Draw Me Close (34 page)

“For me?” She was in shock. Complete and utter shock. Sucking in a quick breath, Lindsey turned in a circle, taking in the room. It wasn't huge, but it was big enough to display many things. Instantly she could picture it full of her creations. He must have been working like crazy to get it all done so quickly.

“Follow me, we aren't done.” Derek was grinning, holding his hand out to her. “Come on, Tan. Let's show her the rest.”

The boys led Lindsey into a smaller room. “Mike's former bedroom is now … your office.” He flipped the light on to reveal more wood flooring and more ivory paint. Lindsey couldn't help laughing. In shock, excitement. She wasn't sure.

“Keep moving.” Derek pulled on her hand, leading her back through the bigger room, down a small hallway, and out to what used to be Mike's garage. “Here's the best part. Your workshop.”

“Derek,” Lindsey whispered. The space had been mostly cleared, but it was still basically a garage. Concrete floors, giant bay doors, lots of shelving, a utility sink.

It was perfect.

“Where is Mike going to work?” she asked.

“Well, he took two weeks off to spend with Anne and Claire and during that time he's having a Morton building put up on their property. He's going to work at home, move the business there. And now you're going to work here. With me.”

He pulled her against his chest and looked into her eyes. “At least … I hope you will.”

She smiled. “Are you kidding me? This is the most beautiful space I've ever seen. There are drains in the floor for easy cleanup!”

Derek laughed and kissed her on the nose. “If I'd known drains made you happy I'd have given them to you earlier.”

Lindsey smiled. “How much is the rent here?”

Derek made a face. “I don't know, I hadn't thought about it.”

“Well, you must think about it. I'm paying rent,” she said. And she meant it. She had also set aside a chunk of the money her dad had paid her back to pay Derek for her hospital bills. She wouldn't let him argue about it, either.

“I'm sure we can come to an agreement.” He grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Dad, can we stay the night in here? This is awesome.”

“No way, bud. We have to get back to the wedding.” Derek looked back down at Lindsey. “But maybe Lindsey will let you hang out in here with her sometime.”

“Absolutely,” she said. “I might have to take Tanner Dumpster diving. Then we can create something awesome together.”

“Dumpster diving?”
Tanner asked, completely confused.

“Yeah, it's fun. Maybe we'll make something cool for your dad's office,” Lindsey said with a wicked grin.

Derek gave her a sidelong glance. “That sounds like a great idea.”

They stood there a long moment, holding on to one another as they watched Tanner explore the space. She looked up to Derek once more. “Final request. Next Valentine's Day I will need chocolate, a card, and flowers.”

He chuckled. “You're not high maintenance at all.”

She feigned offense. “I'm not! I've just never gotten any of those things before on Valentine's Day.”

“Never? You're kidding?” he asked. Obviously surprised.

“Not kidding at all.”

“I'm kind of glad. You were waiting for me.”

Lindsey rolled her eyes and laid her head back on his chest. “Don't disappoint.”

Derek groaned and then whispered against Lindsey's temple. “Never again. You're mine now.”

 

“
Nicole Michaels
makes falling in love fun.”

—
New York Times
bestselling author Christie Craig

 

 

Look for the first two novels in this delightful series

 

Start Me Up
Win Me Over

 

Available from St. Martin's Paperbacks

 

 

 

And don't miss the author's heartwarming holiday e-novella

 

“Blame it on the Mistletoe”

 

 

www.stmartins.com

 

Acknowledgments

Hard to believe this is the final book in the Hearts and Crafts Series. What a year! As always, many people deserve my gratitude. Thank you to Sarah Younger, for always being there; Lizzie Poteet, for your incredible insight; Annie Hulkower, you've been amazing at getting my books in front of others; Crystal Ben and Kerri Resnick, the covers have been beautiful; Laurie Anne Bowes and Emily Zoladz (and their lovely subjects), thank you for allowing us use of your art to bring my stories to life. Also everyone at St. Martin's Press and Heroes and Heartbreakers for their help in creating and promoting this series.

To my high school girlfriends. These days we rarely get to chat. In fact years go by, but writing a series about women friends has meant I've called on our past for inspiration many times. Our weekend outings, relationship drama, banter, trouble, and inside jokes. I wouldn't be the same person today without each of you. Heather, Lindsey (thanks for the name also!), Michelle, Jenny, Billie, Beth, Melissa, Erica, Katie, and Breanna.

Thank you to every single person who has read, reviewed, and purchased my books. I can't tell you what it means to me. I hope you join me for whatever comes next!

My amazing friend Sabrina for the initial inspiration, my besties Jennifer and Tracy, my wonderful mom, and all the rest of my family and friends. And most importantly, my boys and husband. Every day the four of you make it possible for me to continue fulfilling this dream through your patience, sacrifice, and unending support. I love you so much.

 

About the Author

When she's not writing, cooking, or hanging out with her family,
NICOLE MICHAELS
is a portrait and wedding photographer. She enjoys writing love stories with happy endings and lives outside of Kansas City with her husband and three sons. You can follow her on Twitter @nicolemauthor to learn more or visit
www.nicolemichaelsbooks.com
. Or sign up for email updates
here
.

    

 

Also by
Nicole Michaels

Start Me Up

Win Me Over

Novella

Blame It on the Mistletoe
(e-original)

 

Praise for the first novel in this charming new series by
Nicole Michaels

START ME UP

“Delightfully playful, Michaels's contemporary marks her as one to watch.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“Sexy and exciting … this is a book that makes falling in love even more fun.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“Cute and crafty! A delightful beginning to a new series that is sure to charm readers.”

—
New York Times
bestselling author Jill Shalvis

“Sometimes a book checks off all of your boxes and just hits the spot.
Start Me Up
did that for me … a sweet contemporary romance that revolves around a single mom, her blog, and a sexy, younger man. Oh,
Start Me Up
, you had me at hello!”

—
Romance at Random

“Sexy, steamy with just the right amount of snark. Nicole Michaels makes falling in love fun.”

—
New York Times
bestselling author Christie Craig

 

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Contents

Title Page

Copyright Notice

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-one

Twenty-two

Twenty-three

Twenty-four

Twenty-five

Twenty-six

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Also by Nicole Michaels

Praise

Copyright

 

 

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

 

DRAW ME CLOSE

 

Copyright © 2016 by Nicole Michaels.

 

All rights reserved.

 

For information address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

 

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Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at
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eISBN: 9781466862241

 

St. Martin's Paperbacks edition / March 2016

 

St. Martin's Paperbacks are published by St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth

Avenue, New York, NY 10010.