Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,295

chase down the hall.

“Pete, get your damn dog!” Victoria yells.

“I told you, he’s not mine.”

“You bought her a dog without ever asking us. He’s yours.” Reed pours a hefty amount of scotch into a glass.

“Fine. Come on Jade.” Pete follows the animals and emerges from the hallway a few minutes later with Snowball in his arms. “I locked your cat in the laundry room.”

Roarke stares at me like ‘who invited this fucker?’

“Hey, babe.” I look around again, but Lucy’s hard to miss. “Lucy isn’t here. Is she in the laundry room, Pete?”

“No, just the gray fur ball.”

Roarke and I share a look.

“DAMN IT!” I run but Roarke beats me into the kitchen. He tries to free the turkey from Lucy’s jaw but she’s devoured half of it.

I sink down into the kitchen chair feeling defeated.

Everyone else comes in. Chelsea’s laughing hysterically and snapping pictures with her phone while Victoria tries to hide her smile unsuccessfully.

“I’m sorry, guys,” I say.

Roarke grabs my hand and pulls me up from the chair. “I kind of wanted Chinese for dinner anyway.” He kisses my cheek.

“I could definitely go for some egg rolls,” Chelsea adds.

“Did you know I’m allergic to turkey?” Reed shares and we all know he’s lying.

Two hours later—because obviously I wasn’t the only one who messed up their Thanksgiving dinner—we all sit around eating lo mein and sweet and sour chicken off the new Thanksgiving-themed plates I bought. I guess they’ll still be here next year.

“OH!” Chelsea lunches forward in her seat, grabbing her stomach.

“What is it?” Dean places his hand on her belly, his eyes wide.

“I swear the baby just did a quadruple somersault.”

We all laugh.

I’m reminded that today is a day to be thankful. It’s not the turkey, the mash potatoes or stuffing that makes this day special. It’s all of us sharing the holiday together. And next year we’ll welcome another new member into our little world.

EXCLUSIVE Prequel to BLUE COLLAR BROTHERS Series!

Chapter One

Lauren walks into Vanessa’s bedroom sporting her usual black slacks and plain blouse—the dressiest clothes she owns. “You owe me big for this, she says. “You’re forcing me to bid on some guy in order to win a date with him. These guys all probably have a hero complex already. I can’t imagine what a bunch of women bidding on them will do for their egos.”

“You need to turn right back around and find a dress to wear.” Vanessa circles her finger and points to the door.

Lauren groans and rolls her eyes before leaving the room.

These two are forever fighting over Lauren’s fashion sense—or lack thereof.

“Can I borrow these?” I hold up a pair of silver hoop earrings from Vanessa’s jewelry box.

“Sure, Maddie. They were my mom’s, though, so just don’t lose them.” Vanessa smiles, walking into her closet wearing only her silk bra and panties. I have no idea how her super model figure can stay intact with the crap she eats, but I’d be confident too if I was a tall blonde who looked like I stepped off the pages of Cosmo.

“I won’t.” I slide the earrings on, staring at my reflection in the mirror over her dresser. Usually, I’m a stud earring kinda girl, what with hoops posing a hazard when I’m working, but I think these earrings add a little something to my look tonight.

I barely recognize myself since I took the time to straighten my hair and apply make-up. So, not me. I prefer my ball caps and yoga pants—quick, easy, and practical.

Not that I don’t enjoy dressing up, but this entire charity bachelor auction thing we’re attending to support Vanessa’s dad is messing with my psyche. It’s hard to shut down the ‘she’s super smart’ reputation I had in high school. And yes, that’s a nice way of saying I was a nerd with a capital ‘N’. In my opinion, super smart is a compliment, but I was never the ‘and she’s got the looks to boot’ girl.

“What about this? Too slutty?” Vanessa walks out of her closet in a skin tight, see-the-indentation-of-her-belly-button dress.

“Um… Your dad is going to be there right?” I remind her, and her eyes widen.

“See you’re so smart.” She unzips the dress, stepping out of the red fabric and tossing it in her closet.

“Maybe put it back how you found it?” I suggest nicely.

“I did.” She’s stone-cold serious.

How she grew up with a police officer for a father and did not develop into a neat and orderly person is still a mystery I’ve yet to solve.

“I’m