Ready or Not by Melissa Brayden Read Free Book Online Page A

she get pretentious when her guard was up? So reminiscent of her mother it was scary. In response, Hunter shot her a “behave” look, which Mallory brushed off. Not her best moment, and apparently she wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. Attempting to rebound, she held up the box. “I’ll give this to Marcus, see if he can’t set us up with some samples for the group.”
    “That would be awesome,” she heard Hope say distantly, but she was already on her way into the house.
    “Is that Hope from Showplace out there?” Brooklyn asked as she passed Mallory in the kitchen.
    “Believe it or not, it is. Hunter invited her.”
    “That’s awesome.”
    “Yay,” Mallory responded halfheartedly and raised both hands in weak celebration.
    Brooklyn passed her a look. “Be nice, Mal. She’s always been nice to you. More than that even. How many free drinks has she sent your way now?”
    Brooklyn had a point and Mallory chastised herself mentally. It had been a knee-jerk reaction, her less-than-polite conversation with the bartender. Hope , she amended mentally. She should call her by her name. Hope , which was actually kind of a nice name. “You’re right. Of course, you’re right. I guess I’m just in stress mode with everyone here. I want tonight to be nice for all of us, you know?”
    “It already is, Mal. You did a great job, and your dress is amazing. You’re kinda smokin’ tonight. I mean, I know I’d totally do you. I say that in the most platonic way possible, of course.”
    Mallory laughed. “Wow. Thanks, Brooks.”
    Brooklyn placed her hands on Mallory’s shoulders and directed her back to the party. “Now go enjoy yourself. That’s an order.”
    Mallory headed back to her guests, intent on doing just that. She chatted with Jennifer McMartin, their Hamptons neighbor from down the street, whom she’d spent summers making sandcastles with, and her newlywed husband, Jeff, the real-estate mogul from the Upper East Side. Then there was Gordon, their favorite downstairs neighbor from Soho, and his boyfriend TJ, sporting Prada shoes that looked like they’d just been plucked off the new spring line.
    But as Mallory chatted, something had her preoccupied, pulled from the conversation. She was noticeably aware of Hope’s location on the deck at any given moment, and that information seemed to demand her attention, damn it, almost as if someone were ringing a rather distracting bell. Giving in to her curiosity, she stole a look to her left, where she knew she’d find Hope. She stood at the railing with the beach behind her, smiling as she chatted with Hunter and Sam.
    Not that Mallory cared what the conversation was about.
    At all.
    She took another sip from her wineglass and focused on Gordon’s explanation of why daisies were this year’s failed white leggings. She nodded implicitly, as if she couldn’t agree more with the nonsensical analogy. Exactly, Gordon, damn those daisies. In the background, that annoying bell sounded in alarming intensity, and her gaze shifted left again for just a brief moment. One glance never hurt anyone…
    Hope surveyed the gathering, enjoying the ambience of the party, the vibe, and definitely the view. The waves rolled in just a few dozen yards away, and the sun was all but gone beyond the water. She was having a good time, which was kind of surprising, as she hadn’t been convinced she’d enjoy herself when she’d first accepted the invitation to what sounded like a stuffy little neighborhood.
    However, the beautiful night, the gorgeous scenery, and getting to know Hunter’s friends had made the adventure to the Hamptons a worthy one. Plus, there was Mallory in the white dress, which, let’s be honest, had caused her mouth to go dry when Mallory had first approached. True, their initial interaction hadn’t been fantastic, and Mallory had been a little brusque with her, but maybe she’d steal a few minutes and try for a second conversation. Mallory had probably