Second Chance Girl. Susan Mallery

a teleconference with Maya to help plan her wedding.

      “Let’s see, if you’re Elaine’s little girl and Maya is marrying one of her sons, then she’s your what? Aunt-in-law? Sister-in-law?”

      Sophie barked and Carol laughed. “Yes, family relationships are complicated.”

      So were boy-girl ones, she thought as she drove toward her house. If only Mathias were slightly less attractive. Or not so interested in sexy bridesmaids. If only she were special enough to capture his attention with wild plumage or gorgeous fur.

      She paused, realizing she’d slipped into an animal metaphor, which was okay, as long both she and Mathias were animals in that metaphor. Because if she walked in wearing feathers or some kind of animal skin she was pretty sure he wouldn’t think she was much more than frighteningly insane. Still, it would be nice to be one of those sultry, sophisticated types he seemed to favor instead of just herself.

      She pulled into her driveway and quickly unloaded the leftovers, then continued her journey to his place. Sophie jumped out of the car and led the way to the front door.

      Carol knocked but there was no answer. She tried the knob and it turned easily, so she let the dog in and followed Sophie.

      “Mathias, it’s Carol. I brought your dog back.”

      There was no answer, but that was hardly a surprise. The house was huge and Mathias could be anywhere.

      Sophie barked, then started down the hall. Carol went with her, through the kitchen and out toward the sunroom where she knew he often sketched.

      Sure enough he sat at a big drafting table by the window overlooking the animal preserve.

      She took a moment to study his broad shoulders and short, dark hair. He had a pad of paper in front of him. His hand moved, creating more quickly than the eye could follow.

      “Hey, Sophie,” he said absently, reaching down to rub her ears. “You just wake up?”

      “No, she just got home.”

      Mathias turned to stare at her. “Carol. Hi. Did I know you were stopping by?”

      “I’m not stopping by. I’m returning your dog. She was out on the savanna.”

      He dropped the pencil and frowned. “She couldn’t be. She’s been here with me. We came back here and I let her out to do her thing, then closed the back door.” The frown deepened as he stood. “I know I made sure the door latched.”

      They walked to the back of the house where a door stood open. Mathias closed it and checked the lock, then turned to Sophie.

      “Now you’re scaring me.”

      She wagged her tail.

      “Maybe she’s like those dinosaurs in Jurassic Park,” Carol teased. “She’s learning how to open doors.”

      “This dog is going to take over the world.” He glanced at his watch. “Come on. We have a meeting at Weddings Out of the Box. I’ll drive.”

      Because they were going together? Maybe on the way he would turn to her and express his undying lust. They could pull to the side of the road and...

      Carol held in a groan. The side of the road? That wasn’t exactly romantic. She couldn’t even fantasize creatively.

      “I have no idea why you want me at the meeting,” she said as he clipped a leash onto Sophie’s collar and led the way to his car. “You’re creative enough for ten people. As for the female point of view, Pallas and Violet will both be there. You really don’t need me.”

      Mathias held open the passenger door. For a second, when their eyes met, she would have sworn she saw...something. A flash of...

      No, she told herself firmly. That was just wishful thinking. Mathias was a charming, sexy lover of one-night stands with beautiful, sexy, out-of-town bridesmaids. To believe anything else was to be a fool.

      “You’ll be the voice of reason,” he told her.

      “Great. I’m the stern, maiden aunt. How wonderful.”

      She snapped her seat belt into place, then patted her lap for Sophie to sit on her. The beagle obliged, then gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, as if saying she was liked. Not exactly a declaration a girl could dream about, but at least beagle love didn’t ever break your heart.