Tempting Fate (The Blake Boys Book 9) Read Online Free PDF Page A

minute she could spare. There was still time to come up with a good lie and bow out, but she wanted to offer her congratulations to Hannah and Geoff just in case she couldn’t make it to their wedding. Besides, it had been a while since she’d been able to get out of the house and catch up with friends. She wanted to feel like she was part of the world again. But she didn’t want to answer questions about why she’d dropped out of sight.
    She really wanted to look her best tonight, and that could only be accomplished if she could get a good nap in before party time. She’d listened to Hannah drone on about the guest list for weeks, and one name had made her ears perk up: Channing Blake. There wasn’t a day that went by when she didn’t think about that six-foot-two hunk of man with the easy smile and beautiful jade eyes that spoke volumes to her. She’d heard he’d gone back home to Texas and was working for his family’s company. That wasn’t a surprise. He was passionate about two things: the law and his family. He talked about his family with so much love that it was hard not to be envious of the closeness he had with his brothers.
    Hannah said she hadn’t received a response from him, but part of her was hoping she’d see him again. So much so that she thought she saw him walking through the door of the coffee shop. Did every gorgeous man with an incredible smile that oozed sex appeal remind her of Channing Blake? No, because she didn’t know anyone else who fit the description. She tightened her gaze on the man coming closer. Holy crap. It was him.
    She tugged on the baseball cap she was wearing, then swore under her breath because she was wearing a pair of ratty old sweats. She moved to her left, hoping the tall guy in front of her would shield her.
    “Cassidy?”
    Too late.
    “Channing Blake, I didn’t see you come in.” She gave him her best smile as she squeaked out her fib. “What on earth are you doing here?”
    “I’m in town for Hannah and Geoff’s engagement party.” He grinned and came in for a hug.
    Cassidy steeled herself for the embrace. Of all the days to run out for tea in her sweats. She could feel every muscle in his strong body as he pulled her close. He was earthy and sexy, just like she remembered him. Being wrapped in his arms felt like safety and seduction all wrapped up into one complex package. What was it about that fabulous smile that got her all flustered? Or the way his eyes sparkled when he looked at her? As he stepped back he planted a kiss on her cheek that narrowly grazed her lips.
    “I forgot you and Geoff were roommates first year.” At the rate she was telling lies, she feared her nose would start growing.
    “I had to come back for their engagement party. I think they fell in love two minutes after they met. I always knew they’d get married.” He chuckled.
    “Me too. Those two were made for each other.” She sighed and took a step forward. The line was finally moving.
    “Some people have it easy. They find their soul mate and never let go.”
    “If only life were that simple.” Cassidy’s cell phone pinged with a text alert. She glanced at the screen. It was her friend Mark informing her Channing was in town.
    “Are you going to the party?” he asked.
    “Yes, I am.”
    “Cool. Why don’t we go together? We have a lot of catching up to do. For starters, I want to know where you disappeared to last year.”
    Oh no. That was the last thing she wanted to talk about. “Well, I’m actually going with Mark Davidson. I don’t know if you remember him.”
    “Yes, he lived across the hall from me and Geoff. How is he?”
    “Still an environmental caped crusader.”
    “I remember. Geoff threw a soda can in the trash one time, and Mark came over to our apartment and read us the riot act about recycling. We found it odd he knew it was our trash.” Channing laughed.
    “That’s Mark.”
    “So how about we catch up at the party tonight?”
    “I’ll