Free My Best Friend's Bride by Ginny Baird Page A

Talented, intelligent, beautiful. Not to mention very accomplished in your work. What man wouldn’t knock himself out trying to impress you?”
    Jill could name a long list, but decided against it. “You’re being very sweet.”
    “The truth is, if Hunter’s the better fit for you, then I’m glad you and Brad fell out. More than glad. I’m elated. Because, you know… I only want the best for my girl.” He met her eyes with a tender smile and Jill almost feared she’d cry again. Her grandpa was having such a good day, and there seemed to be fewer and fewer of those. She’d give anything if his mind was always this clear. She loved him so.
    “So, what are you doing about the wedding?” he asked her. “Still planning on a big affair?”
    “I… We’re not sure. This has all happened sort of suddenly.”
    “Well, while you’re figuring it out, don’t waste time in my department. Bring that new man of yours around to see me posthaste.”
    “But Grandpa—”
    “No but s about it, sweetheart. I’m not inclined to see you go through the same heartbreak twice. If this Hunter Delaney is man enough to marry my granddaughter, then he’s man enough to come see me and ask for her hand.”
     
     

 
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    Hunter waited for Jill at a downtown coffee shop. It was pretty convenient, only a few blocks from where he worked. It was equally handy that he had Jill’s number. She’d apparently gotten his cell information from Brad. Now that she’d texted Hunter, he also had a way to reach her—something he decided was really necessary, since she was about to become his wife. Apparently, she’d mulled over his counteroffer and had come to her senses. I’m ready to deal and sign ,she’d said by text, meaning she was agreeing to make concessions. It would likely be a surprise to her that he was too.  
    Hunter couldn’t wait to see the expression on Jill’s face when he shared that he was willing to move to the country. She’d probably jump all over him with hugs and squeals. If he got lucky, she might even kiss him again. Right here, in this café… Bumping into their table with her shapely hips and upsetting their coffees as she sprang to her feet. She’d wrap him in her arms above their teetering cups, strawberry-red lips closing in. Hunter sighed deeply, absorbing the fantasy along with the aroma of freshly ground Guatemalan Breakfast Blend.
    The truth was that he liked surprising women, in a good way. When he caught them off guard in an unhappy manner, things didn’t work out so well for him. Like that time he’d forgotten Sabrina had arranged for him to meet her parents for dinner. He’d been working overtime on a project and the occasion had entirely slipped his mind. She’d been so furious when he’d walked in the door, she’d thrown one of her high-heeled shoes at him.  
    Her parents apparently had held a table at a restaurant for an hour and fifteen minutes before finally giving up. Hunter had been unreachable because he’d neglected to charge his cell. He’d never let the darn thing go dead since. But that still didn’t save things with Sabrina, not that they’d merited saving anyway. If it hadn’t been for that dinner disaster, she would have discovered another reason to become annoyed with him. Most women eventually did, though Hunter couldn’t fathom why. At heart, he was a very nice guy. Just look at the extraordinary lengths he was going to out of compassion for his best friend, and to help Jill. Okay, yeah, so he was helping himself a tiny bit too.
    The café door whooshed open, letting in a wave of summer heat. Though nothing was as hot as the woman walking toward him. Jill was astonishingly polished in a teal silk blouse and an ivory jacket. The matching white skirt hit a few inches above her knees, revealing the long, lovely legs he recalled from the tennis outfit. His eyes snagged on her three-inch heels and his heart beat double-time. Those appeared even more