Afraid to Fall: Starting Over, #2

By Erin Cristofoli

Event planner Jen Weaver loves weddings and romance—for other people. She'd rather focus on her career and leave the emotional stuff to her clients. When her best friend asks Jen to plan her wedding, resisting best man Liam Galloway is not on the agenda, but he tests her willpower anyway. An unwanted intruder in her thoughts and desires, he is charming, panty-melting, and persistent.

Perpetual bachelor Liam feels something inside him click into place when he reacquaints himself with feisty, beautiful, and assured Jen. Unfortunately for him, marriage isn't on her bucket list. Determined to win her over by any means necessary, the hopeless romantic proposes fun with no commitment, hoping he'll sway her opinion on love.

Can Liam convince Jen that he's worth the fall? Will Jen accept that a career and love are not mutually exclusive? Or will she realize—too late—that some things are worth the sacrifice?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erin Cristofoli
• Release date: Jan 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393687108

Book preview

JEN

---

Are you sure you’re not working too hard, Jennifer?

I sighed. It was just like Mom to worry too much. I’m fine, promise. I’ve just had a couple of bigger events that have been keeping me pretty busy.

I am sure that you are doing an amazing job, honey. But you have to remember to find some time relax, too.

I am relaxing. Right now, I lied through my teeth, but she didn’t need to know.

Uh huh. I doubt that. I bet you’re at your office with another couple hours of work you intend to complete.

What? How did you know? I laughed.

Jennifer, do you think I was never in your shoes? When I had my business, I was just like you. Working all kinds of hours, not eating properly. It took its toll.

Mom had been my role model growing up. When I was little, I had watched her take a leap of faith and open up a floral shop in the metropolis of Calgary, where we lived. I vaguely remember the long hours she worked, but I also remember the happiness on her face as the business grew.

Dad, who was a teacher, was always there to pick up the slack, cooking dinners and making sure we had our homework done. Then, one day, I remember Dad calling us to sit in the living room to hear some news. He had been offered the position of Principal at a school in a small town outside of Calgary. The opportunity wasn’t one he could pass up, so we moved. And in doing so, Mom had to close her shop.

Now that I was all grown up, with a business of my own, I couldn’t imagine giving up my passion the way she had, and without a single complaint or comment about missing it. We never discussed it, but I always wondered if she regretted her decision to abandon her beloved shop.

When I first opened the doors of Twig to Tree Events, I poured everything I had into the business. As it began to grow, I hired Callie, and how lucky was I to find her. She went from employee to friend, and it was nice to share the success with someone.

Every so often when I would be hired for another event, I would think about my mom and her shop, and I’d feel the frustration build within me. I knew first-hand, how much dedication and effort it took to make a business work, and I couldn’t understand her choice to walk away for Dad.

As time wore on, a thought began to solidify inside me; I wouldn’t be like her. I would always put my business first and never let any man or relationship get in the way of that. I’d worked hard for my success, and it was too important to me to ruin it all for some guy.

Jennifer? Are you still there?

Shit, I must have zoned out on her.

Sorry Mom, I’m here.

She sighed heavily in my ear. Honey, go home, get some rest. I was telling you to come home and visit us soon.

Okay, I will as soon as I can. Love you.

Love you, too, honey.

As I disconnected the call, I looked at the sea of papers on my desk. Mom was right, but I couldn’t leave things like this. I shuffled the papers into some sort of order, pushed them into the event’s folder, and returned it to my cabinet. Tomorrow, I would have to make up the work, but tonight, I would do as my mom suggested. I stood, yawned, and turned off the desk lamp. A nice bubble bath and Chinese food sounded like the perfect end to my long day.

LIAM

---

Upon my arrival to catch the hockey game with my best friend, I’d sprawled across Ben’s couch. Now, I noticed the touches that Kate had made since she’d agreed to move into his apartment. It resembled a home, not the bachelor pad it had once been.

You are a lucky bastard, Ben.

And I know it, man. He replied before taking another sip of his scotch.

I laughed. I can’t believe she actually said yes.

His eyes narrowed at me. You could do with finding a good woman of your own.

Yeah, yeah. I’ll get to it eventually.

What about Tessa? Aren’t things going well with her?

I shook my head. Apparently not.

He laughed. What did you do?

Nothing. She wanted more time than I could give.

Ben had finally found happiness, and here I sat, after another failed relationship, wishing for what he had. Envy wasn’t a familiar emotion, and it didn’t sit well with me.

It wasn’t for lack of trying on my part. With the hours I worked at the firm, it was difficult to find the opportunity to meet new women. For a time, I’d tried dating a woman in the office. When it ended, things became awkward, and eventually, the woman left our firm for a job somewhere else. After that, I decided to steer clear of relationships with co-workers.

Despite attempted regular appearances at the bar not far from my apartment, no one there had tickled my fancy. I had chatted with a girl or two while in line at my favourite coffee shop, Slow Drip, and one of them agreed to drinks, but after a couple of dates, we both knew we had nothing in common. I was one step from joining a dating site, but the idea didn’t appeal to me in the slightest. I would rather find a girl the old-fashioned way—as long as I didn’t have to wait until I was fifty to find my forever.

Why don’t we get off our asses and go celebrate? I asked, tossing one of Kate’s couch pillows at him.

He laughed and launched it back. Yeah, okay, fucker, just don’t mess with the décor.

Décor? Wow, did you have to turn in your balls the day Kate moved in? Jeez, remind me, again, why I need a woman in my life?

He stood and punched me in the shoulder. My balls are intact. Jealous much?

Ha, yeah right.

We grabbed our jackets and headed out the door.

Where are we going? Rosewood?

Ben nodded. Yeah, sure. I’ll text Kate. She’s asking Jen to be her maid of honour tonight. Maybe they can join us later.

Sounds good. I nodded in agreement as we reached the street. Jen, huh?

Ben laughed, nudging my shoulder. She left an impression, didn’t she?

She was all right, I stated nonchalantly, but my dick would tell you a different story. The moment we met, her feisty personality had captured my attention, and her sexy body left me jerking off to the thought of her for weeks.

Yup, I can see just how ‘all right’ she was. It’s okay to admit you’re hot for her.

Fuck off.

He laughed. Okay, have it your way. His face turned serious, and he stopped in his tracks. Oh, by the way, you’re my best man.

As if you could choose anyone else to stand up there with you, man.

JEN

---

Kate scrunched her nose. So, I was wondering if you would be my Maid of Honour?

I squealed, tackling her across the space between us on the couch where she sat. You don’t even need to ask!

I was kind of counting on that, she stated, breathless.

The gears in my head started turning. Oh, my god, are you going to let me plan your wedding?

I don’t know . . . I don’t want you to stress out about it all. I’d rather have you by my side that day, not worrying about if the tables are set up correctly.

I laughed. I will be at your side, but you know Callie can run the show that day. Please?

She let out a loud, exaggerated sigh. Did she not want me to help? My excitement faltered a moment before Kate grinned ear to ear.

I had you going there for a second, didn’t I?

We burst into giggles. Ugh, that was not funny.

Yes it was, and you know it. Of course, I want you to help, but I didn’t want you to think you were obligated just because it’s your job.

You know I love doing what I do. There is nothing I would enjoy more. So, have you picked a date?

May 20 th.

With the way their relationship had escalated, I was surprised they had picked a date so far away. I stood and grabbed my planner from my purse before returning to sit with Kate. May 20 th it is. Wait, are you really getting married on a Sunday?

Jen, no. This year.

You mean, in two months? Holy shit, I breathed.

Kate sat there with a worried look on her face.

Okay . . . Are you pregnant or something?

What? No! Kate exclaimed. You know how Ben is, he’s impatient. I had to talk him out of running off to Vegas.

That sounds like him. I’m glad you didn’t go to Vegas. It’s not you. However, venues are going to be limited this close to the day.

Kate leaned back on the couch with a smile. We have that covered, actually, unless you absolutely hate the idea. Ben suggested getting married on his family’s farm. There’s a ton of room, and the apple trees will be in bloom in May, which I thought would be a beautiful backdrop for our ceremony. Maybe put up a tent for the reception. Does that sound like something you could work with?

You’ve made things much easier on me. I grinned. We’ll probably have to take a quick trip up there, so I can see the space and all that, but I’m excited to start planning.

Thanks, Jen. I know it’ll be beautiful. Kate smiled, every inch of her radiating happiness, and my heart was filled with so much love for my best friend. After all the crap she had to deal with back home, she had finally gotten her do-over. I had to make her day as perfect as I could.

We should celebrate, I stated, heading for the kitchen to grab a bottle of wine.

We should go out to celebrate. There’s a bar not too far from here that Ben and his best friend, Liam, are at right now. Do you remember him? We had lunch once.

I nodded silently, trying to control the thrill that was coursing through me.

He’ll be the best man. It would be good for you to get to know him too.

Liam. I’d never told Kate that Liam and I had a hand in getting her and Ben back together. My heart beat faster at the thought of seeing him again. I’m not sure I feel like going out. Besides, I should get started on wedding plans.

Kate stood up, hands on hips, a pout on her lips. Are you saying you don’t want to celebrate with me? You won’t get any planning done tonight, and you know it. Please?

With a sigh, I replied. Okay, fine. I need to get dressed. What kind of a place is this bar? Fancy or dive bar?

She answered with a shrug. It’s nothing fancy. You’ll look amazing in anything.

I rolled my eyes as I opened my closet. What to wear? I opted for skin-tight, black jeans and a low-cut, emerald halter, which gave a tasteful glimpse of my breasts. After a touch-up on my make-up, I donned knee-high boots, and we headed out.

The bar turned out to be a swanky little club, and I was glad to have dressed up a bit. We wove our way through the thick crowd, Kate pulling my hand as she caught a glimpse of her future groom, sitting in a booth on the far side of the room. As we neared, I looked around but didn’t see Liam. Maybe he had left?

A sexy voice murmured in my ear, Nice to see you again, Jen.

As I took a step away so I could turn toward the voice, a shiver ran through me. Liam stood there with a sexy smirk on his lips, and my God, how was it possible that he was even sexier than the last time I had seen him?

Hi, yourself. I raised an eyebrow at him, taking a moment to look him over. His hair was a little longer on top, strands falling across his forehead, and I had a sudden urge to brush them away.

Liam smirked at my obvious ogling. If you get to do that, then so do I. It’s only fair. Seconds passed as his eyes roamed slowly down my body, and my temperature rose. When his eyes met mine, he moved forward as he licked his plump, perfectly kissable lips. What are you doing? My brain fired repeated warnings until I backed up.

Ben stepped toward me, arms open, and I gave him a tight squeeze. It saved me from back-tracking with a visibly-disappointed Liam.

It’s great to see you, Jen. Thanks for joining us tonight and agreeing to help with the wedding.

I smiled warmly at him. Congratulations, and of course, it’s my pleasure. As if I would let you guys go with any other planner.

He laughed. True. So, what are you drinking tonight?

I’d love an Appletini.

Coming right up.

Kate slipped into the rounded booth, and her eyes watched her man walk away.

You’re practically drooling. I laughed.

Kate sighed. I can’t help myself.

I slid in beside her, and Liam sat across from me, fully aware that, aside from some ogling, I hadn’t managed to say anything to him. I looked out to the dance floor, which commanded the back half of the room, to try and clear my thoughts. I would have to spend some time with Liam, and losing all ability to mentally function around him would make me look like a complete idiot.

Ben returned to the table with drinks for us all, and Liam stood to let him sit next to Kate. Mind if I join you? he asked cheekily. I felt my face heat, and I was glad that the lights were dim. I shifted, and Liam took full advantage of the space I had given him, pressing his leg against mine. I sucked in a breath as a current shot through me at our connection. Grabbing my drink, I tipped it back, letting the sweet alcohol slide down my throat.

Are you okay? he asked.

Yes, thank you. I cleared my throat and raised my glass. I’d like to toast the happy couple. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. We all clinked glasses and drank. One drink became three, and I relaxed and joined the conversation, trying to keep my focus off the man sitting so close to me.

Is anyone else up for one more? Kate and Ben nodded. Excuse me, Liam. I need out. He stood and held out his hand to help me, which I took, only because I was feeling tipsy, and I didn’t want to embarrass myself. I made my way to the bar with only minor swaying. As I arrived, a seat opened up, so I grabbed it and waited for the bartender to notice me. I had just placed my order when I heard a voice beside me.

Well, hello there, beautiful.

A young guy was standing there, staring at my chest with a grin. He was not at all the type of guy I would gravitate toward, but I was tipsy, and sitting beside Liam had made me horny, so I smiled back. Hi, yourself.

Can I buy you a drink?

Ah, that’s kind of you, but I have one coming.

My name is Bill.

I’m—

Not available. I turned to see the darkened features of Liam standing behind me.

Bill held his hands up and took a step back. Sorry man, I didn’t know she was taken.

I spun further around, my back leaning up against the bar. What the fuck was that?

"You don’t