Take a Chance on Me(17)

“You’re not hurt?”

“For God’s sake, I’m fine. It was just a little stumble.”

He chuckled, the deep, rich timbre sending tingles down her spine. “And here I thought you wouldn’t be any fun sober.”

Her mouth fell open, indignation bubbling in her throat, but before she could speak, he held out a plastic grocery bag that she hadn’t seen because she’d been too busy staring at his face. “My neighbor brought you some things she thought you might need.”

Forgetting her momentary agitation and the pounding in her head, she took the bag. “That was very thoughtful.”

Mitch grinned. “Don’t let Gracie fool you—she’s here for gossip.”

Curious, Maddie opened the bag and sighed with pure pleasure. Inside were a variety of female essentials and—Maddie closed her eyes in thanks—clothes. She had clothes! She rummaged around, spotting a toothbrush, toothpaste, a trial-size moisturizer, and face wash. She shifted the contents around, unearthing shampoo and conditioner, and even a miniature bottle of hairspray.

And then, in the bottom of the bag was the best present of all—a pair of flip-flops.

She’d never be stuck in those torturous shoes ever again. Should she set them on fire? Maybe hack them up with a saw? Maybe she’d do both. Or was that overkill?

Maddie clutched the bag to her chest and said, reverently, “I don’t care what she’s here for, I will owe her forever.”

“Yeah, she has that kind of effect on people.” Mitch’s wry tone was tinged with amusement. “Why don’t you run upstairs and get yourself dressed, then you can meet her. She’s chomping at the bit, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t get rid of her. Short of me picking her up and throwing her out on her ass, she’s not leaving.”

Maddie was so happy, so thankful, that she had an impulse to kiss Mitch full on the lips. Since that would be a terrible idea, she pressed the bag of treasures tighter to her chest. “Thank you.”

Mitch grinned and tugged a lock of her hair. “Don’t thank me, Princess. I had nothing to do with it.” He leaned down, his breath warm against the shell of her ear. “If I had my way, I’d have kept you naked for as long as possible.”

A hot flush crawled up her neck and she jerked back. “Oh!”

He chuckled. “Go get dressed, Maddie.”





Fifteen minutes later, she bounded downstairs with a new lease on life. The bag of goodies had set off something inside her and renewed her sense of purpose. Yesterday, she’d had no plan. She’d been in panic mode, pure and simple. But being stranded without money, clothes, and modern conveniences had forced her to realize the truth. She hadn’t been running away; she’d been running toward freedom. This disaster had pushed her from the nest—she’d either fight for it and fly, or fall to the ground with a splat.

But the choice was hers.

Wearing clothes two sizes too big, her hair in a ponytail and her face scrubbed free of makeup, she’d never felt better or more alive. Upstairs, pulling on the pair of jean shorts and powder-blue tee, she’d decided to tackle one problem at a time and not worry about the big picture.

First order of business: food and coffee.

Since she smelled a fresh pot, this should be easy to check off the list. She pushed into the kitchen, sucking in the scent of caffeine goodness, and froze.

The swinging door whipped back and forth on its hinges, hitting her once in the butt before settling into place.

Maddie blinked, stunned speechless. Talk about false advertising.

Maddie had assumed his neighbor was an elderly, meddling busybody with a heart of gold. The woman propped against the blue-and-white-checked tiled counter was a freakin’ sex goddess.

“Maddie Donovan,” Mitch said from somewhere off to her left. “Meet my neighbor, Gracie Roberts.”

Maddie blinked again, staring at the woman with curves so lush they should be illegal. This was his neighbor? She tried to reconcile perception with reality, but it was too difficult.

Finally, she realized she was standing there openmouthed like a complete idiot, and remembered her manners. “Thank you for your generosity. You have no idea how grateful I am.”

“Oh, believe me, honey, it’s my pleasure.” Cornflower-blue eyes twinkling, Gracie put the coffee cup she’d held onto the counter. With a careless swipe of her hand, she pushed a wayward sunshine-blonde curl back from her forehead and tucked it behind her ear. “I’ve been dying to meet you ever since my brother, Sam, told me about your ordeal last night.”


Completely confused, Maddie darted a questioning glance over at Mitch.

Casual as could be, he hooked one ankle over the other, drawing her attention to his bare feet. “Sam’s my bartender. He was sitting in the corner booth last night.”

Maddie nodded, remembering the good-looking blond surfer type who had been watching them.

Gracie grinned from ear to ear, her full mouth a pale, glossy pink. “Well, my brother said Mitch pounced on you like a prisoner granted his first conjugal visit. So I had to see what all the fuss was about.”

Maddie had no idea what to say, but she was pretty sure the heat infusing her face made her look guilty, which was ridiculous. She willed her cheeks to cool. She had nothing to be ashamed of. Last night had been perfectly innocent. Sure, she’d had a few impure thoughts, but geez, everyone had those.