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On the afternoon he’d walked her down the aisle to marry Ethan, Ambra had learned the reason for their falling out had been Phillip’s determination to keep the company unchanged. He had been opposed to Ethan’s resolve to bring them into the future with streamlined manufacturing, new marketing, and a leaner fiscal division.
In his stubborn pride, Philip had sent away his only son, and he’d confided his regret to her that he hadn’t been able to compromise or find a way to reconcile with Ethan without admitting he was wrong. She had been relieved to know she hadn’t been the cause of their rift.
That event had been months ago, and they were all gathered again for a new family occasion, though this one had a much smaller guest list. Tired, but glowing with happiness, Ambra watched Ethan hand their new daughter to her stepfather. Philip beamed at Heather before proclaiming, “She’s the most beautiful baby since her mother.”
Ambra smile, warmed by the praise. “Thanks, Dad, but you didn’t know me as a baby.”
Philip shook his head. “It doesn’t matter, my girl. You’re my daughter as much as Ethan is my son—though I’m glad not legally, since you two got married.” He chuckled before his expression morphed to one of contentment. “Now you’re a Cartwright in name too. Most importantly, there’s her.” He looked down his granddaughter, seemingly lost in her unfocused blue eyes.
Ethan came to stand by Ambra’s bed, bending to brush a kiss across her mouth. “You did well, my love.”
She sighed, allowing herself to feel a little of the exhaustion sweeping over her. “That was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done, except maybe those three years I lived without you.”
He winced. “Don’t remind me what a fool I was to make us be lonely for three years.”
She took his hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it. “It’s okay. You were right, you know. I loved you, but I was also just eighteen, and I wouldn’t have been ready for a serious relationship. You were right to give me a chance to grow up some. The time apart was miserable for both of us, but if you had accepted me the night I came to you, chances are we wouldn’t have made it, and we wouldn’t be here now.”
He darted a glance at their daughter before looking back her, all the love he felt obvious in his brown eyes. “I guess some things are certainly worth the wait.”
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From Stepbrother To Lover
By Stephanie Brother
Chapter One
“Congratulations, Zoe.”
She stiffened at the voice she hadn’t heard in three years. Feeling like she was trapped in one of those cheesy slow-mo moments in an action movie, she turned away from her grandmother to face the man she hadn’t seen in three years. She’d half-hoped she would never see again, since he’d left without a goodbye.
He hadn’t changed much, except to get more attractive. Living in England had clearly agreed with him, despite his skin not being as tanned as when he’d left San Diego. His hair had settled into a darker shade of blond, no longer kept platinum from his days at the beach, but it suited him. His eyes were still that strange shade of silvery blue that drew her in.
Realizing she was unconsciously leaning into him, she jerked her spine taut to increase the distance between them. Somehow, she managed to summon a ghost of a smile. “Hello, Hale. Your father didn’t mention you were coming to my graduation party.”
“It isn’t every day a little sister graduates from college.” He held out a small box with the words.
She ignored the box. “Stepsister.”
His eyes dimmed for just a moment, and he nodded once. “Stepsister,” he echoed. A second later, his expression flickered back to one of politeness. “You finished a year early, right?”
She nodded, finally taking the box when she realized he would keep holding it out to her all night if she didn’t. It could prove awkward with the small gathering of family if they picked up on any tension between them. “Thank you.” She had to force herself to open the light pink ribbon and flip open the box. “It’s lovely.” Touching the gold pen, she turned it slightly to read the inscription.
“To all your successes. Love, Hale.”
Reading the “L” word, she nearly chucked the pen at him, but somehow managed to keep her expression pleasant as she put the lid on it and tucked the box into the pocket of her white sundress.
“I thought you might be able to use it at your summer internship. Your mother mentioned you got one at the Sarta Museum?”
She nodded. “I’ll be working in their ancient history wing, and it could become a permanent position if I impress the right people.”
A flash of something more than brotherly warmth flashed through his eyes. “How could you not impress everyone, Zoe?”
For a millisecond, she forgot her anger and hurt as their gazes locked. Heat licked her belly, and her panties grew damp at the hunger she saw in his gaze. Or she thought she saw, because when he blinked, it was gone. Good thing, because her mother came to stand with them.
“Hale, darling, I’m so glad you could come,” said Monica with what appeared to be genuine delight at her stepson’s appearance. “You kept putting me off.”
Hale gave her a charming grin. “To be fair, Monica, I had my assistant keep putting you off.”
Monica laughed. “You’re a wily one to get on the phone.”
“That must be why Dad rarely bothers,” said Hale blandly.
Zoe frowned, not understanding that. She’d always thought Hale and Andy were close. Had he avoided his father as much as he had her the past three years? Or had Andy imposed the distance for some reason? Had his father had something to do with Hale’s abrupt departure three years ago?
Even if he had, it didn’t explain or excuse Hale completely disappearing from her life without a word of parting. They weren’t even Facebook friends or following each other on Twitter, and she had her former B.F.F. from kindergarten on both. If she wasn’t even important enough to be on his lists for either place—and she’d been stalkerish enough to verify he had accounts—then she meant absolutely nothing to him.
So why was he here?
“Why are you here?”
Zoe thought she had accidentally asked the question, but realized it came from her stepfather’s mouth as he joined them. Andy looked angry. No, not angry, but possibly annoyed. He was certainly on-edge.
“Hey, Dad,” said Hale in an aloof tone.
“He’s here for his sister’s graduation, of course,” said Monica. She seemed oblivious to any undercurrents.
Did that mean Zoe had imagined them all? Her mother was a sweet woman and not known for exceptional intelligence, but she had a huge reservoir of empathy, so if she didn’t detect a problem, there probably wasn’t one. She was just imagining it all—the way she had imagined that moment three years ago.
After a hesitation, Andy extended his hand. “It’s good to see you, son. I guess you’re all done with that…training?”
Hale nodded. “Yes, but I still travel a lot for the company. Still, it was time to come home.”
Zoe was sure she didn’t imagine the look they exchange
d, or that it held special significance.
After another second, Andy dropped his hand and hugged his son instead. “It’s good to see you again, Hale.”
Hale’s eyes seemed to darken, and he sounded a little choked when he responded. “Yeah, Dad.”
After that, the group split again, and Zoe managed to avoid Hale until the catering company announced dinner was ready to serve. She had chosen an intimate celebration with just her mom, stepdad, sister, and grandparents, but Andy had insisted on making it a special occasion.
The caterers had set the dining room with elegant white linens and Monica’s fine china. Freshly polished silver at the plates and the crystal goblets complemented the centerpiece of fresh tiger lilies.
Somehow, Zoe ended up beside Hale, and she couldn’t refuse when he held out her chair and assisted her to the table. She hid a grimace when he sat on her left side. Her grandfather was on her right. Deciding to focus on him, she started to ply Ernie with questions about their trip from Phoenix.
Grandpa tapped his hearing aid. “Sorry, Zoe, but I can’t hear you. My batteries are dead.”
On his right, Grandma Rose sniffed. “And do you think he packed a spare pair?” Shaking her head, though she gave her husband an affectionate look, she turned back to her conversation with Andy’s mother. Nora had become another grandmother to Zoe and Lola during the six years Monica and Andy had been married.
Thanks to Grandpa’s lack of batteries and her reluctance to engage with Hale, the talk was small on her end of the table. She kept her attention focused mainly on her plate. The roasted duck was done to perfection, but it wasn’t enough to keep her from being hyperaware of her stepbrother sitting just a few feet away. The spicy tang of his cologne teased her nostrils. It was the same he’d worn three years ago, and it stirred up forbidden memories of being held in his arms.
