A Lucky Chance by Milana Howard Page B

still have work to do.”
    “I understand, but you know what they say about all work and no play…” He flashed a smile. “So I’ve got a great idea─while my guys are working on your car, we should go to Votives for a drink. We can walk there. It’d be nice to get some fresh air.” Chance could sense her hesitation. “Come on. Be rebellious. Seems to me you’ve got the whole workaholic thing down. Why not blow off all that responsibility just this once?”
     

     
    Amara looked at Chance for a few moments, considering his words. Maybe there was some truth to what he said. Running the boutique and event-planning business left little room for a day off. Even when she was technically “off” from work, she was still putting together ideas for a new garment design or a client’s party. She pulled out her cell phone and made a call. “Hi, Michelle, it’s me. I’m not going to be able to make my appointment with Valerie Jameson. Would you please call our contact for her to reschedule? Great, thanks.”
    “So are you game to hang for a bit?” Chance asked in a hopeful tone.
    Amara tilted her head as if even she couldn’t believe that she was agreeing. “To be honest with you, I could use a break.”
    He gave her a sexy smile as they pulled into the parking lot of his auto repair shop. As soon as they came through the door, Chance approached one of the mechanics and had a quick discussion about her car. By the time they’d left for their walk, his man had already started working on it.
    “I couldn’t help but overhear, but was that the Valerie Jameson you were talking about back there─the heiress to the casino fortune?”
    “Yes, she’s a friend. We go way back. She and I went to the same elementary school. This was way before her family came into money. She’s getting married later this year and asked me to design her dress and plan the wedding.”
    “That’s cool. What’s she like?”
    “Well, I shouldn’t say much since she’s such a private person. What I can tell you is she’s a stickler for details. She’s very particular about how she wants things done, and she knows I am too.”
    They spent the rest of their walk in a comfortable silence. Here and there, she stole a few glances. Chance seemed to be checking her out as well. Before long, they reached Votives’ double doors.
    Bryer greeted them from the bar as soon as they entered. “Murphy, my man! Amara, sorry to hear about your car, but you’re in good hands. What can I get for you guys?”
    As they waited for their drink orders, Amara observed the St. Patrick’s Day theme going on. The retro lounge was decked out in festive twirled streamers in green, white, and silver. Shamrock-shaped decorations were suspended from the ceiling. She saw Sabrina talking to patrons across the room and waved.
    Once their drinks arrived, Chance turned to her with his glass. “What shall we cheer to, Miss─wait, is it ‘Miss’?”
    “Yes.” Amara laughed. “I’m single.”
    “Whew! That’s a relief.” He chuckled. “I’d hate to think I’m out carousing with another man’s wife.”
    “So what about you, Chance?”
    “What about me…let’s see…I had a girlfriend not too long ago. She knew how many hours I put in at the shop and took advantage of it. I came home one night and found her in bed with someone else. I’ve been on my own since then.” He shrugged. “Win some, lose some. I say we toast to a turn of luck,” he ended on a lighter tone. Chance tapped his glass to hers. “So what’s your story, Amara? It’s hard to believe a woman like you could be single.”
    “I was married for a short time after high school. He was the one my parents couldn’t stand. You know, kept me out past my curfew and took me to wild parties. When we eloped, my parents had a fit. I think something in me just wanted to prove them wrong, but after all those teenage hormones wore off there wasn’t much to hold onto.” She paused for a moment,