One Last Kiss

By Annie Rains

Acclaimed chef, Abby Sawyer has been offered a chance to host her own cooking show. The catch is that it involves leaving Blushing Bay, North Carolina. There’s nothing left for her in the small coastal town anyway. When she gets locked in her restaurant’s basement with her estranged husband, however, she’s not going anywhere. And she’ll either end up killing or kissing her ex before the night is over.

Even though they’ve been separated for two years, commercial fisherman Sam Sawyer is devastated when he’s served divorce papers. He refuses to sign until he and Abby have talked. Knowing she’s alone at her restaurant this weekend, he heads over and finds her downstairs in the basement—just before the door slams shut and locks them in. Being trapped in a cellar means there’s nowhere to hide from the secrets they’ve been harboring. Sam is putting everything on the table tonight, including his heart, and hoping to win Abby back for good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: NYLA
• Release date: Jul 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9781641970440

Book preview

One Last Kiss

Annie Rains

USA Today Best Selling Author

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Epilogue

Dear Reader

A SNEAK PEEK AT FORBIDDEN KISSES

A SNEAK PEEK AT CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE

BOOKS BY ANNIE RAINS

About the Author

Copyright

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the writer’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

ONE LAST KISS

Copyright 2018 by Annie Rains

Ebook ISBN: 9781641970440

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Excerpt from Forbidden Kisses copyright by Annie Rains

Excerpt from Christmas on Mistletoe Lane copyright by Annie Rains

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Cover Design by Teresa Sarmiento for NYLA

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No part of this work may be used, reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

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NYLA Publishing

121 W 27th St., Suite 1201, New York, NY 10001

http://www.nyliterary.com

Chapter 1

Abby Sawyer was doing her best to ignore her husband, who was currently standing a few feet away. It was only the second time she’d seen Sam in a suit. The first time had been their wedding day. She wondered if he even remembered wearing it since he’d struggled to remember their anniversary for their last few years of togetherness.

Her best friend Krista held her wiggling baby tight. Krista’s husband Noah, who also happened to be Sam’s youngest brother, beamed at their child from over her shoulder. The preacher was saying something prior to christening the child, but Abby hadn’t heard a word. She was too busy trying not to launch herself across the happy family and strangle her estranged husband. Some godmother she was going to be.

The preacher sprinkled some water. The precious baby cried. Then Krista and Noah turned to Sam and Abby.

Thank you both for coming, Krista said.

And for agreeing to be this lucky guy’s godparents. Noah draped an arm around Krista.

Abby smiled brightly, hoping her swirl of emotions was concealed. She hated Sam. Loathed him. Loved him. Absolutely did not want to share the role of godparent with him.

We’re honored that you asked us, Sam said.

Abby felt his gaze move to her, but she didn’t meet it. Yes. Of course, we are. She stepped up to kiss little Joshua’s forehead, and took a deep whiff of his baby smell before stepping away and bumping against Sam. He must have stepped behind her when she wasn’t looking. She jumped like he was a rattlesnake, then turned and glared. True to the stereotype of her red hair, she was quick to anger. And she wasn’t quite sure she’d ever forgive Sam.

Sorry, he said.

She shook her head, and then turned her attention to Krista. I have to get back to the restaurant.

I thought The Landing was closed for the weekend, Krista said, cradling her bundle of baby joy.

It is, but I’m spring cleaning. Abby only closed her upscale seafood restaurant twice a year on Christmas day and the first weekend of April. At the start of spring, her employees got the weekend off, and she got to scrub and polish everything until it shined. She’d always loved preparing food for others. It was her art form. But she liked to serve that food in a pristine facility. Sure, she had employees who cleaned daily, but during these two weekends, she did the stuff that sometimes got overlooked, like organizing the pantry and redecorating.

Krista grinned. Uh-oh. Little Joshua needs a diaper change.

I think that’s the godparents’ job, right? Noah teased, looking between Sam and Abby.

Sam’s hands immediately flew up. I don’t do diapers.

Krista shook her head while laughing. It’s fine. I’ve got it. Are we still on for Monday morning?

Abby frowned for a quick second, unable to think when half her brain was occupied with resentment for Sam.

You invited Grace and me to The Landing for breakfast, remember?

Oh, right. Abby nodded. The Landing didn’t start serving until eleven a.m., but sometimes she was in the mood to scramble eggs and fry bacon. After working all weekend, she would enjoy getting together with her two best friends. It might be the last time they ever got together like this in the restaurant.

Should we bring anything? Krista asked.

Grace stepped up beside her, holding her own wiggling baby. Abby was happy for them, even if there was a dull ache in her heart.

Just the babies, Abby said. After hugging her friends, she headed out of the church to her car. It was Friday evening. From now until Monday morning, she didn’t have to see another human being.

Sliding her sunglasses over her eyes, she breathed in the fresh salt air that was blowing in off the Atlantic Ocean.

Abby, a deep voice called behind her.

She paused for a moment but didn’t turn back. She knew the voice. She’d been hoping to get through this afternoon without muttering a single syllable to him.

Abby, Sam said again.

Turning, she met his blue eyes. They always seemed brighter in the spring and summer months when his tan deepened and his blond hair lightened from his hours on the fishing boat.

Hi, he said with a smile.

It was the same smile that she’d melted over since the moment they’d first met in high school. She’d loved him so completely back then that she doubted she’d ever feel whole again without him.

By the time she’d left though, she hadn’t felt whole with him in a very long time. Not when he came home late and