{Wattys Shortlist 2022}
A one night stand is turned inside out when two strangers discover their shared past.
After a skydiving excursion that ends in a whirlwind one night stand, Camilla writes off ever seeing her handsome instructor again. That...
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Jack Dougherty—or whoever he was—could wait. Right now, I had a bigger problem.
Connor Fitzpatrick. And the woman standing next to him.
He didn't smile when our eyes met.
"We saw you two from across the pavilion and wanted to come say hi," Connor said.
South made a face. "Why?"
I couldn't stop my cringe reflex from kicking in. South didn't care about offending Connor, not after our evening out, and he wasn't trying to hide it. I was sure the woman at Connor's side wasn't helping my boyfriend's temper either.
Lianna McGilvary was attached to Connor's arm like a diamond cuff link, beaming like she'd just muscled a limited edition pair of Jimmy Choos away from another greedy shopper.
A million sparkling crystals adorned her gown. White fabric clinging to her athletic figure. Connor in black and white, setting off clear blue eyes.
They made a striking couple side by side and dressed in evening wear, like James Bond and Vesper Lynd. The charming hero and morally gray spy falling in love under twinkling candlelight.
They made sense together. Connor was sweet and blushing and full of heart, and Lianna was looking for a good guy who made her parents happy.
And I had South, who set my entire world on fire and made me feel like I could accomplish anything. We had it all: chemistry and laughter and comfort. He'd fallen back into my life for a reason.
I just wasn't sure why seeing Connor and Lianna together bothered me so much.
Lianna pressed perfectly pink lips together.
"Don't be like that, South. We want to spend some time with Camilla before she leaves tomorrow," Lianna said in her flirty voice, then turned to me. Gaze dragging over my simple black dress. "Camilla, you look so pretty."
"Thanks," I replied, my voice tight. "So do you."
South didn't acknowledge Lianna but pulled me closer to his chest. A cold look trained directly on Connor. And for once, Connor wasn't shrinking away.
"I know why you're here, Fitzpatrick. Don't think you're fooling me by bringing a date. I see right through your game."
My eyes were wide with shock.
"She doesn't want you," South continued, his voice dropping to a growl. "So turn around and walk away before I put you through a damn wall."
