Murphy's Law by Lori Foster Read Free Book Online Page A

just funnin’ you.”
    â€œFunning me?”
    â€œI didn’t have a dog, Quinton. In fact, I’ve never had any pet. One kid was more trouble than my parents wanted. No way in hell would they have put up with an animal too.”
    Irritation overrode his earlier emotions. “It’s hardly a joking matter.”
    â€œYou were getting all sappy on me. I thought you were about to cry.”
    He grumbled under his breath, which only made her chuckle again. “It wasn’t all that bad, seriously. I made friends with May, and when you meet her, you’ll see that one friend like May is worth a million others.”
    â€œA friend is not the same as family.”
    But in this case it was. She shook her head, not about to share that thought aloud. “If you knew my family, you’d know that May is much, much better.”
    He still appeared disgruntled with her, but he let it go to say, “I look forward to making her acquaintance.”
    â€œSo.” She spread her arms out, then let her hands drop onto the table. “You wanted to know why I hadn’t gotten involved with anyone. Now I’ve told you. End of story.”
    While thinking through what she had told him, he toyed with his coffee cup. “That had to have been eight or nine years ago.”
    â€œTen. I’m twenty-seven now.”
    His gaze swept up to capture hers. “A long time to hang on to your virginity.” His eyes narrowed. “Are you telling me that in all that time, not a single guy has interested you?”
    â€œI’ve had a date here and there over the years. But other things took precedence.”
    â€œLike?”
    Survival. She shook her head, not about to share that with him. “I keep telling you, I’ve been too busy—”
    â€œSo there you are.”
    At the sound of that cantankerous voice, Ashley jerked around and found Denny Zip looming over her.
    She groaned. “Great. Just freaking great.” As an ex-military man, ex-fighter and trainer, and overall bossy forty-seven-year-old hard-ass, Denny made a most impressive sight with impeccable timing. His appearance kept her from saying something maudlin that would make her feel foolish.
    Tall, muscular, and with an air of complete control, Denny turned heads in the diner. He wore a snug tan T-shirt and brown trousers. Through his thinning brown hair, a mean tattoo showed.
    But for Ashley he was a pussycat. A pseudo father, big brother, and knight in shining armor all rolled into one. His best friend, Jude, was marrying her best friend, May. She supposed that accounted for Denny’s weird loyalty and mile-wide protective streak toward her.
    But then Denny’s protectiveness went beyond her. Despite the rough exterior, he was a genuinely nice guy who wanted to take care of anyone smaller, weaker, younger, or older than he was. Ashley adored him, but she’d never told him so. He enjoyed their antagonistic banter too much for her to steal his fun.
    â€œExcuse me?” Quinton rose out of his seat, his tone courteous but his expression suspicious, bordering on hostile.
    Ashley didn’t know if he intended to challenge Denny, which would be a mistake, or introduce himself.
    Denny defused the motive, whatever it might be, by waving Quinton back down. “Save it, boy. It’s too early for a pissing contest.” And then to her, “Scoot over, girl. I have a bone to pick with you.”
    Scrambling fast so he didn’t end up on her lap, Ashley said, “Gee, Denny, why don’t you join us?”
    â€œI intend to.” He took her coffee cup and drained it, then, with covetous intent, stared toward her mostly full plate. “You going to eat that?”
    She shoved it toward him. “Help yourself.”
    â€œThanks. I’m starving but haven’t had time to eat.”
    Quinton cleared his throat, reminding Ashley that money wasn’t the only thing she lacked. Social