Sweet deception

Ambitious, charming and heir to a food empire, Christian Chandler has no problem meeting women. If only more of them could see beyond his family’s fortune... On impulse, he creates a fake dating profile and quickly connects with petite powerhouse Serenity Williams. She’s smart, down-to-earth and ignites his fantasies from their first encounter. He has to tell her who he really is. But how can he admit the truth to a woman for whom honesty is everything?

Serenity has transformed her life—dropping a lying ex and starting her own nonprofit—and is finally ready to date again. Online, “Chris Mullins” is perfect. In real life, he’s even hotter. From extravagant dates to black-tie balls, Serenity’s falling fast...and then devastated to find she’s been taken in by another fraud. To rekindle their trust, Chris must prove that what they share is the deepest passion she’s ever known...

She’d anticipated kissing his full lips from the moment he picked her up. She already knew that when their lips touched, it would be divinely explosive.

She watched him with anxious anticipation as he walked around the car to her passenger door. Opening it, he held out his hand. She took it, and her pulse quickened. Serenity wondered if he could somehow tell. Placing one heeled foot out of the car, she looked up at Chris. That sexy smile of his made her giggle. He held her steady as her second foot hit the pavement. She stood but tripped forward and landed right against his chest. Her breath caught, and a shiver ran down her spine. Instead of being embarrassed, she felt aware of her femininity cradled by his frame. She liked it there.

“Oops.”

“I’ve got you.” Chris’s voice lowered. The husky tone was drowned in seduction.

For a moment neither of them moved. Chris wrapped his arms around her body. She could have lived right there.

“Mmm,” she moaned, nestling against him.

Serenity closed her eyes for a moment. She felt Chris’s hands run through her hair. She moaned again. With her head nestled in his chest, she could feel his heart rate quicken.

Dear Reader,

I’m so excited for you to take this journey into the lives of Serenity Williams and Christian Chandler. I wanted to take a very modern concept like online dating and explore the possibilities of a happily-ever-after, but with a little twist.

At first, Serenity and Christian are both opposed to the idea of finding love online. Serenity’s friend actually creates a profile for her on a popular dating app as an attempt to get Serenity back into the dating game. For Christian, it’s a different story. He simply wants to see what is out there and isn’t taking it seriously at all. In fact, he uses a fictitious name because the last thing he expects to do is find love.

To both of their surprise, they find each other, and the magnetism between them is impossible to deny. Christian is falling for Serenity faster than he’d ever imagined, and knows he has to tell her the truth soon. He plans to do just that, but one explosive night and an unexpected emergency get in the way. Now that the stakes have risen, he has to find a way to tell the truth and risk losing her all at the same time.

I hope you enjoy the journey as Christian finds his way back to Serenity’s heart. It is indeed a lovely journey that will take you halfway around the world.

Ciao,

Nicki

Desire in a Kiss

Nicki Night

www.millsandboon.co.uk

NICKI NIGHT is an edgy hopeless romantic who enjoys creating stories of love and new possibilities. Nicki has a penchant for adventure and is currently working on penning her next romantic escapade. Nicki resides in the city dreams are made of, but occasionally travels to her treasured seaside hideaway to write in seclusion. She enjoys hearing from readers and can be contacted on Facebook, through her website at nickinight.com or via email at NickiNightwrites@gmail.com.

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This book is dedicated to my hero, who inspires me to share love with the world. I love you, Les Flagler.

Acknowledgments

As always, I must first thank the one who makes it all possible, my savior, my father, my comforter, God!

I can’t thank my editors and team over at Harlequin Kimani enough. Your guidance and patience are unmatched. Thank you, Glenda Howard and Keyla Hernandez.

To my calm, cool and collected agent, Sara Camilli, thanks for being my advocate.

To my sisters in the craft, Beverly Jenkins, Brenda Jackson, Zuri Day, Donna Hill, Tiffany L. Warren, Yahrah St. John, Sheryl Lister, Elle Wright, Sherrell Green, Angela Seals, Iris Boling and so many others. Thanks for being my mentors, partners, sisters and inspiration.

To my family, I adore you and am so grateful for your willingness to share me with my passion. I love you Les, Lil Les, Milan and Laila. To Shawana Kenner and Shannon Harper, thanks for indulging my contests and coming up with great names for my heroes.

To my street team, readers, book clubs and book lovers, I couldn’t be me without you. I’m eternally grateful! Keep reading and I’ll keep writing!

To all book publishing allies, editors, promoters, bloggers, booksellers and librarians, thank you, thank you, thank you! I can’t say it enough.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

Serenity Williams looked up at the man across from her in the swanky restaurant. His mouth moved as furiously as his animated gestures. A smile. Hearty laughter. A wink. Hands tossed in the air. Serenity forced a half-cocked smile. It was the most she could manage having no idea what he’d just said. She’d zoned him out several minutes before, hearing the voice but no longer making out his words. His voice droned on. She was sure he was still talking about himself. Had he even asked about her? They had to have been at the table for at least an hour.

Entertaining herself, Serenity allowed her thoughts to wander from her crazy work schedule to creating mini-stories about the people her eyes landed on in the restaurant. Still, she maintained some level of consistent eye contact with her rambling date. The shifts in his motions clued her in on when to tilt her head sideways to appear engaged or spread her lips into an attentive-looking grin.

Serenity felt cynical, a feeling that didn’t sit with her well. She loved people. Never had she been so uninterested in what a person had to say. But this man in front of her, the self-absorbed Mark Stapleton, had trampled on her attention span and hadn’t bothered to notice when she disengaged.

A lanky waiter with long blond hair pulled back into a low ponytail came to remove their plates. Her meal was only slightly touched. Serenity welcomed the interruption, smiling at the waiter as if she were happy to see him. Mark stopped talking long enough to allow the space for the young man to ask if she would like to take her meal home.

“And the check, please.” Mark dismissed the man’s presence and went right back to speaking highly of himself. He paused again to take a sip of wine. Placing the glass on the table, he sighed and grinned, seemingly impressed with himself. “There’s a nice lounge down the street,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Huh? Oh...uh...” Serenity shook her head, then smiled apologetically. “Sorry. I have to be up really early tomorrow to work with some of my kids. Maybe another time?”

“You have children?” Mark reared his head back.

“No. I’m referring to the kids I give music lessons to.”

“Oh!” He looked relieved.

Another turnoff.

The waiter returned with her carryout package and the check. Serenity was thankful the date was finally coming to an end.

Mark stood, extending to his full six feet of handsome tautness, and waited for her to get up from the table too. Strong features etched his face perfectly, drawing sharp lines in his jaw. Broad shoulders and a slim waist impeccably filled a well-fitting suit. He was undoubtedly attractive. Serenity also wouldn’t deny that his résumé was impressive. A proud engineer. A fraternity man. There was enough to admire about Mark, but Serenity was the type to regard others as much as she did herself, and he simply didn’t. They’d shared a meal, and he knew nothing about her. She wasn’t an attention-seeker, but she didn’t enjoy feeling discarded.

“Thank you for a wonderful meal.” Serenity was being honest. The food was delicious, despite the fact that she’d lost her appetite shortly after it arrived.

“I’ll just come by your place.” Mark closed the space between them and ran the back of his finger down her cheek.

Serenity’s skin tightened there. “Oh...I think it’s a little too soon for that.”

“Oh, you’re one of those.” Mark stepped back, pulled on his suit jacket and held his hand out, indicating that she should lead the way.

Serenity bit back a snide remark and headed toward the door. Mark saw her to her car, a practical crossover, filled with instruments and other items for the kids she taught. At first glance, it looked like the vehicle of a soccer mom.

“Thanks again, Mark.” She nodded politely, slipping into cordial professionalism as if she were at the end of a business meeting instead of a date.

“Good night.” He leaned forward, folding himself lower to meet her lips.

Curiosity led Serenity to let it happen. No spark. That sealed it for her. A second date wouldn’t be necessary.

Confidently, Mark said, “Call you tomorrow,” as if he’d be doing her a favor. He slid his thumb across her cheek, winked and opened her door. At least he had some gentlemanly qualities.

Mark was still standing beside her car after she’d closed her door, so she rolled down the window. He leaned into the opening. “Listen, we’re adults...” She thought she saw him lick his lips. “Why deny ourselves? It’s obvious that I like you and you like me.” Serenity resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the confident jut of his chin as he spoke. “How about I come with you? We’ll have another drink or two, and I’ll show you what a great lover I can be.”

Serenity cut her eyes, rolled up the window and jabbed the keys into the ignition. Mark jumped back when she revved the engine. The tires screeched as she jammed the car into Reverse and pulled off. Halfway down the block, she called her best friend, business partner and coworker, Rayne Alexander, through the car’s Bluetooth system.

“It’s over already?” Rayne’s voice boomed.

“No more matchmaking. Promise me!” Serenity pointed as if Rayne were right in front of her.

“Ha!” Rayne’s laugh was boisterous. “That bad, huh?”

“Yes!” Serenity said, rolling her eyes.

“De-tails!”

“Mark Stapleton is quite fond of Mark Stapleton. This arrogant man invited himself to my house so he could show me what a great lover he could be. I’ve known him for what—” she looked at the clock on the dashboard “—three hours. Ugh!”

“No!”

“Oh, yes!”

“What did you say?”

“I let my tires do the talking.”

“What a pig!”

“Great minds...” Serenity realized she was speeding. Both her driving and her heart rate were accelerated. “And his love for himself is unnatural. In that short amount of time, I already know which name brands fit him best. He drives a Range Rover that he bought all-cash. He’s the best engineer his company has seen in decades. His employers didn’t actually say it, but that’s what he believes and felt compelled to share with me. That man’s arrogance is off the charts. When I told him I had to go home because of early appointments, he was clearly annoyed. You should have seen his face twist when he thought I had kids. Let’s just say we’re not compatible.”

“Shame! He’s so damn good-looking!”

“I won’t deny that. But I need more than a gorgeous face. How about a man that I can actually hold a conversation with, one who’s willing to hear what I have to say and doesn’t expect me to have sex with him on the first date? I have a feeling that if I had met Mark before I lost all the weight, he wouldn’t have given me a first look.”

“You were beautiful then, and you’re beautiful now.”

“Of course,” she said, chuckling.

Several moments of silence passed between them.

“Are you upset that it didn’t work out?”

Serenity could detect the caution in Rayne’s question. “Nah.” She waved off Rayne’s concern virtually. “You know my schedule is nuts. I’m trying to spend any extra time I have working off these last ten pounds.” Serenity threw her head back and grunted. “These suckers are clinging to me like a leech.”

Serenity talked with Rayne until she reached home. Their conversation turned from Mark to weekend plans to Rayne’s upcoming engagement party.

“Hey!” Serenity perked up at Rayne’s sudden excitement. “I could introduce you to one of Ethan’s friends at the party.”

“Rayne, no!” Serenity laughed as she pulled into her apartment complex. “Conversation over, lady. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Serenity cut off Rayne’s snicker by ending the call.

Rolling to a stop in her designated parking spot, Serenity shut the ignition off and flopped against the back of her seat. Reflecting on the horrible date, she thought about what characteristics she’d actually like in a man. She didn’t mind confidence and ambition. In fact, she found those traits rather attractive, but intelligence combined with a little humility and compassion made for a winning combination. She didn’t require a male supermodel. More important than anything was honesty. After uncovering a few lies her ex-boyfriend, Jason Ruffin, had told, which he had labeled as misunderstandings, she felt compelled to add that to the list of must-haves in a relationship.

Casting those thoughts aside, Serenity climbed out of the car and made her way to her apartment. Closing the door behind her, she looked around, treasuring the coziness of her space. The decor was personal, reflecting the things she loved—music, art and kids. The living room had an energetic feel, with instruments propped on floating shelves, mix-matched yet eclectic furnishings stylishly pulled together. Every item held significance. Warmth radiated there.

She’d been alone for a while now—a little over a year. Not lonely, just alone. For the first time in a long while, she wondered what it would be like to carve out space in her life for a man.

Chapter 2

Christian Chandler sailed through The Reserve wine bar and headed toward the back offices, taking in the tempo of the jazz music that flowed through the sound system. Inside his office, he tossed his car keys on the desk, one of three in the rectangular room. The other belonged to his partners, Kent Adams and Raymond Gray. Chris looked at his watch. Kent would be walking in any moment, but Ray would be late as usual.

Picking up a pile of mail, Chris sorted through it absentmindedly, as the music faded into the background. Last night’s date moved to the forefront of his thoughts. He wished it had gone better. He was sure the curvaceous beauty had a lot going for her, but the only thing he remembered being on display were her voluptuous boobs. He’d grown enough in his years since grad school to desire more than just a set of impressive curves. The old Chris would have continued dating her, but recently he found himself wanting something different.

Chris placed the mail back on the desk, when their restaurant manager knocked on the door. Sitting down, he called for her to come in.

“Hey, babycakes.” Trina was also the establishment’s equal-opportunity flirt. Her tall, shapely frame made it easy for men to receive her harmless advances. She always had an ego-enhancing compliment handy. “How’s it going?” Trina sat on the edge of his desk.

“Pretty good. What about you?”

“Just marvelous. I’d be even better had my date ended well last night.”

“You too? That seems to be going around.”

Trina rolled her eyes. “It’s getting harder to find good ones these days. I’m glad Ray found someone that he seems to adore. You and Kent are the last two great catches standing. Too bad I don’t date my bosses.” Her snicker made Chris laugh. “Anyway, I didn’t come to complain about my dating misadventures. A gentleman stopped by to ask about playing a live set. He’s a violinist.”

Chris narrowed his eyes.

“I know. I told him that we focus on jazz, but then he whipped out his instrument...” Trina paused and let the innuendo hang in the air. She smirked, obviously amused with herself, and then continued. “His violin, that is,” she said, winking. “He proceeded to play the most beautiful rendition of the latest release of that hot new R&B artist, Champagne. I had him leave his contact information and then looked him up online.” Trina handed Chris the musician’s card. “He’s a-mazing!” Her eyes rolled back, emphasizing her appreciation for the man’s work. “He’s pretty popular for his creative renditions of songs, from pop to jazz to classical. I’d love to have him come in and give us a preview, but I wanted to run it by you guys first.”

Nodding his head, Chris turned the card between his fingers. “Thanks. Set it up. How’s everything else?”

“Outstanding! Also, I received another call from that magazine editor. She’s scheduling interviews and photo shoots with the honorees and wanted to get the three of you on her calendar.”

“Really!” Chris’s brows lifted, and a smile swept across his face. “Check with Kent and Ray, and let’s settle on a date soon.”

“Cool. You deserve the recognition. You three are doing a great job at making The Reserve a hot spot. It happened so fast.”

“Thanks, Trina!” He grinned with a modest amount of pride.

Tilting her head, Trina gave Chris a delightful smile. “Seriously. I’m very proud of you guys.” She patted his hand. “And I’m happy to be a part of the team.”

“You are part of this. Thanks for all you do.”

“You’re welcome, babycakes. See you at the staff meeting. This girl has some real work to do. I can’t just stand around being pretty.” She blew a kiss as she left the office.

Things were going well for Chris—the family business, their foundation and this fairly new venture with his longtime friends. Every area of his life seemed to be thriving with a flowing momentum. Dating was the only aspect that was still uncertain. Recently he hadn’t met women he was interested in seeing beyond the first few dates. His access to beautiful ladies was still plentiful, but lately most seemed interested in his pedigree. He was over women who wanted him to be attached to the Chandler legacy. Something was changing, and Chris wasn’t sure if it was the women or him.

Ray entered their office with the force of a hurricane. “What’s up?” His energy charged the room.

“You’re here early,” Kent kidded, walking in behind him.

“It’s three o’clock.” Ray’s brows furrowed.

“Yeah. On time is early for you!” Chris jumped in on the joke, sharing a laugh with Kent.

“Ha!” Ray clapped his hands. “Let’s get this party started.” He removed his suit jacket, tossed it on the back of his chair and sat down with his feet up on the desk.

Kent plopped in his chair and swiveled to face Ray. “You seem happy. What’s good?”

“Everything!”

Chris laughed, shaking his head. “How’s Brynn?”

Ray’s smile nearly split his face at the mention of his girlfriend’s name. “Brynn’s good. I just left her.”

“I still can’t believe you two met online. I’ve always been skeptical of that.” Chris shrugged, reaching for a notepad.

“Me too, man,” Kent agreed.

“I was too, until I found Brynn. I can’t believe our paths never crossed before—especially after discovering that we knew so many of the same people. I keep telling you guys to give this online thing a try.”

“Maybe I should!” Chris said jokingly. “Do you think it would stop my mother from trying to hook me up with her friends’ daughters?”

“Dates chosen by mothers never work out well.” Kent chuckled.

“Try it. What can it hurt?” Ray asked.

“It’s just not for me.” Chris sucked air through his teeth.

“Sounds to me like regular dating isn’t working out so well either.”

“Very funny, Ray!”

“He’s got a point, Chris. We’re the ones who are still single.”

“By choice,” Chris said pointedly, with a lifted index finger.

“Exactly! That’s because you’ve already dated most of the women you know, player!” Kent howled. “Save some for the rest of us, man.”

Laughing, Kent offered Ray a high five.

“I can’t help it if I’m in demand.” Chris gave his collar a smug tug.

Kent and Ray looked at each other and burst into laughter once again. Chris couldn’t help but join them. The irony was evident. As eligible a bachelor as he was, his options were narrowing.

“You may have a point, Ray. Maybe it’s time for Chris and me to look outside our usual circles. This can be a way to meet new women. It’s not as creepy as it used to be. Some pretty decent relationships started online—like yours.”

“See? It’s not so bad, Chris. Brynn isn’t crazy at all.” Ray’s comment generated another round of laughs.

“Trina said Eclipse magazine called. The editor wants to set up an interview.” Chris was happy to change the subject. He had too many reservations about this online thing, and he also had a reputation—no, a legacy—to protect.

What would a Chandler look like, searching for a mate online? He didn’t express his thoughts aloud in order not to offend Ray. Chris, Ray and Kent had been close friends since high school. Finding beautiful women to date had never been an issue for any of them, so when Ray said that he was trying the online thing, Chris and Kent were shocked. They teased Ray through the entire process but shut their mouths when he introduced them to Brynn. Not only was she beautiful but also grounded, intelligent and apparently completely sane. Kent asked if she had a sister, cousin or mother that he could date. After that, Kent was open to online dating, but Chris still had his reservations.

Chris joined the others in swiping through the calendars on their phones.

“I can do next Wednesday.” Kent spoke first. “What time do they want to interview us?”

“Do they want us to come to their offices in the city, or will they come here? That will help me figure out what’s best. My calendar is looking a little crazy right now.” Ray shook his head. “But I’ll be in the city already on Wednesday so, if they want us to meet there, that might work.”

“I’ll have Trina call and ask. Should we leave Wednesday open either way? Does that work for you?” Chris directed his question toward Ray. His phone was cupped in his hand with his thumb hovering over the screen. Ray nodded. “Cool,” Chris continued. “We can let Trina know at the meeting.”

“So, fellas. We have a big night coming up tonight, huh?” Ray clapped his hands and rubbed them back and forth.

“Yes, we do!” Chris agreed. “This place is going to be packed. Alfonzo Blackwell is a huge draw.”

“How’d you get him again, Chris?” Kent asked.

“He’s an old friend of Jewel’s. She called in a favor.” Chris turned to Ray. “Brynn joining us tonight?”

“For sure! She wouldn’t miss a chance to see Blackwell play.”

There was that gleam again. Whenever Brynn’s name flitted into the atmosphere, Ray appeared lighter—his smile instinctual as if it generated from somewhere well beyond his lips. Chris wondered what that felt like. He thought he had come close in grad school. He figured he had loved Danielle but couldn’t recall feeling what Ray seemed to feel, which appeared to transcend emotions and come alive in their very presence.

“You really like this girl.” With his head tilted, Chris said those words as if the weight of them had just landed on him. His friend was in love.

Ray sat back in his chair, smiled and exhaled as if the air he released carried away every problem. “I think she’s the one.”

Chris’s and Kent’s mouths fell open. They looked at one another and then at Ray.

“Whoa!” Kent held his hands up. “You think so, man?”

An assured nod.

With hands in the air, Chris made a few attempts to speak, closed his mouth and shrugged. His hands fell to his side with a slap. “What can I say? I’m happy for you, man. I have to admit, happiness looks good on you.”

“Thanks! One down and two to go.” Ray raised his brow.

Kent held up a palm. “Hey! Don’t speak so fast. I’m still having fun.”

Chris laughed with them but stayed mute. He liked what he saw in Ray, and a part of him wanted to know what that felt like. He just wasn’t sure if he’d find it online.

Chapter 3

Serenity took the dress the attendant handed to her and looked it over. She’d lost the weight but wondered how the dress would actually fit. Peeking at the size, she heard the woman say, “Don’t be concerned about that. European sizing is quite different.”

That gave her small comfort. The number on the tag was what she wore after losing her first twenty pounds.

“Try it on. I can’t wait to see it on you!” Rayne nudged Serenity toward the fitting room. “And you try on this one, Elisa.” Their friend took the second dress and nodded her approval. “We’ll see which one looks best, and the two of you can choose.”

“Let’s do this!” Elisa lifted her eyebrows at Serenity.

“Let’s do it!”

Serenity stepped into the narrow box of a room and closed the door. Leaning against the wall, she took a deep breath. She’d lost a total of forty pounds so far, and trying on clothes was still a chore because of her curves. People told her all the time how amazing she looked. She received their compliments graciously, but their enthusiasm made her wonder what they were really saying about how she looked before. Her confidence had never been tied to her dress size. But now people treated her differently, especially men, and she wasn’t sure she liked that. Inside she was exactly the same person.

Slipping into the dress, Serenity appreciated how the inside layer, with its comfortable elasticity, glided over her curves, yet also fit her waist. The top layer was the same champagne hue but made of lace. The dress settled just off her shoulders, and at the bottom a slight train caressed the floor behind her as she moved. Twisting side to side in the mirror, Serenity smiled, taking a calm breath. It was a good fit. Maybe she didn’t need to lose those last ten pounds. Her and her mother’s new lifestyle had already proven beneficial to their health and their shapes.

Stepping out of the fitting room, Serenity was met with gasps from her friends and strangers.

“Oh my goodness!” Both of Rayne’s hands covered her mouth. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”

Elisa stepped out of her fitting room with the champagne halter dress that Rayne had handed to her. “We’re wearing that dress.” She pointed to Serenity. “Turn around, girl.” She took Serenity by the hand, and led her in a ballerina twirl. “This is it, Rayne. What do you think?”

“Stunning! But it’s up to you, ladies. Your dress is pretty too, Elisa.”

“Uh-huh? Do you see how you said that? I think I prefer stunning over pretty!” Elisa called to their attendant. “Can you please bring that dress in my size? Thank you so much.”

The girls laughed excitedly as the attendant quickly obliged. Elisa disappeared into the fitting room and emerged moments later, looking just as stunning as Serenity.

“We’ve got our dresses!” Serenity squealed, slapping Elisa high five.

“And I know just where to find the perfect shoes. Now let’s go eat. Ha!” Elisa dashed back to her room.

Serenity took one last look at herself from varied angles offered by the multitude of mirrors and headed back to her fitting room, carrying a healthy dose of pride. When the doctor had warned her mother of possible impending diabetes, it had scared both of them. Serenity had supported her mom by changing her eating habits too. They had started out taking walks in the evening and eventually began jogging. Each month they tried something new, so they wouldn’t get bored with working out. Now they could both credit yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, boot camp and Pure Barre classes for better health and fit bodies.

An hour later, the girls were chatting over drinks in one of their favorite Thai restaurants.

“That was fun! At least there were no tears this time.” Elisa laughed. “We were such a mess when you found your dress, Rayne.”

“She looked so beautiful!” Serenity said, with a reminiscent tilt and shake of her head.

“She absolutely glowed. I could have sworn I heard harps playing in that bridal shop when she walked out of that dressing room. Ethan is going lose his mind when he sees you on your wedding day.”

“Thank you. The moment I stepped into that dress, I knew it was the one.” Rayne paused and sipped her ginger martini. “Girls!” Elisa and Serenity looked up. “I’m getting married!” she sang. Rayne closed her eyes and squealed, flapping her hands in the air. Elisa and Serenity squealed along with her. “I can’t believe it!”

The shrieks snagged the attention of the few patrons in the restaurant. Most smiled, signing off on their happy display.

Laughing, Rayne shrunk into her shoulders. “Sorry,” she said to her collective audience.

“I love Ethan. From the moment I met him, he became the big brother I never had.” Serenity leaned left to allow the waiter to place her sushi on the table.

“I know. You did good, girl.” Elisa winked.

“Speaking of Ethan, he asked about your date the other night. He laughed when I told him how horrific you said it was.” Rayne hid her smile behind the martini glass, sipped and stretched her eyes at Serenity.

“Tell him I said it went like this...” Serenity put one hand over her throat and, with the other, she pretended to stick a finger into her mouth. The spectacle made Elisa cover her mouth to keep the wine she drank from spraying the table. Rayne, with her hand over her heart and her head back, laughed so hard she snorted, which propelled the girls into a frenzy of laughter until tears streaked their faces.

“Oh—” Rayne tried to catch her breath “—I can’t believe I just did that!”

Serenity’s sides ached. She panted in an attempt to pull herself together. Each time they calmed down, they would start all over again.

“That’s why I love hanging with you, ladies,” Elisa said. “We can be totally silly. Clint doesn’t get it.” She referred to her boyfriend. “I told him that his friends didn’t know how to really have fun.”

“I know. Ethan thinks we’re nuts too. And when I get home, I’m going to show him just what Serenity thought about that date.” Chuckles spread around the table once again. “Seriously, he actually hoped it would work out.”

“I know. Just let him know I’m no longer interested in his matchmaking services.”

“If we leave it up to you, your next date is likely to be with a floormate at your nursing home!” Elisa said matter-of-factly, before tossing a spicy tuna roll in her mouth.

Serenity’s mouth opened and closed. “What?”

“You always say you don’t have time to date.”

“She’s right.” Rayne nodded her head vigorously. “That’s why Ethan has been on the case, trying to hook you up with his friends and colleagues.”

“I’d make time for the right one.” Serenity squared her shoulders.

“When?” Elisa and Rayne said at the same time.

“Whatever!” Serenity waved her hand, dismissing their interrogation. Of course she didn’t have an answer. Up until recently, she hardly thought about dating. Work and the organization occupied her time and thoughts. “I just don’t have a lot of spare time.”

“We always make time for what we want,” Rayne challenged.

“Besides, what kid are you giving music lessons to at eight o’clock on a Saturday night?” Elisa said.

Having no viable answer, Serenity playfully rolled her eyes at Elisa. “It’s not that I’m not open to dating. It’s just...not easy finding a nice guy. The last few that I went out with were complete disasters. Most of them just want to have sex and text. I want long conversations on the phone. I want to learn a few things about a man before I jump into bed with him...like his STD status. Ha!” All three fell out laughing.

“That’s funny but so true.” Elisa punctuated her statement with a fork in Serenity’s direction. “I agree.”

“Seriously. It seems like men don’t want to take their time to get to know women these days. I’m kind of an old-fashioned girl. I want to be courted.”

“You’re right, Serenity. I think that’s why I fell for Ethan. He didn’t pressure me to sleep with him on the first date like some other guys I dated. We spent time getting to know and really like each other. We’re friends.”

“That’s what I want! Someone willing to be my friend.”

“It’s so important. I believe that the friendship that Ethan and I have will get us through the rough spots that are sure to come up. Without friendship as a foundation, what can a couple stand on when a little turbulence hits the relationship?”

“Exactly.” Serenity sat up straighter. “Think about it. Most friendships outlast relationships. Have you ever wondered why?”

Elisa slowly nodded her head in consideration. “You’re right. Some of my friendships, like ours, date back to childhood.”

“And before Clint, you didn’t have a relationship that lasted more than two years!” Serenity saw the realization dawning in Elisa’s eyes. “That’s because friendships play by a different set of rules. We accept our friends for who they are, regardless of how great or zany they may be, but we look for people to date who will conform to our expectations of them. It’s not fair. If we treated our relationships more like friendships, maybe they would last just as long.”

“Whoa! Look at you giving solid relationship advice.” Rayne nudged Elisa. “Did you hear that?”

“She’s absolutely right.” Elisa nodded in agreement.

“The real question is, how do I find a great friend that could become a great boyfriend?”

“You should try one of those online dating sites so you can expand your options,” Elisa offered.

Serenity’s head reared back. She jerked into a rigid upright position. “Not with all those crazy people! No way! Do you want me to come up missing?”

“Serenity,” Rayne almost pleaded, “I know plenty of people who met online and even got married. It’s not like it used to be. Everyone does it these days. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Serenity shook her head and wagged her finger. “Those people lie. They’ll post a profile picture that looks like Denzel and, when you meet them in person, they look more like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. No. No. No.”

“Since you don’t get out much, it could be convenient for you. Bypass the profiles of any you don’t like. That way you won’t have to waste time going out on bad dates. If you find someone, we won’t let you go on the date alone. Rayne and I will be there, lurking...watching.” Elisa shaded her eyes with her hand and bent forward, pretending to spy. “We’ll make sure he’s not Quasimodo in disguise.”

“I don’t know about this.” Serenity pressed her lips together and took a deep breath.

“I’ve done it,” Rayne admitted, waving off Serenity’s objection as if it were no big deal.

“Me too.” Elisa shrugged. “Met a few cuties too. Nothing panned out, but it wasn’t because they looked like Quasimodo and shouted ‘Sanctuary!’ when we went out.”

Serenity’s laugh caught her off guard. She sipped water to push down a piece of rice that had caught in her throat.

“I didn’t know you had both dated people you met online.”

“Remember Don? The guy I dated before Ethan?”

“Oh, yes! You did meet him online. I totally forgot about that. Remember how nervous I was when you went on your first date with him? I tried to talk you out of going.”

“Yes, you made me give you my log-in information so you could track my phone.”

“No!” Elisa said in disbelief. “Serenity, you really did that?”

“Sure did!”

Elisa reached across the table. “Give me your phone. We can download an app and sign you up to one of the sites right now.”

“Yes!” Rayne cheered.

“No!”

“Try it out for a few days. Check out the guys and, if you still don’t feel comfortable, just delete your profile and account. I think if you see what it’s really like, you might be a little more comfortable with it. Right, Rayne?”

“Just give it a try, Serenity.”

After a long pause, Serenity slid her phone over to Elisa with a grunt.

“Okay. Let me show you how to do it.” Elisa scooted closer to Serenity.

The three peered at the phone together as Elisa explained the differences between the various sites. Serenity picked one, and watched as Elisa downloaded the app. Elisa typed the answers to the questions on the site as Serenity provided the responses. She then instructed Serenity to pick a selfie that she really liked for her profile picture. It wasn’t long before the profile was complete.

“All done.” Elisa presented Serenity’s phone to her.

She took back her phone as if it were an unfamiliar object. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.” What had she just agreed to?

Chapter 4

Chris dragged himself into his luxury condominium. One of the few high-rise structures of its kind on Long Island. He loved the charged atmosphere of the city but didn’t want to deal with its noisy, restless backdrop the entire night. His condo offered the best of both worlds, with modern city-like living in a serene, suburban setting, but without the steady buzz of people and honking of car horns. He’d kept his place in Manhattan to hang out there when he had to handle business or had grown too tired to make it back home.

Tossing his keys onto the antique side table by the door, Chris trudged into his sleek kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Moonlight filtered through the glass walls in the living room, casting an amber glow throughout the spacious apartment. Propped against the white marble countertop, he nearly drained the water in one long gulp. He set the almost-empty bottle down, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Moments from the evening flashed in his mind’s eye and a smile eased across his lips. The Reserve had been packed to the gills. He perfectly recalled the pop of corks, the hum of voices and rumble of laughter that had filled the space. Blackwell’s performance had been stellar. He had breathed life into his sax, capturing the audience in a melodic trance. Collectively, fingers tapped, heads bobbed and the small area where Trina suggested they keep clear of tables and chairs was filled with dancing couples. At one point, the audience urged Chris’s eldest sister, Chloe, to join Alfonzo onstage for a duet—her voice and his sax had joined and floated soulfully through the air, lifting everyone with them. By the time they were done, Chris felt like the floor was miles below his feet. The staff hadn’t had a free moment all night, but by the time they had left, they were all happily exhausted.

Chris sniffed a chuckle, remembering the gorgeous blonde who had kept flirting with him. Her green eyes sparkled and her voice dipped an octave, emerging sexy and seductive through honey-colored lips that were made perfectly plump by injections. She had zeroed in on him and he had enjoyed every ounce of the sweet attention she poured over him like molasses. He’d fought the urge to lick his lips when she smiled. He’d begun to wonder what their first date would be like, until she shared that she had just had to meet him when she’d found out he was one of the owners. His excitement shut off like a light. He wondered if she would have given him the same attention if he’d just been a patron. These small indications of superficiality were fast becoming turnoffs.

In his distinctly charming manner, Chris had eased out of her magnetic hold without chipping at her dignity. He had told her how beautiful she was, which wasn’t a lie. With a soft touch slightly above her lower back, he had leaned close to her ear and expressed how he had enjoyed talking to her but unfortunately needed to get back to work. He had thanked her sincerely for patronizing The Reserve and had mentioned that he hoped she and her friends would come again. With a kiss to the back of her hand, he had bid her a wonderful evening and departed, backing away slowly, smiling, without false promises. She had got the message and pouted, seeming a little disappointed, but smiled seductively, still with an arch in her long neck and a bare shoulder pushed forward. She had winked, slid a finger across her lips and said good-night before sauntering away and joining her friends at their table. As he moved around throughout the night, he had caught her staring several times. She’d pout, smile and allow her lustful gaze to linger for seconds before turning away.

Chris finished off the water and tossed the bottle into the recycling bin. Despite being tired, he was still too wound up to sleep and figured a long, hot shower would help him relax. Picking up the remote, he turned off the lights in the kitchen and living room and headed toward his bedroom. Walking through the closet, he pulled boxers from a drawer and continued to the bathroom for the shower. Emerging clean and smelling like mint, he slipped into his underwear and flopped onto the bed, ready for a comforting night of sleep.

A half hour later, the anticipated slumber still hadn’t come. Chris picked up his phone and started scrolling through pictures on The Reserve’s Facebook page. So many people had posted about the night’s performance. Others posted everything from pictures of their food to wine choices to selfies outside with the name on the awning in the background. The blonde had even added a comment to a posted picture about how much she had enjoyed herself and had to come back soon.

Seeing the woman’s picture made him think about the theme common to the women he’d been meeting lately. Chris hesitated a moment, letting his finger hover over the screen of his phone. After a moment he touched the icon that brought up a search engine. He laughed at himself. Was he really considering this? He entered dating sites into the search bar. Several of them came up, as well as options for apps that he could download on his phone. After perusing the list for about ten minutes, he settled on one of the apps that, based on its description, didn’t seem so intrusive. It offered local prospects, which seemed reasonable. He never thought he’d do well in long-distance relationships.

Chris downloaded the app and started putting together a profile using the name Chris Mullins. He completed every swipe, upload, and tap of a letter with trepidation. He selected a full-body picture so that his facial features wouldn’t be as prominent. His thumb hovered over the image. Once that finger connected with the screen, his profile would become visible to a vast pool of companion seekers. He hated to think that this would make him seem desperate. He tried to bear in mind the reassurance of his friends.

Chris had never been the kind to follow the herd, but this time, knowing that many others had searched for mates online seemed comforting. He wasn’t alone in this. He wasn’t the first. This would expand his options. He personally knew someone who had succeeded in finding a great woman online. Convincing himself worked. He touched the screen, making his profile public. It was official.

He sat up in bed and, resting against the headboard, closed his eyes. Letting out a deep sigh and then a grunt, he blew out his concerns. This couldn’t hurt him. In fact, it could prove to be interesting—fun, even. He didn’t have to commit to anything or anyone. He considered it a new method of blind dating, with the benefit of seeing what your date looked like before you actually met. Curiosity captured his focus as he thought about the possibilities.

He swiped through a few profile pictures, surprised at how many attractive women he found there, but wondered if the images they posted were depictions of what they really looked like.

“Ha!” Chris released a hearty laugh into the silence that enveloped his room. What if he got catfished? That would certainly make for a good story with the guys.

Reading through profiles, he formed a few opinions. There were several options for filtering his search, such as location, interests and ethnicity. The site offered a smorgasbord of women, featuring every type of personality. This he determined much from the pictures alone, which showed women in everything from business suits to minuscule bikinis that advertised all their major “assets.” He did come across one or two that he was tempted to send private messages to but seemed to be at a loss for what to say. That never happened when he was in front of a woman in real life.

Chris laughed at himself again. He still wasn’t one hundred percent sure about this, but he was now official. He was in the game despite his reservations. Connecting his phone to the charger, he lay back down on the bed and pulled the covers up to his neck. Nestling into his memory-foam mattress, he thought about the possibilities until his lids grew heavy enough to shut out all thoughts.

Chapter 5

Serenity’s phone buzzed. She snatched it off the desk with one ferocious motion. Holding the phone against her chest, she felt it vibrate slightly at the same rapid pace of her heart. She didn’t know how much longer she’d keep that app on her phone. The constant notifications ran her battery down, but curiosity wouldn’t allow her to mute the alerts. With each buzz, a burst of air radiated in her stomach, sending nervous tremors through her core. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and exhaled. She looked up at the clock. She had three minutes before the third-period bell rang and a herd of seventh graders would come charging into the music room.

Entering the passcode on her screen, she opened the dating app. She had more private messages, one from a gentleman who looked like her favorite uncle. She scrunched her nose and deleted his message without reading it. She hadn’t actually read any of the messages fully. She only saw part of the first line, which was previewed under the subject line. She didn’t know if the sender could tell if she had opened the messages or not. Instead she let them pile up, reducing the likelihood of responding. She clicked on a few more profiles.

Despite her reservations, she was entertained by what people wrote in their profiles. Some kept their introductory lines simple, describing their interests and professions. Others got creative. She stopped short at the profile of a good-looking caramel-colored man with a smooth black goatee, assuming she’d be intrigued by his summary. Instead, what she found caused abrupt laughter to erupt from her mouth.

“You’ve got to be kidding!”

She read the words under his picture again.

Roses are red, violets are tan,

You finally found your perfect man.

Giggling, she took a screenshot of his profile with the cheesy poem and tapped a quick text to her girlfriends on their group chat and uploaded the image.

This is why online dating is a bad idea! LOL!

That text would serve as a source of amusement for the rest of their day. Returning to the dating app and shaking her head, she closed the window of his profile. The next one featured a full-body picture of what looked like a rather handsome man. Serenity zoomed in to see his face better. His summary said he loved music, travel and great wines. The information he provided was minimal, and for some reason that intrigued her. She looked at his zip code and realized that he was also from Nassau County.

The school bell rang long and piercingly. She flinched, launching from her seat. One hand flew to her chest, while the other tightened the grip on her cell phone to keep it from flying out of her hand. In that short amount of time, she’d forgotten where she was.

“Goodness!” She recovered her breath, sighed and opened the music-room door. The second bell rang, and students poured from classrooms, filling the halls with a high volume of chatter.

“Hey, Ms. Williams.”

“Hey, Melanie.”

Serenity held her hand up for Melanie and her other students to slap her high five. Some of the crowd carried their loud chatter from the hallway into her classroom. Girls snickered, boys laughed, friends promised to meet after class.

The next forty-three minutes would take her mind off the dating site. Serenity was thankful for the reprieve. She was curious about the man named Chris Mullins. She pushed him to the back of her mind and closed the door.

“Okay, everyone. Settle down, take your seats and take out your music books. We’re going to start by reading notes. We’re learning a new song today. Turn to page two-fourteen.”

“Sing for us, Ms. Williams,” one of her students called out.

“Open your books, guys.” Serenity smiled and shook her head. She loved everything about music, and she would sing or play one of several instruments for her class when they behaved well.

“Please?” students chorused.

“Yes, Ms. Williams. Please?”

“You promised!”

“I did?” She scanned the room with a skeptical gaze.

“Yes. You said if all of us handed in our papers on time that you’d sing for us next class.”

“Okay, okay.”

Serenity walked over to the piano, sat down, opened one of the music books and flipped through the pages. They loved when she taught them how to play popular music—especially songs from their favorite artists. “Turn to page ninety-six in your music books. I’ll start singing and, those who know how to play the song, join me on the chorus.”

Their response was collective. One student pumped his trumpet in the air.

Serenity cleared her throat, and the room fell into absolute silence. Delicately she fingered the intro on the piano keys and began singing the first verse to one of the most popular songs on the radio.

“Yeah, Ms. W!”

Serenity laughed but didn’t break her flow. She was a good singer but a better musician. Some students snapped their fingers. Others waved. One stood and pretended to dance with an imaginary partner. Serenity chuckled at his dramatic display but relished the fact that her students appreciated her talent and loved music as much as she did.

She held one hand high, lifting a finger, signaling her students of the upcoming chorus. Without missing a beat, she raised her eyebrows. The students took that as their cue and lifted their instruments in preparation. After four head nods from her, they joined in, undergirding her voice with their harmonies. Once the class picked up the rhythm, Serenity stood, still singing, pushing deeper into the song, now feeling it on the inside.

Walking the tempo, she made her way around the room, careful to acknowledge each student with a smile or wink. She made her way back to the front by the time she released the last note into the air, holding it long enough for her students to stop playing, stand and begin cheering.

“Oh my gosh, Ms. Williams! That was amazing.”

“So dope,” one young man said.

Her smile radiated from her core. She curtsied, taking in her adoring students’ applause.

“Okay, now. Let’s get to work.”

“Okay,” someone whined.

Serenity guided them through their lesson. As usual the class came to a rapid end—the bell ringing while they were still playing.

“Okay—” Serenity clapped and shouted over the varying sounds of the instruments “—we’re done. Don’t forget to pick up a permission slip on my desk for the show. Make sure a parent signs them. Remember, your artist profiles are due next time.”

Quickly, the students replaced their instruments in their cases and stacked them in closets. The class was completely cleared seconds after the second bell.

Serenity plopped into her chair feeling both exhilarated and winded. Teaching took so much energy but gave her so much joy. She had a free period, which she planned to spend preparing for her next group. Wheeling her chair snugly into the opening of her desk, she tapped the space bar on the computer, bringing the screen to life. Her phone buzzed. She’d temporarily forgotten about the dating app, but now it would dominate her focus again.

Just as she picked up the phone, Rayne rapped on the door two quick times before stepping in.

“How’s it going?”

“Great! They made me sing again.”

“That’s because they love you.”

“I guess so.”

“Give any more thought to the dating app?” Rayne sat on the corner of the desk and plucked a mini candy bar from the dish Serenity kept there.

Serenity shrunk into her shoulders. “Yeah.”

“You did?” Rayne’s eyes opened as wide as her gaping mouth. “Cool!”

Serenity rolled her eyes. “Don’t make such a big deal about it. I just perused some of the profiles.”

“Oh! See anything you like?” Rayne lifted a brow and popped the unwrapped candy in her mouth. Balling up the shiny cover, she shot it toward the wastepaper basket as if she were going for a layup.

“Nice shot.”

“So. Any prospects?”

“Not quite yet. I did see a few cute guys though. Some are nuts, just like I anticipated.”

“Oh my goodness! I laughed so hard at that horrible poem you sent. Did that guy message you?”

“He and a bunch of others, but I haven’t responded to anyone yet.”

“Why not?”

Serenity shrugged and sat back in her chair. “I need to get more comfortable with this first.” Her mind shifted to the image of Chris Mullins again. She wondered what else was in his profile, but the old-fashioned girl in her refused to let her believe that pursuing him was a good idea. She wasn’t sure how to apply the dating rules to all this online stuff, nor did she know if she was willing to make the first move.

“All right. Keep me posted. I need to go grade some essays.” Rayne slid off the desk. “I’ll see you later, right?”

“Of course. Would I miss Elisa’s birthday dinner? Actually, the real question is, would I miss the duck confit appetizer at Gem?”

“Or that beautiful black rice. Yum!”

“Ha! You’re making my mouth water.” Serenity looked at her watch. “I haven’t even had lunch yet.”

“Remember to keep it light.”

“I will, so I can have room for all that deliciousness later tonight.” Serenity rubbed her belly. “I think it was a good idea for Clint to surprise her with a dinner today instead of on the weekend. I’m sure Elisa isn’t expecting us to be there.”

“I know. She thinks we’re going out Friday instead. I can’t wait to see her face.” Rayne started for the door. “Later, lady.” She tossed a wave over her shoulder as she exited.

“Later.”

Serenity gathered the remaining permission slips on her desk, neatened them and tapped the bottom of the pile against the desktop to line them up. She placed them in a manila folder and set it in a tray. Her phone buzzed. She looked at it, paused and returned to what she was doing. She picked up the pile of homework her students had handed in and began reading the summaries on the history of jazz. She glanced at the phone once more. This time, it didn’t buzz.

The first few lines of the first summary she had started hadn’t made sense, so she read it over again. The work wasn’t poorly written. She just couldn’t concentrate on her students’ papers because her mind was on the messages in the app.

“That’s it!” she declared. “This app is making me crazy.” What was the use if she didn’t plan on checking any of the messages anyway?

Serenity snatched the phone, tapped in her passcode, then held the app down so she could open and then delete it. Pausing again, she was compelled to review the profiles one last time. After that, she’d be done with it. Just then a new message arrived in her inbox. It was from Chris Mullins. The subject simply said Hello. It was the first line that caught her attention, so she clicked on it to bring up the full message. This Chris didn’t call her baby, write a bad poem or offer up a lame pick-up line. His message was simple.

Hi. It seems that you really like music. Do you play any instruments? I play the sax.

Serenity’s thumb hovered over the reply icon for several moments. The debate in her mind was whether or not she should respond, or back out and hit Delete. The pressure was palpable. Why was she making this a big deal? Her reservations mounted. What if he was a stalker? He could be misrepresenting himself. Maybe he was crazy. Why was she even using online dating?

This guy looked decent enough. He was pretty handsome in the one and only picture he posted—and he was fully clothed. There were no pecs, six-packs or weird, phony-looking model poses. His profile was new, like hers—simple.

“I can’t,” Serenity said to herself, sighing, and dropped her hands.

She opened the bottom desk drawer, unzipped her purse and tossed the phone in. It would stay there for the remainder of her workday.

Chapter 6

Chris, Ray and Kent navigated the congested streets of New York’s busy Times Square area with confidence in their stride. Tourists strolled aimlessly with their eyes toward the sky, while agitated natives wound through the maze of people speaking a tapestry of dialects. Chris caught snatches of the few languages he understood and wondered about the ones he couldn’t detect.

Broadway—the street—was a show unto itself. Entrance into the theaters wasn’t necessary for theatrics. There was enough of that with the costumed characters walking around and encouraging people to take pictures with them, then wanting money. The area was littered with painted naked women, superheroes, Statues of Liberty on stilts and metallic-toned cowboys who held their breath for dollars.

“Here we are.” Kent stopped walking, looked up at the large silver numbers on the building and shielded his eyes from the glaring sun.

The three headed through stately glass doors into a well-lit lobby of slate-colored granite, with a long security desk featuring a chrome logo of the media conglomerate’s name. A woman sat at the desk, her lips easing into a delightful grin when they approached. Eager to assist, she caught their attention before her coworker could turn around.

Chris stepped up first, gave his name and then the name of the person they were scheduled to meet. The woman asked for their identification and directed them to the elevator that would take them to where they needed to go. Inside the office, a petite young woman greeted them, leading them down a hall lined with large mounted posters of magazine covers. She guided them into a cozy room with soothing sage walls, gray couches and shabby-chic decor. Her gaze lingered on Chris as he moved through the door. After inviting them to get comfortable, she left.

“This is going to be great for business,” Ray mentioned, taking in the view overlooking Times Square from several stories up.

“For sure!” Kent agreed. “When will this issue come out, again?”

“May, around the same time as the gala.” Chris sat and brushed imaginary lint off his pant leg.

Had he been completely honest with his buddies, Chris would have told them how nervous he was. He was no stranger to attention, nor had he ever required it, but this entire experience humbled him tremendously, setting his ego into remission. It felt great to be recognized for work that he loved. He was still processing the fact that the three of them were about to be interviewed for a cover story of one of the country’s largest lifestyle magazines. Their feature story would tell the world about their business venture and their quick rise to popularity, giving them exponential exposure. Chris would also be featured in a separate article as one of New York’s most eligible bachelors, which would also tell of him being honored for his contribution and service as the cochair of the board for the Chandler Foundation alongside his mother. Each of his siblings took turns serving with Elle except Jade, his younger sister, who currently served as the foundation’s executive director.

Ray and Chris sat while Kent paced the small tranquil space. The nervous energy he exuded contrasted with the serenity the room offered. Chris laughed, realizing Kent shared the same mental space.

“You’re not nervous?” Chris directed his question to Ray.

Ray rubbed his palms against his legs. “Yeah, man. This is some major exposure. Brynn came by this morning before work. She kept fussing over what outfit she wanted me to wear. I told her the magazine was supplying our clothes for the shoot anyway. She still insisted that I show up looking as dapper as usual. Heh!” Ray confidently popped his collar. “I’ll try not to make you two look bad.”

“Ha!” Their combined laughter filled the small space.

Moments later, the editor entered the room. With hair the color of fire, her kinks evenly extended about six inches from her head. Smooth, almond-colored skin looked like butter. Her big smile was inviting.

“Good morning, gentlemen. I’m Chandra, business editor. Welcome to Eclipse magazine. It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you in person.” She firmly shook hands with each.

“A pleasure to meet you.” Ray nodded.

“Thank you for this opportunity.” Kent smiled. “Whoa!” he teased regarding her firm handshake. “You’ve got some arm there.”

“I think it’s safe to say the pleasure is ours.” Chris cupped Chandra’s soft hand between his. “And yes, thanks so much for this opportunity.”

Chandra’s neck shifted like a lever as she swallowed. She cleared her throat and smiled. Her smile held a hint of seduction and turned inviting. Chris could tell she thought he was flirting, but he wasn’t.

“You’re quite charming, Mr. Chandler.” Chandra’s head tilted slightly.

“Thank you.” Aware of his effect, he patted the back of her hand and let it go.

Chandra cleared her throat once again and tugged her knee-length dress down. “Our team is preparing for your shoot. We’ll get started in a moment. In the meantime, please let me know if you need anything. We have refreshments for you and a wonderful lunch coming later.”

“Now you’re talking.” Kent rubbed his hands together.

Chandra laughed, then stole a glance at Chris before promising to send in her assistant with a few bottles of water as she left.

“Seems like she’s sweet on you, Chris.” Ray chuckled and looked to Kent to cosign.

“Yeah, I’d say so. Maybe you won’t need that dating site after all.”

“Right! Very funny!” Chris dismissed Kent’s comment with a wave.

He hadn’t thought about his profile on the dating site since he asked that woman about her musical interests. Suddenly he was curious to see if she had responded but didn’t want to check it in front of his buddies. They were sure to joke about it.

Out of all the women whose profiles he had perused, there was something honest about the one belonging to the woman who spoke about having a passion for teaching music. The fact that he was attracted to her authenticity was ironic, since his profile consisted of a few lies—well, the last name and city he had listed were lies. But he did play the sax and trumpet, and he was an entrepreneur. He just hadn’t mentioned the businesses he owned or anything about his family’s legacy.

The assistant returned, snapping Chris out of his daze. They were ready to get them set up for their photo shoot. After that, he’d check to see if she’d responded to his message. Chris was surprised at his own desire to see if she had.

Chapter 7

Serenity hit her doorstep with the weight of her entire day pulling her down. She’d listened to more than one hundred students play instruments with varying levels of skill. Some instruments shrieked and shrilled, forcing one of her eyes to close while the other widened from the harsh sounds. With an endearing smile, she had encouraged them to continue and told them how much they were improving. Most of the musicians in her upper grades played beautifully due to several years of practice.

After school, she had headed over to the community center to rehearse with the kids from her organization, Heartstrings. She founded the nonprofit with Rayne to help less-fortunate kids learn to play instruments while developing an appreciation for music and the arts. They managed to acquire donations for instruments and materials. Sometimes they were lucky enough to get visits from prominent musicians who liked what they were doing and wanted to show support.

They had a few months to prepare for their year-end concert. Serenity’s heart swelled as she listened to them play on this particular evening. They were especially good, proving that they practiced between sessions. She’d taught them about the ten-thousand-hour rule as a way to develop mastery and expertise. A few of her kids took that very seriously and began practicing diligently, charting the amount of time they spent playing their instruments.

Serenity stepped into her kitchen and flicked the lights on, disturbing the darkness there. She was still smiling as she transitioned her thoughts from her kids to what she wanted to eat for dinner. Opening the refrigerator, she stood scanning each shelf carefully. Finally, she pulled out feta cheese, romaine lettuce, tomatoes and a few other veggies to make her own version of a Greek salad. She washed the produce and left it in a strainer to dry while she showered and slipped into comfy lounge pants, fluffy socks and a T-shirt.

She made her salad, poured a cup of juice and folded herself in her favorite wing chair next to her bed. She loved that chair, which she’d inherited after her grandmother’s passing. If she sat still enough, she swore she could feel the warmth that had often radiated from her grandmother.

On a table adjacent to the chair, Serenity tapped a button on a small flat remote, turning on the Bluetooth, and used her phone to select a playlist that released the soothing melodies of instrumentals throughout the cozy space. With the remote, she also turned on the TV, muting the volume, filling the atmosphere with the energy of movement and lights, almost making it seem as if she weren’t home alone. That was how she liked it.

Moments later, her phone buzzed, silencing her music for a moment. Serenity picked up the phone and saw that she’d received another alert from the dating app. Once again, her thumb hovered over the app icon, contemplating its deletion. She hesitated long enough for her curiosity to get the upper hand. Thumbing through, she looked over the messages. The one from Chris Mullins stood out. He’d mentioned music.

Serenity opened the message and paused. She dropped her hands into her lap and sighed. Responding to this message would officially put her in the online dating game. What if he was crazy? She’d already gone over that in her mind multiple times. She decided to go ahead and answer. Adrenaline rushed to her fingers. They trembled slightly as she positioned her thumbs over the phone’s keyboard. Suddenly, she couldn’t formulate a sensible reply in her head. How could she be so nervous and this guy wasn’t even around? He was simply a figment of a person, on the other side of a digital wall. What could she lose? What could she win?

Her fingers moved over the phone like rapid fire, preventing her from thinking too much or talking herself out of answering him back. She wasn’t sure of what she’d written until she read it over.

I love music and play several instruments—piano, violin, clarinet and sax also. You seem to be a music lover too.

By the time Serenity wrote, edited, deleted and re-wrote that simple message, she found herself breathing hard, as if typing caused her to exert physical energy. She laid the phone on the side table as if it were hot. Then she laughed. She laughed until tears streamed down her face. What was wrong with her? If she acted this way now, how would she act if she actually met this man in person? That would probably never happen, she thought, waving her hand in the air dismissively.

Serenity picked up her bowl and stabbed a hearty forkful of salad. Midway to her mouth, her phone buzzed again. She paused, steadying the food inches from her open mouth. Her heart rate quickened. She laid the fork in the bowl, carefully placed the bowl back on the table and picked up the phone. As she thought, it was the guy replying to her.

That was quick.

Serenity swiped her way to the message.

Wow! That’s cool. How long have you been playing?

That sparked an instant conversation via the in-app messaging system. Music had always been easy to talk about. The initial pressure she’d anxiously anticipated had quickly waned as their conversation continued. Within the next fifteen minutes, they knew of each other’s music-loving history, favorite musicians and best-rated performances. Comfort had sidled its way into their interaction. The first layer of Serenity’s heavily guarded defense system was down. Music was the Trojan horse.

The two exchanged email addresses, taking the conversation offline. Email was as personal as she was willing to get for now. Offering up her cell phone number wasn’t on the table yet. Perhaps that option would come later, after she’d gotten to know him more—as much as one could get to know someone via email.

When talk of music was temporarily exhausted, Chris treaded into a sea of more personal inquiries—but none too intrusive. He asked about her likes. She told him about her work teaching music to disadvantaged youth but carefully withheld the name of her organization and deliberately failed to mention that she was a founding partner. He mentioned that he sat on the board of a nonprofit organization that served youth. He too avoided naming his company.

He gives back to his community, Serenity deduced from his board involvement. She figured he was also straddling the line of giving just enough information. Technically they were still strangers, so she was fine with that. The conversation turned to family makeup. Serenity explained that she was an only child, initially raised by a single mother, and that she had always wanted sisters. Chris emailed about his three siblings and large lively family and joked about selling his three sisters to her for a nominal fee.

Sense of humor—check! Serenity liked what she seemed to pick up from their exchange. They continued getting to know each other. By the time they ended their email discussion, her curiosity had been thoroughly piqued. He had grown up on the North Shore of Long Island, but she didn’t know where he lived now. He had an MBA, managed a hectic schedule like she did and was family-oriented. Both of them enjoyed traveling abroad and had a desire to visit all fifty states. Still, she wanted to know more. But for now, she let him know it had been great “chatting” with him. He promised to reach out again soon.

And he did—the very next night, and then again the night after that.

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