A Little Change Of Plans

A Little Change Of Plans
Jen Safrey

HUSBAND…IN A HURRY!Entrepreneur Molly Jackson had always been a success, the type of woman who could achieve anything once she put her mind to it. Then a one-night stand left her pregnant–right before the biggest job interview of her life.She needed a husband–fast!Laid-back Adam Shibbs had always promised to do anything for his best friend, whom he'd secretly loved since their college days. And when Molly finally called in a huge favor, Adam just couldn't say no, even though her workaholic ways worried him–he'd tragically learned there was more to life than just a career. But would living as man and wife transform their marriage of convenience into the love of a lifetime?

“I’d like to kiss the bride.”

She recovered from her surprise quickly. “I expect it to be part of the ceremony.”

“I mean, let’s do it now.”

“What?”

“Molly,” Adam said, urgency rising from his core. “I don’t want our first kiss to be in front of an audience. Even a small select audience. It wouldn’t—it won’t be right. Besides, it will take the pressure off the actual moment, right?”

Molly stilled. “Well—all right.”

Adam stepped over to his best friend—his bride-to-be. He lifted his hands and brushed her hair off her shoulders.

He’d dated a lot of women, kissed the majority of them, at the very least. But he hadn’t had any idea that he compared any of them to Molly until this moment, when she stood before him. And that’s when he knew—he was in big, big trouble.

Dear Reader,

In writing A Little Change Of Plans, I had to throw the hero and the heroine for a big loop. They thought they had their futures figured out long ago.

Uh-huh. Well, life may be about a lot of things, but I don’t think it’s ever about certainty.

As soon as I met Molly and Adam, I decided they would each have to let go of their illusion of what they thought they always wanted if they were to find real and lasting love and happiness. (And because I’m their author, what I say goes!)

I really hope these characters inspire you the way they inspired me, to live with an open heart and embrace all the surprising possibilities that inevitably appear.

All the best,

Jen Safrey

A Little Change of Plans

Jen Safrey

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

JEN SAFREY

is a back-to-back recipient of the 2004 and 2005 Golden Leaf Awards for Long Contemporary Romance. She’s steadily moving up the belt ranks in tae kwon do, although her back kicks still need some work. She’s also learning to cook (finally), so feel free to e-mail her your recipes—easy ones—through her Web site at www.jensafreybooks.com.

Motherhood is a path I chose not to travel,

so this book is dedicated to the brave women

in my life who did, and shared their adventures with

me—particularly my sister, Elizabeth Markman,

and, of course, my own terrific mom.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Prologue

June 1992

“Molly, you have been an asset to Saint Cecilia’s Girls’ Academy. I guess this is the last time I’ll meet with you as your guidance counselor.”

Molly crossed her legs at the ankle and straightened her spine. Ms. Glass regarded her, and Molly basked in the pride reflected through the woman’s thick glasses.

“Now,” the administrator continued, “I know I don’t have to ask you if you’ve given serious thought to what you want to study next year. I have a little feeling you’ve been mulling it over since you were in pigtails.”

“I’m going to earn a bachelor’s degree, then an MBA, and then start my own business,” Molly said with a smile.

The smile was returned by the older woman, but in it Molly detected a jaded tinge.

Molly didn’t take it personally. She imagined plenty of Saint Cecilia’s alumni returned every year with careers and lives miles and miles off the fast track, so far from what they’d once envisioned for themselves at this elite private school.