The Millionaire Tempted Fate (A Novella) (Sweet and Savory Romances) by Shirley Jump

big roasting pan, and fill the pan with hot water, until it reaches halfway up the sides of the pie plate. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, adding more water if necessary. Let cool, then whisk until smooth. The caramel is AMAZING, no lie, so eat some quick, and save the rest for the shortbread.
     
    Meanwhile, make the cookies. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cream the butter and sugar in a mixer. Add the vanilla. Mix the salt with the flour, then add the dry ingredients a little at a time and mix until the dough comes together. Form into square logs, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes.
     
    Slice or cut the dough into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick cookies. Sprinkle with reserved sugar. Bake for 20-24 minutes, switching the cookie sheets halfway through to get even cooking. Keep an eye on them because they go from perfect to burned fast, just like your heart this past week.
     
    Put wax paper under your cooling rack. Remove cookies from the oven, place on the cooling racks. Heat the caramel for 30 seconds in the microwave, then put it in a Ziploc bag and snip one end (to make a homemade pastry bag). Drizzle cookies with caramel, then sprinkle with kosher salt. Eat until you forget. Maybe even make another batch, and vow to never, ever let your heart get broken again.

C HAPTER T EN
     

     
    Becky was all brightness and sunshine on Sunday morning, beaming from ear to ear when Max picked her up at the airport. She flung her arms around his neck, called him honey bear, and covered him with kisses. Almost two weeks ago, he’d dropped her off at the airport, secure in the knowledge that when she returned, he’d propose to her and take the next step on his life plan.
    The ring box burned a hole in his coat pocket. The velvet container was light, but it felt like it weighed a hundred pounds, and every move he made brought a tiny tap from the box’s edge. A reminder of what he intended to do tonight.
    "Oh, I’m so glad we’re together for Valentine’s Day," Becky said, sighing and pressing her head against his chest. They were standing outside her building, while people hurried past on the sidewalk, enjoying the mild high thirties temperatures. "I’ve missed you so much, honey bear."
    "Same here, Becky."
    "We’re going to have the most romantic night ever. I think we should take a carriage ride, then hit the Top of the Hub for drinks and dinner…"
    Becky kept on talking, and though Max tried to listen, he had tuned her out already. His hand went to his coat pocket, fingering the box first, then he felt a piece of paper. He tugged it out.
    A ticket stub.
    "What’s that?" Becky asked.
    "It’s from The Princess Bride ." God, how many years had it been since they’d seen that movie? He hadn’t put the stub in here, so how had it ended up in his pocket? Then he thought of Angie saying goodbye, of her hand on his waist, and realized she’d been trying to send him one last message before he left. Ah, Angie. Who knew him better than anyone in the world. "I saw the movie at one of those tiny little theaters in Cambridge that show old and classic films."
    "How quaint." Becky laid a hand on his arm. "Now, Maximillian, where do you want to go first? I thought we should start with the carriage ride, then—"
    He turned to her. "Why do you love me?"
    Becky let out a little laugh that was almost a cough. "Why do I…love you?"
    The hesitation gave him his answer, before she said anything more, but still he pressed forward. "You don’t, do you?"
    "Oh, Max, I care about you a lot, and you are my honey bear," she smiled and patted his arm, "but love? Goodness, that’s such a big word."
    "One we’ve said to each other before." Becky had been saying she loved him almost from the first date. She’d signed her emails with love, never hung up the phone without saying it.
    "Well, yes, but I meant it, well, not like love-love." She let out a little laugh. "You silly man. We’ve hardly known each other, and well, you know, being in love is