No Strings Attached by Millie Criswell

Author:Millie Criswell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2013-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

JANUARY WAS supposedly the month for new beginnings, but you couldn’t prove that by Samantha, who’d just received the latest in a string of rejection letters—one from a publisher who’d expressed real enthusiasm for her writing.

“Dammit!” she swore, tearing the letter into shreds and tossing it on the floor while tears of frustration spilled onto her cheeks. “Damn! Damn! Damn! I hate writing! I hate the whole stupid publishing industry!”

Jake chose that moment to pee on her Skechers, which seemed somehow fitting to Samantha since everyone was pissing on her lately. “Jake, you naughty boy!” She grabbed a paper towel and cleaned up the mess, then picked up the offending creature who’d followed her into the kitchen, intending to scold him further. But he licked her face, tears and all, and she didn’t have the heart to do it.

The doorbell rang just then and Samantha heaved a deep sigh. Wiping her face with the back of her hand, she debated whether or not to answer it. She’d been avoiding Jack since they’d returned from her parents’ house, fearful that if he looked too closely he’d figure out what had put her into such a funky, emotional mood.

Like most women in her condition, her hormones were out of whack. There were days when she felt totally insane. She cried for no reason, felt both uncontrollable rage and periods of euphoria and had bouts of such deep depression that she feared she would never get through the next month, let alone all nine.

The persistent caller continued ringing the bell, then a familiar irritation-filled voice called out, “I know you’re in there, Samantha, so open the damn door!” Only Patty could demand action with such authority.

Relieved it wasn’t Jack, but hating the possibility that her friend had come to lecture—Patty’s arguments could be brutal and persuasive—Samantha opened the door.

“What took you so long? And what the hell is that?” Patty asked, pointing at the small black-and-white puppy Samantha cuddled in her arms. “What an ugly creature. Where did you find it?”

“Jake is not ugly—he’s adorable. And I didn’t find him, he found me. He was a Christmas present from Jack.”

“Oh, that explains it then.” Patty peered closely at the animal who bared his tiny teeth in response and barked at her. “Watch it, buster! I eat dogs like you for breakfast.”

Whining pathetically, the puppy retreated, seeking refuge by burying his muzzle in Samantha’s armpit. “Now you’ve gone and scared him. If this is the way you treat men, it’s a wonder you have any dates at all.”

Her smile full of confidence, Patty replied, “I keep my men in line. If you don’t relinquish the upper hand, they can’t take advantage of you.”

Patty might never allow a man to hurt her again, Samantha thought, but she wasn’t likely to ever form a close relationship either. “Come in. I was just about to make lunch. Can I fix you something?”

“No need.” Reaching into her Burberry plaid tote, which Samantha knew had cost the lawyer at least five hundred dollars, Patty produced a paper bag.

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