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    Love For Hire: The Helena's Grove Series, #2
    Love For Hire: The Helena's Grove Series, #2
    Love For Hire: The Helena's Grove Series, #2
    Ebook141 pages1 hour

    Love For Hire: The Helena's Grove Series, #2

    By Ivy Alexander

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    About this ebook

    Annie LaFaye is a small-town girl going to college in the big world. She's talkative, polite, fun, and… single. She dreads going to the holiday dinners by herself, until her roommate suggests something that's so outside Annie's comfort zone that it just might work!

     

    Annie finds a date for the holidays in Marcus; a confident, handsome, curly-haired blond who has everything going for him. Annie feels lucky to be with someone who has it so all-together. But complications arise when Annie and Marcus find they can't hide behind appearances.

     

    Desperately, Annie tries to convince herself of the commitment she made; however, she eventually realizes she must choose between her head and her heart.

    Will Annie's feelings ruin everything?

     

    Love for Hire is light, entertaining, and full of romantic moments. Curl up with this sweet story and you'll find yourself falling in love!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherIvy Alexander
    Release dateJul 16, 2014
    ISBN9781501469060
    Love For Hire: The Helena's Grove Series, #2

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      Book preview

      Love For Hire - Ivy Alexander

      Table of Contents

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Chapter 11

      Chapter 12

      Chapter 13

      Chapter 14

      Chapter 15

      Chapter 16

      About the Author

      Chapter 1

      I’m so happy for you! Annie LaFaye exclaimed. Although I can’t say I’m surprised, we all saw it coming. She listened for a moment to her brother on the other end. Yeah, I knew you guys belonged together from the moment I met her. I have a sixth sense about these things ya know. Jen is an awesome person. I’m really am happy for you Zack... yeah, you too. Kay, bye. She hung up the phone and looked at it for a few seconds. Zack and Jen had just moved in together. Even though they’d only been dating for two and a half months, Annie didn’t think they were moving too fast. In fact, she was surprised it had taken them this long.

      Annie smiled inwardly when she thought of Jen. She loved her like a sister and was very excited for them. Zack deserved to be happy and Jen could give him that happiness. Slowly, however; that inner smile faded, and Annie suddenly realized something. Now that Zack had a girlfriend, that meant that she, Annie LaFaye, would be the only single person at all the holiday parties this year. I don’t like being single, I just haven’t found the right one yet, she thought to herself as thoughts of having to explain to everyone why she wasn’t dating filled her mind. Excuses like, I’m too busy to date, or I don’t need a relationship right now, it will distract me from my schooling, would be how she explained her solitary existence.

      The truth was that dating was hard for her. She had only had a couple steady boyfriends in her twenty-four years of life, and her last real relationship had ended almost two years ago. She could just hear the endless chatter of well-meaning relatives and old high school buddies telling her to get back in the saddle, or worse, trying to set her up on a blind date.

      Annie opened the door to the student housing at Penn State University. She quickly made her way up the stairs, her brown hair bouncing. Stopping at her room, she unlocked the door and went in. It was small and quaint and just right for Annie. She waved at her roommate, Roxanne, who besides being in the medical field like Annie, was her polar opposite. She didn’t talk much, unless it was about the horrors of humanity, and she didn’t like Annie to talk to her either. She was a very different person who spent most of her time on her laptop or at the bar down the street where she worked. It bothered Annie at first, not being able to talk to her roommate about everything that was going on in her life, but despite their differences, she had come to really like Roxy.

      Annie was becoming more used to the silence now. She herself was usually very talkative; in fact, some might say a little too much, but being at the University had helped her with that. She no longer felt obligated to strike up a conversation with every person she saw. She did, however, still ramble when she got nervous. Some habits were harder to kick than others.

      Annie kicked off her shoes, plopped on her bed and stared at the ceiling, dreading the coming month. Thanksgiving was only two weeks away! She shook her head irritably. She used to love Thanksgiving, but now it seemed like the pressure to have a boyfriend was the central part of it. She couldn’t remember exactly when this pressure had begun, but she knew it had only gotten worse with time. By now, most of her high school friends from her hometown in rural Ohio were either in long term relationships or married. That was one thing about living in a small town; everyone always knew who was dating who, and who was not dating at all! Annie sighed. Maybe it won’t be that bad, she thought. Maybe with Zack and Jen’s new relationship still on the front pages of people’s minds they’ll just sort of forget about me. It was a vain hope she knew, because even if everyone in the entire town forgot about Annie, she knew one person who would not; her dear Aunt Gabby. Annie smiled at the thought of her. She picked up her phone and scrolled to the number. After only two rings she heard the sweet old voice on the other end. Hello?

      Hey Aunt Gabby, how’s it going?

      Oh, hey darlin’, I’m fine, just peeling some apples. What are you up to?

      Just got done with classes for the day. Thought I’d call and see how you’re doing. I hate that you’re there all alone.

      Oh, sweetie don’t worry about me. Carmen is here and she keeps me company.

      Annie smiled at the thought of Aunt Gabby’s orange and white cat sitting on the porch meowing at everything she said. I’m glad to hear that, she giggled.

      You’re still planning on being here for Thanksgiving aren’t you honey? Aunt Gabby asked.

      Yes ma’am, Annie replied. I wouldn’t miss it.

      Zack and Jen are coming too, Aunt Gabby continued, so we’ll have a full house, which will be nice.

      Sounds good, Annie said, trying to be chipper. Well, listen Aunt Gab, I’ve gotta run. Lots of homework tonight.

      Alright hun, I’ll talk to you later.

      Annie hung up the phone and draped her arm over her eyes. It’s going to be fine, she told herself out loud. Everything will be okay.

      Keep telling yourself that, Roxy piped up from across the room, her black fingernails furiously typing at her keyboard.

      How was your day? Annie attempted a conversation.

      It sucked, as usual.

      At least you have consistency, Annie pointed out with a smile.

      Roxy stopped typing to stare at her. Positivity isn’t always a virtue, she said cynically and went on with her typing.

      Annie laughed and shook her head. She had never met anyone quite like Roxy; maybe that’s why she liked her. She wasn’t the same as everyone else and was okay with it. Annie wished she had that much confidence. Maybe one day she would.

      ****

      The day before Thanksgiving Annie was getting off the plane at the Cleveland, Ohio airport. She’d made the trip several times, but the holidays always made everything so much slower because of the congestion of people. She gradually made her way through the crowd to the doors where Zack and Jen were waiting for her.

      Hey! There she is! Zack greeted her with a hug. How’s college going little sis?

      It’s great! How about yours?

      Zack glanced at Jen. Gettin’ better every day. He winked at her and Annie shook her head. Zack was a hopeless romantic.

      Annie turned to Jen and hugged her tightly. It’s so good to see you!

      You too! Jen hugged her back. The minute you get time you need to come to Boston and see our new place. She smiled cheerfully, her blond hair and blue eyes looking bright and shiny in the autumn weather.

      They got Annie’s bags loaded and began their drive back to Aunt Gabby’s, chatting the entire way. Jen’s new job as an attorney was working out well, and Zack was going to be starting his internship at the hospital the following January. Annie smiled happily for them, but as they continued going on about life and how it was better than ever, she began to realize what it meant to be the third wheel.

      When they got to Aunt Gabby’s house, she was standing outside waiting for them. She waved vigorously and wrapped her jacket tighter as she made her way down the stone path to greet them. Hello my darling! she said as she hugged Annie.

      Hey Aunt Gabby.

      I’m so glad you could all be here! Aunt Gabby was genuine in her love for the three young people who stood before her.

      Me too, Annie replied. Are you sure you’re okay with me staying here? I can ask Angie if they have a couch I could crash on.

      Oh, don’t be ridiculous. Aunt Gabby made a face and wrapped her arm around Annie’s waist as they walked to the house. The house seems empty now that the three of you are gone. I got used to having everyone around over the summer.

      I can smell the apple pie from here, Zack said excitedly as he followed the women into the house. He set Annie’s suitcase on the floor and inhaled deeply. Ahhh, home sweet home!

      Zacky, go ahead and take Annie’s bag up to that first bedroom, will you? I’ll start cutting the pie, Aunt Gabby said with a twinkle in her eye.

      Yes ma’am, Zack said as he made his way up the stairs.

      You two sit down and get comfortable, Aunt Gabby told Jen and Annie, motioning to the living room couches.

      Let us help, Jen began.

      No, no, Aunt Gabby said, holding up a hand. Sit like I told you to. You can hang your coats, scarves and whatnot there on the coat rack.

      Jen and Annie smiled but obeyed as they removed their winter apparel. They made their way to the living room and sat down on a couch, facing each other and already engaged in deep conversation.

      So how do you like Boston? Annie asked. 

      I like it more than I thought I would. It’s a beautiful city and, she caught Zack’s eye as he walked in and sat on the couch opposite them, the company isn’t bad either. She smiled at Zack and he winked back at her.

      Zack, do you want my seat? Annie asked sarcastically. I can see I’m not going to want to be between you two.

      Just wait until it’s you, Zack teased back. Being in love does things to your brain that you can’t explain. He and Jen shared a few more looks until Annie surrendered. Alright, she said laughing and holding up her hands, you guys do what you’re going to do. I’m going in the kitchen to help Aunt Gabby.

      Oh Annie, you don’t have to leave, Jen started.

      I know. Annie smiled at her. But it’s okay, really. You guys stay in here and hang.

      Zack didn’t

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