Temporary Boss...Forever Husband
Zach never had—and never would—enter a relationship at work.
Too many pitfalls, too many complications, too big of a chance that management would think he had his mind on something other than the job.
Unfortunately, Zach hadn’t forgotten the first time he met Allison. That first smile, that first touch …
She’s never let me forget, he thought. Just the sound of her laughter drifting down the hall made his gut clench and sent an electric rush of energy charging through his veins.
And every time she smiled at him, the flash of that dimple reminded him of his weakness where she was concerned, reminded him she was a woman who could do what no other woman had ever done—take his mind off his career.
Dear Reader,
Once upon a time, I took a job at a temp agency. I failed miserably, in that my first “temporary” assignment turned into a long-term, permanent position. I had no idea that would be the case, but I was lucky everything turned out as it did.
Allison Warner took a far bigger chance when she followed her boyfriend to New York for a new job, but it was a move she soon regretted. Now, she’s determined to keep things simple—working at a temp agency, where she won’t make the mistake of mixing her personal and professional life again.
But life and love are rarely simple, and Allison’s life gets a lot more complicated when she agrees to a one-night-only pretend date with her secret crush, Zach Wilder. Little does Allison realize where that one night will take them …
I hope you enjoy Allison and Zach’s story as they work together to find a lasting love!
Stacy Connelly
About the Author
STACY CONNELLY has dreamed of publishing books since she was a kid, writing stories about a girl and her horse. Eventually, boys made it onto the page as she discovered a love of romance and the promise of happily ever after.
When she is not lost in the land of make-believe, Stacy lives in Arizona with her two spoiled dogs. She loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at stacyconnelly@cox.net or www.stacyconnelly.com.
I can’t remember the very first romance I ever picked
up or attempt a guess at how many I have read since, but this is dedicated to all the authors whose books I have enjoyed over the years. Thank you.
Chapter One
Allison Warner counted the rings as she waited for her sister to pick up the phone. After the fourth, she heard the all too familiar click of her call going through to voice mail—again. Bethany’s voice came across the line, advising Allison to leave a message.
Allison sighed, giving in to the disappointment that had shadowed her since she’d moved back to Arizona five months ago. She’d talked to Bethany’s voice mail more than she’d talked to her sister, and she didn’t know which frustrated her more—the message Bethany would likely ignore or the caller ID that enabled Bethany to ignore her call in the first place. Still, she took a deep breath and forced a bright note into her voice.
“Hi, Bethany. It’s Allison—your sister,” she teased even though the words really weren’t funny. “It’s Thursday afternoon, and I’m getting ready to leave work. I was calling to see if you wanted to go out for dinner tonight or maybe shopping this weekend. We could look for baby furniture or decorations for the nursery. I’m free all weekend if you feel up to hitting the mall. Or we could look online if you’re not up to going out. So, you know, just call me.”
Allison cringed as she hung up the phone. Could she have sounded any more desperate? And hadn’t she learned by now, the harder she tried, the more Bethany resisted?
You have to be patient. The break in their relationship hadn’t happened overnight. Allison would be foolish to hope she could repair the damage in a snap. It’s going to take time.
Fortunately, that was one thing Allison had plenty of on her hands. After shutting down her computer, she took a moment to straighten the few personal items on her desk. The misshapen coffee mug she’d thrown in pottery class; the wilting African violet; the handcrafted picture frame that rained tiny glass beads any time she picked it up. She and her sister smiled out from the photograph, heads tilted together in perfect symmetry. A single, perfect moment caught in time …