The Bridal Chase. Darcy Maguire

said smoothly, ignoring the chaos inside her. ‘Just short of the right guys offering.’ She closed her eyes on the vision of a plethora of men and their propositions flooding in on her and just how many had turned into disasters.

      She opened her eyes, meeting Cade Taylor Watson’s fine golden eyes that were watching her with a tenderness that belied his words.

      Would it be out of the question to keep him if Heather didn’t?

      She blinked and took another large gulp of her drink. Where had that come from? ‘And are you committed to someone special,’ she blurted, trying one more time for the coup de grâce, ‘or are you just attached tonight and you’re mostly single, available and looking for a date for the photo exhibition?’

      ‘I have a date.’

      ‘But—’ She could feel the icy fingers of rejection sliding through her again, and she didn’t want it, not yet. She wasn’t ready to end this conversation with Cade and give in to the fact that he was actually nice and Miss Moreton could go ahead and marry him. ‘I like you,’ she blurted.

      Cade glanced at his watch and stood up, looking down at her, his face sober. ‘I like you too.’

      This was it. She mentally crossed her fingers and toes, willing the outcome she was paid to get.

      ‘You’re a lovely person and I could always do with another friend,’ he offered, his tone soft.

      ‘Story of my life,’ she murmured. He was the perfect gentleman. She closed her eyes, imagining how thrilled the client would be at the news, fighting the odd sensation trying to smother her.

      She’d wanted him to choose her.

      If Cade Taylor Watson had chosen her everything would have been okay. She could keep going in life knowing men couldn’t be trusted and make her decisions accordingly. Now she was confused about everything except the fact that Heather Moreton was one lucky woman.

      Roxanne felt him stiffen beside her.

      She looked up.

      His fiancée stood in the doorway, the woman who had his loyalty and his heart.

      ‘Good luck,’ he said, offering her a small consolatory smile. ‘With everything.’

      ‘You too,’ she whispered. When was she going to find a man like that to love her with such loyalty and commitment?

      Roxanne watched Cade Taylor Watson saunter over to the love of his life, who was watching her with narrowed eyes.

      She took a deep, slow breath and nodded, shooting Heather a thumbs up. She was one lucky girl to be marrying a man like that.

      Roxanne drank the rest of her cocktail and stood up. The job was over and done with and not a minute too soon. She was getting far too involved in the charade for her own good.

      How Heather could even have doubted him was beyond her; Cade was one hell of a guy.

      She looked up to the ceiling and put her order in, and the sooner the better. She needed some happiness in her life too.

      She only hoped there was another man like him out there for her.