An odd, unsettling numbness had invaded his chest at the news, and all the memories he’d so firmly locked away had ambushed him. The first time he’d seen her. First time he’d touched her. Kissed her. Made love to her. The last time he’d touched her…and all those touches in between. He’d tortured himself, letting down his guard to recall those incredible few weeks that had been the happiest of his life. Then he’d mentally wished her well and forced her from his mind-a feat he managed fairly well most of the time.

Now, he roughly shoved aside her image. Mallory was the past. His future was spread before him like a bachelor banquet filled with desirable women, no-strings sex, the European trip he’d always dreamed of, more desirable women and even more no-strings sex. He’d worked hard and now it was time to decompress and reap some benefits.

A bell tinkled, indicating that someone had entered the storefront, yanking him from his reverie. Must be the one o’clock appointment. As Nick had dashed out this morning after Annie’s call announcing she was in labor, he’d asked Adam to reschedule the day’s appointments. He’d been able to contact everyone except the one o’clock and two o’clock slots. Hopefully they’d both be understanding about the lack of photographer. He didn’t want to lose any customers for Nick in his absence.

Exiting the studio, he made his way down the short hallway toward the front of the store. When he entered the main room, he saw a dark-haired woman wearing a sleeveless turquoise dress standing in front of the glass-top counter, her back to Adam.

“Hi,” he said, striding forward with a smile.

She turned and whatever else he’d planned to say drained from his head as his footsteps faltered, then stopped. And damn, it felt as if his heart did the same. Her brown eyes widened and she looked nearly as stunned as he felt. He wouldn’t have believed she could look better than what his memory conjured up, but she did. More beautiful. More desirable. More tempting. And real.