Seducing Cinderella by Gina L. Maxwell Page A

public if they passed checklists a fraction the size of Vanessa’s. Lucie didn’t think there was a man alive who could pass them all yet.
    “He’s a patient of mine, Ness.”
    “Ah,” Vanessa said with a wink and a smile, “then in this case I can see why you’d want to bring your work home with you.”
    Reid chuckled in a too-adorable flattered manner as he crossed his arms over his chest, stretching the cotton over his shoulders and biceps. “Actually, I’ve known Lucie most of my life; I’m best friends with her brother.”
    “Oh, you’re from Sun Valley! That’s great; I’ve never met anyone from before Lucie and I were roomies as freshmen. I hope you’ll share some embarrassing stories I can use for ammo. The girl has an entire blackmail portfolio on me and I’ve got absolutely nothing on her. It’s seriously unfair.”
    “Sorry, Ness, but I’ve told you before there are no skeletons in my closet. I was just as boring before college as I am now.”
    “And I’ve told you before, you’re not boring. You’re conservative to my crazy, which is why we’re so good together. We balance each other out.” Vanessa popped the top of her soda and held her can out toward Lucie who then touched her water bottle to it before they said, “Salut,” and drank.
    Vanessa walked the few feet to sit next to Lucie on the weight bench. “So are you done with your session? You have to hurry up and get ready if we’re going to make our Macaroni Matinee.”
    “Oh, um…” Crap, her throat was dry. Why did nerves make her throat so damn dry? It was such a ridiculous physiological reaction. She stalled while taking another swig of water.
    “What’s a Macaroni Matinee? Sounds like the lunch special at a senior center.”
    Vanessa barked out a laugh as Lucie almost spit out the water in her mouth and then sputtered a second before she could safely swallow. Thankfully Vanessa answered so she could finish coughing in peace. “It’s our monthly girl date. The first Saturday of every month we see a movie and eat lunch at the Macaroni Grill and gorge ourselves on heart-attack-sized portions of carbs.”
    “Ness, I can’t go for a while.”
    “What?” Somehow she managed to make those gorgeous green eyes grow twice as big. Whenever Vanessa wanted something, she had a way of looking like Puss in Boots from Shrek when he used his pathetic kitty face. “But I’ve had a really shitty week in court and I need some major girl time where we do nothing but make horrible, judgy comments about other women and scope out guys’ asses in tight jeans.”
    “But I can’t just leave Reid…” Lucie looked over at him with a look that said, Forgive me for what I’m about to suggest, but I don’t know what to do here. “Unless, you want to come with us?”
    He laughed and held out his hands in resignation. “That’s okay, Lu. As much as I’d love the opportunity to scope out other guys’ asses, I’ll have to pass. Unfortunately, I can’t afford the carb overload right now. And speaking of that, I need to do some more grocery shopping for the house. Is there anything specific you want me to get?”
    “No, what you picked up last week was great. It’s going to be hard to get used to my pathetic microwave dinners again after you’re gone. Who knew health food could be so tasty?”
    “Whoa! I need a recess here.”
    “This isn’t a courtroom, Nessie.”
    “Are you living here?”
    Lucie spoke quickly to keep any required damage control to a minimum. “Just for a couple of months until he’s recovered from his torn rotator cuff. I’ve taken my vacation weeks to work with Reid on a vigorous recovery and training program.”
    “Wow, Luce, that’s really something else. I’m speechless.”
    No you’re not, but you’re holding your tongue—albeit only temporarily—and I love you for it. “Well, I suppose I’d better go shower then.”
    “Yeah, get a move on. You know how I hate getting bad seats in the