Rescuing the Bad Boy (Second Chance #2)(90)

“Shit, Donny. You’re as big of an idiot as Asher.”

“Hey! What the f*ck did I do?” Asher grabbed the bottle of bourbon and refilled his cup. Donovan let him fill his cup as well. “Leave him alone, Mr. Almost Married. Not all men are cut out to be dads and husbands.”

“Amen,” Donovan said, downing his drink in one swallow.

“Idiots.” Evan snatched the bottle for himself.

“Maybe,” Asher said. “Doesn’t stop us from getting what we want. There’s something to be said for having your cake, having different cake whenever you want. Having cupcakes in between.”

Donovan chuckled at Asher’s stupid joke. But that wasn’t the case with him at all, was it? Promiscuity was a novelty. A novelty, he knew all too well, that wore thin after a while. A twitching dick was something he could live with. A raging libido was something he could bury—hell, had buried for seven years.

What he couldn’t live with was the idea of lashing himself to Sofie and this town. Pretending to be a guy who knew how to be one-half of a relationship when he knew the deep, dark truth.

He wasn’t good at relationships. He wasn’t good at family.

He wasn’t good… not for either of them.





The guests had finally gone, and Sofie was so exhausted, she could collapse.

She’d bid farewell to absolutely everyone: Ruby, the kids, and Evan’s family, whom she thanked one-by-one for showing up and for their generosity. The Downeys, Shane and Crickitt August included, were an incredibly genuine family.

After the caterers had packed up, and the sound guys wound up their wires and packed up the microphones, two guests were left. Her dedicated employee-slash-bestie, Faith, and practically-live-in landscaper-slash-handyman, Connor.

Michael had left some time ago. That was the extent of the information Faith had shared, come to think of it. No matter. Sofie would get the full story soon enough.

Connor, still dressed in casual pants and a dress shirt, walked side-by-side with Faith into the foyer. They paused at the front door, where Sofie stood, having just seen out an older couple by the name of Townsend.

Faith hugged her. “Great job tonight, babe.”

“Yes. Nicely done, Sofe,” Connor said, pulling an arm around her neck and kissing her forehead.

“Thank you both for your help.”

Connor gave her another squeeze, then let her go.

Faith dug her keys from a small purse as Donovan came around the corner.

Sofie tried to keep her heart from leaping at the sight of him, but it was no use. His jet-black hair had been styled back at the beginning of the night, but now was falling over his forehead in that disheveled way she’d grown used to. Even dressed in the harmless attire of black pants and a button-down shirt, Donovan Pate was a potent mixture of masculinity and danger.

A danger to your heart.

“You out?” Donovan asked.

Connor shook his extended hand. “For now.”

For now.

Sofie felt the words stab the center of her chest. She knew Connor planned to do a few minor repairs before the sale. After that, Pate Mansion, the mansion she’d come to genuinely enjoy, would become Evergreen Cove’s premiere bed-and-breakfast.

“Thanks for everything, man,” Donovan said. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”

“I know.” Connor smiled. “When are you heading back?”

Final. This conversation was so final.

“Hey, Sofie, can you walk me to my car?” Faith. God bless her. She must have known Sofie could use a distraction.

“Sure thing.” She followed Faith to the door.

“Be out in a minute,” Connor called after them.

Faith bit her lip and nodded curtly.

Well. That was interesting.

The girls stepped onto the covered porch then walked along the cobblestone driveway, looping their arms together to keep from teetering in their heels. Faith’s car was parked close by, since she was among the first to arrive, so the walk was short.

In front of her Mercedes, Faith paused. “Are you going to be okay? Are you sure you don’t want to leave?”

“Are you going to tell me what happened tonight between you and Michael?” Sofie asked, changing the subject. What she really wanted to know was what was happening between Faith and Connor. She suspected something was going on between those two. If not in practice, at least in thought.

“I know better than to believe in second chances.”

Sofie met her best friend’s navy eyes, chewing on that bit of advice for herself.

“Michael…” Faith shook her head as if exasperated. “You know what? I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okay, hon. You don’t have to.” Sofie got that. She really did.

“Thank you.” Faith’s shoulders fell, the relief evident.

“Drive safe.”

Faith’s hand stilled on the door handle. “Are you going back inside?”

Sofie nodded.

“Are you staying?” Her eyebrows drifted into a look of concern.

Sofie nodded again. Like she’d be better off if she stopped now? She’d already fallen for Donovan. Already wanted him to stay in the Cove. How could this situation get any worse? But instead of admitting any of it, she simply said, “Straight through.”