Serendipity by Carly Phillips Page A

work for. He’s also her ex. They used to go out back in high school, but she dumped him.”
    â€œYou were the same year as them, right?” Ethan asked, remembering.
    Mike nodded. “One day they were the couple and the next it was over.”
    Faith had dumped Nick, Ethan thought. That had to be a good thing. “It was ten years ago. I’m sure Mancini’s over her.”
    Like you are? a voice in Ethan’s head taunted him.
    â€œSorry, but word around the office is he’s not. The boss wants a second shot.”
    Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Are you telling me construction workers gossip like a bunch of girls?”
    Mike shrugged. “I’m just repeating what I heard. Thought you’d want to know you had competition.”
    â€œUnless Nick Mancini has a house he wants decorated, I don’t think I need to worry about him.” From the corner of his eye, Ethan saw Faith rise, wobble on her high heels, steady herself, and make her way toward the restrooms on the other side of the bar.
    Ethan took that as his cue. “See you later,” he said to Mike.
    He strode across the room and down a hallway where he leaned against the wall across from the bathrooms and waited. He planned to be here when Faith walked out.
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    Faith glanced in the bathroom mirror, wondering if she looked as tipsy as she felt. The room spun a bit, so she couldn’t tell. The only thing she knew for sure was that Ethan was in the bar and he’d immediately zeroed in on her. For a brief moment, nobody else in the room existed as she sang “Kiss Me” to him .
    Oh boy.
    Then Nick had come over, being all too friendly to her, and Faith had needed an escape.
    Well, she’d had her break, and she’d better get back before Kate sent out a search party. She swiped some gloss over her lips, fluffed her hair, and headed for the exit.
    She stepped out the door and found the man of her fantasies waiting there. Arms crossed over his broad chest, a dark look in his intense eyes.
    â€œHi,” she said, intending to stride past him, as if there hadn’t been that charged eye contact between them when she was on stage.
    â€œIn a hurry?” he asked.
    She swallowed hard. “No. I just thought you were waiting for someone.”
    â€œI was. I was waiting for you.”
    Okay, then. She blinked, but dizziness still assaulted her except now she wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or Ethan’s unique masculine scent that had her swooning.
    â€œHi,” she said again, grinning this time.
    He shook his head and laughed.
    The sound rocked her world. His smile tilted it even more.
    He reached out and lifted her chin with his hand, looking into her eyes. “You’re drunk.”
    She shook her head in denial. Big mistake. She wobbled and he reached out to steady her. His hand on her bare arm branded her skin, causing her temperature to soar and her heart to pound harder in her chest.
    â€œMaybe a little . . . tipsy.” She giggled but resisted the urge to cover her mouth in embarrassment. Faith Harrington never giggled. Until now, that is. “Make that a lot tipsy,” she admitted.
    A sexy smile tilted his lips. “What the hell were you ladies drinking?” he asked.
    â€œUmm . . .” She closed her eyes, trying to remember. “I had a bottle of Bud Light before Kate arrived, one after, then Joe sent over a shot or two.” She opened her eyes and shrugged. “Maybe it was three bottles.”
    He raised an eyebrow.
    â€œDefinitely three.” At least she didn’t remember there being a fourth.
    â€œYou sing well.” He complimented her in a smooth voice that washed over her like a warm caress.
    â€œThanks. It’s an easy song.”
    â€œKiss Me.” The song lyrics bounced silently between them and she couldn’t tear her gaze from his mouth.
    His hot gaze met hers, making her wonder if he could read her