Girls You Marry Read online

  Girls You Marry

  Tina Gallagher

  “I love the way this story was written. The characters are very well thought out and seem to flow together. The chemistry between Dan and Sabrina is intense and the sex gets hotter and hotter. This is a must read and I definitely recommend this book.”

  - Manic Readers Review of GIRLS YOU MARRY

  Publishing History

  Print edition published by The Wild Rose Press

  Copyright 2008 Tina Gallagher

  Digital Edition published by Tina Gallagher, 2014

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  The scanning, uploading, and distributing of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the copyright owner is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of author’s rights is appreciated.

  Table of 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

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  About the Author

  Prologue

  A gentle smile played on his lips as he stroked her cheek. “It’s like my father always said, there are girls you fuck, and girls you marry. You are definitely a girl you marry.”

  Sabrina blinked. Had he meant that to be flattering? Was that crap supposed to be a compliment? Because he looked quite pleased with himself.

  She’d caught Dan screwing some campus bimbo, and that is all he had to say for himself? After two years together? What happened to the guy she’d loved? The one she thought she’d known so well?

  Until he’d shared his pathetic philosophy of women with her, Sabrina had been hurt, near tears. Now he just pissed her off.

  “Honey.” Dan flashed his most charming smile and reached to take her hands in his. The smile disappeared when she jerked out of his grasp. “Don’t be like this. I love you. I want to marry you. That’s all that matters.”

  “You really believe that?” Sabrina asked, unable to keep the disgust out of her voice.

  “Bri, I don’t know what to say.” Dan dragged his fingers through his hair in a familiar gesture of frustration. “Tell me what you want me to say.”

  “Say good-bye, Dan. I don’t ever want to see you again.”

  Chapter One

  I shuddered at the memory. Even though ten years have passed since Dan uttered those words, just thinking about the conversation raises my blood pressure.

  My supervisor must have been saying something while I was lost in the past, but I’ll be damned if I know what it was. Only her silence alerted me to the fact she was waiting for me to say something.

  “Could you repeat the question?”

  Jodi rolled her eyes. “You know the question.”

  “I don’t think I’m the right person for this job. Dan and I, we have a history.” I added the last bit of information reluctantly. Don’t get me wrong, I like Jodi, but she has a tendency to gossip.

  “His agent mentioned that. It’s one of the reasons Dan requested you.”

  “It is?” I couldn’t hide my surprise. Dan and I hadn’t parted on the best of terms. I can’t imagine our past relationship would give me any extra points in the Who gets to rehabilitate Dan McMullen? contest.

  “He’s seen you work.” Jodi sat forward and leaned her arms on her desk. “Granted, that was years ago, but it only stands to reason you’d get better with time.” I smiled in acceptance of her subtle compliment.

  “Isn’t there someone else available?”

  “Of course there is, but he asked for you. Personally, I might add.” The last few words were finished off with a saucy smirk that turned into a full-blown smile. “I’ve never spoken to a major league baseball player before, never mind a hunky one like Dan.” She wriggled in her chair. “I get wet just thinking about it.”

  I’m not surprised by Jodi’s reaction to Dan. His good looks and personality have charmed the sternest of females…myself included.

  “What happened to his last therapist?” I asked.

  “They didn’t get along.” Jodi shrugged. “Personality conflict, I guess.”

  “Who was it?”

  “Tim Rawlins.”

  “He’s very good.”

  “Yes he is,” Jodi agreed. “But you and I both know that if a patient isn’t happy with his therapist, the whole thing is a waste of time. Dan wasn’t willing to work with, or for, Tim, but he sounds more than eager to cooperate with you.” Jodi leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs. “So what do you say?”

  “I say no.”

  She looked shocked by my blunt refusal, but quickly composed herself. I didn’t like the look in her eyes. “I haven’t told you the best part of this whole thing.”

  Her cocky tone put me on full alert. “What’s that?”

  “If you do this, you’ll be made partner immediately following the assignment.”

  I don’t believe it. I’ve been working at the Meyers Rehabilitation Clinic since graduating from college, and my ultimate goal has been to someday become a partner. Now it seems that goal depends on this one assignment.

  “Why?”

  “You know why, Sabrina.”

  I did know why. In all the years I’ve been working at the clinic, this is the first time we’ve been approached by a big name athlete. While the patient load has nearly tripled in that time, said patients consist mostly of local high school and college athletes, and post-operative patients. A good word from Dan McMullen, star shortstop for the Carolina Waves, would really put us on the map.

  “Just think. A few weeks out of your life for a partnership you’ve been working toward for nine years.”

  While I heard her words, my mind had already wandered back ten years. Back to one of the most humiliating nights of my life.

  I rubbed my temples and groaned. “No one else can do this?”

  Jodi’s tone was firm. “He wants you.”

  I thought of the partnership and groaned again. Why does my future depend upon Dan, of all people?”

  “Do we have a file on him?”

  Like magic, a folder appeared in Jodi’s right han
d. She waved it dramatically before handing it over.

  “Do they have X-rays?” I asked as I scanned through various doctors’ reports.

  “They have some, but didn’t send them.”

  “Good. I’ll want to see them before we start. When’s he coming in?” I was still studying the pages in front of me, but Jodi’s silence had the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. As I lifted my gaze to meet hers, she turned to face the window and mumbled a reply.

  “What was that?” I must have heard wrong.

  Jodi cleared her throat. “We decided it’d be best if you went to Dan’s house for therapy instead of him coming here.”

  “We? Who we? Not me we.”

  “Think about it.” Jodi’s business mask was fully in place once again. “Most of our clients will know who Dan is and once word gets out that he’s here, people will be milling around like crazy. Not to mention the reporters. It would be a disaster to have him come here, and you know it.”

  “You have it all figured out, don’t you?” My tone wasn’t complimentary.

  A smug smile crossed her lips. “It’s my job to take care of the little details.” She pointed to the items in my hand. “The directions to his house are on the back of the folder.”

  I flipped the folder over and was impressed. Jodi certainly knows how to dot all the I’s and cross all the T’s. She had the directions broken down into miles, with landmarks and street names listed along the way. The description of Dan’s house was so explicit it could have been used for a real estate listing.

  “Pack enough for a month or so.”

  “Pack?” My head jerked up so fast, I nearly gave myself whiplash.

  Jodi held her ground. “You didn’t think we’d expect you to commute every day, did you?” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. “That’s a good hour and a half each way, and God knows how long it would take you in all the construction going on now.”

  Jodi’s patronizing tone nearly snapped my self-control.

  “There’s no reason for you to commute,” Jodi continued. “Dan has enough room and all the equipment you’ll need. And since you’ll be in residence, theoretically you can work on his therapy twenty-four-seven. Which is a good thing, because he’s really eager to get better.”

  “Twenty-four-seven?” I screeched. “Jodi, I have a life. I don’t want to be cooped up in a house with Dan McMullen for the next month.”

  “I said ‘theoretically’.” Jodi sighed. “It’s not like you’re going to be held prisoner.” She chuckled. “Hell, if I was thirty, blond, and had a body like yours, I’d volunteer for the assignment myself.” She sat back in her chair. “Think of it as a vacation. He has a pool, a Jacuzzi, and acres of land. It’ll be like being at your own private spa.” Jodi paused for, what I’m sure was, dramatic effect. “By the time you come back, we’ll have the partnership papers drawn up and ready to sign.”

  “You expect me to agree to this?”

  “I believe you already have.” Her tone was more confident than the look in her eyes.

  “What about my other clients?”

  “All taken care of.” My angst must have been apparent because Jodi’s look softened. “Sabrina, you have nothing to worry about. Everything will work out. You’ll see.” She flashed a brilliant smile. “As you said yourself, I have everything figured out. Right?”

  I smiled sickly. “You seem to.”

  It was on the tip of my tongue to ask the answer lady how I was going to survive the next month living under the same roof with Dan McMullen. But of course, I didn’t.

  Chapter Two

  At every exit I approached, it took all my willpower not to veer off, turn around, and head back home. But that would make me a coward, and I may be a lot of things, but I’m not a coward. I’ve never backed down from a challenge in my life, and I wasn’t about to start now.

  I was repeating that last sentence in my head for at least the hundredth time as I turned my red CRV into the long driveway that would lead me to Dan’s house.

  The driveway itself was impressive, with perfectly manicured lawns bordering on either side. Massive trees scattered the acreage, and I looked around, digesting the beauty. I was doing just that when I spotted the immense stone and wood structure at the end of the driveway. My eyes lit on the old-fashioned front porch and traveled slowly across the entire house, taking in the two wings that jutted out from the center building on either side. Two massive chimneys on each end of the structure told their own tale. Just the thought of curling up in front of a roaring fire with a good book eased some tension from my neck.

  Apparently someone had approached my car while I was admiring the house, because when I looked away from it, I was startled to find a person—a child no less—staring at me.

  “Hi.”

  “You’re finally here,” the little girl, who I figured to be eight or so, said.

  “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize Jodi gave you an exact time. I stopped for a burger on the way.”

  Truth be told, I stopped more out of a desire to delay my arrival than an absolute need for nourishment.

  “I’m sorry. Daddy always says I’m too impatient.”

  “No problem.” Realizing how ridiculous it was to be carrying on a conversation through my open window, I waved her back and stepped out of the car. Extending my hand, I said, “I’m Sabrina.”

  She pumped my hand enthusiastically. “I know. Sabrina Kelly. I’m Lexi.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Lexi.”

  I opened the back driver’s side door, reached in and grabbed my backpack and oversized duffel bag in one swipe. Jodi assured me that Dan possessed all the equipment necessary for his therapy, so my personal belongings were all I had to contend with.

  “That all your stuff?” Lexi’s heart-shaped face tilted up, her light brown ringlets falling over her shoulders. It was then I noticed her amazing eyes. The unusual shade of green reminded me of the color of fresh sage.

  “This is it.”

  “How long you gonna be here?” Her nose scrunched up as she asked the question.

  I laughed. “Does that mean you think I have too much or not enough?”

  “I take that much for a one-night sleepover party.” She looked thoughtful. “But I always pack way too much.”

  I’d almost done the same thing, but at the last minute I whittled it down to the bare necessities. I didn’t even allow myself to pack make-up. I don’t normally wear it, so why should I now? I’m here to do a job, not to impress anyone. I made a point to remind myself to say that over and over in my head several times a day.

  I was doing just that when Lexi opened the large front door and led me into the house.

  “Hey munchkin.” A tall, athletically thin man leaned down and gave Lexi a quick peck on the cheek.

  I decided he must be “Daddy.”

  “Sabrina’s here, so I brought her in,” Lexi said proudly.

  “Good job.” He stood to full height and extended his hand to me. “I’m Jeff Nealon.”

  Unnecessarily, I introduced myself. Lexi was doing a jig next to me, looking like she was about to pee her pants.

  “Why don’t you go tell him Sabrina’s here?” Jeff suggested to Lexi.

  Apparently that’s what she’d been waiting for, because she took off full speed down the hallway, throwing an “okay” over her shoulder.

  “If I could bottle that energy and sell it, I’d make a fortune,” Jeff said, as he lovingly stared down the hallway Lexi had just vacated.

  “She’s a beautiful little girl, and so polite.”

  “Thank you for saying so.” Jeff faced me once again. “Why don’t I show you to your room? Then I’ll give you the grand tour.”

  “Sounds good.”

  It wasn’t until I started to ascend the curved oak staircase that I noticed my surroundings. The yellow walls looked cheerful, but not overpowering. The foyer floor and stairs were bare wood and varnished to a high gloss.

  As
we reached the top of the stairs, a thick, beige carpet muffled our footsteps. Before I knew it, Jeff had opened a door and stood aside gesturing for me to enter. “This is it.”

  I stepped inside and was impressed. The burgundy carpet and taupe walls created the framework for a room that was neither masculine nor feminine, but would most likely appeal to anyone who occupied it. Floral throw pillows offset the bold stripes of the comforter in the same dark tones.

  A large bay window offered a marvelous view of the front yard and the myriad of trees that surround the property. I imagine the view would be spectacular in the fall after the leaves have turned. Or even in spring, as the trees wake up after a long winter’s nap. Thoughts of winter make me wonder how they’d look bare-branched with wet, heavy snow weighing them down.

  Not that the view right now isn’t spectacular. The trees are full and lush, just waiting for someone to curl underneath with a picnic lunch or a good book and laze the day away. I was so lost in my musings I forgot Jeff was in the room. I jumped when he spoke.

  “The bathroom is through there, and that’s the closet.” He gestured toward each door in turn. “The drawers and closet are empty, so feel free to make yourself at home.” I nodded my response. Jeff led me back into the hallway and pointed at the door directly across the hall. “That’s Lexi’s room. She insisted you stay in here.” He smiled. “If she gets in your way, just let me know.”

  “I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

  Jeff pointed out the linen closet, instructing me to help myself to anything I might need. There was a small den next to that, which I was again told to make use of if necessary.

  “And that’s Dan’s room,” he said, pointing to the door just down the hallway from mine.

  While Jeff was the picture of innocence, I could tell he was waiting for a reaction. Apparently, he’s aware that Dan and I have a history. I have to admit I’m surprised. In fact, I’m surprised that the Dan McMullen would take the time to mention my name.

  Yes, we dated for two years in college and were nearly engaged, but I can’t begin to imagine how many women there were before and after that. Hell, even during. Which had been the root of our problems.