Harlequin Kimani Romance January 2016 Box Set by Deborah Fletcher Mello

Author:Deborah Fletcher Mello
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459294516
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 2

“I need a boyfriend.” Rose puffed the words as she and Iris continued their five-mile jog through the Park of Roses on Saturday morning.

It was the last day of spring, the day before the longest day of the year. Even this early on a Saturday morning, the park was busy with cyclists, walkers and other runners. Rose jogged beside Iris past the tennis courts. The row of maple trees on their left formed a canopy over them. They continued down the incline to the music of the birdsong around them.

“I thought you’d given up on men.” Iris’s strides were synchronized to Rose’s, the result of years of jogging together.

Her youngest sister’s lemon-yellow jersey and navy blue biker shorts were cheerful contrasts to Rose’s steel-gray jersey and black shorts. They veered to the right at the bottom of the hill.

“A fake one for my reunion. Remember?” Rose frowned into the distance. Ben’s fair features and wavy dark hair superimposed themselves over the park’s picnic area. She briefly squeezed her eyes shut to dispel the objectionable image.

“Do you have any candidates?” Iris’s voice became increasingly breathless as she expended more energy on the path.

“Not even one.” Rose had searched her mind Friday night after dinner with her former classmates: work, church, neighbors, anyone.

“What about Leroi? You’ve worked with him for years.”

“He’s dating someone.” Rose leaned forward and shortened her stride as she climbed the incline that led to the high school. Her words came out in puffs. “Besides, Leroi’s successful. And intelligent. And good-looking. But he doesn’t. Hold a candle. To Ben.” And she needed someone whose looks would eclipse her ex-fiancé’s.

“You’re in luck.” Iris took a breath. “I know someone. He’d be perfect. For your assignment.”

“Who?” Rose crested the hill with Iris. Her pulse and breathing slowly returned to normal.

“Donovan Carroll. Also goes by ‘Van.’ He’s Ty’s friend. Vice president of sales. For Anderson Adventures.”

“How’s he look?” Rose looked at Iris, reluctant to believe her sister had the answer to her problem.

“Six-three, six-four. Clean shaven. Classically handsome. Shaved head. Built like a football player.”

So far, so good. “Smart?”

“Very. And charming.” Iris smiled.

“Sounds perfect.” Almost too good to be true. She wiped the sweat from her eyes. What’s wrong with him?

“Ty’s cousin would be, too. But he’s recovering from his breakup.”

“I remember.” Rose felt an empathetic tug in her heart. “You told me.”

“I don’t think your plan would work if both of you brought baggage to it.”

“I agree.”

Two male joggers were advancing toward them. They had the long, lean, well-muscled look of professional athletes or narcissistic gym rats. Their naked torsos glistened with sweat like a neon sign flashing, Warning: Heartbreak Ahead. They caught Rose’s gaze. Their confident smiles seemed to ask, “Do you like what you see?” Rose’s scowl answered, “No, go jump in a lake.” The men looked away. Wise move, boys.

“Maybe Lil knows someone, too.” Iris’s suggestion redirected Rose’s attention.

“Can’t ask Lil.” They reached the end of their path. Rose turned as they jogged back to their cars.

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