Read Online Ready for Love by Gwyneth Bolton - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Gwyneth Bolton
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of sweetness.
“I’m just saying be careful, will you? That’s all I’m saying. If someone were to hurt my little sister, I’m telling you I would lose my badge because I will kill them.”
Maritza took a deep breath. He was digging again. Her brother was always digging, trying to get her to tell him what had happened to her all those years ago before he moved to Los Angeles to protect her. She had never told him or anyone else, and that was the way it was going to stay.
“Let’s just change the subject. I don’t want to talk about the past when my future is so bright I have to wear shades! I signed two of our biggest clients! I am smoking hot. I’m talking don’t-touch-me-unless-you-want-to-get-burned hot, big brother!”
“And I see my little sister can still use a little improvement in the modesty department.” Victor laughed and shook his head. “I’m proud of you, girl. But be careful!”
“I know. I know.” She sighed and drank the rest of her tea. She wished he would just leave it alone already. “I got this. New Images by Keys and Morales works with people in the music industry. That’s a large part of our business. And don’t forget, our silent partner is a record company executive.”
“Yeah, but Terrill is one of the good guys. In fact, knowing he’s around makes me worry about you less. I know he’ll protect you and Penny with his last breath if need be.” Victor spoke with so much certainty it surprised her.
“Protect me? Huh? You mean protect Penny. I swear that dude needs a cape the way he swoops in to rescue Penny at the slightest hint that something might be wrong.” She realized there was a tiny bit of resentfulness in her voice and she wondered what that was about.
She didn’t have a problem with Terrill or anyone helping Penny. Her best friend was an amazing person and Maritza knew that she would do anything in her power to help Penny if she needed her.
So was she jealous that Terrill helped their friend more? Or was it something else? She had a sneaking suspicion that it was something else. But she wasn’t even going there.
“And you don’t think he would do the same for you?”
“I don’t care if he would do the same for me and I’m not interested in him doing the same for me. That’s not the point.”
Was it?
“If you say so—” Victor got the know-it-all smirk on his face and she was tempted to flick some of the whipped cream left over from her crepes onto him.
She knew that if she did, though, she would be wearing some of his Denver omelet. One thing the Morales clan never backed down from was a food fight. And her brothers never played fair.
“I say so. Finish your food and drop this.”
“Man, I can’t talk about anything with you today. What has you in such a mood?”
She couldn’t very well tell Victor that Terrill had kissed her, now could she?
“Anyway…are you going home for Mother’s Day? I think we should surprise Mom and all show up at home.” She hoped that her less-than-subtle change of subject would fly and they could move away from all discussions of the past and any discussion of Terrill Carter.
To be honest, she didn’t want to face either one.
“I own an image consulting business. I’m a stylist and a publicist.” Penny smiled at Lawrence.
“Image? Mmmp. Stylist? Mmmp.” Sophie twisted up her face like she had sucked on a sour lemon.
Aww, Sophie is getting started again! Terrill wanted to kick himself for not factoring in the Sophie factor. He should have known her hateful behind would be at dinner. And she was the last person Penny needed to be exposed to at this point.
Terrill watched as Jason frowned at his aunt.
Mrs. Hightower rolled her eyes at Sophie and then turned a smiling face on Penny. “I’ve seen stories in various magazines mention your business. You have a lot of high-profile clients. That must be so exciting.”
“Yes, Penny and her partner, Maritza Morales, have really built an
“I’m just saying be careful, will you? That’s all I’m saying. If someone were to hurt my little sister, I’m telling you I would lose my badge because I will kill them.”
Maritza took a deep breath. He was digging again. Her brother was always digging, trying to get her to tell him what had happened to her all those years ago before he moved to Los Angeles to protect her. She had never told him or anyone else, and that was the way it was going to stay.
“Let’s just change the subject. I don’t want to talk about the past when my future is so bright I have to wear shades! I signed two of our biggest clients! I am smoking hot. I’m talking don’t-touch-me-unless-you-want-to-get-burned hot, big brother!”
“And I see my little sister can still use a little improvement in the modesty department.” Victor laughed and shook his head. “I’m proud of you, girl. But be careful!”
“I know. I know.” She sighed and drank the rest of her tea. She wished he would just leave it alone already. “I got this. New Images by Keys and Morales works with people in the music industry. That’s a large part of our business. And don’t forget, our silent partner is a record company executive.”
“Yeah, but Terrill is one of the good guys. In fact, knowing he’s around makes me worry about you less. I know he’ll protect you and Penny with his last breath if need be.” Victor spoke with so much certainty it surprised her.
“Protect me? Huh? You mean protect Penny. I swear that dude needs a cape the way he swoops in to rescue Penny at the slightest hint that something might be wrong.” She realized there was a tiny bit of resentfulness in her voice and she wondered what that was about.
She didn’t have a problem with Terrill or anyone helping Penny. Her best friend was an amazing person and Maritza knew that she would do anything in her power to help Penny if she needed her.
So was she jealous that Terrill helped their friend more? Or was it something else? She had a sneaking suspicion that it was something else. But she wasn’t even going there.
“And you don’t think he would do the same for you?”
“I don’t care if he would do the same for me and I’m not interested in him doing the same for me. That’s not the point.”
Was it?
“If you say so—” Victor got the know-it-all smirk on his face and she was tempted to flick some of the whipped cream left over from her crepes onto him.
She knew that if she did, though, she would be wearing some of his Denver omelet. One thing the Morales clan never backed down from was a food fight. And her brothers never played fair.
“I say so. Finish your food and drop this.”
“Man, I can’t talk about anything with you today. What has you in such a mood?”
She couldn’t very well tell Victor that Terrill had kissed her, now could she?
“Anyway…are you going home for Mother’s Day? I think we should surprise Mom and all show up at home.” She hoped that her less-than-subtle change of subject would fly and they could move away from all discussions of the past and any discussion of Terrill Carter.
To be honest, she didn’t want to face either one.
“I own an image consulting business. I’m a stylist and a publicist.” Penny smiled at Lawrence.
“Image? Mmmp. Stylist? Mmmp.” Sophie twisted up her face like she had sucked on a sour lemon.
Aww, Sophie is getting started again! Terrill wanted to kick himself for not factoring in the Sophie factor. He should have known her hateful behind would be at dinner. And she was the last person Penny needed to be exposed to at this point.
Terrill watched as Jason frowned at his aunt.
Mrs. Hightower rolled her eyes at Sophie and then turned a smiling face on Penny. “I’ve seen stories in various magazines mention your business. You have a lot of high-profile clients. That must be so exciting.”
“Yes, Penny and her partner, Maritza Morales, have really built an
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