Tempted by the Badge by Deborah Fletcher Mello

Author:Deborah Fletcher Mello
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-11-29T16:35:06+00:00

* * *

Joanna rested her cell phone against the chair arm. She’d spoken to Simone and then to Angel; both of her friends had been offering advice and support. Simone had focused her comments and questions on what was going on with her friend and her brother. She’d been able to make Joanna laugh, her sisterly advice including a long list of Mingus’s eccentricities.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Simone said with a soft chuckle.

Joanna laughed. “Mingus has been very sweet. I think you just like to give him a hard time.”

“He has moments! But he’s still a man.”

“Simone Black, all men are not bad.”

“I’d disagree, but we don’t have time for that debate. I need to leave for the courthouse in a few minutes. I really just wanted to check that you were all right.”

Joanna chuckled. “Have you called Dr. Reilly since he’s been back?”

“Dr. Who?”

“You know who I’m talking about,” Joanna said, referring to Dr. Paul Reilly, Simone’s ex-boyfriend. The good doctor had stolen Simone’s heart and was still holding tightly to it. But she was stubborn and determined to have the last word in a relationship in which neither was talking. The two women had polished off many bottles of wine together, crying their woes over the men who had come and gone in their lives. Dr. Reilly had been at the top of Simone’s woe list.

“He left me, remember? I have absolutely nothing to say to that man.”

“He was altruistic. He wanted to save the world. His making the decision to do mission work in Africa doesn’t mean he left you. Besides, if I remember correctly, Dr. Reilly asked you to go with him.”

“I don’t remember that, but we’re not talking about me right now. We’re talking about you and my brother.”

“No, we’re not talking about your brother!”

Simone suddenly gasped, an epiphany ringing through the line. “You two did it, didn’t you!” she squealed. “You slept with my brother!”

Joanna laughed. “We did not, I swear! I did not sleep with Mingus. He’s just been a stand-up guy when I needed a friend.” She was grateful Simone could not see the heat that colored her cheeks, a wave of embarrassment sweeping through her as she found herself suddenly thinking about it.

“I was just checking! But seriously, Mingus is a great guy. You could do worse. Besides, I have hated most of the women he’s dated. You would be perfect for him. I absolutely adore you!”

“I adore you, too. And I appreciate you checking on me.”

“Come to Sunday dinner. My parents would love to see you. I’ll make sure Mingus brings you.”

“I’ll let you know. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“You would never be an intrusion.”

“Thank you, Simone. You don’t know how much you mean to me!”

“Yes, I do! Now, you take of yourself. I’m here if you need me but you still make sure my brother does right by you. Or else!”

“I’ll pass on the message.”

“I mean it, Joanna, call me if you need me. Love you.”

“Love you,

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