When We Finally Kiss Goodnight

By Staci Troilo

Chloe Upshaw suffers from what she calls the trifecta of awful—unfulfilling job, disappointed family, bad luck with love. Just before Christmas, she travels to Pittsburgh hoping to land a job that will change her career. But not only is she in stiff competition for the position, she angers her mother by rejecting her matchmaking efforts and not going home. Worse, she runs into the guy who got away—and this time, no matter how many lies she tells to protect her heart, she leaves herself vulnerable to hurt.

Britt Garris' callous and careless behavior in college cost him his dream girl. When fate crosses their paths ten years later, he thinks it's serendipity. And he launches into one deception after another to win her back, including an auspicious trip for the two archaeologists to Gettysburg. Britt plays on Chloe's love of history to spend time with her. He doesn't count on the local lore and legend predicting their future—a future his duplicity puts at risk.

When their lies finally crumble, their budding relationship is threatened. Their dishonesties and disillusions may be impossible to overcome. But maybe the magic of the season can make their dreams come true.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Primacasa Press
• Release date: Nov 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781944938093

Book preview

Chapter one

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Chloe didn’t bother fighting the horde to be the first to baggage claim. They could rush there like stampeding cattle. She’d meander. If her job was unloading passenger bags and she had to stand out there with icy winds tearing across the tarmac and pelting her in the face, she’d perform it with efficiency. But years of watching them taught her otherwise. Those baggage handlers barely moved faster than crystallized honey off the tip of a spoon as they dragged luggage out of the belly of the jet then tossing it none-too-gently onto the carts.

No, no need to rush. She had plenty of time for an overpriced cup of coffee.

When her pocket vibrated, she retrieved her phone. Upon seeing the face on the screen, she rolled her eyes, suppressed a sigh, and accepted the call. Did you time my flight, Mother?

You said you’d call when you landed.

Chloe passed the last of the gates and started walking by the restaurants and shops. The sign for the café she’d intended to stop at shone a few short feet away, but suddenly whiskey sounded like a better alternative. She headed toward the closest bar and grill.

I just stepped off the plane. I’m not even at baggage claim yet. Why don’t I call you from the hotel?

Why don’t you cancel your interview and come home early? You don’t really want to give up on your dream, do you?

This time she didn’t swallow the sigh. Mother, you can hardly call it my dream when it’s become a nightmare.

Oh, don’t be dramatic, Chloe. You’ve made your mark at two institutions now.

And that’s what they feel like. Institutions. For the clinically insane.

It was her mother’s turn to vent a frustrated breath. After all that money we spent on your education.

It’s a good thing I got my doctorate, huh? Now I can be a professor.

You know what they say… those who can’t, teach.

I have to go, Mother. Chloe ended the call then stepped into the restaurant. She bypassed the hostess and headed straight for the bar. Before she even reached a stool, she heard a voice that stopped her mid-stride.

—so I dusted off the skull, held it up to the camera, and said, ‘Say cheese, kid.’ Those little buggers with the missionary group about busted a gut.

The group around the man burst into laughter while she swallowed a scoff of derision and a scathing remark. Chloe didn’t have to see his broad shoulders and wavy brown hair to identify the braggart—though those features certainly stood out in this business-traveler crowd—and she absolutely didn’t want him to see her, so she hurried out before he could turn and face her.

Who was she kidding? He wouldn’t recognize her. He probably didn’t remember she existed.

Whether her luggage had arrived at the carousel or not, she headed to baggage claim to wait with the crowd. There was safety—and anonymity—in numbers.

With a wish for the drink she didn’t have a chance to order, she promised herself a glass, or bottle, of wine at the hotel. She and alcohol didn't really get along, but in this case, she'd risk it.

Chapter two

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Britt stood at the top of the stairs and surveyed the baggage claim area. In mere seconds, he’d found exactly what he wanted—what he’d chased from the bar since the second he saw her reflection in the mirror. He took the steps two-at-a-time then closed the rest of the distance with a few long strides.

The woman standing with his back to him wasn’t tall, but her presence overshadowed everyone else there. She carried herself with the kind of posture years of proper breeding forced into a spine. Her tailored suit didn’t dare wrinkle on her athletic frame, and she kept brushing her long, dark hair behind her shoulders each time she looked down at her wristwatch.

Chloe Upshaw.

He grinned when she somehow managed to force her spine even straighter before turning around.

Britt Garris. Shouldn’t you be in a hole somewhere?

I see you still have your wit and charm.

She smiled. Sort of. Maybe it was a grimace. But he’d take it, whatever it was.

I’ll assume you’re referring to my show, he said. "Can You Dig It is on hiatus right now."

Hmm. Well, it was… nice catching up with you. She turned back toward the carousel.

Catching up? He raised his voice so she could hear him over the whir of the carousel motor that had just kicked on. A few of the people standing nearby turned to look at him, but he didn’t acknowledge them. "I don’t think you actually even said hello