Dirty Deal (A Perfectly Matched Novel) (Entangled Brazen) Read Free Page A

them who continued the onslaught of insults not-really-under-her-breath.
    “I just need ten minutes to talk to him about advertising for us. A couple photo shoots and a commercial, easy peasy. Look at him. That’s the face I want for our posters.”
    With his short brown hair, straight nose, and strong jawline, it was definitely a nice face, but that didn’t change the fact that their matchmaking company had dozens of clients who were equally good-looking, some of whom were even pretty high-profile.
    So the question remained—what was the big effing deal about this guy?
    She threw the paddle into the air again and took a long sip of water before continuing. “I don’t get why you couldn’t ask anyone we’ve ever worked with. Anyone else?”
    “I have my reasons.” She wore that shifty, guarded look, and Serena knew she wouldn’t get any more answers from her now. Maybe, along with her matchmaking superpowers, Grace had developed a Spidey sense for good publicity and just knew this was the guy for them. Either way, her friend didn’t ask for much, so when she did, Serena would do anything in her power to help her get it. For now she’d have to let the subject drop.
    The shrill voice of the woman across from them sounded again, interrupting her thoughts.
    “Maybe you should stop bidding and put your money into suing the doctor that botched your boob job instead,” she hissed. This time her target was Serena.
    “Maybe I could donate it to your charity fund instead. What was it? Tits for Twats?”
    The woman glared at her and raised her paddle in the air.
    Serena raised hers just as fast, resisting the urge to stick out her tongue while she was at it.
    “Are you paying attention to the numbers?” Grace whispered under her breath. “We can’t go over thirty-five hundred. That’s all we’ve got.”
    “I see thirty-two, can I get thirty-three?” the pretty female auctioneer called.
    “Aw, running scared, girls? That’s good. Bryan needs woman, not a dog and a bone.” The other woman’s eyes twinkled with evil glee and she smiled, waving her paddle with an extra flourish.
    Oh, hell no.
    Not only did she need to save this poor bastard on stage from a woman who was clearly capable of ending their date by strapping him to a sacrificial altar and preserving his body Psycho -style for her future enjoyment, but it was personal now. If this girl wanted to throw down, Serena was happy to join her in the gutter.
    But how to get past the bidding cap of thirty-five hundred?
    She couldn’t touch the trust fund her parents had left her. She wouldn’t come within ten yards of that thing unless she needed to fund a space mission that would help the U.S. government avoid an extraterrestrial attack. Personally, she still had some money her grandmother had given her before she’d passed away, and her own meager savings from her salary at the company, but she knew from experience, it would be like pulling teeth to get Grace to accept it.
    And even if she managed to do that, in spite of her knockoff dress, the other woman’s funds seemed limitless. If Serena was going to beat her out, she’d have to come up with a plan B. What could the hospital use that was as valuable as cold hard cash? It clearly didn’t need matchmaking services…but it could probably do with a venue to host these little charity functions, and she had just the place.
    She stood and then climbed on top of her chair, waving her paddle to catch the toga-clad auctioneer’s attention.
    “Permission to approach the bench?” she shouted.
    “Uh…” The auctioneer looked like a deer in the headlights and shrugged. “It’s not really a bench, but—”
    Serena cut her off. “Whatever. I will allow the foundation to host its next two gala or charity events at my home, the Elliott estate, if you close the bidding now. I’d also give three thousand dollars toward the foundation, of course.”
    It was a good offer. Actually, a great offer. Serena’s