Can't Say No: Single on Valentine's Day, #4

By Shannyn Leah

Aspen Hewitt is looking forward to a Valentine's Day without the complications of a relationship or meeting someone new. She just wants to spend the night with her other single friends and forget about her restaurant business and the fact she is alone for another Valentine's Day. But what she didn't count on was her best friend's brother, Creed Nigh, taking over her night.

Now, forced to spend the evening with a man she'd slept with once—while he'd been engaged—she finds herself drawn back into his charming ways. As they work together to complete fun missions, she tries hard to keep it platonic, but Creed's changed—in a good way. Maybe this Valentine's Day will be different—in a way she didn't expect.

This Valentine's Day being single is all the rage. At least that's what the website, Single Status says and they're not trying to set you up with your special someone. But, instead, give you the time of your life. Sign up a family member, a friend or join yourself. Single Status will send an anonymous letter with details of an activity for the day. #ValentinesDayIsntJustForCouples.

Read stories from 13 of your favorite authors in this brand new Valentine's series. Follow characters as they receive instructions from Single Status and navigate their love lives in tales of varying degrees of romantic heat.

Grab one a day from February 1-13th

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shannyn Leah
• Release date: Feb 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781540170507

Shannyn Leah

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, Shannyn Leah welcomes you to her small town of bad boys and smart, sassy heroines. Contemporary romance with the perfect blend of humor, heart and heat.  To be notified when new books, exclusive excerpts and contests are released, join her mailing list here: http://www.shannynleah.com/newsletter-and-secret-access-club.php

Book preview

Single on Valentine’s Day Series

Book 1 - Seven Minutes in Heaven, by K. G. Reuss

Book 2 - Sugar Rush, by Bella Emy

Book 3 – Cupid’s Connection, by C. A. King

Book 4 – Can’t Say No, by Shannyn Leah

Book 5 – Blind Date, by Crystal Lynn

Book 6 – Hands off, by Dakota Trace

Book 7 – Taking the Leap, by Shaan Ranae

Book 8 – Commander’s Weakness, by Caitlyn Fournier

Book 9 – A Seal’s Vow, by Tara Ames

Book 10 – Play Date, by Emkay Connor  

Book 11 – Coffee, Tea or Me, by Kelly Moore

Book 12 – Seeking More, by Allyson Lindt

Book 13 – Breaking the Rules, by Erin Cristofoli

Chapter One

O RDER UP! ASPEN Hewitt’s trusted and number-one chef slid two plates of steaming lobster capellini with leek tarragon cream sauce on the chrome rack just as the fill-in waitress tied the black apron around her waist and walked into the kitchen.

Aspen sighed with relief, thankful she’d been able to find a waitress fill-in on the busiest day of the year, Valentine’s Day. 

She relied on her staff as much as the other employees did. They’d had to pick up the slack tonight while she’d made calls to the employees who had booked the day off, practically pleading for them to work. The task had proved to be a difficult challenge. Generally, Aspen gladly worked the floor on this busy holiday. Not only was a packed house good for her bank account, but she’d been single each Valentine’s Day since she’d opened the business three years ago, leaving her no reason not to work. At least by the end of the night she typically had great numbers to enjoy with a bottle of wine and soothing music. 

This Valentine’s was different. She still didn’t have a date—not with a guy anyway—but she wouldn’t work the whole night. Her single friends had signed them all up to a group event on some website called Single Status, dedicated to celebrating single people around the globe. After a quick survey, and the option of paying in advance for a surprise trip or paying as you go, the organization sent their clients on what they called missions. These missions ranged from heading to a craft night, or taking a cruise, to a simple night at a local restaurant The options spanned from simple to extravagant. Aspen’s friends had signed them up as a group and to pay as you go. The envelope with the mission had been dropped off at the restaurant days ago with instructions not to open until Valentine’s Day. It had remained sealed and tonight she would break the seal.

She spotted her group now, finishing their supper at a large table in the middle of Aspen’s restaurant. She looked around the space and smiled.

When she’d purchased the old house off the main street, she’d gutted the inside and built a rustic-themed restaurant with warm colors, starting with the original brick wall. The whole place had a welcoming feel and romantic glow, including the turquoise seats offered a pop of color.

Directing her attention back to her friends, she saw Clark and Tess, her best friends, sat among a six other people. All platonic friends, she knew. Some had remained closer friends than others since high school, but seeing them all together now felt like transporting into the past.

Aspen had urged them to eat without her after the last minute cancellations had dragged her away. Still dressed in her afternoon work clothes—black slacks and a red, button-up blouse—she weaved her way across the herringbone floor of dark and light woods to her friends. Her little black dress hung in her office. After she told the group the limo would arrive shortly, she’d go change.

Her hand pressed against her apron pocket where the red velvet envelope was tucked away with the details of their mission. 

She stopped at their table and her—Ta-da.—got their attention. 

Are you finally done? Tess squeezed her wrist with an exaggerated sigh. 

Aspen smiled. Yes.

The table cheered, clapping their hands and whistling. A few even rose their glasses in the air to toast her presence before chugging back the liquid. 

The limo will be here in about fifteen minutes, so finish your drinks, Aspen said.

Clark held up her glass. But there’s alcohol in the limo, right?

Aspen chuckled. I would assume so. You rented it, remember? Is there alcohol?

Clark, clearly already a little tipsy, lifted her glass and cheered the air before downing her drink. 

And— Aspen began to slip the envelope out of her apron when a familiar bay rum scent wafted around her, freezing her hand and breath, but speeding her heart to the rapid sound of drums.

She felt an arm lightly slip around her waist and fingers press into her side. She recognized the man even before he spoke against the side of her head.

How’s my favorite little sister’s best friend? 

His low, husky voice was the sound of every women’s hottest fantasy and curled her insides into knots. Still, she cringed at the little sister’s best friend cliché, even as excitement, fear, and desire pulsed from his touch and soared through her body. He was as much the cliché being her best friend’s older, hot brother. He’d always been hot. And taken. He’d always had a girl on his arm. And he’d only ever seen Aspen as no more than the cliché.

She hadn’t seen him in five years. A quick search on the internet had told her Creed Nigh had retired his professional soccer career a little over a year ago due to a recurring knee injury. A year before that he’d divorced his model-turned-wife actress. That was the type of woman Creed had always been interested in, gorgeous and flashy, nothing like Aspen.

That’s insulting. Clark slammed her glass down on the table a little too hard. What about me? Am I not your favorite little sister’s best friend?

Aspen felt Creed’s low chuckle vibrate against her side where he clutched her firmly. His grasp made her feel as if he owned her or had a claim on her and was showing her