Seducing Fortune (A Serendipity Novel Book 3)
Page 25
“So who is she?” Dylan loosens his tie with one hand and drops into the nearest chair.
This is the question I can’t answer. If I admit I picked up this strange girl off the street and plan on giving her a bed for the night, they’ll both commit me. So, I stretch the truth. “Veronica’s a sweetheart. A friend. She can’t stay at her place tonight, and I offered her the sofa. It’s not a big deal. I’d appreciate it if you guys would make her feel welcome.”
Jordy shoots me an odd look. “Sorry. Hey, didn’t mean to be a dick earlier.”
“Yeah, well. She was a little messy earlier.”
The French doors open and Veronica steps through. “Hi.” She hugs her body by wrapping her arms across her middle. The gesture draws attention to purple bruises lining her forearms and my stomach gives an unfriendly churn.
“What can I do to help?” Veronica only makes eye contact with me and I wonder if she’s unnerved by the fact she’s alone with three strangers. Three strangers who have no reason to treat her well.
“Not a thing,” Jordy answers. Getting out of his seat, he adjusts his ball cap and nods to me. “Almost ready?”
“Yeah. Thanks.” Jordy heads to the door and I look to Dylan. “Can you give me and Veronica a minute to talk?”
“Sure,” he says. Dylan grabs the tie he’s removed and follows Jordy into the house. Veronica lingers at the threshold.
“I’d like to talk about you being here,” I say.
“Okay.”
“I don’t bring strange girls home.”
“So why me?”
I study her face—the way her widened eyes express her confusion. “I also want you to know you’re safe here. I don’t know what you’re running from, but well … I wanted you to know you don’t have to be afraid of anything.”
“Who says I’m afraid of something?”
“Who did that to you?” I point the grill tongs at her arms.
“Nobody. I fell.” She stands military straight, her head up.
We stare at each other in challenging silence. I wait for her to admit the lie. Veronica dares me to contradict her.
“I also wanted to let you know Jordy thinks we knew each other before today.”
“Why would he think that?”
“Because I implied it. Unless you want to answer questions, it’s best to pretend we’re old friends.”
“If we’re friends, you won’t care if I sleep in your bed.”
* * *
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Also by Brinda Berry
New Adult Novels
Chasing Luck (A Serendipity Novel, #1)
Tempting Fate (A Serendipity Novel, #2)
Seducing Fortune (A Serendipity Novel, #3)
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Young Adult Novels
The Waiting Booth (Whispering Woods #1)
Whisper of Memory (Whispering Woods #2)
Watcher of Worlds (Whispering Woods #3)
Wild at Heart II (An Anthology)
Lore: Tales of Myth and Legend Retold (An Anthology)
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Website: www.brindaberry.com
Acknowledgments
There are so many people I want to throw my arms around and squeeze. Here goes the list:
Audrey Estes, my number one cheerleader, confidante, alpha reader, critic, and friend. She makes my heart swell when she demands the next chapter.
Brent Berry, for every time I’ve monopolized dinner conversation with writer talk, left dirty dishes on the bar, and ignored him while writing.
Lindee Robinson, for providing beautiful cover images and teasers even when I make last second requests.
Jake Berry, for cover art design based on instructions from the pickiest client he’ll ever have.
Abbie Roads. *insert long, heartfelt sigh* What would I do without her critiques and wisdom and understanding? Let’s hope I never find out.
Mandy Dismang and Kristi Cheatham, two ladies who are truly more than I deserve. I’m so thankful they read and send constructive feedback.
Lacey Thacker, for editing with courtesy and respect. Throwing her a kewpie kiss. She’s the only one who’ll get that last line.
READerlicious.com writers Kelly Crawley, Christina Delay, Kathleen Groger, S.B. McCauley, Jennifer Savalli, Carol Michell Storey, N.K. Whitaker, Jenn Windrow, and Sandy Wright. Every writer should belong to a READerlicious team. The writing and publishing world would be a better place.
Tina Rucci, for proofreading with her eagle eye after all the other eagle eyes thought they’d caught everything.
I’m so fortunate to have you all in my life!
About the Author
Brinda Berry lives in the southern US with her family and a spunky cairn terrier. She's terribly fond of chocolate, coffee, and books that take her away from reality. She doesn't mind being called a geek or “crazy dog lady”. When she's not working the day job or writing a novel, she's guilty of surfing the internet for no good reason.
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@Brinda_Berry
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