Sometimes it’s the unexpected that makes life interesting… Smart, sexy Victoria Small has come to the end of her year off—from men, that is. She’s enjoyed her hiatus, the peace, quiet—and no unexpected interruptions. But now she’s ready to have someone to come home to. And her timing is perfect, as not one, but two, handsome possibilities enter her life…   Ted, a powerful, blue-eyed CEO sends a thrill of excitement through her that shocks Victoria out of her comfort zone. Meanwhile, Parker, a talented surgeon, melts her defenses with his warmth and ebony good looks. The men are as different as can be—inside and out—but they have one thing in common: they both want Victoria. And as she struggles to decide what—and who—she really wants, Victoria will have to face her deepest fears, secrets, and desires—and decide if she’s brave enough for true love, no matter what color it comes in. Her answer just may surprise everyone, including herself…   “Trice Hickman has created passionate, three-dimensional characters who push the envelope of love and life… A memorable first offering.” —Marissa Monteilh, author of Dr. Feelgood “There’s a good dose of humor and steamy romance that makes this novel soar.” — Urban Reviews Trice Hickman is the award-winning, bestselling author of many novels, including  Unexpected Interruptions, Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies, and Breaking All My Rules . Prior to writing, she worked in management positions for both corporate and nonprofit organizations. She holds a bachelor of arts degree from Winston-Salem State University and a master of arts degree from Wake Forest University. Visit her online at www.tricehickman.com. Unexpected INTERRUPTIONS By TRICE HICKMAN DAFINA BOOKS Copyright © 2007 Trice Hickman All right reserved. ISBN: 978-0-7582-6906-5 Chapter One Not Necessarily In That Order...... "Why is my life so damn complicated?" Victoria asked herself as she steered her car past her circular driveway, toward the car pad in the back. She turned off the engine and sat for a few minutes, reflecting on the last twelve hours of her day. Work and men, not necessarily in that order, had thoroughly wrecked her nerves. She grabbed her handbag, leather attaché, and umbrella from the passenger seat, took a deep breath, and readied herself for the cold Atlanta rain that had been falling all day. Looking overhead at the evening sky, Victoria could see that it was just as unsettled as her mood. She stuck out one leg, planting her size-nine, black Ferragamo onto the cold, wet pavement. "Damnit, it's days like this that I wish I'd never turned the garage into a home gym," she cursed, quickly pushing her umbrella open as she made a mad dash for the door. She fumbled with her key until it slid into the lock. "Home sweet home," she said out loud. Each time Victoria walked through her door she felt an immediate sense of comfort. After patiently saving money, buying high-end furniture, scouring antique stores, and then garnering her treasured finds in a storage unit she'd rented, Victoria had finally found her dream home. This month made one year since Sherry Smith, realtor extraordinaire, had led her to 1701 Summerset Lane. "Sherry, this house is beautiful!" Victoria had marveled, pulling her long black hair behind her ear as she and Sherry approached the large Tudor-style house. "I came by first thing this morning to check it out for myself," Sherry smiled, flashing her perfect, cosmetically whitened teeth. "This home is a lovely split level with three large bedrooms including a master suite. There's even an extra bonus room that'll be great for a home office. Victoria, I know you'll just adore the large living and dining room; they're perfect for entertaining. And wait 'til you see the hardwood floors, high ceilings and crown moldings throughout. Believe me, this house is you , dear," Sherry gushed, already calculating her sizeable commission. Things had been very different twelve months ago when Victoria walked into her dream home—out of a recent nightmare. And as she replayed today's events in her mind, she had a funny feeling that her life was about to take an unpredictable turn. Her day began with an interesting twist when Ted Thornton knocked on her office door. Warm Cinnamon Sugar ... "Hi Ted, how are you?" Victoria smiled, startled to see him as she looked up from the stack of papers on her desk. "I'm well, thank you," he smiled back, allowing his eyes to quickly dart over both Victoria and her office. Ted Thornton had been hired at ViaTech seven months ago. Lamar Williams, the Founder and CEO of the company, had successfully wooed him from Asco Systems, one of their toughest competitors. Lamar was retiring next spring, and had handpicked Ted as his successor to run the company he'd built from a small storefront into a telecommunications powerhouse. Ted was well known and highly regarded throughout the telecom industry, which mad