Accidental Cinderella (Accidenal) by Emily Evans

Author:Emily Evans [Evans, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Emily Evans
Published: 2016-09-10T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Ella turned her head to Penelope and gave her a look that said you’re crazy. “Strip poker? No way.”

Penelope clasped her hands together in a totally inappropriate prayer motion. “Please. Please. I promise. I’ve got the cutest new corset. Once I get my shirt off, we’ll quit.”

Ella gave her a bigger you’re crazy look. Like the one she’d given the lady who’d brought her own kale to the smoothie shop. She’d wanted Ella to throw it in with her order, so she’d have a kale-banana smoothie bonanza. She hadn’t known where that lady got the kale that rested in a Ziploc bag in her purse, or if it even was kale. Had it been kept cold, or even cleaned? No way.

“You don’t understand. You’re new.”

“I’m not that new.” Ella stuffed her hand into the snack bowl of trail mix and picked out the chocolate pieces.

Penelope made a moue. “Sorry. But it’s true. You’re a new and interesting woman.” She pointed at her straight teeth. “I’m the kid they grew up with who had pink braces. Or worse, Hale’s little sister. And Hale will mess them up if they mess with me.”

It was irritating when people complained about family who had their backs. “It’s not my game.”

“You’re only eating chocolate to stir up love emotions. Something you wouldn’t have to do if you put yourself out there with guys.” Penelope made a huffing noise. “Well, I’m doing it anyway. There’s an ante and a river and a flop. I don’t have to be from Texas to know how to play Hold ‘em.”

Ella closed her eyes. She really knew how to play, and she was really good at Texas Hold ‘em. She didn’t hate cards. Being hauled out like a trick pony to state the odds for her stepdad’s friends had even been funny, ‘til he left. ‘Kiddo. Bring me a beer. And what are the odds Tony there has a straight.’ He’d been so upfront about it, his easygoing buddies had simply laughed. There’d been a lot of fun around when her mom was alive. But after she was gone and he remarried, and he and the Step had fought more and more…he took the easy way by taking off. ‘You’re a girl, so you’ll need a woman around. It’ll be easier, kiddo, trust me.’ It hadn’t been.

Penelope lingered at the door. “I’m going.”

“Wait up.” She gave in, just like she had on kale smoothie day, when she’d mixed up the green concoction for her customer.

Penelope squealed. She pulled off her gold bangle bracelets, and her earrings. She shoved them into Ella’s hands. “Wear those and take them off one at a time. You won’t be showing anything, I got your back. I won’t let it go that far.” She gestured to her white school blouse. “See. One or two hands, tops. Fritz will see my…” She unbuttoned the top two buttons on her shirt and pulled the side down so Ella could see her diamante-encrusted bra strap. “He’ll glimpse my Mr.

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