Free Wild for Him by Jill Sorenson

through her hair, appearing flustered.
    Gwen hadn’t planned on telling her that she’d slept with Mitch. There was no reason to throw their one-night stand in Helena’s face. The real issue was that Gwen wanted to date him—but she wouldn’t, if it bothered Helena. Gwen couldn’t throw away a twenty-year friendship for a man, no matter how good he made her feel.
    “Are you mad?” Gwen asked.
    Helena picked up a flute of champagne of her own. “No.”
    Gwen grabbed a refill. She needed it.
    “Is he planning to stay in Denver?” Helena asked.
    “He doesn’t know yet.”
    “And this thing between you two is serious.”
    “It might be.”
    Helena sipped her champagne, contemplative. “He’d better come back to San Diego,” she said finally. “I don’t want you to move away.”
    Gwen’s eyes filled with tears. “You don’t hate me?”
    “No, Gwennie,” Helena said, opening her arms. “I love you.”
    Overwhelmed with relief, Gwen hugged her friend. Helena wasn’t the type to engage in public displays of affection, so this was a big deal for her. It was a big deal for Gwen, too. She would’ve been devastated if Helena had rejected her.
    And it would have broken her heart to end things with Mitch.
    Gwen realized that she was falling for him. She hadn’t allowed herself to consider the possibility before. Now that Helena had given the okay, Gwen was flooded with the feelings she’d been trying to hold back.
    She was falling for him.
    Mitch could actually be the one. It was an exciting, terrifying thought. He’d been hiding right under her nose for years. If he hadn’t moved away, and the earthquake hadn’t struck, and Helena hadn’t connected with Josh, Gwen would never have developed feelings for Mitch. No one could have predicted this outcome.
    When Helena released her, Gwen found a napkin to dab her eyes. Josh had excused himself from the crowd to join them.
    “What’s up?” he asked Helena.
    “Gwen is dating Mitch.”
    “Your Mitch?”
    “He’s her Mitch now.”
    Josh arched a brow at Gwen. “Mitch has good taste.”
    Gwen laughed, wiping her eyes.
    “If he doesn’t treat you right, let me know,” Josh said. “I beat him up once and I’m not afraid to do it again.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind,” Gwen said, smiling through her tears.
    Josh smiled back at her.
    Gwen handed her empty glass to Helena. “I’m sorry,” she said abruptly. “I need to go for a walk and clear my head.”
    “I’ll come with you.”
    “No. Stay and enjoy yourself.”
    Although Helena protested, Gwen gave her another quick hug and left, clutching her handbag under one arm. Her spike heels dug into the grass as she crossed the park. She took a deep breath, trying not to break down again.
    She had to call Mitch and share the good news.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    G WEN COULDN’T WAIT for her next date with Mitch.
    It was just another phone date, and she’d much rather see him in person, but she couldn’t plan a visit to Denver yet. The repairs were done at Native Ink and she was open for business. Unfortunately, she’d lost an employee. Jeff’s apartment building had burned down and he’d moved to LA to stay with his brother.
    She still had Ian, and they were managing. Despite the city-wide construction and widespread tragedy, or perhaps because of it, the appointments had been full. She’d have to hire another artist for the busy summer months because she couldn’t afford to turn away paying customers. The earthquake damages had been expensive.
    Mitch wasn’t sure when he could come back to San Diego. He estimated it would be at least a month before he got confirmation from his boss about the transfer. Then it might be six months or more until the expansion site was ready. He was taking a vacation at the end of June, so she’d see him in six weeks.
    Six long weeks.
    It was the same amount of time that had passed since their motel room hook-up. Six weeks since she’d touched him. Six more until she could