Page 1 of New Year, New You and Me

ONE

MOLLY

“Quick, we only have ten more minutes to get all of this year’s bad habits out of our systems.”

My best friend Angela proclaims this as she catches the passing waiter and orders another bottle of sparkling wine and a round of shots. I groan in protest. The last thing I want is a hangover in the morning.

Then again, it is New Year’s Eve. We are out on the prowl—or as much as a woman can be in our small Alaskan town. That means hanging out at the mayor’s big party at the nicest hotel within a hundred-mile radius.

It was either this or go to the Elk Shack, the local watering hole. While most years, I would have preferred that to this, Angela wanted us to get dolled up.

Her date du jour—a man so devoid of personality, I can’t remember if his name is Chad or Thad—got us on the guest list.

I intend to make the most of it. Rumor has it the mayor has intel on a New York-based travel agent that caters to trust fund babies and stockbrokers. Clients with deep pockets.

While my outdoor excursion company is doing just fine, this would be a huge opportunity for me. I could expand my office and hire more guides. Not to mention, it would be nice to pad my own savings account.

The server returns carrying our shots. Unfortunately, he isn’t alone.

“Oh, no!” I hiss under my breath. “It’s Bradley.”

“Where?” Angela turns from Chad or Thad. Her eyes grow wide. “Oh no.”

“What is he doing here?”

“Probably the same thing as us, unfortunately.” She wrinkles her nose. “I didn’t think this was his scene.”

“It’s not.” Which can mean only one thing. “He knows about the New York client.”

“You think?” Her eyes widen. “Couldn’t it be a coincidence?”

“No way.” I shouldn’t be surprised. Bradley’s outdoor excursion company is my biggest competition in our area of Alaska. He didn’t get there by being a complete idiot.

Even if he acts like one most of the time.

“Hey, Molly.” His electric blue gaze roves over me, inexplicably making my pulse quicken. “You look good.”

“Thanks, Bradley.” I take a shallow breath to steady myself. “You look… groomed.”

Better than groomed, much as I hate to admit. While the man always fills out his usual uniform of flannel and denim well, this suit clings to his broad shoulders showing them to their best. He’s even made an effort to trim his beard, which only makes his chiseled jaw all the more prominent.

Damn. Why does he have to be so good-looking?

His lips quirk up in that signature smirk of his. “Like what you see?”

“I’d like it more if it was walking away.” I straighten my shoulders and mentally applaud myself.

“I get what you’re saying.” He winks. “You want a better look at my ass.”

“You cocky, egotistical— Nope.” I interrupt myself and shake my head. “I’m not going to let you bring me down.” I sip the champagne the server has just poured for us. “If I were someone who made New Year’s Resolutions, I’d make one right now.”

“And what’s that? Be nicer to the competition?”

My eyelid twitches. “I was thinking more like don’t let jerks bring me down.”

He scoffs. “Good thing I’m not a jerk.”

“Hmm. Maybe that should be your resolution.”

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