Read When Love Happens for Free Online Page B

massive house—it reminded him of a bloody country estate back home—sat a couple dozen yards away connected to another garage with a porte cochere. There was a back door to the house, which Emily had instructed him to use.He paused outside and considered whether to knock. Emily had said to just come in . . .
    Easing the door open, he stepped into a back hallway. Hooks with little plaques bearing the names of the Archer kids were affixed to the wall. His gaze found Tori’s. It was empty. Did that mean she wasn’t here? They were all empty, actually. But he found himself staring at Alex’s. He could think of reasonsto leave it up as well as take it down. How did Tori feel about seeing it? Was the reminder good or bad?
    Emily poked her head into the hallway. “I thought I heard the door. Come in, Sean!” She beckoned him forward with a smile and disappeared back around the corner.
    He walked the length of the hallway and came out into a large kitchen and eating area. There were two cooking spaces, or rathera proper kitchen and then what looked like a bar with a beer tap. Oh yes, he liked the Archers immensely. A large table and chairs filled the remaining space, along with a grand stone fireplace and a wall of windows offering an expansive view of their backyard, which he hadn’t seen in the dark last night. It was like their own private park—an English country estate indeed—and even included a sumptuouspool. He hadn’t realized how wealthy the Archers were. He’d known Tori had money but hadn’t considered her rich . He revised his opinion. Shit, did that mean he was rich? Not that they’d commingled finances, and he certainly didn’t expect anything from her, despite not having a prenup.
    “Can I get you some coffee? Or tea?”
    Sean turned to his gracious hostess. With her blonde hair and petite frame,she bore a greater resemblance to Sara than to Tori. “Coffee, thank you. Although, my mother would be aghast. I have to pretend to dislike it when I’m home. Like any proper Englishwoman, she’s all about the tea.”
    Emily laughed. “That’s nice of you. I’m sure my children lie to me about similar things. In fact, I didn’t learn until they were in college that they’d never liked my lasagna. And Ithought they loved it. I wish they’d said something. I didn’t much care for it either.” She poured him a mug of coffee. “Do you take anything with it or just black?”
    “Black, please.” He accepted the cup and inhaled the strong aroma. Next to beer, coffee was his favorite beverage.
    “Just like Tori,” Emily said. “She can’t function without a cup of pitch-black coffee first thing. She’s been thatway since she was seventeen. I’d hate to be the person waking up with her before that morning necessity!”
    As Sean sipped his coffee, he reflected on being just that person. First thing in the morning, she was breathtaking. Her hair tossed, her skin lightly flushed with the heat of fading sleep, her eyes slitted in the sexiest way . . .
    Emily was saying something else, and Sean had to jar himselfback to reality. “I’m sorry?” he said. “I’m afraid I got lost in this delicious brew.”
    Emily chuckled again. “Yes, just like Tori. I can see why you’re friends.” The inquisitive glance she tossed him was tinged with hope. “Have you known each other long?”
    “Just since New Year’s.” He wanted to keep as much truth in their story as possible. It was far easier to keep track of things that way. Butdamn, he didn’t enjoy lying to Tori’s mother, not when he liked her so much.
    “She was in Malaysia, right? You were there too?”
    He nodded, taking another sip of coffee and leaning against the large island. “At the hotel opening. It’s incredible. You must be so proud of Tori’s accomplishments.”
    “Oh yes. But I expected nothing less. Tori is nothing if not driven.” Her brow creased. “Though it’sbeen a tough year for her, as you can imagine.” She was