Priceless: Finding Love, #5

By Paris Hansen

It's never too late for a second chance. 

  

At least that's what Braeden Clarke is hoping for. He's waited nearly two decades for another shot at love with the woman of his dreams. This time he's older and wiser, and he knows what he wants. He's not going to let her go without a fight. 

  

Andi Reese surrendered her happiness to help her twin brother, and for a long time, she was okay with the sacrifices she made. Over the years, through the back and forth and the broken hearts, she never stopped loving Braeden. She's just not sure love is enough to get them past the pain and misery they've caused each other. 

  

Now that they've got another chance, can they forget about the heartache and sadness of their past? Or will the ghosts of their failed moments keep them from getting the happily ever after they deserve? 

 

The Finding Love series: 

Restless (Savannah and Gabriel) 

Powerless (Finley and Liam) 

Speechless (Meghan and Oliver) 

Breathless (Brooklyn and Declan) 

Priceless (Andi and Braeden) 

Harmless (Sylvia and Logan) - A Finding Love Holiday Romance

  

The books in the Finding Love series can be read as standalones, however, for optimum enjoyment, they are best read in order. 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paris Hansen
• Release date: May 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9798201643096

Paris Hansen

Paris Hansen currently writes both crime fiction and contemporary romance novels filled with strong heroines and sexy heroes. She has a moderately unhealthy obsession with Chris Evans, so if you happen to see him around be sure to send him her way. When she's not writing, Paris loves to curl up with a good book and a glass of wine or watch sports with her nephew.  

Book preview

Prologue

16 Years Old

He’d never been more nervous in his entire life.

He wasn’t nervous when he had to give a speech in front of the entire school or when he’d had the chance to win the semifinal game if he could just get the ball past the goalie. His hands were shaking, and his heart felt like it might shoot right out of his chest because he was finally going to tell Andi how he felt. After three years of keeping his feelings in check, he realized he couldn’t hold on to them any longer.

To hell with her brother and their friends. To hell with the consequences.

The guys all had girlfriends while Braeden sat back and watched, too afraid to make his move. Part of him worried that Declan would be pissed off. He’d never outright warned any of them away from Andi, but it was kind of an unspoken rule that you didn’t go after your friend’s sister. The fact that Andi had been his friend before any of the others made that a moot point in Braeden’s eyes, but he wasn’t sure Declan, or the guys would see it that way.

He had no idea how they didn’t see the way he felt about Andi. When she was in the room, his gaze was drawn to her. He always made sure he got to sit next to her whenever they were together, even if it meant pushing one of the other guys out of the way. Braeden had a sneaking suspicion that Oliver was aware of his crush, but he never said anything. It was just the way Oliver looked at him whenever Andi was around, like he was in on a secret no one had actually spoken out loud, that gave him away.

The other part of Braeden worried that Andi didn’t feel the same way he did. She’d made off-handed comments over the years that led him to believe she did, but that wasn’t worth a lot when he was about to put all of his friendships on the line. What if he told her how he felt, and she laughed at him? He’d never be able to speak to her again, and it would make it really hard to be around her brother when he’d be a constant reminder of what he’d lost.

Shaking his head, Braeden reminded himself that he couldn’t think that way. He had to stop worrying about the what-ifs. Instead, he needed to focus on getting his feelings out. He’d gone back and forth over the entire summer about whether or not to tell her. When she kissed him on the cheek at Oliver’s end of summer party, he almost blurted the words out then and there. Somehow, he’d kept it in, but he couldn’t fight it any longer. Consequences be damned.

They had a week left before school started and Braeden was hoping like hell he’d get to start his junior year with the girl of his dreams as more than just his best friend. He wanted to walk through the halls of school holding her hand, kissing her between classes. He wanted everyone to know that Andi Reese was his girlfriend.

Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly before knocking on her front door. Her parents and brother were out of town for the long holiday weekend. Braeden had never been more thankful for one of Declan’s baseball clinics. He’d have the entire weekend with her or if things didn’t go well, he’d have the whole weekend to nurse his broken heart.

It’s about time you got here, Andi said in greeting as she threw open the door.

She smiled up at him before rushing in for a hug. Over the last few months, she’d started to touch him more. A gentle brush of her hand against his, a hug every time she saw him, the occasional kiss on the cheek that made blood rush to his face, then to other parts of his anatomy.

Once she let him go, he followed her into the house. She wore her usual summertime uniform of cut-off jean shorts and a tank top over a sports bra. The lack of fabric allowed him time to take in her long luscious legs. They were a nice golden brown from spending so much time outdoors over the summer. Braeden often wondered what it would be like to have them wrapped around him.

Her feet were bare, and her hair was pulled up into a messy bun on top of her head. When she opened the door, he noticed she wasn’t wearing a lick of make-up. She never really felt the need to slather the crap on her face like the rest of the girls at their school. She didn’t need to. She was more than gorgeous without it.

She led him up to her bedroom, and for the first time, he felt a little weird about entering. He probably spent more time in her room than he did his own, but always just as friends. Today, he was hoping to change that. Plopping down on her bed like she usually did, she patted the spot next to her before she picked up the two video game controllers from the floor. He took a seat on her bed then took the controller she offered him.

Without a word, they played video games for a couple of hours. His nerves still buzzed underneath the comfort of doing something he’d done thousands of times before. Andi was blissfully oblivious to his inner turmoil; unaware that he was about to change their relationship forever. He hoped he was doing the right thing. Maybe it was selfish of him to tell her how he felt. Maybe it was unfair of him to take this step, but it wasn’t like he could ask her before he went through with it.

While she kicked his ass in Street Fighter II, a game they continued to play even though newer games and consoles were released nearly every day, he worked up the courage to pause the game and speak his mind. Just as he’d gotten the nerve, the screen in front of him froze, but his finger was nowhere near the pause button. He turned away from the TV to look at Andi. He could already feel her eyes on him. When his gaze met hers, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was about to do the right thing.

Braeden, can I ask you something? Andi asked before he could say anything.

Ummm...sure. Of course, you can, he told her while hoping she’d hurry up with whatever she wanted to ask him.

He finally had the balls to tell her what he’d been dying to tell her forever, but he couldn’t interrupt whatever she wanted to say. The look on her face told him it was important. The slight shake of her hands told him she was nervous to say whatever it was. Without a thought, he reached out and grabbed her hands. The minute they touched, a rightness filled him. Holding her hand was what he was born to do.

Andi visibly calmed, but he could see wariness in her eyes before she took a deep breath and then let it out slowly.

Braeden, she started before stopping to lick her lips.

The swipe of her tongue along her plush pink lips stirred things to life that he was trying desperately to fight back. He nearly let out a groan as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, a nervous habit he found sexy as hell.

Go ahead, Andi. Ask me whatever it is you want to ask me.

She closed her eyes while she took another deep breath. This one she held for a moment before letting it out slowly. She opened her eyes as the breath rushed out between her lips. Their gazes met again, but this time there was nothing but calm confidence within her piercing green eyes.

Braeden, are you ever going to kiss me?

For a split second, Braeden felt like he’d had the wind knocked out of him. Of all the things he’d imagined her asking him in that moment that wasn’t even in the realm of possibilities. He wasn’t sure what to say or do. It was everything he’d hoped for, but now that he had the opportunity, his lack of experience was making him freeze.

He could tell that with every second he didn’t give her an answer her confidence started to wane. Her gaze dropped from his to rest on their hands. Then when he still didn’t say anything, she tried to pull her hands away from his.

Don’t, he said, his voice cracking on that one word. How embarrassing. But he couldn’t let that stop him.

Andi looked up at him again. She looked like she wanted to run away as she searched his gaze for a reason to stay. This was it. This was the moment he’d dreamed about for years.

All I’ve wanted to do for the last three years is kiss you, Andi. I came over today with the plan to tell you how I feel about you. I didn’t care what happened. I just knew I couldn’t keep it in anymore. I love you, Andi. I’m pretty sure I’ve loved you in some way since we were five years old, but now I know that I’m in love with you. You’re the only girl I see. You’re the girl of my dreams. The one I plan to marry someday.

Oh Braeden... she whispered.

Before she could say anything more, he interrupted her. He needed to make sure she knew it didn’t matter what she had to say. He wouldn’t take back his words or his feelings.

I don’t care if that was too much or if you’re not ready or even if you don’t feel the same way. I just needed to tell you.

Before he could register that she was moving, she threw herself at him, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pushed him back on the bed. She nearly squeezed the life out of him as she hugged him, but all Braeden could focus on was her body pressed against his. While his friends had spent the summer making out with their girlfriends, Braeden had spent the summer fantasizing about what it would be like to have Andi in his arms. While his friends bragged about making it to second base, and even third base in Declan’s case, Braeden just wanted a chance to kiss Andi at least once.

Now here they were alone in her room, nothing standing in their way. Slowly he rolled them so she was on her back, his body nestled between her legs, her arms still wrapped around his neck. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with love and a hint of lust. Her lips parted, her tongue darting out once again to wet them.

So, does this mean you’re finally going to kiss me? she asked, her voice taking on a husky tone he’d never heard before, but one he hoped to hear a lot in the future.

He’d waited far too long for this moment and he wasn’t going to let it go to waste. Slowly, he lowered his mouth to hers. The second their lips touched, he knew his world was forever changed. No other woman in the world could ever take her place. Andi Reese was the person he was going to spend the rest of his life with and all it took was one brush of their lips to solidify that fact in his mind. The rest was just icing on the cake.

Chapter 1

Now

Maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea. Although after a few drinks and reassurances from her friends it seemed like the best idea she’d ever had. Now that she was about to wade into her first of twelve dates, Andi couldn’t help but wonder what the hell she’d been thinking.

Looking around the room, she thought about trying to sneak out before the clock started. From where she stood, she could see through a gap in the curtain separating the dining room of Arrow from the new banquet room Gabriel built after buying the business next door. At least if she had to go through with the terrible idea, she was somewhere comfortable with familiar faces on the other side of the partition.

Before she could make her escape, Veronica, the host for the evening, called for everyone’s attention. Andi hated that her friend Kerrigan wasn’t there for the event. She usually held on tight to everything her business was involved in, but Andi couldn’t blame her for handing over the reins to someone else. The beautiful redhead was on her honeymoon with her hot as hell detective husband. If Andi had been lucky enough to have one of those, she would have handed over everything to someone else too.

First, I’d like to thank you all for coming tonight. You’re all here to find love, and hopefully, we’ll be able to help you with that, Veronica said with a bright smile on her face. Some of you have probably been to a speed dating event before, but for those of you that haven’t, here’s how this will work. The women have each been assigned a table while the men have been assigned numbers. The men will rotate clockwise through the tables, with number one being this table here, two this one here, and so on.

Andi watched as Veronica pointed out the first two tables. Somehow, she was lucky enough to be assigned to the table at the front of the room which was where the first guy would start. She had no idea if being at that first table was a good thing or not, but she couldn’t wait to get things started so she could get them over with.

Each date will last for five minutes before a buzzer will sound. That buzzer will signal that it’s time to rotate. You’ll all have a chance to meet each other. At the end of the evening, you will write down the name of the person or persons you are interested in getting to know better. If that person writes your name down on their card, then we will send you each a text with the other person’s contact information. If the other person does not write your name down, then no information will be passed along. Don’t even think about asking ‘cause it won’t happen.

Andi laughed into her glass, then took a sip of her wine. The drink was almost empty, so she moved over to the bar. There was no way she was going to move through the process without alcohol. If only she could take a whole bottle to her table, she might have a better shot of enjoying herself.

Okay, does anyone have any questions before we get started? Veronica asked. Alright, well, I guess that means it’s time to get started. Ladies, please head to your tables.

Grabbing her now much fuller glass from the bar top, she slowly walked over to her table. The guys were all lined up on the right side of the room. She had no idea if they were standing in their numerical order or not, but she wasn’t sure it mattered. None of them were giving her the meant for her vibe. Not that she thought that was actually a thing, but she’d hoped for some sort of sign that would make the entire ordeal easier.

Before she could get too lost in her thoughts, someone approached her table. She looked up to see a man with slicked-back blond hair sit down in the chair across from her.

Do you have a mirror in your pocket? he said a lecherous smile on his lips.

Of course, the first man to sit at her table would have to be a prick who thought offensive pick-up lines were the way to impressing women.

If you say what I think you’re going to say, you’re going to end up with a fist in your face, Andi warned as she glared over at him.

Ooooh, feisty. I like it, he said as he waggled his eyebrows at her.

Andi fought the urge to kick the man in the shin and instead took a huge swig of her wine. It burned a little going down, but it helped her keep herself in check.

I thought it was hot in here, but it turns out it’s just you, he said as he leaned across the table. I’ve been watching you since I got here and I’ve been wondering if you were a magician, cause the minute I looked at you everyone else disappeared.

Andi groaned at the use of not one, but two more cheesy pick-up lines. Less than a minute in and he’d tried using three lines on her that should never actually be used in public and he still hadn’t told her his name. Casanova was never going to find a match if he didn’t at least start with that. Not that she’d be matching with him, but there was bound to be someone desperate enough to fall for the kind of crap he was spewing.

She spent the next four minutes listening to the greatest hits of terrible pick-up lines. The guy was like an encyclopedia of what not to say. The minute the buzzer went off, Andi let out a sigh of relief. She felt terrible for the next woman in line, especially when she heard him start his impressive repertoire all over again.

Hi. I’m Gary, a new man said as he lowered himself into the vacated chair.

Andi smiled over at Gary, happy that he at least took a moment to introduce himself.

Hi Gary, I’m Andi. Nice to meet you, she said as she held out her hand.

Gary looked at her hand, then up at her face, then back down at her hand. When it was evident he wasn’t going to shake her hand, she picked up her wine glass and took another drink. It was nearly empty, and she still had ten and a half dates to get through.

Andi is a boy’s name.

Oh brother... Well, the name’s technically Andrea, but I go by Andi.

Mother wouldn’t want to call you Andi. It’s a boy’s name. So, Andrea, how old are you? I’m turning forty in a couple of months.

What the fuck? She almost wanted bad lines guy back instead of this guy calling her by the wrong name and bringing his mom into the conversation. Who the hell cared if his mom liked her name and why was he asking about her age? And where the hell was the waitress with a refill on her wine?

Well, Gary, I prefer Andi. No one calls me Andrea...ever, she said with a slight growl. As far as age goes, I’m thirty-six.

Crap. You’re too old then, Andrea. Mother would never approve of someone who’s got geriatric eggs. We need babies.

Andi nearly choked on the remainder of the wine in her glass. What in the actual fuck? Where the hell did Veronica find the men she’d picked for this event? She most definitely wanted bad lines guy back. Gary was starting to creep her the fuck out.

Mother would hate that you drink so much too. That wouldn't be good at all.

After the third mention of his mother, Andi knew she couldn’t move on without more wine. Excusing herself, she left her table and headed over to the bar. Gary tried to protest, but then said it was probably for the best since his mother would never approve of her. As the bartender refilled her glass, she watched Gary type frantically into his phone.

Two duds down, ten more to go. It was going to be a long-ass hour as she weeded through the options. As the buzzer went off, she waited until Gary left her table before hurrying back. She arrived at the same time as her next date. He was kind enough but boring as hell. In their five minutes together, she learned his name was Patrick, named after the great Pat Sajak, and that was it. The man barely talked and never seemed to look directly at her.

By the time five more guys came and went, Andi was ready to run screaming from the building. She’d had to stop drinking because she was starting to get tipsy, but that only seemed to make things worse. The guys were nearly unbearable. One was a total jerk that had to hold a position of power in the Misogynistic Assholes Club. Another seemed to have a creepy fetish about armpits, although she couldn’t be entirely sure since she excused herself to use the ladies room when he asked to see hers.

The other three were of the boring variety, which was a lot easier to handle than the creeps and assholes. With the boring guys, she could just sit there and think about other things. None of them were outgoing enough to make eye contact with her or even look at her, so she didn’t have to worry about them trying to picture her naked.

She was down to the final four and Andi had a feeling it was going to be the longest twenty minutes of her life, but she knew she could make it. At least she’d have great stories to tell her friends when they had their next girl’s night although she wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t have to wait that long to tell them. She half expected to find a couple of them waiting in the restaurant for her when the whole thing was over, they’d all been so eager to hear about her night.

The next guy to sit down at her table was pretty good looking which gave him more potential out of the gate than her previous dates. Not that she was in it for looks, but physical attraction did help move things along. Unless the good looking guy turned out to be a total asshat, then looks meant nothing. With any luck, the guy sitting in front of her wouldn’t be one of those guys.

Hi, I’m Jeremy.

Jeremy turned out to not only be cute, but funny and charming as well. As their time wound down, Andi was actually feeling hopeful. It only took most of the night, but she finally had a possible name to write down on her card at the end of the evening.

I hope you’re going to write my name down, Andi. I plan on writing yours down.

She smiled over at him, wondering if he could read her mind. She started to respond when a commotion near the entrance drew her attention away from her date. A striking brunette was stalking toward her table, yelling out her dates name as she approached.

Jeremy. What the fuck are you doing here? Speed dating? Seriously? Why can’t you just pick up a chick on Tinder like the rest of the world’s cheating asshole husbands? You sign up for speed dating and try duping a whole group of women instead. You’re such an asshole.

Holy shit, you’re married? Andi asked as she looked back at Jeremy who seemed to be sinking lower in his chair by the second. Oh my god. How the hell is this even happening?

I’m sorry. I meant everything I said, Andi. You seem really great...

Oh fuck off, dude. Seriously? Your wife is standing right here.

The brunette continued to yell at Jeremy all while the rest of the attendees watched. The buzzer had gone off, barely noticed by anyone else while the show was going on. Andi wanted to use the distraction to run from the room, but since it was happening at her table, she was kind of stuck.

Oh my gosh, what is going on here? Veronica asked as she finally made her way through the crowd.

Andi looked over at the blonde, who seemed extremely upset by the turn of events and gave her the cliff notes version. She knew Kerrigan was going to be pissed when she heard about what happened. Her friend took great pride in being the best matchmaking service in the Seattle area. Anything less than perfection was unacceptable, and a scene like this could end up being embarrassing for her brand. Andi felt a little guilty being a part of it.

"Seems