Love For Hire: The Helena's Grove Series Book 2 Read Free

Annie finally spoke. “It’s just… I wanted it to be just us this holiday. And now…” She didn’t finish.
    “Yeah, but maybe everything will be ok. Maybe they’ll come and be nice and I’ll try to be nice and it’ll go off without a hitch.”
    “You really think so?”
    “No.” Zack smiled at her and she laughed. “But I think it’s worth a try.” He stood up and held out his hand. “What do you say?”
    Annie sighed. “Okay.” she smiled up at him as he pulled her up and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Then they made their way back inside.
    “If all else fails and you decide you really don’t want him here, I’ll be glad to throw him out,” Zack offered teasingly.
    Annie laughed. “As long as he doesn’t say something mean, I think it’ll be fine.”
    “Can I at least shoot him a few dirty looks through dinner?” Zack asked hopefully.
    “Most definitely,” Annie replied.
     
    ****
     
    Two hours later, Zack answered the door when Lance and his wife Amelia arrived.
    “Well well, look who it is,” he said with a handshake. He led them into the living room where Jen and Mr. and Mrs. Hansen sat.
    Introductions were made and they made their way into the kitchen where Annie was helping Aunt Gabby. She greeted them with as much maturity as she could muster, trying to squash the old feelings of anger and betrayal that still lingered after so many years. Zack served them a glass of wine and twenty minutes later, everyone seemed more relaxed.
    After they were all seated, Aunt Gabby picked up her glass and lightly tapped it with a spoon to get everyone’s attention. “I want to thank you all for being here tonight,” she began. “It’s a really important thing for me to have my family here with me.” She smiled at Zack, Annie and Jen. “And also my friends.” She gestured towards the rest of the table. “It’s been an interesting and amazing year for me. I was able to get to know my niece, which has been an answer to my prayers. I know there aren’t many people my age who are surrounded by so many people they love and who love them so…” She raised her glass and everyone followed suit. “Here is to family, to friends and to love, which is the most important of all emotions.”
    “To love.” Jen raised her glass.
    “To love,” the rest of the guests resounded.
    Annie finally began to relax and settle into the meal. She was actually surprised how easily everyone seemed to converse. This night might actually end up being a success , she thought.
    “So Annie,” Amelia started, “what do you do?”
    Annie glanced at Zack quickly then back to Amelia. “I’m a nursing student at Penn State.”
    “Oh wow, a nurse.” She seemed impressed. “And Zack, aren’t you a doctor?”
    “Not yet,” Zack said as he took a sip of wine. “I start my internship at the first of next year.”
    “Family of achievers.” Amelia smiled. Annie and Jen looked at each other and Jen rolled her eyes.
    “How long have you been together?” Lance gestured to Zack and Jen.
    “Three and a half months,” Jen said and smiled as Zack reached for her hand.
    “And you already live together?” Amelia gasped.
    Annie’s heart suddenly felt tight as she saw Jen’s annoyed expression. She knew it well, since she had gotten the same look the first few times she and Jen had met. It took some time for the two of them to become friends but judging from the look on Jen’s face now, Amelia wasn’t someone she wanted to spend any more time with than she had to.
    Luckily, Zack also saw the look and spoke before Jen was able to. “There are some people that know sooner than others. For me, I knew right away that I wanted to be with her forever.” He smiled his most dazzling smile at Jen and she blushed slightly. They shared some silent I love you’s and Mrs. Hansen, a slightly overweight, cheerful woman awed at them. “There is nothing more romantic than young love,” she giggled.
    “That’s true,” Amelia