“And that took you to Ohio?”
Tessa chuckled. “Well, sort of. I found a job—teaching. And before you say anything, I know it’s far away, but plane tickets are cheap. And teachers get all summer off. Plus winter breaks.”
“I’m happy for you. Really.” Ellie placed her hand on Tessa’s knee. “If that’s where you have to go to find your Bliss—what else can you do? Stay here and be miserable, just so I have someone to keep me company on slow days?”
Tessa jumped up. “For real? You’re not upset?”
“Upset? How could I be? Look how happy you are!” Ellie stood and hugged her friend. “But I am concerned for your sleep schedule. How are you ever going to adjust?”
“Don’t remind me! I’d like to say it’s a small price to pay, but, well, that’s gonna be a sacrifice. Those little goober’s better be worth it!” The glint in her eyes said she already knew they would be. Tessa had a heart of gold, and she’d stuck by Ellie’s side through difficult situations, guiding her with surprisingly sage advice. She’d make a great teacher.
“So where in Ohio? Cincinnati? Columbus?”
“Uh… not exactly.” Tessa grinned. “It’s like a suburb…of a suburb. Ever heard of Brookside?”
James sat two decaf coffees on the counter for the women to sip while they discussed the ins and outs of Tessa’s life change. As he wiped the counter and swept the floor, he couldn’t help but notice how freely Ellie smiled, how easily she laughed. And he vowed, then and there, to never let anything take that away from her again.
Did you love James and Ellie? I hope you did!
Are you wondering whether the quietest Moore brother inherited the same bossy gene as the other two? (Hint: HE DID!)
When Juliet’s best friend flies in to be the maid of honor at her wedding, Harry is not prepared for the blast of attraction to sweep his legs right out from under him.
The chemistry is strong. Instant. And bound to be short-lived because she’s married to her job in New York City…
One-click INSTANT BLISS now!
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Turn the page for an excerpt from INSTANT BLISS…
Instant Bliss Sneak Peek
Chapter One
Willow
Willow snapped the ends off a green bean and tossed it into a strainer, smiling across a granite countertop at her best friend Juliet. The women hadn’t seen each other in months, due to Julz packing up and leaving New York City in a hurry.
“Have I told you how much I missed this?” Willie trailed a finger around the stem of her mostly empty wine glass, cheeks aching from the perma-grin that’d been plastered in place since her plane landed.
“You say that like we made a habit of destringing green beans before I moved to Bliss.” Juliet cocked her head, humor gleaming in her pretty eyes. “You’re so married to your job, I count myself lucky I saw you at all.”
The joke landed flat, even though Willow let it slide and laughed anyway. No one, apparently not even her closest friend, understood why she sacrificed so much for her career.
“Of all people, you know I have to be married to my job. And you also know what I mean. I miss this…” She gestured between them. “The way we are. I’m going crazy now that seven hundred miles of the east coast separates us.”
“Me too, Willie. Me, too.” Juliet leaned into her friend, shoulder to shoulder, head to head. “Have I mentioned how glad I am you could make it for the wedding? Especially considering your abusive-husband-slash-place-of-employment?”
With wide eyes, Willow slapped Juliet in the arm. “My job is not abusive. It’s a dream come true and I’ll do anything to keep it.”
“I know, babe. I really do. I also really love teasing you about it, as I’m sure you’re aware.”
“Believe me. I’m aware.”
Through the window over her friend’s shoulder, Willow watched the ocean lap the beach. Clouds dotted a brilliant sky and sunlight streamed into Juliet’s monstrous kitchen, dancing across the tile floor.
Bliss, South Carolina was the complete opposite of what Willow was accustomed to back in Manhattan, what with the wide-open spaces and the fresh air and the fact that everyone knew everything about everybody because they’d all known each other forever…
Basically, all the small town stuff she’d always heard about.
On one hand, she understood why Juliet loved it there, but on the other, she questioned if she’d lose her mind to the slow pace and the persistent possibility of becoming the talk of the town every time you went through a major life event. Give her the anonymity and energy of the city any day.
Juliet’s fiancé—Ian Moore—sauntered into the kitchen and slid his arms around his soon-to-be-wife’s waist, then pulled her close and kissed his way across her jawline to her lips. He pressed his forehead to hers, taking her hands and stroking her knuckles with his thumbs.
Willow considered looking away.
She even considered leaving the room.
The moment seemed incredibly intimate and precious. So completely designed for just the two of them that she felt like an intruder—though her stuff was half-unpacked in the guestroom upstairs. Even the memory of Juliet calling her the guest of honor when she arrived didn’t diminish the feeling.
Lulu, a little Yorkshire terrier with a big personality, propped her front paws up on Ian’s leg and he absently scratched behind her ears. “You girls have fun. I’ll be back before my family gets here.”
“Promise you won’t take long?” Juliet raised a questioning brow, her eyes trained on his.
“Juliet Lane.” He cupped her cheeks and laughed lightly. “You’ll be my wife in a week. Are you telling me you can’t handle being alone with my family?”
She slid her hands into Ian’s back pockets and leaned her cheek against his chest. “No, silly. I just can’t stand being separated from you.”
Willow fought the urge to roll her eyes
