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

waist, pulling her close enough to feel the full weight of her soft breasts and have her stiffen against him. The temptation to continue holding her was strong. He yearned to also bury his face in her neck, as Nick had done. But their hug didn’t last nearly as long as the one she gave their friend. They never did. Almost immediately she pulled back, and his hand clenched at the loss of contact.
    “It was good to see you, too. Get some sleep, lightweight,” he teased, tweaking the tip of her nose.
    Brenda wrinkled it at him. “I will,” she sang as she sashayed to the waiting taxi. Sophie followed behind. From the backseat, they both waved and blew kisses out the window. He and Nick watched until the car disappeared.
    His friend sighed deeply. “She’s great, isn’t she?” A wistful note filled his voice.
    “Which one?” Jay asked, though he really knew.
    “Brenda, of course.”
    Of course.
    Brenda attracted people no matter where she went. She was quite a character, with a cute little laugh that came easily and often, and was the kind of person who never met a stranger. One of those people who struck up conversations in grocery store lines and made lifelong friends as a result.
    “Yeah, she’s great,” he agreed, keeping his tone neutral. Like Nick, he stared down the street where the cab had disappeared, a pain in his jaw from clenching his teeth so hard.
    ****
    The taxicab rolled with a mild flow of traffic, the soothing voice of a talk radio host coming through the speakers. Brenda rested her head against the seat and yawned. She shouldn’t have drunk so much. She’d probably have a terrible headache tomorrow.
    “I can’t believe how you have Nick eating out of your hand,” Sophie said from beside her.
    They were on the way to Brenda’s house, where Sophie had left her jeep. She was spending the night instead of taking the long drive back to her apartment. As a flight attendant, she did like many airline employees and lived south of the city for an easy commute to the airport.
    “You’re making this into a bigger deal than it is. He’s just being nice.” She shouldn’t have told her what Nick whispered out on the sidewalk.
    “Being nice?” She couldn’t see Sophie’s face clearly in the dark vehicle, but she didn’t have to. The skepticism came through loud and clear. “He invited you to go to Europe, all expenses paid, and he didn’t offer the same to me or Jay. I’m pretty sure he’s trying to get in your panties.”
    Brenda didn’t respond to Sophie’s assertion because, in all honesty, she had her doubts about Nick’s motives. His invitation had taken her by surprise.
    Sophie yawned. “I’m exhausted.”
    “Me, too.”
    Silence.
    “Jay’s so hot,” Sophie said. “But he’s not the least bit interested in me.”
    Brenda lifted her head. “How could you even think about getting involved with Jay when…?”
    “When what? Because of Jenna?” Sophie waved her hand dismissively. “Please, those two have been divorced for ten years, and they’ve both been involved with other people since then.”
    “Other people, but not one of us,” Brenda said pointedly.
    “Um, again, they’re divorced, and she’s more your friend than mine, if we’re honest.”
    “I cannot believe you,” Brenda said.
    “What? So she gets to call dibs on his penis for the rest of his life? Pfft. Please. There are people who give up their families because of love.”
    “Are you saying you’re in love with him?” The question came out as a high-pitched squeal and her heart quivered, a rapid movement that left her a little breathless.
    “Heck no! But I’d give up her friendship in a second for Jay.”
    Brenda gaped at Sophie. “Remind me never to let you near my future husband.”
    “I would never sleep with your husband, and besides, you’re the best of my besties. That’s a no-no, but if after you’re done with him and it’s true love…” She shrugged as she let the words trail