Free Always A Bridesmaid (Left At the Altar) by Jana Richards

said carefully.
    "Yeah," he said, glancing quickly at her. "Be careful there. The last couple of years he's gone through girls like some guys go through socks. I wouldn't want you to be another notch on his bedpost."
    "Don't worry. That's not going to happen." She knew that for a fact.
    "I hope not. I don't want you to get hurt." He checked his side mirror, shoulder checked, and then changed lanes. "Listen, I'm sorry about man-handling you this morning. I didn't mean for that kiss to get so out of hand."
    Her heart fell. That kiss had rocked her world, and he was sorry about it. She sat a little straighter in her seat and pasted a smile on her face as she faced him.
    "Hey, it's no big deal. It was just a kiss."
    He glanced at her before returning his attention to the road. "I'm glad you're not upset."
    "Of course not."
    Liar, liar, pants on fire.
    The silence stretched on for several uncomfortable minutes, grating on her nerves. She hated the tension between them. Finally she took a deep breath and made herself smile. "Todd seems very nice. How long have you known him?"
    "Since we had a freshman economics class together at U of Toronto. In fact, I was the one who introduced him to Fiona a few years ago, though I never dreamed they'd get married. I hope it works out, or I'm going to feel really bad."
    "I know what you mean. Years ago I introduced my brother to one of my best friends and they fell hard for each other. They were standing at the altar, about to get married when Tony decided to stop the wedding." She told him how her brother believed Olivia didn't want to marry him, but was afraid to say anything, so he spoke up on her behalf. Unfortunately, he had the whole thing wrong. "In the end, it turned out well. They're back together now and completely blissful. But they spent eight unhappy years apart, for which I felt totally responsible."
    "It wasn't your fault they couldn't tell each other how they really felt."
    "I know. But it broke my heart to see them so unhappy. Especially Tony. He and I are very close."
    "Tell me about your family. You said you have six older brothers."
    "I do. What do you want to know?"
    "As an only child, I guess I want to know what it's like to be part of a family that big. In case anyone asks," he added.
    "It's chaotic and loud and sometimes totally crazy. There have been times when my brothers have embarrassed and humiliated me, and for two cents I'd sell them all to the first bidder. But when it comes right down to it, I love and cherish every one of the big lugs."
    "You're very lucky."
    "Yeah, I think so. We never had a lot of money, but we always had everything we needed and plenty of love." She turned in her seat to look at his beautiful profile. "You were pretty young when your dad died. Do you remember him?"
    "I have snippets of memories of him," Zach said, his eyes on the road ahead. "I remember my mom and dad and me at the beach, and my dad chasing me through the shallow water. I remember Mom and Dad kissing. They were always kissing."
    "They must have been very much in love."
    "They were. I remember the funeral. The casket was black and my mother cried and cried. I remember thinking somebody should wake Dad up so Mom could stop crying."
    "Oh Zach. I'm so sorry."
    He shrugged it off. "I was only six. I didn't understand what was going on."
    "How did he die?"
    "An accident at work. He was a bricklayer and he fell off the roof of a house when he was working on the chimney. He wasn't given the proper safety equipment to be working up there. His employer was fined, but that didn't bring him back."
    She felt angry on Zach's behalf. He lost his father because some boss couldn't be bothered to pay for the equipment that would save his life.
    "What I like to remember is that my mother and I were loved. Maybe I've been looking for love like that all my life."
    "Is that why you asked Chantal to marry you twice?"
    He flashed a grin at her. "Are you trying to psychoanalyze me, Ms. Freud?"
    She