An Unexpected Attraction (Love Unexpected Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

himself in the line.
    When he’d calmed down enough to speak again, he said, “You know how we were talking about getting together more often? You and Sophie should come to game night at my house. It’s a lot of fun. Adult fun.”
    “Oh?” She sounded interested, but as she dug in her purse, he only saw her profile and couldn’t tell if she really was or not. “When’s the next one?”
    “In a couple of weeks.”
    She raised her eyes to his. “Do we have to bring anything?”
    “Only if you want to, but I have plenty of food and beverages, so it’s not necessary.”
    She pulled out her wallet while he waited for a response. What was going through that head of hers?
    “So what do you think?” he pressed. “Do you think you’ll come?”
    “I might be able to swing that,” she said over her shoulder.
    “Next!” The cashier’s sharp cry broke into their conversation. No one else stood in front of Brenda, and they’d both been distracted enough to hold up the line.
    She hurried forward and made her purchase. Afterward, she waited for him near the door, out of the flow of traffic. Once he had his box of cannoli, Jay joined her and they strolled out to the parking lot. As they walked, he gave her the details of game night, including the time and his address, since she’d never been to his house.
    They ended their walk at her gold Jetta.
    “So you’re definitely coming?” he asked.
    “Yes, Jay, I’ll be there.” She rolled her eyes. “With bells on. Happy?”
    “Definitely wear the bells.”
    He winked at her and she gave him one of her Brenda grins—one that lit up her face and made him wish their situation was different. That there wasn’t the occasional awkwardness between them and he could, without hesitation or second thought, pull her into his arms and not feel her stiffen.
    He waited until her car started before he walked away toward his vehicle. As she cruised by, she honked and waved.
    Jay waved back and was at his car, staring at his smiling face reflected in the driver side window, when he realized he’d actually been smiling almost the entire time he talked to Brenda. Nothing unusual about that at all. Her presence always brightened his day.
    ****
    Brenda had wanted to decline Jay’s invitation. For the most part she’d managed to steer clear of him since she moved back to Atlanta, but a visit to his house wouldn’t be unpleasant if Sophie was there, and she did want to meet new people. She needed to get out more. Most of the past six months had been spent working hard at The Entertainment Report , so most every new person she met was in the entertainment industry. She could slow down now, and game night sounded like fun.
    She was at the light and turning out of the parking lot when she caught her reflection in the rear view mirror. Her eyes were bright and she grinned like a fool, a complete one-eighty from her less than enthusiastic attitude about the board meeting tonight.
    All because of Jay. He’d brightened her day.

Chapter Four
    Sophie bailed on Brenda at the last minute. So last minute, in fact, Brenda was already en route to Jay’s house when her friend called.
    “I’m really sorry, but Keith wants me to go to this concert with him, and I’d feel terrible if I don’t go and he spent all that money on a ticket.”
    “It’s not your fault. He waited until the last minute to tell you.” After the person he really wanted to take had canceled, no doubt.
    But Brenda kept that comment to herself. No point in wasting her breath on another anti-Keith tirade. Sophie never listened. Brenda sometimes wondered if Keith had cast a spell on her friend. Her judgment where he was concerned could be considered questionable at best.
    Brenda parked on the street and took a deep breath. She exited the car, holding a box of miniature cupcakes. Instead of a swanky bachelor pad in the middle of the city, Jay lived in a four-bedroom, three bath craftsman in Grant Park, one of the oldest