Free Once Upon a Valentine by Stephanie Bond

good?”
    Her lips parted in surprise. His casual indifference stung, but Summer adopted her best impression of a modern woman the morning after a meaningless hookup. “Sure.”
    She reminded herself that she’d wanted to seduce him. She had no right to expect anything more from the one-night stand. But after spending a night in his arms, feeling his heart beat beneath her cheek, she couldn’t help but fantasize about the possibilities of a happily ever after.
    “Ready?” he asked.
    She nodded. “I’m…starving.”
    By the time they reached the restaurant, her heart rate had stabilized and she was breathing normally. The change in the hotel dining room mirrored the change in their interaction from last night to this morning—the roses and wine had been replaced by carnations and orange juice. Their light conversation centered around her job and the things he had left to do around his father’s property.
    Once, when their hands brushed reaching for a saltshaker, their gazes locked and she thought she saw a flash of desire in his light brown eyes, but it passed. On the drive home, he was relatively silent except for the calls he made and received regarding his job. Because his phone was connected to the dashboard monitor, she got to listen in. The range of discussions was impressive and Andrew’s opinion was obviously sought after—it all sounded very exciting.
    And far removed from her small existence in Tiny, which was now only a few miles away. Their time in Nashville was already starting to feel like a dream.
    Andrew’s phone rang. The name “Charles Basker” flashed on the dashboard monitor.
    “I wonder what Charles wants,” Andrew murmured.
    “Probably to discuss the aftermath,” Summer joked.
    He hit a button and spoke into the hands-free microphone. “Hey, Charles.”
    “Andrew, glad I caught you. I have news.”
    “I’m listening. Summer is here, too.”
    “Good. It turns out that when the segment for Mane Squeeze ran yesterday, regional phone grids were down because of the storm—land lines and mobile networks, too.”
    “We noticed our own phone networks were down,” Andrew said. “Do you think that’s why we didn’t get many orders?”
    “I know it is. Our switchboard has been flooded with calls all morning from people wanting the ‘stuff that the blonde with the gorgeous hair was using.’”
    Summer exchanged a glance with Andrew. Excitement bubbled in her chest, although Andrew’s expression was more cautious.
    “How many calls?” he asked.
    “So far, we have orders for eight thousand units.”
    Summer gasped. Eight thousand?
    “And the orders are still rolling in,” Charles added.
    Andrew’s hands tightened on the steering wheel and he gave a little laugh. “Charles, I wasn’t expecting this kind of response. I don’t know if we can have that much product ready in six weeks.”
    “I hear you, but you have to decide now whether you’re going to take your father’s product to the next level. I took the liberty of making a couple of phone calls—Prince Manufacturing is interested in distributing and so is Hollister.”
    Summer’s eyes widened. They were two of the largest consumer-goods companies in the country.
    “And with your advertising contacts,” the man continued, “this stuff could become a sensation.”
    Andrew pulled a hand over his mouth, clearly affected. “Thanks for the heads-up, man.”
    “No matter what you decide, that spokesperson of yours is pure gold, man. Whatever you do, don’t let her go.”
    Andrew turned his head to look at her. Summer blushed. But when he cut his gaze back to the road, she had the feeling he wasn’t pleased with his friend’s advice.
    “I’ll get back to you as soon as I sort things out,” Andrew said. He disconnected the call and was quiet. He turned on his signal to take the interstate exit for the road to Tiny.
    She chattered excitedly about what this would mean for Mane Squeeze, and for a horse-rescue