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

went on. “You are lucky to find someone like that. Lance and I dated for almost four years before he asked me to marry him. But I’m glad he finally did.” She gave Lance a sidelong glance and he smiled back uncomfortably.
    “What about you Annie,” Amelia asked. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
    “Well… I,” Annie stammered. This was the question she’d been dreading.
    “Annie’s in school full time so she’s very busy, not to mention she volunteers for every goodwill organization there is,” Jen quickly said before Annie could continue.
    “Is that so?” Amelia said with mock interest.
    Aunt Gabby gave Amelia a look as she and Zack simultaneously included more of Annie’s good deeds. Annie cringed as the two of them spoke at the same time.
    “Annie doesn’t need a man in her life. Besides, there isn’t anyone good enough for her,” Mr. Hansen chimed in.
    “There is someone for everyone,” Annie heard Mrs. Hansen say. She prayed it would stop there, but the chatter seemed to get louder as Jen and Zack agreed with Mrs. Hansen and went on their own spill about finding the right person. Somewhere to her left Annie could hear Aunt Gabby talking about how she has never been married and she’s just fine. Life doesn’t end just because you don’t have a significant other. Lance and Amelia were in their own argument, Annie assumed because Lance was upset with her for bringing it up in the first place. Annie’s heart was pumping so fast she could barely breathe. She hated contention, confrontation and anything to do with an argument, especially when it had to do with her. She squeezed her eyes shut and willed it to stop. Stop , she just wanted it to... “STOP!” she yelled.
    The table went silent and everyone looked at her. “Just stop talking about me,” she said, so frustrated she could hardly speak. “It just so happens…” She looked around the table. “That I have met someone.” What are you doing? her inner voice urgently asked. “I met him at school and we’ve been dating for several weeks now.” Stop! Stop now while you can! “And I was going to bring him today but I thought it might be a little early to bring him to a family holiday.” You’re not a liar Annie, why are you doing this? “So you can all stop worrying about me. I’m fine.”
    “Who is this guy?” Zack asked, “You didn’t say anything to me about him.”
    “Well, like I said. We’ve only been dating a few weeks and I didn’t want to rain on your relationship parade.”
    “Oh Annie, I hope you don’t feel like our relationship is any more important than yours,” Jen said, clearly concerned they might have hurt Annie’s feelings.
    “No, not at all. It’s just been kind of hectic and I didn’t get around to saying anything.” She smiled the best she could and everyone seemed to believe her.
    “What’s his name?” Aunt Gabby asked.
    “His name?” Annie repeated. “Uh… his name is… Marcus.”
    “And you met him at school? Is he a good person?”
    “Yes, Aunt Gab, he’s a perfect gentleman.”
    “What’s his major?” Jen asked.
    Annie looked at her, searching her brain for anything that sounded legitimate. “He is studying, um… mechanics. I mean, he’s a mechanical engineer. Or, well, at least, that’s his major.” Annie could feel the sweat on her forehead and took a large bite of her potatoes before anyone could ask her more questions.
    “A mechanical engineer, hot damn!” Zack said enthusiastically. “Well I hope we get to meet this guy sometime soon. Maybe Jen and I will buzz on over there and we can all go to dinner together.” Jen smiled and nodded, obviously excited at the thought.
    Annie smiled and nodded as she tried to swallow the potatoes with the growing lump in her throat.
    Lance and Amelia had said little more up to this point but suddenly Lance seemed to find his voice. “I’m really happy for you Annie. I’m sure he’s a great guy.” His smile was sincere and Annie