Bachelorette for Sale (31 page)
Read Bachelorette for Sale Online
Authors: Gail Chianese
“The second Saturday in October,” Cherry hesitantly told her.
David reached across the table to exchange some kind of man-code handshake with the groom. “Congrats, Cupid. It’s about time you made an honest woman out of our girl here.”
“Trust me, I’ve been trying for weeks,” Jason responded.
After noting the date on her calendar, Tawny shut that app down and brought up her notes app. “October of this year, correct?”
Cherry gave her a small smile and nodded.
“Three months to plan a wedding? Lucky for you, I’m a very organized person, and between the two of us we should have no problem. Thank goodness your classes don’t start until the end of summer.”
A quick look passed between the lovebirds, and Tawny waited for the other shoe to smack her upside the head.
“Actually, I’m going to need a little more help from you than I would normally ask. See, the director of the community center found out about me going back to school for a degree in counseling, and she asked if I could do an internship-type thing now. It’s in the evenings after I get off work, which doesn’t leave a lot of time for wedding stuff.”
“No problem. Tell me what you need me to do and it’s done. You know you can count on me.” Tawny started making a list of all the essentials that would need to be done.
“Dave, we were hoping as Jason’s best man, you’d be willing to help Tawny out. Maybe check out some venues together, some cake tasting, that sort of thing.” Cherry looked at the two of them with mournful puppy eyes and pink staining her perfect Irish complexion.
“Anything you need from me, sweetheart, I’m happy to do.” He turned to Jason. “What about Brody?”
“What about me?” The third of the three amigos slid into the booth, shoving David totally into Tawny’s personal space. “Sorry I’m late. This client is going to kill me, if I don’t kill her first.”
The guy looked beat. Strain lines laced out from the corners of his eyes, while dark circles shadowed the area underneath. Somewhere between the office and the pub he’d ditched his suit coat and tie and rolled up the sleeves of his button-down shirt. The man was a total one-eighty from David, who dressed in jeans, a faded T-shirt, and work boots. Different styles, different personalities, all linked by a shared past and the same wary look in their eyes. Mama mia, they were a potent dose of testosterone when put together.
The edgy boy next door, the charmer, and the rake. It was the first thought that had come to her mind when she’d met Jason, David, and Brody, and after getting to know them, she’d realized her instincts had nailed it dead-on.
“I’m the best man. You cool with that?” David asked.
“Yep, more work for you, and I get to sit back and watch the circus.” Brody flagged down a passing waitress, asked if they’d ordered, and then put in his drink and food order. “You two need anything from me, just say the word.”
Jason’s smile spread from ear to ear. “How about you help Fubar plan the bachelor party? This way none of us will end up in jail and I’ll still be able to get married.”
“Oh, sure, leave the most important task up to the stuffed suit. No worries, Cherry, we’ll all be sitting around playing Bingo and be home in bed by nine o’clock,” David teased.
The guys ribbed each other, exchanging insults as only true friends who’d known each other a lifetime could. Tawny sat back in her space, lost in her own thoughts. Mentally she listed what she’d need to do tomorrow: check bank balance, update resume, scour LinkedIn, Monster.com, and every other job website out there. She’d hold off telling her parents for now. If she got lucky, she’d find another job before they even knew and she could save herself the headache from the multitude of lectures they’d dish out. Speeches about how if only she’d find a good husband she wouldn’t have to worry about finding a job, or how it was a woman’s place to take care of the home and raise the children. It might be the new millennium, but her parents were squarely stuck in the 1950s, living between Ward and June Cleaver and Ozzie and Harriet Nelson.
“You okay?” David had leaned over to whisper in her ear, and if she turned just right her lips would match up perfectly with his.
Turning her head only far enough to acknowledge him, Tawny noted his usual playful smile was gone. This serious David pulled at her with an intensity she’d never felt before. “Couldn’t be better. Hanging with friends, a drink in one hand and all the free time in the world ahead of me.” She tried to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. Tried, keyword.
“My offer still stands if you need someone to talk to. Anytime, day or night.”
Tawny cocked an eyebrow at the offer.
“Honestly, I’m offering as a friend, and I promise to be on my best behavior.”
When he looked at her, it was as if no other women existed in the universe. No one else mattered more to him. Warmth spread through her body, setting her on fire. Her breath slowed. Her gaze dropped to his lips. Were they as soft as they looked? She caught herself before she reached up and ran her fingers along his jawline, felt the stubble of his beard tickle her palm, or tasted his lips.
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
Photo Credit: Julia Gerace
Gail Chianese
’s love of reading began at the tender age of three, when she’d make her grandpa read
Fourteen Country Rabbits
over and over and over again (and correct him when he skipped parts). While she’s branched out over the years by reading mystery, women’s fiction, and urban fantasy, she always circles back to romance in the end. That’s probably because she’s married to her real-life hero. Her wonderful hubby has served in the US Navy for the past twenty-six years and he’s done things he can’t tell her about. But it doesn’t stop her from being extremely proud of him and the sacrifices he makes for her, his family, and his country. He’s also über-supportive of her dreams and of their three children. A member of Connecticut Romance Writers of America living in Mystic, CT, Gail loves to hear from readers. Visit her online at GailChianese.com, follow her on Twitter@Gail_Chianese, or send her an e-mail at [email protected].
’s love of reading began at the tender age of three, when she’d make her grandpa read
Fourteen Country Rabbits
over and over and over again (and correct him when he skipped parts). While she’s branched out over the years by reading mystery, women’s fiction, and urban fantasy, she always circles back to romance in the end. That’s probably because she’s married to her real-life hero. Her wonderful hubby has served in the US Navy for the past twenty-six years and he’s done things he can’t tell her about. But it doesn’t stop her from being extremely proud of him and the sacrifices he makes for her, his family, and his country. He’s also über-supportive of her dreams and of their three children. A member of Connecticut Romance Writers of America living in Mystic, CT, Gail loves to hear from readers. Visit her online at GailChianese.com, follow her on Twitter@Gail_Chianese, or send her an e-mail at [email protected].
To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.
LYRICAL PRESS BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2015 by Gail Chianese
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Lyrical and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.
First Electronic Edition: June 2015
eISBN-13: 978-1-60183-404-1
eISBN-10: 1-60183-404-7
eISBN-13: 978-1-60183-404-1
eISBN-10: 1-60183-404-7
ISBN: 978-1-6018-3404-1
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