Free If I Can't Have You (If You Come Back To Me #3) by Beth Kery

on my list that might…highlight the relevant issue at the engagement party, that’s all. And I thought you could put the other member of the unhappy couple on your list and—”
    “Great. Our engagement party will look like an episode of the Jerry Springer Show .”
    He laughed, the sound striking her as deep, rich and unrestrained. She crossed her arms beneath her breasts, instinctively defending herself. There was at least one woman in Harbor Town who wasn’t going to turn to goo in the face of Eric’s dark good looks and potent charm.
    “It won’t be that bad. I promise,” he said, still grinning, his teeth appearing extra white next to his skin.
    “Who did you have in mind to invite?” she asked curiously.
    He mentioned two divorced couples they both knew. Her eyebrows arched in grudging respect at his choices.
    “That just might work,” Colleen had to concede. “Tony Tejada has been friends with Marc forever. Now he works closely with Liam at the Municipal Building. Tony went to bat for Liam, recommending him to the city council to fill the police chief position,” she mused. Tony Tejada was Harbor Town’s mayor, a friendly, well-liked man who, rumor had it, had spent more time and energy on his job than on his marriage.
    “And I work on the surgical unit with Janice,” Eric said, referring to Tony’s ex-wife.
    “I’ve been friends with Ellen Rappoport since we were in braces,” Colleen continued, referring to half of the other couple Eric had mentioned. “Although I’ve never liked that husband of hers,” she added pointedly.
    “I’m not taking sides here. Cody and I are more acquaintances than friends. Natalie does Cody’s taxes, and we occasionally trained for a marathon together two years ago.”
    “Well, he’s a louse,” Colleen stated, wanting to make her opinion clear. “He broke Ellen’s heart with his womanizing, and that doesn’t even take into account how Ellen’s kids must be suffering. She took such a big chance in marrying him, and he swore he’d always be a father to her children, even though they were from her former marriage. He adopted them, for goodness’ sake. I can’t imagine how much Ellen and the kids must be hurting.”
    “Cody wasn’t necessarily womanizing . He behaved stupidly with an old high-school sweetheart at a conference. Once.”
    “How can you defend him?”
    Eric looked alarmed. “I’m not condoning his bad behavior. He was a fool, pure and simple. Even you have to admit, though, Cody represents our point pretty damn well.”
    She took an aggressive step toward him. “If you’re implying my brother is even remotely like Cody Rappoport—”
    “I’m not . I just meant that Cody and Ellen should have been a little more cautious about diving into marriage, especially with two innocent kids involved. I’m sure Ellen agrees with me, and likely Cody does, too.”
    She eyed him suspiciously, deciding he looked sufficiently contrite for his semidefense of a slimeball.
    “All right,” she mumbled. “All four of those people might realistically be on our separate lists, even if we weren’t attempting this silly plan.”
    “It’s just a reality check,” Eric reminded her, his voice low and compelling. She glanced up into his eyes and wished she hadn’t. She couldn’t seem to look away. “You know…to remind our siblings that passion can cloud the brain.”
    “Oh, yes. Because we all should be as rational and clearheaded as you,” Colleen replied under her breath.
    “What’s that?” he asked, dipping his head toward her as though to hear her better.
    “Nothing,” she muttered, because much to her shock his face was now only inches away from hers, and those eyes she’d formerly designated as the bedroom variety were latched on to her mouth.
    “Mind if I ask you a question?” She watched his firm, shapely lips moving as if in a trance.
    “Okay,” she murmured.
    “Sixteen months ago I kissed you, and a few months later, you