In that moment, Lyssa understood that the foundation had truly come to life. They were going to help so many people.
She turned, wrapping her arms around Cal, wanting to share the moment with him.
“I knew there were some sparks flying between you two.” Dane was grinning as they drew apart. “Even if you tried to deny it that day in the office, Lyssa.” Then he shook Cal’s hand. “Great job with the speeches. They were short and sweet, and the donations are already pouring in.”
“We can’t thank you enough.” Cal’s words were heartfelt.
Then it became a melee of Mavericks and Harringtons, a chorus of great and fabulous and amazing and well done.
Lyssa had met all the family and talked a bit with Dane’s sister Ava. She was a compelling combination of sweet and sharp, with a ready smile and a keen intelligence in her eyes, her hair a glossy red. The two brothers were Troy and Clay, who were a bit like Dane with the same short dark hair, blue eyes, and handsome, bad-boy looks. Gabby was the youngest, her long blond hair falling like silk to the middle of her back.
Then Matt grabbed Gideon with an arm around his shoulders and said in a loud voice to their gathering of friends and family, “We’ve got an announcement.”
Lyssa spied Rosie and Ari holding hands. And she absolutely knew, her heart about to burst.
Her mom knew, too, her hands already to her mouth and tears of joy filling her eyes as Lyssa’s dad wrapped an arm around her, his share of tears blurring his eyes too.
Then Gideon and Matt shouted out together, “We’re pregnant!”
Dane said, laughing, “Isn’t that an anatomical impossibility?”
But everyone knew what they meant, and it became the world’s biggest hugfest. There weren’t enough tissues to go round.
But there was certainly more than enough love.
Finally, Lyssa found herself enveloped in the arms of Ari and Rosie and Paige. “This is so great! All of our babies will be the same age.”
“Noah and Jorge can babysit them like big brothers should,” Ari said.
It was the most wonderful thing she could ever imagine.
Except for Cal.
When she turned, he was right there. He would always be right there. Supporting her. Making her laugh. Inspiring her.
Loving her.
She threw her arms around him, tears blurring her vision. “I love you so much.”
“I love you just as much.” His kiss tasted of joy and family.
Soldiers and veterans and foster kids would always have Lean on Us.
And she and Cal would always have each other.
* * *
“Four pregnant women,” Dane’s brother Troy said as the Harrington siblings gathered. “Am I the only one who finds that terrifying?”
“I heard someone say Paige Collins is having twins,” Clay put in.
Ava’s eyes went wide. “That makes five!” Then she smiled as she looked over at the Maverick matriarch. “I bet Susan Spencer is in heaven.”
“She is,” Dane said softly, watching Susan hug and kiss the cheeks of each family member.
The gala was a rousing fundraising success. Each person had spoken straight from the heart, especially Gideon. Dane had respect for the man and what he wanted to accomplish. He had respect for Cal, who he knew damn well was running the foundation without a cent of recompense.
This spirit seemed to be what the Mavericks were all about. They weren’t just brilliant billionaires who worked together, they were a true family.
More than once, he’d found himself wishing he were a Maverick. He had a feeling his siblings would feel the same way. He admired what each and every Maverick had accomplished. And he admired Bob and Susan Spencer for how they’d raised them all.
He was happy for all of them. Cal, with his arm around Lyssa’s shoulders, holding her close, as if he were afraid she might disappear. Matt starry-eyed for Ari. Gideon, who would have been floating up among the balloons without Rosie to keep him grounded. Evan with his hand on Paige’s belly, thrilled that he would soon be a father.
Dane had spent his entire adult life keeping his brothers and sisters together after the deaths of their parents. Even before that, he’d all but raised them when their parents hadn’t been around that much. Now that they’d all found their own paths and were doing well, his life had become about business, the resorts, expansion.
He had no complaints…but lately, not complaining didn’t seem quite good enough.
Dane thought about the painting he now owned, about the magic Ernestina Sanchez had talked about, and found himself wondering if there was any chance the magic might rub off on him…
* * *
Thank you so much for reading UNFORGETTABLE IN LOVE! We hope you loved Lyssa and Cal.
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If you haven’t yet read the first Maverick Billionaire book about Will and Harper, you can read BREATHLESS IN LOVE now!
Read BREATHLESS IN LOVE (Maverick Billionaires 1) now!
“An incredible beginning to a new series that will pull at your heartstrings! A true joy to read.”
~ 5 stars for BREATHLESS IN LOVE
And if you are looking for a swoon-worthy series that is full of heady romance, beautiful settings and an unforgettable family, you will love meeting Bella Andre’s San Francisco Sullivans! In the first book in the series, THE LOOK OF LOVE (The Sullivans), Chloe Peterson vows never to make the mistake of trusting a man again. Only, with every loving look Chase Sullivan gives her—and every sinfully sweet caress—the attraction between them sparks and sizzles. He’ll do whatever it takes to prove that his love for her is real. Could Chase be the one she’s been waiting for?
Read the #1 bestselling book, THE LOOK OF LOVE (The Sullivans)!
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~ 5 stars for THE LOOK OF LOVE
Turn the page for excerpts from BREATHLESS IN LOVE (Maverick Billionaires) and THE LOOK OF LOVE (The Sullivans)…
Excerpt from BREATHLESS IN LOVE (Maverick Billionaires)
Will Franconi has a dark past that he’s kept a closely guarded secret—very few people have ever heard his real story and he plans to keep it that way. After surviving a hellish childhood, he’s now living the dream life where everything he touches turns to gold. But something’s missing. He doesn’t quite know what, until a simple letter from a teenage boy brings Harper Newman into his life—a woman who just might fill up the empty places inside him…if only he could ever be worthy of her love.
When a man has more money than he could spend in five lifetimes, Harper has to ask herself what Will Franconi could possibly want from a woman like her. She’s learned the hard way that rich men always get what they want no matter the cost. If it were only herself she had to worry about, Harper would manage, but she’s guardian to her younger brother, who depends on her for everything. After he nearly lost his life in a car crash, she’s vowed never to let anyone hurt him ever again.