Love's Second Chance (Second Chances #1)(12)

“Let me take a quick shower and I’ll be there. I need to hurry if I’m going to make it on time.” She chuckled. “I’ll see you there,” she said quickly before hanging up.

First step accomplished! “Becky!” I called out triumphantly.

She ran into the office and squealed, “Did she accept?”

“Yes, she did! I’m supposed to meet her in an hour. Make sure everything is ready to go in two, and don’t forget to call me with the emergency like we planned.”

“Will do!” She giggled. “I’m most definitely sure this awesome plan of yours is going to work, Mr. Matthews.”

I truly hoped so, I thought to myself.





The Rose Café was a small sandwich shop on the other side of downtown a few blocks from my building. There were so many around this area, but this one had always been my favorite. Walking up to the door, I spied Korinne already sitting at a table, drinking a glass of sweet tea. She seemed so calm and peaceful it was hard not to stare at her. She looked like an angel, a sexy as hell angel. Never before was I able to get enough of her, and I feared that I wouldn’t be able to now as well.

Korinne was never one to wear a lot of makeup, and I always loved that about her. Her natural beauty outshined any woman that crossed my path. Her tight jeans were molded to the curves of her body, and her top hugged a set of perfectly sized breasts. Not too big and not too small, just … perfect. My body responded to my wayward thoughts. Once I headed inside I couldn’t very well enter there with a hard on, so I tried desperately not to think the thoughts of Korinne’s lush body and the way it melded to mine. Spotting me by the door, she waved. Her smile grew brighter the closer I got to her.

“So what do I owe the pleasure of your company today?” she asked sweetly.

I sat in the seat across from her and smiled. “I couldn’t wait until Friday,” I responded honestly.

A blush spread across her face and I found it endearing. Taking a quick glance at my watch, I calculated how much time we had before Rebecca’s call would come in. We have forty-five minutes to spare.

“Are you on a schedule?” she asked, looking at my watch.

I shook my head. “No, I was just making sure I wasn’t late.”

She narrowed her eyes and quirked a brow. “Mm … hmm,” she mumbled sarcastically.

Korinne and I ordered our food, and I wasn’t shocked to see that she ordered a BLT with extra bacon. That was always her favorite sandwich when we would eat together at our favorite sandwich shop in college. By the time we were finished eating, my phone rang with the expected call from Rebecca. It was show time.

“Rebecca, what’s up?” Korinne stiffened. At first I looked at her questioningly, but then it hit me. I said a female’s name, and she had no clue who Becky was. Could it be that Korinne was a little jealous? This was a good start, or at least it showed she cared if I talked to other women. As much as I wanted to bask in this development I needed to appear perturbed.

“Yes! I understand!” I snapped into the phone. “I’ll be right there.” Closing the phone, I ran my hands through my hair in mock frustration.

“What’s wrong?” Korinne asked, concerned. “Who was that?”

“It was Rebecca,” I said. “It seems I have a situation at one of my developments that needs my attention. I hate to cut our luncheon short, but … you could always come with me?”

“Yeah, I guess I could,” she replied. “Who’s Rebecca by the way?”

“Why do you want to know?” I asked with a hint of humor in my tone.

“I don’t know, maybe to see how many women you have chasing you around.”

“Trust me, Korinne, you are the only woman in my life right now,” I told her. Her shoulders visibly relaxed and she let out her breath. I pretended not to notice.

Once I paid for lunch, we hastily left the café. On the way to my car I grabbed her hand in the process, pulling her along with me. “Do you need me to drive?” she asked.

I shook my head. “No, my car is just right around the corner. You can ride with me.”

When Korinne saw my car, I noticed the huge grin on her face. She seemed fascinated with my choice of vehicle. “Now this is what I can picture you in. Not that I don’t like Big Blue, but this is definitely you,” she beamed.

“I searched everywhere for the perfect Ford Mustang. I bought it brand new about a year ago,” I informed her. It was electric blue with white racing stripes, and nothing could beat the sound of its motor. We climbed into the car and I drove us toward one of the developments of houses I was designing. Rebecca should be there already getting things set up. We pulled in the long, U-shaped driveway and headed through the giant double doors. Rebecca was pacing inside, and when she saw us she ran straight to me.

“Oh, thank goodness you’re here now. Look at this disaster!” she screamed, pointing around the house. Korinne walked ahead and searched through the many rooms of the house. I smirked at Rebecca behind Korinne’s back and she stifled a laugh. She had outdone herself with making the house look like shit. Rebecca’s going to need a huge raise after putting together this fiasco, I thought to myself.

When Korinne reached the main sitting room, she gave an audible gasp. It echoed loudly throughout the house. When I saw the mess before me it was hard not to break down and laugh. Becky really had outdone herself. The room was a complete mess with mismatched furniture and hideous looking fixtures. It was a little unbelievable, but it seemed to be doing the job as I studied Korinne’s expressions.