Perfect Fling (Serendipity's Finest 2)

“Seventy-five dollars.”

Nicole nodded. She had a plan for her life that included opening up her own bake shop, but not right away. She needed to research the area, see if it could sustain what she had in mind. Which meant she needed a job while she plotted her future. In the meantime, she had the trust fund her grandparents had left her, something which irked her parents to no end, since it meant they couldn’t control what she or Victoria did.

Nicole didn’t plan to blow through the money frivolously, and she’d need it for her business venture, but it did enable her to rent the apartment and cover cost of living until she got on her feet. As far as she was concerned, getting to know people in her new town and supporting a worthwhile cause certainly fell under that header.

“No problem.” She met Macy’s gaze, and the other woman smiled wide.

“Great! Oh. Another thing.”

Nicole leaned forward on her arms and waited. Clearly she’d met someone in the know.

“Cocktail attire.”

“Not a problem. I used to need dresses like that in my old life.”

Macy raised an eyebrow. “Do tell.”

She shrugged. “It’s a long story.” Between her own parents and their causes, and Tyler and his mother’s events, Nicole had an entire wardrobe of formal and cocktail dresses. She hadn’t kept them all, just a few favorites.

“That was surprisingly easy,” Macy said.

Nicole laughed.

“So are you interested in a primer on your new hometown?” the other woman asked.

Leaning her elbows on the counter, Nicole leaned in and said, “I’m all ears.”

“Well, Wednesday night is Ladies’ Night at Joe’s. You should join us—the us depends on who is free because there’s been way too many marriages and babies lately, so the single women and guys are dwindling. But since you’re new in town, they’ll all be new to you. So you’ll come?”

Nicole nodded, pleased to have plans. “Happy to do that too.”

“Great.” She looked toward the front door. “Looks like there are customers. I have to go seat people. If I don’t have time to talk more today, I’ll see you Wednesday? Seven P.M.” She grabbed a few menus from behind the counter.

Nicole smiled as the other woman headed off to do her job. She liked Macy Donovan and it seemed like Macy had already accepted Nicole. She hoped everyone else in Serendipity felt the same way.

• • •

On Wednesday night, Sam met up with some guys from the station at Joe’s Bar. Josh Mercer had bought the current round and the jokes were flowing freely. Mike and Cara walked in, followed by his sister, Erin, and her husband, Cole.

“Looks like it’s family night,” Sam said, calling them over. “How did you two get away?” Erin had given birth to her daughter recently and they rarely left her side.

Erin greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. “Mom showed up and practically shoved us out the door. She said we needed a break and she needed time with Angel.” The hazel eyes she shared with Sam lit up when she mentioned her baby daughter.

Cole slipped an arm around Erin’s waist, greeting Sam with a nod of his head. “She’s already called home twice to remind your mother about the time of her next bottle and what to do if she cries.”

“Like she didn’t raise three of us?” Sam teased his sister.

“Funny. Ask Cole who called to make sure she had our cell phones on speed dial.” Erin laughed as she nudged her husband with her elbow.

Sam still couldn’t believe how quickly his sister had gone from getting pregnant after a one-night stand with Cole Sanders, undercover cop with no intention of remaining in town, to part of a happily married couple and overly concerned parents.

&n

bsp; “All my favorite people are here!”

Sam turned at the sound of Macy’s voice. Erin smiled and gave her best friend a hug.

“How is that adorable goddaughter of mine?” Macy asked.