Mistletoe Magic (Paradise Place #6) - Natalie Ann Page 0,3

engagement having ended when his fiancée turned out to be a real bitch.

His best friend and sister were happily married and living in Troy’s house in Guilderland. A nice boring cookie cutter development. Anyone who knew Meena would think it was a riot, but she’d had no problem going in and redecorating Troy’s house. With his blessing of course.

“Thank you again,” Robin said. “For seeing me on such short notice. I know you’re busy, but I appreciate it. I just felt so comfortable with you last time and knew I wouldn’t have to explain my situation or where the money was coming from as I would if I went with someone new.”

It started out as a compliment and then turned into he was better than the alternative. So much for thinking she might be interested in him. “Not a problem,” he said.

She stood up and shook his hand, the heat of her palm touching his and setting off a wave of emotions in his body just like it did every time he saw her.

He walked her out, then watched her make her way to her SUV in the parking lot. Nothing showy at all. There was nothing about Robin Masters that spoke of her newly acquired wealth and he had a feeling she preferred it that way.

Robin got in her car and started it up, then rolled the window down to get some air. The late September breeze felt good and she needed to suck in as much of the oxygen as she could.

Every time she saw Brian Dawson she felt as if the breath was knocked right out of her. Crazy, considering how she’d met him. Even though without the prenup she could have skinned him. So much for him saying he loved her forever. They’d always be together and they wouldn’t need a prenup anyway. Yeah right! Alex knew exactly what to say to make her believe.

Even crazier if she’d said she did a search for lawyers, saw his picture online, and thought he looked honest. That was why she went with him.

What she was going through, and how messy it could get, the last thing she wanted to do was find some lawyer who tried to talk her into going for blood.

Nope. She wanted out.

She was hurt.

She was embarrassed.

She’d been a fool and she didn’t want anyone to know about it.

What she was, was just plain done.

Brian had listened to her story. He’d watched the video, and he applauded her for keeping her cool and recording it and then not confronting Alex. For just taking the next day off of work, packing her belongings, and moving in with her parents.

She’d been home when Alex got out of work that night, she’d told him she wanted a divorce and she’d ask nothing of him.

He’d had the gall to be hurt and upset, then mad. He didn’t understand where it was coming from and she’d calmly explained it to him with tear-filled eyes.

Then he’d gone into a rage and said no one ever understood him. He’d begged her not to let anyone know about the video. That he’d give her what she wanted, but he didn’t want his name dragged through the mud and asked if there was a way they could work things out.

She’d laughed at him and wanted to tell him to go F off. But she’d never been one to swear or act that way.

In the end they agreed to quickly and quietly divorce. But when Alex’s parents found out, they’d pressured their son on what happened, then they cornered her. She’d kept her lips sealed because she just wanted to move on.

She should have known that Alex wouldn’t be able to keep quiet though. He always fell to the pressure of his parents, but that wasn’t her problem. That was his.

He’d gotten drunk and confessed to his parents. They hadn’t believed their son until he said Robin had it caught on video and that he had no choice but to give her what she wanted.

No one had ever wanted to see proof of that video. She’d thought that was funny. It didn’t matter. She’d had it and when her brother, Rick, had seen it, he’d flown in from California to be there for her. Her older brother was the best there was.

He was always there for her. Standing up for her. Protecting her. Giving her advice.

It’d embarrassed her to show the video to Brian, but as her attorney he needed to see it. She’d had