Aimee Carson - The Unexpected Wedding Guest

“Surprised to see me?”

Getting caught in her wedding dress by her drop-dead-gorgeous ex-husband is Reese Michael’s worst nightmare. Especially when her perfect-on-paper fiancé then cancels their wedding!

Reese has spent years trying to forget how her marriage to Mason Hicks crashed and burned—yes, their chemistry was incredible, but a girl can’t live on lust alone! And what’s a jilted bride supposed to do when the one man she could never forget is back in her life, as irresistible as ever? Mason might be her own personal brand of Kryptonite, but surely life is meant to be lived a little dangerously…?

Look out for the second book in The Wedding Season quartet, Girl Least Likely to Marry.

‘Surprised to see me, Park Avenue?’

The familiar, sexy rumble and the nickname added to the surreal nature of being transported back ten years in time when she had laughingly told Mason her college roommates’ nickname for her, Park Avenue Princess. And then he’d made the name his own, dropping the princess part. Which for some strange reason had pleased her no end.

But she was not pleased to see Mason.

Days away from her wedding.

Reese gritted her teeth, struggling to retain her cool as the anger finally built high enough to surpass every other emotion—shock, doubt and dread, just to name a few. Why was he coming to see her again? After ten years, why now? Right when all of her dreams were finally about to come true.

Her chest pinched, making breathing more difficult. Bad enough he had to still look good, now the unwanted memories invaded. Memories of Mason making love to her. The incredibly intense state of happiness they’d achieved, right before it had all been blown to hell. Correction, right before Mason had blown it all to hell.

Remember, Reese. Never again.

Dear Reader,

When I first spoke with my lovely editor about THE WEDDING SEASON, I was thrilled with the idea of participating in a continuity that follows four college roommates as they rediscover their friendship and fall in love with their perfect match. Of course, there was no way I was going to pass on the opportunity to work with three wonderful authors whom I’d met and whose work I adore. And the fun we had creating the characters for these stories? Bonus! Reese wouldn’t have been the same without Cassie, Gina and Marnie in her life.

I truly hope you enjoy THE WEDDING SEASON as much as I’ve enjoyed working on this collaboration.

Aimee

The Unexpected Wedding Guest

Aimee Carson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

The summer she turned eleven, AIMEE CARSON left the children’s section of the library and entered an aisle full of Mills & Boon® novels. She promptly pulled out a book, sat on the floor and read the entire story. It has been a love affair that has lasted over thirty years.

Despite a fantastic job working part-time as a physician in the Alaskan Bush (think Northern Exposure and ER, minus the beautiful mountains and George Clooney), she also enjoys being at home in the gorgeous Black Hills of South Dakota, riding her dirt bike with her three wonderful kids and beyond-patient husband. But, whether at home or at work, every morning is spent creating the stories she loves so much. Her motto? Life is too short to do anything less than what you absolutely love. She counts herself lucky to have two jobs she adores, and incredibly blessed to be a part of Mills & Boon’s family of talented authors.

This and other titles by Aimee Carson are available in eBook format—check out

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To my colleagues and friends at the

Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation who, day

after day, battle geographical challenges and

unforgiving elements to provide care to the

wonderful people of the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta.

teaser

THE WEDDING SEASON

continues this month with Cassie’s story in

Girl Least Likely to Marry by Amy Andrews

Don’t miss Gina’s and Marnie’s stories, out next month!

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Excerpt

PROLOGUE

Ten years ago

Hillbrook University Campus, upstate New York

“I can’t believe this is our last night together as roomies,” Reese Michaels said as she shifted in her chair on the back porch of the house, feeling restless.

Surrounded by her three roommates, she stared out at Hillbrook College’s track field and the rolling hills beyond, countless variations of green lit by the late-afternoon sun. Hyacinths in bold yellows and pinks and purples dotted the yard, the air infused with the clean scent of spring in upstate New York. Everything was new. Changing. As was her life. And not just because the Awesome Foursome, as their neighbors had dubbed them, were going their separate ways.

The gloomy thought was pushed aside as a nervous excitement bubbled up, and she longed to share the news with her friends. The news that she and Mason had secretly spent this morning applying for a marriage license...

“At least we have our road trip to look forward to,” Marnie drawled, the blonde’s every word infused with a hint of the South. “But, Reese, we never would have forgiven you if you hadn’t made it back for tonight’s last hurrah in the house.”

“Though we do understand why you’ve been so busy with that gorgeous Marine of yours,” Gina said with a shrewd smile.

A familiar feeling settled low in Reese’s stomach—a funny combination of heat and expectant anticipation that left her heart trying to outdo its previous record. Every time Mason crossed her mind, which was pretty much every 2.5 seconds, that same sensation rolled through her chest. Making her feel happy and hopeful and hungry to hold him again. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

“Look at her,” Gina went on, her British accent infused with delight. “She’s positively glowing.”

Pleased her happiness showed, Reese opened her mouth to blurt out her secret, but Marnie spoke first.

“If you ask me, I think y’all are getting too hot and heavy too fast, honey,” Marnie said.

The words pricked Reese’s happy bubble, and she snapped her lips shut.

Gina shot Marnie an overly tolerant look. “Most women aren’t saving themselves for marriage.”

Marnie tucked her hair behind her ear. “There is nothing wrong with saving yourself for marriage.”

“I didn’t say there was anything wrong with it,” Gina said before lifting a brow dryly. “But there’s plenty that isn’t right.”

With a sigh, Reese listened as they continued the year-old argument. Sweet, Southern, fair-headed Marnie versus cynical, sexy, dark-headed Gina. And then there was plain, practical Cassie, the Australian astronomy student who was too intelligent, too engrossed in trying to discover the secrets of the cosmos to let a mere man occupy any of her time.

Tell them, Reese. Just tell them you’re getting married in a few days.

Maybe she should spring the news gently. Ease them into the idea.

Bracing for the response, hoping for the best, Reese tested the waters. “Mason is The One.”

Of that she was quite sure.

A stunned silence was followed by a chorus of groans, but she refused to cringe at the naive-sounding statement.

“Oh puh-lease, pass the puke bucket.” Gina rolled her eyes in her trademark way. “You’re such a hopeless romantic, Reese,” she said. “You don’t actually believe those chick flicks you like to watch, do you?”

Reese fought to keep her disappointment from showing. Of the three women, Reese had thought Gina, at least, would offer support.