“Since when is Mr. Practical so superstitious?” I close my eyes and lean toward the cake. I’m tired of worrying about college and can’t bear to hear all the reasons why I’ll love living away from home. Diversion is necessary. I think of what he hopes I’ll say. “I wish you’d bring back the guy who carried in my cake.” This wish makes him smile. He wants me to act like girls my age.
“Not a chance. He’s too old for you. And he gave you that look.” His eyes twinkle.
“What look?”
“The look. The one that said, ‘I’d like to get that girl alone and—’”
“Stop.” I hold up my hand.
“‘—bang her.’” He gives me a knowing look, like he’s passed some rite of hipness.
I cringe and scrunch my nose. “Oh, wow. You did not just say bang.”
“I know lots of phrases for your generation. I’ve watched Jersey Shore.”
“Ugh,” I groan, closing my eyes. “Please don’t think a reality show sets the standard for the rest of us. Definitely not.” Although JT’s acted as my guardian for the last eleven years, he still manages to surprise me.
He chuckles and I can tell he’s pleased he shocked me. “Do you think I don’t know what goes on in a young man’s head? When I was eighteen, I had the same sex-tracked mind as that waiter.”
I’m scrambling to change the subject. Fast. Before he decides to tell me stories of all night frat parties and practical jokes and the greatness of college life. “I really think that guy is pitifully ugly. Poor thing.” I smirk at JT’s raised brow that screams liar at me. The waiter has a beautiful face and long, lean swimmer’s build. He’s a walking magazine ad. “Can I finally have that present you’ve been guarding?”
He shuffles his feet and the bag scrapes against the tile floor. “Let’s have the cake first. This gift is very special. It’s something I’ve saved for this day and I want to take my time explaining it to you.”
I hold my long hair back and blow out the candles in a wide-sweeping, exaggerated effort. “There. Happy?”
He nods, a satisfied got-my-way smile lighting up his face before he hands me a serving knife.
I have just given JT the first slice of cake and am licking icing from one finger when I realize that someone stands to my right. I push my empty water glass over and don’t lift my gaze. I’m positive that eye contact with the waiter will tempt JT to say something embarrassing.
“So glad you could make it. Have a seat.” JT stands and signals to the empty chair.
Someone moves behind me. A guy shakes hands with JT and sits in the chair to my right.
“Ace, I’d like to introduce my niece, Malerie,” JT says.
It’s my birthday dinner and now I’ll have to listen to their hideously boring work-related topics that’ll make me want to stab myself with a butter knife.
A slow death by cutlery.
I plaster on my civil smile and turn to look at the man before pressing my lips together, preventing my mouth from falling open into an unflattering gape. I stare up at him, confused, unable to move or breathe. My heart picks up speed in a way that usually occurs on the second mile of a run.
It’s the guy I ran into near the restrooms. The one who thought it was funny I was so frazzled.
This guy isn’t JT’s usual business associate and he’s far too young to be a slave to corporate America. He isn’t wearing the boring suit with obligatory red power tie.
I’ve let my gaze travel down every inch of his body and … he’s noticed this because he’s not blind.
Embarrassing.
He’s staring at me like he can actually hear the blood rushing in firehose-volume to my heart.
“Hi Malerie. Nice to meet you. Have we run into each other before?” His eyes light with mischief.
“Um … hi. Well… I…” I wonder if I look as tongue-tied as I feel. Not that I’m trying to impress him. After I did the flailing face-plant, he has to think my head is one vast wasteland.
“Nice to meet you, too.” Thankfully, his attention moves to JT before I can babble myself into the awkward girl hall of fame.
THANK YOU FOR READING THE PROLOGUE OF CHASING LUCK. YOU CAN FIND THE COMPLETE NOVEL BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW.
Chasing Luck (A Serendipity Novel, #1)
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Also by Brinda Berry
Adult Novels
Chasing Luck (A Serendipity Novel, #1)
Tempting Fate (A Serendipity Novel, #2)
Seducing Fortune (A Serendipity Novel, #3)
Serendipity Boxed Set (Books 1-3)
The Beauty of Lies (A Stand By Me Novel #1)
The Fiction of Forever (A Stand By Me Novel #2)- coming soon
And Then He Kissed Her: A Contemporary Romance Boxed Set (Sweet Romance)
Young Adult Novels
The Waiting Booth (Whispering Woods #1)
Whisper of Memory (Whispering Woods #2)
Watcher of Worlds (Whispering Woods #3)
The Waiting Booth Boxed Set (Books 1-3)
Wild at Heart II (An Anthology)
Lore: Tales of Myth and Legend Retold (An Anthology)
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Website: www.brindaberry.com
Acknowledgments
Undying gratitude to Audrey Estes and Mandy Dismang for their candid first readings of this novel. Many times, they read what were merely the seeds I’d planted and needed to tend. Their excitement about reading helped me to remember why I do this.
My constant critique partner Abbie Roads gave me the best comments. The good, bad, and the ugly—she left no stone unturned and helped me to pull all the weeds.
The devil is surely in the details. Thank you, Nancy Cassidy, for diligent editing. You cared as much as I did about making this the best novel possible.
I’m drawn to great cover art. I love the cover for this book. Thank you Najla Qamber, for cover design magic; Scott Hoover, for memorable photography; Ellie of Lovenbooks.com, for awesome photo matchmaking, and model/actor Hollis Chambers, for bringing a book boyfriend to life.
As always, the READerlicious.com writers supported me with an endless and much appreciated offering of opinions, critiques, and belly laughs.
A special thank you to my husband Brent, who has never asked me to quit chasing my dreams. To him, I say, “145. Always.”
And to you reader, thank you. I strive to take you away from your troubles for a few hours. I hope I succeeded.
About the Author
Brinda Berry lives in the southern US with her family. Brinda is obsessed with cairn terriers, Kings of Leon, new technology and sandy beaches. She's also terribly fond of chocolate, coffee, and books that take her away from reality.
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