Empty Net Read online

  And yes, he was doing it shirtless.

  She couldn’t believe after wishing for so long for her Prince Charming, she finally had him. She finally had her Happily Ever After. She had to go through hell and back to get it, but she had it and there was no way she was ever letting it go. Snuggling close to her prince, she whispered, “I’m so happy you brought me here.”

  “I am too,” he whispered back, kissing her temple. Looking over at him, he smiled before running his nose along hers. “I love you, Audrey Jane soon to be Odder.”

  “Could August get here fast enough?” she asked with a grin, “I’m getting sick of being soon to be Odder, I want to be Audrey Jane Oooooodder now.”

  “Which reminds me,” he said, digging into his pocket, “Mom would want me to do this here,” he said, taking her hand and holding it out in front of them. He then slid on her finger the most gorgeous ring Audrey had ever seen, taking her breath away. It looked like a bloomed tulip with diamonds incrusting the sides. In the middle of the tulip was a large diamond that sparkled in the bright sun. “It was my mom’s,” he whispered.

  “Oh my God, it’s gorgeous. Thank you, I love it.”

  “Good, because I love you.”

  Looking over at him, tears spilled over her cheeks as she whispered back, “I love you more.”

  Taking her face in his, he kissed her deeply, raking his teeth along her bottom lip before moving his tongue along hers. Audrey moved her hand up into his hair and was starting to feel really dirty about making out in a graveyard when, luckily, her phone went off signaling an email.

  “Ah, you and that damn phone,” he laughed as they parted and she started pressing buttons on her phone to get to her email.

  “Hey, it’s an email, it could be from someone about the cupcakery, oh, no, it’s Piper,” she said with a grin as she opened the email, but her grin soon fell.

  Dear Audrey,

  I know that you are busy off in Sweden, doing the whole Swedish thing, but I needed to tell you something before you got home and found out from everyone else. When you get back, I won’t be home. I’ll be in Sweetbriar, living in Elli’s old house. I never got to tell you because you have been recovering and I didn’t want to burden you with my problems, but Audrey, I’m pregnant and I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do. I have been a mess and Elli thinks I need to get away and concentrate on my illustrations without any distractions. I’m telling the dad today, and when you find out who he is, you’re probably gonna flip but you have to understand I never planned this. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. I was supposed to find love, then marriage and then roll on out with my baby carriage, but it seems I’ve started ass backwards. I’m terribly sorry if this ruins your trip, but know that I love you and please don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay. I’ll make it. I will talk to you soon.

  Love you,

  Piper.

  Holy shit.

  “What?” Tate asked.

  Audrey looked over at him, her eyes wide as she said, “Piper’s pregnant.”

  Acknowledgments

  Why do I always want to cry when I start these things?

  First, and always, my thanks and love goes to my amazing, breathtaking, perfect husband, Michael. I love you more than anything in this whole world and I couldn’t do any of this without you. You are my rock when I’m sad. You are there when I need to complain about bad reviews and no matter what, you love me. You give me everything I want and need, and I couldn’t have done this for a third time without your love and support. I love you, so much.

  Second, my little bits, Mikey and Alyssa. You two are my world, my heart and soul. I know love because I am loved by you two and your father. I love you two so much. My world wouldn’t be right without my little booger and princess.

  Nick, I love you and thanks for the support.

  Mom, I am so glad that you gave me the gifts of writing and of reading. You mean the world to me and I love you so much. Thank you for always supporting me and telling me I can do anything I put my mind to.

  Noey, HA! THIRD PORN BOOK! WHAT?! And this one is hot, read it, you might learn something…lol. I love you bubba. Thanks for being there for me and being proud of your big sis.

  Dad, and Kristina, I love you both very much. Thank you for being proud of me.

  Nortis, my sister, I love you, Boo! My life wouldn’t be right without you and I’m so proud to call you my best friend.

  Jackie and BB, I love you two so much! I am so blessed and lucky to have two people in my life who mean the world to me.

  Tara, my sister from another mother. Who would have known this relationship would work so well? I adore you girl, I really do. Thank you so much for being right there with me. Supporting me, listening to me cry, and being the person I needed through this whole experience. I couldn’t have done it without you. I love you so much!

  Althea, I love you girl. I never thought I would be able to connect with someone the way I have connected with you. I love you so much.

  Lisa, my partner in crime. I adore ya babe. Thank you so much for being there for me and reading my book. I will miss your ‘bitch’ texts but it’s okay, ‘cause hockey season is coming up! I love you so much!

  Beth and Karen, thank God, I have you two. I am sorry that I am the worst speller in the world, that my grammar is horrible and that I write very graphic sex scenes. I love you two so much for being there with me and fixing them. I’ve enjoyed this run with you and I can’t wait to do it again with the next one! Love ya!

  Susie, Tabby, Shannon, Mary, Kaci, Jodi, Kristi, Maxine, my girls! Thank you so much for being my beta readers and telling me what you liked and didn’t like. I love each of y’all so much and each of you know why. Thank you so much again. Y’all are fantastic!

  My fans, wow. Who would have known? Three books later and y’all still love me? Heck yes! Hehe. I love all of you and you know I do. Every email, every Facebook post, every tweet, I answer. I care so much about every single one of you that it brings tears to my eyes to know that I have done this and y’all support me. It blows my mind. Know that all of you hold very dear places in my heart.

  Thank you so much for reading Taking Shots, Trying to Score, and now Empty Net. I hope to see y’all again for Piper’s story, Blue Lines.

  Love, Toni Aleo