Book 3: Kiss Me at Midnight
Junior state congresswoman and heiress Lily Summer wants to combat childhood hunger in her district but to do so she needs to raise a million dollars and donors are hard to come by. Fourth generation actor Judson Hambly wants to direct, but no one will back his production, seemingly because he has an aversion to settling down.
Lily and Judson can earn the money they need by attending a reality TV star’s destination wedding as maid of honor and best man. However, Lily had a falling out with the bride-to-be a decade ago and has to bring Judson as her date! She’ll need to put all of her political skills to work if she’s going to pull off this million-dollar date without tarnishing her career or losing her heart.
Excerpt:
“The man at the bar asked me to give you this.” The waiter handed Lily a business card.
In the darkened section of the ballroom and without her glasses on, there was no way Lily could read what was printed on the front, much less scribbled on the back, of that card. She thanked the young server anyway, shoving it into her clutch with her cell phone.
It was probably from one of her constituents. Someone who needed a new sidewalk in front of their brownstone or wanted to complain about the high rate they paid for garbage.
Just in case the man at the bar was someone who could advance her career or find her true love, Lily waved in the general direction of the bar. And then she stifled a yawn.
Just a few more minutes, and then she’d congratulate Aubrey on her engagement to an Ecuadorian hunk and make her way home. Tomorrow was a workday, after all.
“Lily.” A man appeared next to her. He was tall, dark haired, and smelled like a sunny day at the Hamptons.
She almost reached inside her clutch for her glasses so she could see what he looked like.
“Thanks for agreeing to talk.” He slid his arm around her waist and guided her toward the door and the hotel lobby.
And she let him because it was loud in the New York City ballroom, her feet hurt in her heels, and she could always call Aubrey to congratulate her on her engagement in the morning.
“I need some air,” potentially hunky man was saying. His voice was warm, almost familiar in her ear. His hand was warm, almost familiar on her hip. His name though… His name was still a mystery.
I should put on my glasses.
It was just that she’d been raised as a New York City socialite and had four sisters who had excellent vision and were beautiful. She always felt dumpy in her glasses, and contacts bothered her eyes.
Pride. The downfall of most politicians.
I’m allowed one vice.
But she was curious about the man beside her.
Lily fumbled with her clutch as he swept her toward the lobby entrance where a loud crowd seemed to have formed. Her escort slowed as he led her out into the brisk spring evening. And as he slowed, the crowd erupted in squeals of excitement, held back by suited security guards.
“I didn’t expect this.” Her escort’s voice was deep. His words well-modulated. He had no Brooklyn accent or swagger.
“I need a ride, Lily. Can you drop me off?” Grandma Dotty inserted herself between Lily and the man, craning her neck to stare up into his face. “Well, hello, Trouble. I’m Dotty, Lily’s grandmother. I loved you in The Music Man.”
“Thank you.” Lily’s escort waved to the throng.
The crowd screamed louder. Cameras and phones flashed.
Apparently, he was famous. Perhaps an actor. The probability of him needing help to fight city hall increased.
Grandma Dotty mimicked his wave. “I never knew animal rescue societies had such a big fan base.” She was completely oblivious to the likelihood that the crowd was here to see Lily’s mystery man. “Give generously!” She blew kisses.
Lily loved her grandmother, but she wasn’t as sharp as she used to be.
Lily slid her glasses on and glanced up at her escort. Her very handsome, very buff escort. “Judson Hambly?” The actor who’d been her teenage crush? The actor who was currently starring as a superhero in a television show? He looked like he could do his own stunts, like they didn’t have to pad his supersuit with a fake six-pack.
Several teenage girls screamed louder, presumably at the confirmation of the name of the hunky actor, or because he smoothly switched positions with Dotty and settled a proprietary hand on Lily’s hip once more.
“Your car is ready.” The gold buttons on a hotel attendant’s burgundy uniform gleamed in the bright lights as he opened the rear door to a black Town Car.
Lily hadn’t seen her car drive up. She moved toward it anyway, shocked by Judson’s continued presence at her side.
“Are you two dating?” someone shouted.
“Kiss her!” someone else demanded as Dotty gingerly got in the back seat.
“What’s going on?” Suspicious of his motives, Lily’s gaze searched Judson’s. Is he going to kiss me? Her heart raced.
“I need a ride out of here.” Judson’s blue eyes were electric but held no heat promising kisses.
Lily was…relieved? At least, she should be. She’d built her career on practically being invisible in a city that celebrated celebrity.
But still… The seed was planted: What would it be like to kiss Judson Hambly?
Unbidden, a thought arose: Marvelous.
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