Her Football Star Billionaire Groom (Bachelor Second Chance Cowboy Book 2) Page 14
“Cousin-in-law,” Clark corrected.
“Whatever. Now, I’m going to have to pick sides and that’s always so awkward.”
“It’ll be fine, man. She’s already over me, I’m sure. I’ll recover.”
“So, are you going to take a week or two off for bereavement? If you are, I know of several social events happening that might lift your spirits.”
Clark rolled his eyes at Hugh’s thinly veiled attempt to lure him to parties, undoubtedly to try and find him a new, but most likely temporary, girlfriend to cheer him up. Pulling into his apartment’s drive and waiting for the valet, he maneuvered into an open spot and killed the engine. “Thanks, but I have meetings scheduled for tomorrow.”
“You’re killing me, Clark! When you have a perfectly valid reason not to go to work, you still would rather be at work. Has anyone ever told you that you’ve got a problem?”
Closing his eyes, he tipped his head back and leaned against his seat’s headrest. “Once before.”
“Whoever had the gall to tell you must’ve been one brave soul.”
“I like to think I inherited my parents’ work ethic.”
“I’ll give you that.”
Clark smiled to himself, though the memory held a measure of sadness he’d never quite been able to shake. “It was Maren who put me in my place.”
“Good ol’ Maren. That doesn’t surprise me. She was a spitfire and I think probably the only one in this world who could match your tenacity.”
“Yeah,” Clark agreed. Working up the courage to ask, he spit out, “Have you heard from her lately?”
“Maren? Nope. I’m pretty sure she hated my guts and only tolerated my presence because she loved you that much.”
Clark huffed a laugh. “And why do I tolerate your presence?”
“Ha ha,” Hugh said. “Why are you asking?”
“Never mind.” Clark suppressed the urge to punch something as he thought of the bind he was in. “Curious, I guess.”
“Don’t go down that path, bro, wondering about all your past breakups. It doesn’t do any good.”
“Seriously? You never evaluate where you could’ve done better?”
“Nope.”
Hugh was silent for a moment and Clark steeled himself for what he knew was coming next. “Look, I really am sorry your dad passed away. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be without parents, and so young.”
“Yeah,” Clark said, swallowing the painful lump of emotion choking his throat. “Like I told Gemma, it sucks.”
“I know offering to introduce you to some other ladies might seem kind of shallow, but that’s sometimes what distracts me from the painful realities of this world.”
“Sometimes?” Clark teased.
“Fine. Most of the time.”
“Unless you’re in contact with some mail-order bride company or some foreign ballerina desperate to get American citizenship, I’ll do my own dating, thanks.”
Howling with laughter, Hugh asked, “Am I hearing you right? You’re looking for a bride? I mean, I know you’re facing just how short life is but you’re practically still a baby. Hang on…did you scare Gemma off with a proposal?”
Clark shrugged even though he knew Hugh couldn’t see him. “The timing seemed right.”
“If you say so, buddy. What’s the rush to get married?”
For a minute, he wanted to tell Hugh about the debacle his father was causing, but he kept the family secret to himself. “I want that kind of happiness my parents had. Why would I want to put that off?”
At least that confession was true.
“I can respect that,” Hugh said. “If you change your mind and need help finding your next one and only, let me know.”
“Thanks.”
Clark said goodnight to his friend and turned off his phone, tossing it onto the passenger seat. He had less than eight hours before he’d be walking into the office for a first meeting with a high-profile potential client but for the moment, sleep evaded him. He needed a plan if he was going to pull off a marriage by Christmas.
“Dear God, if you’re still listening, I could really use some help right about now.”
He heard nothing in response, felt nothing, the same as when he had prayed that his father hadn’t really died. It’d been one of those prayers of his life that he earnestly wanted answered but had ended up disappointed. Scoffing at his own desperation, he shook his head and knew he’d have to take his fate into his own hands.
First, he was going to go up to his apartment and try to cram in a few hours of sleep. Then, he was going to wake up and pound in at least five miles on the treadmill. Once his meeting with his marketing team and potential client were done, he was going to make a surprise visit to his charity.
Then, he was going to search for a wife.
Read in Kindle Unlimited FREE or Purchase HERE!
Also by Ellie Hall
The Only Us Sweet Billionaire Series
All I Want for Christmas Novella (Book .5)
Only a Kiss with a Billionaire (Book 1)
Only a Night with a Billionaire (Book 2)
Only Forever with a Billionaire (Book 3)
Only Love with a Billionaire (Book 4)
Only a Date with a Billionaire (Bonus Book)
♥
The Rich & Rugged, the Hawkins Brothers Clean Romance Series
Second Chance with a Firefighter (Book 1)
Wedding Day with a Rancher (Book 2)
Resort Getaway with a Bodyguard (Book 3)
Falling in love with a Police Officer (Book 4)
Christmas with a Mountain Man (Book 5)
♥
The Blue Bay Beach Reads Romance Series
Summer with a Marine (Book 1)
Summer with a Rock Star (Book 2)
Summer with a Billionaire (Book 3)
♥
Football Billionaire Romance Series
Read more about the Boston Bruisers boys!
Starting January 2020
In Love with the Football Billionaire (Book 1)
Swooning Over the Football Billionaire (Book 2)
Forever Always with the Football Billionaire (Book 3)
Finally Together with the Football Billionaire (Book 4)
About the Author
Ellie Hall loves puppies, books, and the ocean. She writes sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels. Oh, and cookies are her favorite—chocolate chip warm from the oven are her fave. She believes in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with her family and dog in gratitude for God's grace.
Social media links:
Website: http://www.elliehallauthor.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ellie-Hall/e/B07KQS3GD4
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellie-hall