Happy Endings by Chantel Rhondeau Read Free Book Online Page A

desk, putting a hand on Quinn’s shoulder. “If you don’t end up liking her, don’t do something stupid this time, like getting married, but I think she’s more your type than you want to admit.”
    Quinn still had his doubts. “But Parker—”
    “She doesn’t want Parker.”
    ***
    T he luxurious town car pulled up the dirt path onto a paved drive in front of a surprisingly cozy house. Larissa had expected something much larger. A wraparound porch boasted lawn furniture and a swing, and Larissa wondered if the McCallister’s spent time watching the sun fall over the ocean, together.
    In any event, her original impression of them being laid back for rich people was correct. This house was just big enough to hold a family with five children in comfort, nothing more. It certainly wasn’t the mansion she’d envisioned.
    The driver hopped out of the front and opened her door. “Here we are, Miss Benner. Enjoy your night.”
    Before she knew what happened, the driver helped her out of the seat, jumped back in, and took off down the road. Maybe that was the McCallister’s way of making sure she didn’t chicken out and leave. She was stranded.
    The front door opened and Quinn stepped onto the porch. “Larissa.”
    The way he said it still gave her shivers.
    He paced slowly toward her, his powerful leg muscles defined beneath his slacks when he ran lightly down the stairs. He wore a polo shirt tonight in a grey color that accentuated his eyes.
    Those eyes. They caught and held her as he approached.
    He took her hand in his, bending over it as he raised it to his mouth. A tingle of awareness shot up her arm, even though he did the polite thing, not really touching his lips to her skin. Still, she could feel his breath upon it, and goose bumps pricked her flesh.
    “You look lovely,” he said, releasing her hand as he straightened up. “Did Dad lure you here with promises of Mom’s famous chocolate cake?”
    “Famous, huh? He had a peculiar smile when he told me about it, but I didn’t know it was famous. Now I’m anxious to try it.”
    He offered her his arm, and Larissa hesitated before accepting it.
    “Is your entire family here?”
    He shook his head. “Just us. Mom and Dad say I need a night off work.”
    Larissa looked out across the water to avoid looking at Quinn. John had suggested it would be a small dinner party, but she hadn’t realized just how small. What she desperately wanted to know was whether this was Quinn’s idea. Was this another date she was being tricked into?
    “Look, Larissa, about the party last weekend.” Quinn shifted his feet back and forth. “I shouldn’t have left without saying goodbye. I also shouldn’t have told you to go with Parker, when what I really wanted was to be alone with you. I don’t like the party scene and dancing real well, and I thought you wanted Parker, so...”
    “Is this your way of apologizing for ditching me before the fireworks?” Larissa glanced back at him.
    The breeze caught his hair, mussing the black strands in a wild way that made him even more handsome. Larissa sighed internally. She was attracted to him, no matter what she tried to tell herself. Maybe brooding and grumpy did it for her. It wasn’t as though she’d had many serious relationships to know what she was looking for in a mate.
    Besides, the last time she gave her heart to a man, he couldn’t handle things when she got sick. Jacob tried to control things and had a hard time with the fact that her illness was outside of his control. Larissa knew marrying him would be a mistake and had to break things off.
    It was hard to believe anyone out there would be able to handle her being sick if the cancer returned, but apparently her heart was hoping Quinn was that sort of man, no matter how sternly her brain told it not to like him.
    Quinn took both her hands, squeezing them gently. “Yes. This is an apology. I am very sorry. I haven’t been the nicest guy to be around. Mom’s