His Perfect Woman (Harlequin Superromance) by Kay Stockham

spent the afternoon with Bryan, how could she not think of the kiss? Not remember her dreams? Her imagination had been quite detailed, painfully so.
    To even consider Bryan a possibility as a companion to her loneliness was a joke…on her.
    â€œCome on, it’s a gorgeous beginning to September and the last of the really pretty weather. I’ll put the top down so we can enjoy the day. How about it? I’d hoped to discuss the fund-raiser since we didn’t get a chance yesterday. Maybe toss around a few ideas and get things rolling? Layer on the sunscreen and let’s go.”
    Melissa reminded herself that Bryan—men—viewed things differently than women. A date to her was a business lunch to him. Go figure. Then again, if Bryan’s reputation was anything to go by, the last thing his dates entailed was a drive to visit a friend in the hospital. It was something he’d do with…a sister. Or a friend. She did need to see the baby, make sure Ashley knew she’d simply been a little overwhelmed and that she didn’t resent her or Joe’s happiness.
    â€œDo you have other plans?”
    â€œNo, but—”
    â€œGreat. So how long do you need?”
    â€œNeed?”
    â€œTo get ready. Longer than a half hour?” He chuckled softly, the sound friendly. “Are you sure you’re awake?”
    The teasing in Bryan’s voice made her smile, as well, before she squelched it and shook off her hesitation. Bryan might be a player when it came to women, but he was also her boss. One who’d readily agreed to her demand of not repeating the same mistake because he’d regretted it himself. Instantly.
    She was the only one making a big deal out of things. What happened in Bryan’s office was nothing to someone like him, a man who dated multiple women. No, he’d gotten caught up in the moment, forgotten her history and—
    It wouldn’t happen again . “Thirty minutes.”
    â€œI’ll see you then. Don’t forget the sunscreen.”
    Â 
    B RYAN HELD Ashley and Joe’s daughter in his arms, amazed how something so tiny could hold everyone around her so enthralled. The infant scrunched up her face, yawned, then blinked her eyes open to stare at him, and he knew in an instant the girl would grow up and break some hearts. “Beautiful. It’s a good thing she takes after her mother, though,” he murmured, never taking his eyes off her little face.
    Wilson Woodrow, the man who’d unofficially adopted Ashley when she’d bought his large Victorian home to open a bed and breakfast, laughed gruffly. “Wouldn’t Joe’s ugly mug have been a sight?”
    Joe took the ribbing in stride. “Hush up, old man, or you’ll be getting diaper duty.”
    â€œServe him right. He never does his share of the dishes,” Joe’s father added. Ted Brody shook a finger at Wilson, but the grin on his face belied his gruff tone. “Always out playing bingo with those widows from Baxter. I told him if he ain’t careful, one of these days he’s going to find himself in front of a preacher again.”
    Wilson looked so horrified at the thought they all laughed. Bryan continued to chuckle, noting belatedly that the group had quieted down and was now focused on something behind him. He turned. Melissa stood outside the door holding a bouquet of flowers that shook slightly. “There you are. I wondered where you’d disappeared to.”
    Her face flushed. “Sorry. I ran into someone and then…I didn’t want to visit empty-handed.”
    â€œOh, Melissa, you didn’t have to buy flowers! Come in,” Ashley greeted warmly. “I’m so glad you’re here!”
    Melissa stepped forward, her eyes down, her cheeks bright pink, which caused the sprinkling of freckles across her nose to stand out against her pale skin. “How are you feeling?”
    â€œActually much better this