She walked back into the restaurant. Adam rose as she approached the table.
“Everything all right?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I’m so sorry. I have to get back to work. There’s a crisis in South Korea and I need to be on the phone in fifteen minutes.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I was hoping we could grab dinner. Should I wait?”
She wanted to say yes. He was an unexpected find. But once she was done calming things down, she would have to call her boss and do paperwork.
“It’s going to be a late night.” She gave him a smile. “But I enjoyed meeting you.”
She wanted to say more. She wanted to ask him not to be intimidated by what she did. She wanted to say it would be great if he mentioned he wanted to see her again. Instead she reached for her wallet.
“No way,” he told her. “I’ve got this. Go make your call.”
“Thank you.”
She waited a second, hoping he would say more. When he didn’t, she smiled. “It was so nice to meet you.”
“You, too.”
She walked to the door and out into the cool evening. Her office was only a few blocks away. She would make it back in time with no problem.
Thoughts swirled and competed for her attention. If only, she thought, then pushed the words away. She’d wanted her career. She’d wanted to be successful and know that she could always take care of herself, no matter what. And she had that. There was no way she was going to feel bad about what she’d accomplished.
It was just that sometimes, she found herself wanting more.
Text Copyright © 2015 by Susan Macias Redmond
Permission to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books S.A.
Title: The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery
Mischief Bay Book One
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 416 pages
Summary:
New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery is world renowned for her “insightful, funny, and poignant” stories (Booklist). With her brand-new Mischief Bay series, she brings vivid color to the story of three friends on the brink of a new life.
Nicole Lord wants to be a good wife, but there’s a difference between being supportive and supporting her husband, who quit his job to write a screenplay she’s never seen. He won’t even help take care of their son, leaving Nicole to run the house and work full-time.
Sacrificing a personal life for her career is how Shannon Rigg became a VP at her firm, but she wonders now whether she made the right choice. An exciting new relationship with a great guy convinces her that it might not be too late—until he drops a bombshell that has her questioning whether she really can have it all.
Although Pam Eiland adores her husband, she feels restless now that the kids are grown. Finding sexy new ways to surprise him brings the heat and humor back to their marriage, but when unexpected change turns her life upside down, she’ll have to redefine herself. Again.
Through romance and heartbreak, laughter and tears, the girls of Mischief Bay will discover that life is richer with friends at your side.
Add to Goodreads.
Pre-Purchase Links (Release Date: February 24): Amazon * B&N * iTunes * IndieBound * Kobo * Target
Author Bio
SUSAN MALLERY is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 80 novels, with more than 25 million books sold worldwide. Mallery is known for creating characters who feel as real as the folks next door, and for putting them into emotional, often funny situations readers recognize from their own lives. Susan’s books have made Booklist’s Top 10 Romances list in four out of five consecutive years. RT Book Reviews says, “When it comes to heartfelt contemporary romance, Mallery is in a class by herself.” With her popular, ongoing Fool’s Gold series, Susan has reached new heights on the bestsellers lists and has won the hearts of countless new fans. Susan grew up in southern California, moved so many times that her friends stopped writing her address in pen, and now has settled in Seattle with her husband and the most delightfully spoiled little dog who ever lived. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
Author Links: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Newsletter Sign-Up * Goodreads
Giveaway
A Pacific blue beach towel
Pure Paradise body cream
Luxury moisturizing bath bar from the San Francisco soap company
An autographed copy of EVENING STARS by Susan Mallery (the first book with a character from Mischief Bay)
Flip-flop tea candle holder
Map of Mischief Bay
THE GIRLS OF MISCHIEF BAY Post-It book
THE GIRLS OF MISCHIEF BAY bookmark
Handy bath mini-tote
Susan Mallery lip gloss
Susan Mallery 3D luggage tag
Susan Mallery pen
CONTEST OVER
WINNER-Jennifer A
And don’t forget to visit mischiefbay.com for more giveaways!
I’ve been following the tour, reading all of the excerpts! Thanks for hosting, it’s been fun to slowly get a feel for this book.
Glad you’re enjoying the tour, Holden! All of the other stops are still accepting entries in their giveaways, I believe, so if you missed any of the stops, click this link to catch up: Susan Mallery Events
Thanks for the info!
This looks like a really good book
Thanks for another great excerpt/tour stop.
Love Susan Mallery books!
Great giveaway! Thanks!
That is a nice giveaway…good luck everyone
I have to catch up on the tour!
Thanks for sharing
Having so much fun following your tour and absolutely love reading the excerpts! Great book!
Thanks for being a part of the tour!