Serendipity by Carly Phillips Read Free Book Online Page A

nemesis, from the woman’s silky black hair to her wide green eyes. Lissa would be attractive if not for the perpetual frown on her face, Faith observed. Recalling that Kate mentioned she was recently divorced and betrayed, Faith decided to try and not take her attitude personally.
    She turned to Stacey, whom she hadn’t seen in ten years. “You need to fill me in on what’s been going on in your life!”
    â€œI will. But first let’s order drinks. I see you already started,” the blonde said approvingly.
    â€œThe uptown girl’s drinking Bud from a bottle. Slumming with the rest of us!” Lissa noted, a renewed sour expression on her face. “I’ll have a Bud Light too!”
    â€œWe all will,” Kate said, deciding for everyone, and shooting Lissa a warning glare at the same time.
    â€œComing right up, ladies!” Joe called back.
    â€œSo you’ve obviously been reintroduced to Lissa,” Stacey said, diplomatically. “Do you remember Tanya?”
    Faith nodded. “We were in a lot of the same classes.” “Including chorus,” Tanya said. “Welcome back.”
    â€œThanks.” The dark-haired woman seemed friendly enough, Faith thought, relieved she didn’t have another Lissa on her hands.
    Joe placed four bottles on the bar.
    Everyone grabbed theirs and Kate slid the last in front of Faith. “I figured you could use a cold one. Joe said our regular table’s ready, so let’s go sit.”
    A few minutes later, the women were settled around the table, Lissa, Tanya, Stacey, and Kate chatting like old friends, catching each other up with their day. More than anything, Faith wanted to retreat, to hide away in her small upstairs apartment, but she refused to allow herself the luxury.
    Kate tried to include Faith in the conversation, but eventually Faith would lose track of the people or the stories and she’d revert to being an outsider again. Faith twisted her hands together in her lap, telling herself that each time she met with this group of women, or any other group she became reacquainted with, she’d be more comfortable. She had no choice but to believe it.
    â€œLadies and gentlemen!” Joe’s booming voice reverberated through the bar. “We’ve come to the moment you’ve all been waiting for.”
    Loud hoots and hollers followed his announcement.
    â€œIt’s time for karaoke!” With his light brown hair and beach-bum T-shirt, Joe was the epitome of the comfortable host, engaging the crowd. With a flourish, he pulled down a big screen behind him. “Hit it, Lenny!”
    His deejay put on a rousing version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and the words to the song flashed behind him on the screen.
    â€œThese are for anyone who wants to join in or in case our brave soloist forgets,” Joe explained.
    The crowd responded with a round of applause.
    â€œSo, who’s up first?” Joe asked.
    â€œI don’t know why he always asks. Tradition’s always the same.” Tanya shook her head and sighed.
    â€œWatch this,” Kate whispered in Faith’s ear.
    An overweight man with a comb-over stepped onto the stage and grabbed the mike. “Anyone have a song preference?” he called out to the audience.
    â€œWho is that?” Faith didn’t recognize him.
    â€œIt’s Bill Brady!” Kate pointed out.
    â€œThe quarterback?”
    â€œYep.”
    â€œThe one who dated—”
    Stacey hung her head in shame. “The one and only,” she said from beneath the curtain of hair that had fallen over her face.
    Faith grinned. “Wow. What happened? He was so hot in high school.”
    â€œHeredity happened.”
    â€œIs he married?” Faith asked.
    â€œWith children. And he looks like Al Bundy too.” Stacey groaned. “He went away to Texas A&M, played football, got drafted, blew out his knee