Arranged Read online

  “Surely you can find some joy in your life?”

  “My dog. He brings me joy. That’s about it.”

  “I see. Well, Sydney Alexander, you’ve got to start living again. No man is worth giving up your life for. I don’t care how long you were together.” He released my hand, and I found myself disappointed at the loss of his touch.

  “You sound like my mom. Even though she lost my dad, has had multiple surgeries, and is limited with the things she can do, she still has a positive outlook on life.”

  “Well, your mom’s right. It’s time to get back in your life. I’d actually like to help. I’ll pick you up at six this evening.”

  “Sam, that’s very sweet of you, but I’m sure you have much more important things to do tonight then drag a single, depressed thirty-six-year-old woman around town with you.”

  “Never mind all that, I’d love to. It’s settled. I’m going to show you a good time tonight and put a smile on your face. A year is a long time to waste.”

  Chapter Two

  I had no idea what Sam had in mind for tonight so was a nervous wreck. Why had I agreed to go with him? Oh, wait, I didn’t really have a choice. He insisted and wouldn’t take no for an answer. This would be a complete disaster. His playboy reputation had me worried, and I could only hope he knew I was not interested in him at all. Yes, women might throw themselves at him, but I was not that kind of woman, even though merely looking at him caused my pulse to quicken.

  He’d find out soon enough that money didn’t impress me, and it certainly wouldn’t get me to jump in bed with him, like I’m sure it did other women. In fact, guys with money often repelled me. Most were ego maniacs—at least the ones I had met, anyway. I wanted nothing to do with them. It had been comforting to be in a relationship. When men hit on me, it was easy to say, “I’m sorry. I’m engaged.” It always did the trick. But there I was with a broken engagement, going out to dinner with the most notorious womanizing bachelor in the city.

  “What have you gotten yourself into, Syd?” I groaned aloud.

  I finally, after discarding half my very limited wardrobe in frustration, decided on a black cocktail dress with strappy black heels. I softened my look with my purse and accessories, which added gold to the mix. Once I’d pulled my long, auburn wavy hair into a messy bun, I applied a little makeup. It seemed weird doing this for something other than work. I honestly couldn’t remember when I’d last dressed up to go out, but if I was completely truthful with myself, it actually felt good. I felt a little more alive than I had in a long time. Of course, I convinced myself it was simply the occasion rather than a certain incredibly attractive man and his promise to make sure I had fun.

  Sam arrived promptly at six and pulled up in his very sleek, sexy black car. I had no idea what kind of car it was, only that it was expensive. The sight of him took my breath away. He had an allure about him, a casually confident look in his light-gray suit, white button-down shirt, and no tie. He’d left the top two buttons of his shirt undone, making my imagination kick into overdrive. I wondered if the look was purely the natural outworking of who he was or whether he had help. My gaze found the chiseled line of his jaw, then made its way up to his emerald green eyes, which made my pulse quicken.

  “You look amazing, Sydney. Stunning. Thank you for accompanying me tonight.”

  “Thank you, Sam.” I shuddered slightly as he leant down to kiss my cheek.

  “Ready to go?”

  “Yes. Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise,” he responded with a cheeky smile while helping me into the car.

  You could tell he loved driving his car. I was impressed with the way he zipped down the highway with the precision of a race car driver. Still with no idea where we were going, a feeling of excitement stirred in the base of my belly. Sam slowed and turned into the airport.

  “You’re taking me to the airport?” I asked, conscious of the bewilderment that I was sure was plastered on my face. “Is there a good restaurant here?”

  Sam gave big, throaty, sexy laugh. “You’ll see. Be patient.”

  He maneuvered his car up to a large gate which opened slowly. He stopped alongside a large private jet, where crew were waiting.

  “What in the world?” I stammered, having given up any pretense at calm and collected.

  “Come. We’re going to dinner,” he said easily as he opened my door.

  “Where? Sam, I’m not sure I’m comfortable with this.”

  “Sydney, it’s all right. We’re going to put some serious fun into your life tonight. You need it.”

  “Mr. Alexander, we’re ready, sir. It should be a smooth, easy flight.”

  “Thank you, Dan. We’re ready whenever you are.”

  “Great. We’ll let you get settled, sir. Take off is in about ten minutes.”

  “Wonderful. Come, Sydney.” I let him take my hand and lead me up the stairway of the jet. I felt a jolt of electricity stir through me when my hand touched his. It’s the excitement of the moment, not his touch, I told myself as I tried to ignore it.

  “Good evening, Mr. Alexander.”

  “Good evening, Sherri. Glad to have you with us tonight. This is my friend Sydney.”

  “It’s my pleasure, sir. Hello, Sydney. Would you like a cocktail for takeoff?”

  “That would be lovely. Yes. Sydney? What would you like?”

  I stood there, unable to speak.

  “Sydney?” The look of amusement on his face brought me back into focus.

  “Um, yes, I’ll have whatever you’re having. Thank you.”

  “Wonderful. Two grey goose extra dirty martinis, Sherri.”

  She smiled and nodded before making her way to the back of the jet.

  “Sam. This is too much. I’m at a loss for words—which, if you really knew me, is rare.”

  “Good. I want you to enjoy it. We’ll be at our destination in an hour. We have dinner reservations at eight.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Miami Beach.” He smiled as my mouth dropped open, like it is the most normal thing in the world.

  “Miami Beach? Seriously?”

  “Yes, there’s a wonderful restaurant down there that I love. I thought it would be the perfect way to bring some fun into your life.”

  “Seriously, you could have taken me someplace in Tampa. This is way too much.”

  “Just enjoy it. You look beautiful and you’re not in your pj’s.”

  Sherri returned with our martini’s. Thank goodness, because I was spared a stupidly embarrassed response to his compliment.

  “Sam, I have no way to repay you for your kindness.”

  “There’s no need for repayment. If I can add some fun and happiness to your life for one night, it will be enough. Please, relax and enjoy. It’s my pleasure.”

  We settled into our seats and buckled in, and the plane took off, heading toward Miami Beach. Conversation flowed easily, despite my somewhat shell-shocked sense that I’d somehow stepped into a movie. Sam was fun, never lacking for a topic of conversation. He had a way of making me feel comfortable, and I decided to embrace the moment and stop worrying. It was one night. I could be in the moment for one night.

  We landed in Miami and were immediately whisked away to our destination, The Forge. The place was absolutely stunning. The décor was extraordinarily lavish, with oversized chairs, gold walls, and breathtakingly beautiful in a classy, stylish way. A stunningly beautiful woman recognized Sam and, of course, made her way toward him.

  “Sam! What are you doing here tonight?” She smiled, kissing him on each cheek in a gesture of friendship and, I thought, intimacy.

  “Hello, Melinda. Just here for a quick bite. This is my friend Sydney.”

  “Hi, Sydney. It’s nice to meet you,” she said as she shook my hand. I noticed her give me a quick once-over, but she never lost her gracious expression for even a moment.

  “You as well.”

  Melinda was gorgeous, with long
, luscious black hair, ocean-blue eyes, and a body to die for.

  “Did you just fly in?” Sam asked her.

  “I did. I’ve been in Europe for the last month on a shoot. As much as I love it, it’s always nice to come home. I’m spending a few days here and then heading back to New York. My niece has been holding down the fort while I’m gone.”

  “Melinda’s a professional model,” Sam explained. “She dated my roommate years ago. We’ve remained good friends over the years,”

  “Ah, yes. Your roommate.” Her eyes sparkled. “That was a two-year mistake.”

  They both laughed.

  “I tried to warn you, but you wouldn’t hear of it. I guess you had to find out the hard way.”

  “I know, I should have listened. Lesson learned.” She smiled and touched his forearm, another small gesture of intimacy that somehow seemed to exclude me.

  A twinge of jealousy that had no business being there uncoiled inside me.

  “But you’re happy now, Melinda. That’s all that matters.”

  “Yes, I’m happy now.” She smiled, but the smile didn’t reach her face.

  “Well, I’ll let you to get back to your evening. You know you won’t be disappointed. It’s always a fun night at the Forge. Enjoy.”

  Sam kissed her tenderly on the cheek. “Don’t be a stranger. You know I’m here, right?”

  “Thanks, Sam. Bye, Sydney. It was wonderful to meet you.”

  Melinda made her way back to the bar, and a circle of men and women closed around her as she looked over her shoulder at Sam. That twinge of jealousy whispered again.

  “Come. Let’s go grab our table.”

  We were seated immediately. It seemed Sam was known there as well, judging by the way everyone jumped to attention when they spotted him.

  “Mr. Andrews. It’s great to have you here, sir. What would you like to start with tonight?”

  “The usual please, Allen. Thank you.”

  Sam turned his attention to me, leaning forward as his eyes searched mine. “Well, what do you think? Are you having fun?”

  He really was a gorgeous man. His sexy and alluring smile could melt an iceberg, and women all over the restaurant stared at him. He was definitely a presence. I felt out of place again, like I did yesterday upon entering the condo building.

  “Yes, Sam. I’m definitely having fun. I think what I feel the most is elation—and also, is this really happening to me?” I laughed nervously.

  “Good. Then I have achieved my goal. I’m glad you’re here, Sydney.”

  “Thank you for doing this for me. You really didn’t have to.”

  “I enjoy making people happy. It’s something I have a knack for, something that brings me great joy. Please think nothing of it.”

  “You have definitely brought me a lot of joy today. It’s nice to feel something other than loneliness and isolation.”

  He reached across the table, taking my hand in his. My pulse quickened as he rubbed his thumb lightly over my skin, “Yes, about that. Why would you let someone have that much control over you, Sydney? There’s so much to life.”

  “I’ve asked myself that question for a long time now. Honestly, it was over between us long before he ever left. I was simply too scared to admit it. I stayed because it was comfortable. We were good together, but I think we were better off as friends than as anything else. When my dad died, I clung to him, needing the comfort of what we had to get me through. Him leaving was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m just trying to put the pieces of myself back together now.”

  “Yes, but why hibernate for a year?”

  “Honestly? I’m afraid. I’m afraid to put myself out there again. I’m afraid of what’s out there. I don’t want to be hurt. James leaving hurt, even though I knew it was for the best. I guess I’m letting fear dictate my life.”

  “Ah. Well, it seems you’ve stepped through your fear tonight.”

  “It didn’t seem like I had much of a choice.” I grinned, happy that he hadn’t given me a choice.

  “You’re correct. You didn’t.” He smiled at me.

  “What about you, Sam? You seem to like the single life. Have you never found the love of your life?”

  His eyes clouded over for a moment before he responded. I sensed I’d stepped into forbidden territory from the hard expression on his face.

  “Is there really only one love of a person’s life?”

  “I used to think there was. I honestly don’t know anymore. I’d like to believe in happily ever after, but I don’t know if it’s a reality.” Having always believed in happily ever after, I continued to hold on to the hope that it was a possibility for me, but a part of me wondered if I’d missed my chance.

  “Well, that makes two of us. I don’t think people are capable of loving someone forever. It’s why I stay single. It’s more fun that way. No expectations.”

  “But what about love and sharing your life with someone? You don’t think it’s necessary?”

  “I share my life with a lot of people, Sydney. Like right now, I’m sharing my life with you. It brings me great pleasure.”

  “Yes, but don’t you want to have that one person you can share everything with? Someone to grow old with?” I didn’t know why I felt as though I needed an answer to this question. Perhaps I was looking for my own answer inside his.

  “No. I don’t think it’s realistic. People change. People leave. People turn to other people and other things. I choose to stay single and embrace those around me. I don’t need to have “the one,” as you put it. I can enjoy life and be completely content with what I have.”

  “I so wish I could embrace life like you. But I want ‘the one,’ even if I don’t know how realistic it is in this day and age.”

  “I hope you get what you desire, Sydney.”

  Our night in Miami Beach was one of the best nights of my life. Sam was entertaining. He had me laughing for much of the evening, and we made our way back to the airport around midnight. Boarding the plane, Sam took my hand as he led me up the stairs and in to my seat. There was that damn electricity again. My skin tingled when his hand made contact with mine.

  “This has been a wonderful night. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. I’m glad you got me out of my pj’s.” I laughed easily, feeling relaxed for the first time in a very long time.

  “I’m glad you had a good time. I will have you home and in your pj’s soon.” He smiled, staring into my eyes for a few seconds longer than normal before running his hand through his hair.

  We flew home in comfortable silence. I watched Sam as he stared out the window deep in thought. I wondered what he was thinking about.

  “A penny for your thoughts,” I whispered cautiously, unsure whether to interrupt the silence between us or not.

  “Only a penny?”

  “Yes, only a penny.”

  “I was thinking about what a nice evening I had, actually.”

  “I had a wonderful time too.”

  I had the sense he wasn’t telling me everything that was on his mind, but I didn’t want to intrude on his thoughts. I remained comfortably quiet for the rest of the plane ride. We arrived back in Tampa, and Sam drove me quickly to my house. As he walked me to the front door, I heard Bear barking.

  “He knows I’m home.”

  “I won’t keep you then.”

  He leaned down to kiss me tenderly on the cheek. Goose bumps rose up on my body as the air between us sizzled. I wondered if he felt it like I did. With no indication that he felt the electricity between us, I masked my disappointment with a smile. Perhaps it was all in my head.

  “It’s late. I’m sure you’re ready for your pj’s. It’s been a pleasure.”

  “Same here. I didn’t realize how much I needed to get out of my house. I appreciate you spoiling me this evening. It will be a night I never forget.” I suddenly feel nervous as I brushed a tendril of hair away from my face.

  “Me as well.”


  With that, he turned and walked to his car.

  Chapter Three

  The next morning, I woke up with an unusual sense of happiness. I hadn’t felt any sort of happiness in the last few years, so it was definitely a foreign feeling to me. Letting myself savor it, I stayed in bed a little longer, allowing thoughts of last night linger to in my mind. When I finally made my way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, Bear hurtled ahead of me and waited patiently by the back door to be let out.

  “Okay, boy, out you go.”

  A knock on my front door surprised me. I had no clue would be visiting at nine a.m. on a Saturday morning—definitely not Emily, who was about the only person who actually came by. I opened the door to find a large bouquet of calla lilies hiding whoever was holding them.

  “Um, I think you have the wrong house. Who are you looking for?”

  “I’m looking for Sydney Alexander.”

  “Are you sure? That’s me.”

  “Yes, I’m sure. These are for you, ma’am”

  I took the dazzling bunch of lilies tied with white ribbon. The bouquet was a mixture of colors—red, purple, yellow, and orange. They were breathtaking, but who on earth would send me flowers? Maybe a client? I thanked the deliverer and headed back to the kitchen to fetch a vase. Bear barked at the back door to be let back in. As I shuffled round to open for him, I unsealed the small envelope which had been attached to the ribbon.

  Thank you again for a wonderful evening. A few flowers to add a little sunshine to your day. Sam.

  “Wow, he definitely knows how to add sunshine.” Realizing the huge smile on my face, I immediately brought myself back down to reality.

  “Sam Andrews isn’t available, Syd. At least, not for any kind of happily ever after, he isn’t. He’s the last person on earth you need to get wrapped up with.”

  I spent the morning doing chores, leaving the house by noon to meet with a new client at one of my listings. The day proved pretty uneventful compared to the one before. Yesterday with Sam had been an absolute dream, and I found my mind lingering on memories of last night. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I noticed a car like his across the street from my house upon arriving home. I quickly suppressed the thrill of excitement that tried to bubble up within me. I admonished myself, reminding myself of exactly who Sam Andrews was. As I approached my front door, I heard footsteps close behind me. I turned quickly to find Sam standing in my driveway. A tingle of pleasure made its way up my spine as my eyes connected with his. He smiled that gorgeous smile of his and my heartrate accelerated.