Free A Million Kisses or More by A.C. Warneke Page A

to let you go.”
    “I’m glad he did,” Ana murmured. “Besides, it was nothing serious, just a few kisses and stuff.”
    Catching her lower lip between her teeth, Maris studied Ana for an uncomfortable moment before she asked, “So, what have you been up to these past three years?”
    “School,” Ana said, taking a miniscule sip of the beer, grateful that Maris had changed the subject. Curious to know about Maris and why she was back, she continued, “But what about you? Why are you here?”
    Maris smiled a soft smile as she explained, “Well, I sold this place, packed up my bags and travelled all over. It was amazing, Ana. I saw so much, experienced so much, you have no idea. I love travelling.”
    Ana grinned because she understood even though it had been forever since she had flown anywhere. “Then why are you back?”
    Maris’s smile grew and her eyes sparkled brilliantly as she said, “I came home for Christmas last year and I decided to check in on the old place. Everything was the same so I asked to see the new owner, since his representative kept telling me that he was going to change everything.”
    Ana had an idea where this was going and her smile grew along with Maris’s as the other woman continued, “He walked out and I’m pretty sure my life flashed before my eyes. I ended up marrying him two weeks later.”
    “You gave up your dream of travelling?” Ana asked.
    Maris shook her head no, her grin nearly blinding. “Not at all. Now I have someone to travel with, only now we travel a few weeks a year.”
    “But the restaurant….”
    “Is well run,” Maris beamed. “Tanner has become a co-owner with us and makes sure everything is taken care of when Bryan and I are gone.”
    Tilting her head to the side, she frowned. “Dan’s oldest brother?” At Maris’s nod, Ana let out a little sound, “No wonder why he’s working here.”
    “Tanner and Dan are my cousins, Ana,” Maris said carefully. “ Harrison is my cousin.”
    Ana’s lips parted in disbelief and then horror as the words sank in. Dan had even said something when she came in but she hadn’t really paid attention. “I’m so sorry. Is it going to be weird having me work here?”
    “Not for me,” Maris said with a sympathetic smile. Reaching over, she patted Ana on the shoulder, “And Asher isn’t around. If it were up to me, I would wish you and Harrison a happily ever after but, Ana, he’s not going to… pursue a relationship with you.”
    Feeling a little wicked and reckless, Ana raised her lashes and met Maris’s eyes, “I’ve already slept with him.”
    Maris’s jaw dropped open as her eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Shut up.”
    Ana threw her head back and laughed, feeling the pleasant ache in her gut. “It’s not what you’re thinking. I didn’t have sex with him.”
    “Jesus, Ana,” Maris groaned, pressing a hand against her chest, leaning hard against the back of her seat. “You almost gave me a heart attack.
    Licking her lip, Ana added in a whisper, “But I’m going to.”
    “Ana,” Maris warned, shaking her head as a smile played about her lips. All in all, Ana was looking forward to getting to know Harrison better without the possibility of running into Asher. Even though she was long over him, she knew it was better this way. It would just be too awkward having Asher around.
     

Chapter 4
     
    Dressed in her winter parka minus the hat, Ana took a deep breath. Looking in the mirror one last time, she smoothed her hair. The French twist made her look like a prim librarian, though that wasn’t what she had been going for when she had styled her hair. Taking another deep breath, trying to calm her queasy stomach, she slid the bag with Harrison’s washed clothes onto her arm, grabbed up the pot of soup with both hands, and headed towards the door.
    She figured soup was a good idea. If they already had supper prepared, they’d be able to put the soup in the fridge and enjoy it later. And