A Perfect Compromise. Anna Sugden

Issy’s shoulder into the mirror. “And you weren’t checking out his amazing body earlier?”

      Issy blotted her lips then turned away—to get her clutch, not to avoid her friend. “I can appreciate good looks without having to sleep with the guy.”

      “Sure, but what a waste.”

      “I’m capable of entertaining myself. Let me know when you want to disappear with Taylor and I’ll go back to the room.” She held up her key card. “Make sure you have your own key, so you can let yourself back in.”

      “I won’t abandon you.” Sapphie frowned. “What kind of friend does that?”

      “One who’s getting the birthday present she really wants.” Issy smiled. “It’s fine. I’ll be happy sitting on the balcony and reading. Things are heating up in my romantic thriller.”

      “They’d heat up in real life, too, if you’d give them a chance,” Sapphie grumbled as they headed out the door.

      “I’m content with the way things are.”

      “Boringly predictable.”

      “I’ve had enough excitement and unpredictability to last me a lifetime.”

      “A little spontaneity won’t turn you into your parents or Rosa.”

      “I know.”

      Despite Issy’s best efforts, her younger sister had followed in the family tradition and partied heavily, then ended up pregnant. The father, one of the town’s football stars, had chosen a college scholarship over marriage, so Issy had taken care of both Rosabelle and her daughter, Tinkabelle, until she’d left home.

      Once she’d graduated and had a job, Issy had offered to move them up near her, but Rosa had preferred to remain with their parents. She knew her sister hadn’t chosen sides, as much as the easier path, but it had still hurt. And reinforced how different she and Rosa were.

      The physical Brandine genes had missed her completely—they were all tall and slim, auburn and green-eyed, while she was short, curvy and dark-haired with blue eyes—why not the other genes, too? “I promise to have fun while we’re here. All right?”

      “Okay.” Sapphie linked arms with her. “So how’s your limbo dancing? I hear there’s a contest with big prizes at the party, including a gorgeous emerald necklace.”

      “What am I letting myself in for?” Issy shook her head and laughed, then let her friend lead her down the beach.

CHAPTER TWO

      “YOU OWE ME, man, and I’m collecting.”

      J.B. responded by clapping Taylor on the shoulder as they walked toward the flaming torches stuck in the sand. “Want tips on how to chat up that hot blonde you were drooling over earlier?”

      “Funny.” Mad Dog punched him in the arm. “Good thing you make your living handling a puck, not doing stand-up.”

      J.B.’s grin faded. “Yeah, well my puck skills aren’t so hot, either. We wouldn’t be here now if they were. We’d be riding around town in an open-topped, double-decker bus, showing off Stanley.”

      “We agreed you wouldn’t beat yourself up over that while we’re on vacation.”

      “Sure.”

      Plenty of time for reflection and self-recrimination once he was alone. He owed Mad Dog, and repayment meant ensuring his friend had a great trip. Especially given Taylor was just as cut up about the loss, even if he tried not to show it.

      He cracked his knuckles. “What do you need from the master?”

      “Use your charm on the hot blonde’s mousy friend. Keep her occupied so she won’t mind when her roommate disappears with me.”

      Ordinarily, J.B. wouldn’t have minded the request. Women were the perfect antitdote to a life filled with way too much testosterone. And the brunette in the red bikini wasn’t exactly mousy, though her dark hair had been scraped back into a severe braid. She was pretty in a girl-next-door way and her curves were definitely in all the right places.

      What had given him pause was the stiff way she’d held herself, her full lips pinched, while supposedly relaxing. “She seemed a little uptight.”

      He’d learned the hard way to steer clear of uptight women. They were impossible to please. They took things way too seriously and saw hidden meanings in innocent words or actions, which led to unfortunate misunderstandings. Like the woman in the Atlanta nightclub who’d nearly derailed his NHL career. Frustrated he wouldn’t take advantage of her blatant offers—J.B. didn’t mess with married women—she’d turned the tables and accused him of coming on to her. It was only thanks to Taylor, Jake and his other teammates that J.B. had come through the crazy situation relatively unscathed.

      Still he’d chalked that up to experience. It had taken a female stalker, then a woman who’d lied about him fathering her child, for J.B. to decide uptight women were trouble.

      Taylor winced, understanding in his gray eyes. “Maybe she was jealous that I waved at her friend. Women fight over me all the time.”

      J.B. snorted with laughter. “In your dreams, bro.”

      “Who got the highest bid in the Ice Cats’ charity bachelor auction?”

      “Yeah, yeah. Shame the winning bidder was your mother’s age.”

      “Gilda was a sexy, mature lady with a great body, a lot of experience and an insatiable appetite.”

      “Glad to hear she got her money’s worth.”

      Mad Dog swore. “Will you help me out or not? We’re only here for a few days and you’ll never see her again.”

      J.B. hesitated as they reached the torches. The women were standing by one of the tables closest to the shoreline. Taylor’s blonde looked stunning in an ice-blue sheath that dipped low and clung to her body before ending mid-thigh. But it was her friend that fired J.B.’s blood. She wore a strappy knee-length red dress. Her dark hair was loose, the slight curl at the ends dancing over her bare shoulders as she laughed.

      “She’s not looking mousy or uptight now,” Mad Dog said. “Pay your dues, man.”

      J.B.’s reluctance vanished. He strode forward. “You got it.”

      When they reached the table Mad Dog asked, “May we join you, ladies?”

      “Sure,” the blonde replied enthusiastically.

      J.B. noticed her friend didn’t say anything but smiled. He figured she was the shy type.

      “I’m J.B. and this is Taylor.” He offered his hand to the brunette, who hesitated before taking it.

      The blonde shook hands with Taylor. “I’m an Ice Cats fan. Season ticket holder, though work keeps me from getting to as many games as I’d like. I’m Sapphire, Sapphie for short, and this is...”

      “Bella,” the brunette said firmly.

      “Good to meet you, Bella.”

      Mad Dog clapped a hand to his chest dramatically. “A beautiful woman who likes hockey, I’m in heaven!”

      J.B. shook his head and looked at Bella, who rolled her blue eyes. The moment of shared humour was surprising and encouraging.

      “You look like you’re in need of frothy drinks with umbrellas,” Taylor said.

      Sapphie wrinkled her nose. “They’re too sweet for me. But I wouldn’t say no to a champagne refill.”

      Bella held up her glass. “Ginger ale would be lovely. Thank you.”

      “Your wish is my command,” Taylor said.

      “I’ll