Second Chance At Love

Chapter 1-2

What a fortunate turn of events, Hunter Baron thought as he left Roger’s office and got into the elevator to the lobby.

He owned a consulting firm that specialized in helping companies in extreme flux, and Hunter depended on referrals to keep the sales pipeline full. The ARC Gala was a major opportunity for networking and making pivotal connections in the business world.

Usually, Cheryl Moorland attended these events with Hunter, with Ken’s blessing—her husband, and his best friend. As the head of the largest hospital chain in the southwest, Cheryl knew a slew of people and could make introductions that Hunter wouldn’t otherwise find.

When Cheryl had called him that morning and complained she felt the flu coming on, his heart sank. But then she’d quickly followed up with a plan to salvage his night. She happened to be close friends with a PR executive, Rachel Johnson, who was also a highly connected member of the community. Cheryl assured him that she’d ask Rachel to step in for the evening.

“Phew,” he’d semi-joked over the phone. The prior year, he’d garnered three excellent contacts from the gala.

Cheryl had added that Rachel worked in the Palladium Building on the thirty-eighth floor for Watson, Bradley, and Chalmers,” her sluggish voice came through the phone.

Serendipitous for him to drop in on Roger Brennan, owner of Blazer Electronics, who had offices in that same building. They’d been college roommates and remained good friends.

Cheryl had remarked dryly that he needed to find a date besides her for these events. It was time. He stepped out of the building to the sidewalk, the conversation playing over in his head.

Hunter didn’t agree. Cheryl was perfect in the role of business escort. Fun, knowledgeable, and she understood his past. He supposed he could hit the golf course to form connections, but he’d rather toast wine than drive a cart. Golf took too much time. Life was short as both Cheryl and Ken were aware.

Hunter had lost his wife eight years ago, just as his company was taking off. He’d dived into his business after mourning hard. He’d decided then and there serious dating was out of the question. He simply wouldn’t tarnish the memory of his wife and their life together by getting into another long-term relationship.

He and Jessica had had a future planned. After focusing on their careers, they would start a family. Every year, they’d make a list of what they wanted to accomplish—for the house, or trips they wanted to take, or anything. It had been so freakin’ effortless being married to Jessica.

Then in the blink of an eye, their dreams, and Jessica, had disappeared.

Some days, the pain of missing her was so crippling, Hunter didn’t want to do a damn thing. It could still hit him sometimes, after eight years.

Hunter exhaled as he got into his car for the drive home. He wouldn’t focus on that. He couldn’t.

The good news was he now had an escort for the gala, and things were lookin’ up.

Rachel—wearing a lovely smile and the sweet scent of vanilla—was like a breath of fresh air. It was as if he’d manifested her the moment he’d walked into the building. He didn’t even need to make the trip to the thirty-eighth floor.

He was still chuckling once he reached his place, and switched on his over-sized monitor in the home office. There was always work to do.

Yup, this was gonna be a great week.