All's Fair

By Marley Gibson

Jordana Lopez has spent her life on the outside looking in and living in other people’s shadows, but now it’s time for her to shine. No longer is she the gangly little sister of a beauty queen or a Hollywood super star. Now, Jordana is making it on her own as one of the culinary world’s hottest up-and-coming young chefs and everyone wants her. However, she only has eyes for the one person who has eluded her since her teenage days, former Miami Tarpons player and now team owner, Dante Laredo. He finally sees her for the beautiful, talented, and smart woman she is and not the awkward, mousy, braces-wearing little kid who was forever hanging around his parents' kitchen with her mother, their chef, Rosa. Now, Dante is willing to risk everything--including signing football's most wanted free agent who just happens to be his fiancee's brother--to claim Jordana as his own. However, his twin brother, Lorenzo, the real brains behind the operation of the Miami Tarpons, has something to say about his brother fraternizing with the daughter of their cook. Lorenzo makes it his business to divert Dante's attention away from Jordana and entertain Jordana himself in order to take the team to a whole new championship level...because all's fair in love and football.

This book contains adult language and situations. 18+

All's Fair is the fourth novel in the A Glamorous Life series by bestselling author, Marley Gibson. Other books include: You Had Me at Merlot (Book 1), Head Over High Heels (Book 2), Saving Face (Book 3).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cardinal Rules Press
• Release date: Feb 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310197970

Marley Gibson

MARLEY GIBSON is the author of all of the Ghost Huntress books, and co-wrote The Other Side with Patrick Burns and Dave Schrader. She lives in Savannah, GA, and can be found online at www.marleygibson.com or at her blog, www.booksboysbuzz.com.

Book preview

ALL’S FAIR

A Glamorous Life Novel

by Marley Gibson

Copyright © 2015 Marley Gibson

Published by Excite-Lite Media at Smashwords, Inc.

ALL’S FAIR

Cover design by Patrick Burns

Ebook Version

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. To obtain permission to excerpt portions of the text, please contact the following e-mail address: [e-mail].

Warning: Mature content, language, sexual situations. 18+

All characters in this book are fictional and figments of the author’s imagination.

OTHER BOOKS BY MARLEY GIBSON

Resisting Temptation Series – Contemporary Adult Romance

CAN’T TOUCH THIS

CAN’T FIGHT THIS

TAINTED LOVE Collection with Chris Marie Green & Beth Cornelison

A Glamorous Life Series – Contemporary Adult Romance

YOU HAD ME AT MERLOT

HEAD OVER HIGH HEELS

SAVING FACE

ALL’S FAIR

Ghost Huntress Series - Young Adult/Paranormal

GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING

GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE

GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON

GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING

GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY

GHOST HUNTRESS: THE JOURNEY

GHOST HUNTRESS: THE TIDINGS, A Christmas Novella

Other Young Adult/New Adult Books

RADIATE

POSER

ZETA OR OMEGA? – as Kate Harmon

THE NEW SISTERS – as Kate Harmon

Non-Fiction Books

THE OTHER SIDE: A Teen’s Guide to Ghost Hunting and the Paranormal, with Patrick Burns

WORTH FIGHTING FOR: My Life as a World War II Spy, with

Frank E. Weishaupt

CHRISTMAS MIRACLES, with Cecil Murphey

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS, with Cecil Murphey

PROLOGUE

Eight Years Ago

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wished that my life were part of a fairy tale. What little girl doesn’t have such high hopes and dreams of princes and castles… don’t forget the fabulous shoes, fashionable clothes, and, of course, all of the bling.

Every fantasy I’ve ever had in my head starts with the pre-requisite, once upon a time… Yet, those thoughts remain as dreams. Unfulfilled and laced with disappointment.

Although I was born into a wonderful, loving family—Papi, Mami, my brother, Ricardo, and my beautiful sisters, Fernanda and Sophia—I’m the one who constantly gets overlooked and ignored, or worse, treated like the family baby that I am.

We live in a modest dwelling in Miami, Florida; appropriate for a family of Cuban immigrants (my grandparents) who wanted a better life for their children. My father (we call him Papi) has done well for himself with a cigar making factory that has provided countless jobs to new Americans who’ve also come here for their dream. Even though Papi has been the main breadwinner for the Lopez family, my mami has done pretty well for herself.

See, Mami is the personal chef for the Laredo family over on the waterway in Coral Gables. It’s not a long way to go for a teenage girl like me with long, gangly legs and a bicycle. I love hanging out in the kitchen, learning how to cook from Mami as she passes down all of the amazing Cuban recipes from her heritage, mixed with her own flare and fusion to serve up to the Laredos.

Their house is ostentatious. There’s really no other way to explain it. The mansion—and really, it can’t be called anything less—is made of coral, has fifteen bedrooms, a ballroom, an indoor poor, an outdoor pool, a solarium, boat house, garden cottage, and an extremely large pond that holds a family of tarpon. The manse spans about six acres, butting up against the water of Miami’s channel harbor where the Laredo’s boat, Illegal Motion, is moored for parties and other adventures.

Joseph Laredo hit it big when he came to America from Cuba in the 1960s and introduced the professional football franchise of the Miami Tarpons to the area. Everyone loves the Tarpons! I do! They’re awesome to watch and so many of the players are ridiculously handsome.

But, I digress.

Because there’s no one on earth as devastatingly gorgeous as Dante Laredo. Okay, scratch that. Technically, Dante has a twin brother, Lorenzo, but even though they’re identical, the two of them are as different as night and day. Dante is athletic, flirty, and fun and is always having friends over to swim in the pool or hang out drinking, eating, and living it up; and Lorenzo, well, even though he’s still in college, is just plain serious and pensive about everything. It’s like he’s an old man even though he’s only twenty-three. Dante’s one of the star defensive backs for the Miami Hurricanes and there’s no doubt he’s going to get drafted straight out of college, possibly by the Miami Tarpons.

I know all of this because I watch Dante. From afar, of course. Mostly from the Laredo’s kitchen as Mami makes their dinners. These people have no problem flaunting their wealth and living their lives as if they were Florida royalty. In addition to Mami as their cook, there’s a staff of five kitchen workers, three chauffeurs, two gardeners, seven maids, two butlers, and an IT guy who manages all of their phones, televisions, and computers. He’s the most stressed out of them all, what with Lorenzo always demanding that whatever tech geek device he’s using take precedent over everything else.

Like I said… I watch.

I have to, because no one like Dante Lorenzo would ever look twice at me. It makes my heart ache as though I’ve had several attempts on my life. But that’s the effect Dante has on me. That dry mouth, can’t blink, don’t know what to say, glued in my tracks sort of daze that occurs whenever he traipses through the kitchen or blows by me in the yard. I’m seventeen and I’m butt-crazy in love with this perfect, gorgeous, dreamy man who has no idea that I even exist.

It’s not like I’m my sister, Fernanda, the most gorgeous woman on the planet, who has enough beauty queen titles to decorate a full living room. She’s married to former Miami Tarpons player, Thomas Traylor, and even though she’s had two babies, Fernanda is still a curvaceous knockout.

Nor am I like my other sister, Sophia, whom we all call Phia. As if it’s not bad enough having a beauty queen for a sister, wouldn’t you know that Phia, so freaking beautiful, as well and an actress, won a damn Best Supporting Oscar right out of the gate for her first movie performance? Don’t get me wrong; I’m so wicked proud of her and she deserves it after all her work and dedication. She’s now the toast of Hollywood.

Even my brother Ricardo is drop-dead handsome, a doctor, and has provided my parents with a perfect family full of grandchildren. Thing is, I love my siblings, but each of them just cast long shadows that I have to stand in. The expectations are high, but I don’t know if I can live up to them.

Mostly, I wonder when my time will come and what the future holds for me, Jordana Lopez.

I run my tongue over my teeth that are finally free of the braces I had to wear for two years. I got my braces off over the Christmas break, so at least I’m no longer a metal-mouth. At least my teeth are tremendously straight which has to account for something. Now, if I could just get some help with my hair. It’s frizzy all the time and makes me look as if I’ve stuck my hand in a light socket. This being south Florida, the humidity usually attacks me on a daily basis. I feel like I’ve lived most of my life in a ponytail or braid. I’m also bean-pole skinny. Straight up and down. Mami and my Lita—my grandmother—keep telling me I’ll fill out soon. I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever have the size bosoms that all the other women in my family have. I am tall, though, which means I can see over most anyone or anything. That helps when I’m trying to keep my eye on Dante and his activities.

I’m in the kitchen at the Laredo’s house helping my mami out when I hear the engine of the Illegal Motion rev up. I see Dante wearing white bathing trunks and a white windbreaker as he stands at the back of the boat talking on his cell phone.

Who is he talking to?

Is it a girl?

Is she beautiful?

Is he in love with her?

Will he—

Jordana, Mami calls out. Quit day dreaming and hand me the plantains, niña.

I shake loose of my spying and reach over the bowl of regular bananas sitting on the counter to nab the greener ones Mami requested. Living at her feet in her kitchen, I know every spice, herb, vegetable, fruit, you name it, as well as where it’s all stored, kept, and shelved.

Thank you, she says to me. Don’t slouch, my darling.

Sorry, I say, standing straight. At seventeen, I think my growth spurts are over; at least I hope they are. I’m five feet ten inches and all leg, as Papi says. Gangly and awkward are other explanations used to describe me. Never, gorgeous or stunning, like my sisters. Those two literally stop traffic.

The kitchen is abuzz with activity as everyone is preparing for the huge pre-Draft Day party that Joseph Laredo is hosting. Celebrities from all over are descending on the Laredo’s mansion for the party of all parties. At least, that’s how they’re all usually billed. Mostly, it’s just a bunch of people drinking, eating, and making a mess and hooking up.

Okay, Dante always hooks up.

I bite my lip at the memories of the cheap floozies he’s ended up with after such parties. Dante’s an All-American, typical guy, though… so I suppose he goes for those fake-boobed, spray-tanned, dyed hair girls who are just in this city to land a rich sports star to take care of them forever. Wanna be trophy wives.

I just want Dante because of who he is… not what he is.

Jordana, if you’re going to take up space in my kitchen, Mami starts, then you best make yourself useful. Take that platter out to the patio.

I glance over at the large silver tray holding every piece of crudité known to God and man. I hoist it up from the table and do as I’m told, carrying it out to the awaiting table. Even though it’s a casual party the family is throwing, there’s still the best of the best. Mami, or Rosa as she’s known around here, and her staff are in charge of the appetizers and desserts for the two hundred plus guests. A caterer will be bringing the main buffet that will be set up around the outdoor pool, along with a hip hop band performing on a makeshift stage, and then fireworks set off from the end of the Laredo’s dock.

Too bad I can’t really attend the party.

I set the tray down with an oomph and spin back to return to the kitchen. Only, I slam into a brick wall of a person in front of me.

I go flying backwards into a nearby chaise lounge and his cell phone lands with a plunk on my lap.

Geez Louise! I shout out and then catch my tongue.

It’s no fellow kitchen worker from Mami’s staff or even one of the caterers.

I look up into the clear, green eyes that are so piercingly beautiful and only belong to two individuals on this planet. My breath catches momentarily when I realize who it is. It’s not Dante. No, clearly not because his eyes turn icy as they peer down at me, judgingly, as though I’ve just ruined his entire day. I take the cell phone and hand it to him and he sort of snatches it from me.

Hey, Lorenzo. Sorry about that, I say, even though my gut tells me he was the one who wasn’t looking where he was going.

He nods and flattens his lips as he accepts his phone from me. You shouldn’t be so quick, Jordana. You’ll get hurt that way.

I attempt to stand, but he reaches a hand out to me. I take it and let him pull me to my feet. With my last growth spurt, I’m pretty much eye-to-eye with him, but it’s not the place I want to be. Lorenzo Laredo scares the shit out of me with his mere presence. Why couldn’t Dante have mowed me down instead?

I’m fine, I say and then blink hard.

Lorenzo’s face softens for a moment, but then he says, Rosa tells Mother that you’ve been accepted into the CIA? I had no idea you were interested in government work.

I can’t help but laugh really hard. I toss my head back and feel my long, black hair tickle my skin through my simple tank top. Stopping myself, I say, No, sorry… it’s not the CIA, it’s just… CIA. Culinary Institute of America in Manhattan.

Lorenzo’s mouth opens for a moment and then closes. Oh. Cooking school.

He says it like it’s a curse, so I cross my hands before me defiantly. Um, no… not just a cooking school. Like the most prestigious culinary school in America, second only to Le Cordon Bleu in France.

He cocks his head to the side. Then why aren’t you going there?

I shake my head. Because it’s expensive and they didn’t offer me a scholarship like CIA did. Besides, I don’t have unending funds and gobs of money like some people.

His eyes pop up to sync with mine. I see a hint of a grin and then he says, Touché, Ms. Lopez. Well, I wish you all the best.

His words might be positive, yet Lorenzo seems miserable and condescending.

Thanks.

I move to return to the kitchen when he calls out to me. Maybe you’ll come back one day and cook for me, Jordana.

Feeling cheeky, I say over my shoulder, I’d like to think I have higher aspirations than that, Lorenzo.

I hear him chuckle as I slip through the hallway to the kitchen.

That’s when I hear him. On the phone. Smooth as silk.

Maggie, you little minx. You better be at the party tonight. I’ve got plans that include you, me, the pool, champagne, and no swim suits.

I lean around the corner to listen in better when I’m slammed into for the second time today by another brick wall. Only this one is still moving and carrying on, laughing and not even stopping to see what he’s done.

Excuse me? I call out, bravely finding my tongue.

Dante stops, turns, and glances at me. Careful there, girlie, he tells me.

My name’s Jordana, not girlie, I say.

He nods at me and tosses me one of his flashy, white smiles that make me melt from afar and damn near is my undoing up close. When he winks, I’m a goner.

Dante, I—

He holds a finger up. What, babe? Who am I talking to? Oh… no one important. Sorry about that. So, tonight when you get here—

I miss whatever else he says as he continues on into the next room. My heart feels as if it has been squeezed in tempered fists, bruising all of the love I have inside of me, and my gut has received an emotional punch that will be with me all the way to New York.

He doesn’t know I exist, I say to no one as I tamp down the tears threatening to overtake me. I bite my lip to keep from crying and let out a long sigh. I’m tired of feeling this way. Like I don’t matter at all. I’m glad I’m leaving in two months to go to cooking school. I’m anxious to start a new chapter in my life and be a new me. I’m going to find myself. I’m going to make my way in the world.

So what that Dante Laredo doesn’t care about me.

But he will.

One day, he most certainly will.

Everyone will know who Jordana Lopez is.

CHAPTER