “Of course. How are you, Elizabeth?” He was formal and distant.
“Um, fine, Jerod. How are you?” Her own tone was stilted. What was the matter with them? Once, she would have bounded out of her chair and hugged him. There seemed to be a constraint between them and Elizabeth knew it was her making.
His eyes weren’t hostile, but he was difficult to read. That was something new as well. She used to know him so well.
Michaela seemed to echo her thoughts. “Jeez, anyone would think you were complete strangers.” Her friend’s eye pinned her. “I thought you said you weren’t mad at him anymore?”
“I’m not.” She couldn’t meet his eyes.
Silence stretched between them, and when she raised her eyes, he shook his head. “I’m glad to hear it. How are the boys?” His tone was normal and friendly.
Relieved, Elizabeth smiled with a wide grin. “They’re great. Kevin made the football team this year, and Kurt is going to graduate with a full scholarship to Sacramento State.”
“Terrific.” He sounded as if he meant it. “I’ll have to look them up while I’m in town.”
A thrill of excitement shot through her nerves. She wanted to see him again. And not with her kids.
“How long are you here this time?” Michaela asked.
“I’ve got a week this time.” While he spoke to Michaela, she studied his face and noted the changes. Fatigue marked his face with lines, and dark circles were smudged under his eyes. “There’s another job in L.A., but I don’t know if I’ll take it.”
Hope fluttered in her stomach. She had a week. She could do a lot in a week.
She might as well dive in head first. “Would you like to come to dinner and see the boys?” She bit her lip. What if he said no?
“I would love to, Elizabeth.” There was a deep, sexy undertone to his answer that sent fire flowing through her body.
For a split second, their eyes met. Something dark and dangerous passed between them. Heat, shock and something else.
“There. That’s settled.” Michaela slapped her menu shut. “Now, I’m having breadsticks and I don’t care if they’re on your diet or not, Beth.”
COLLAPSE