Peel

By Angela Brown

Divinia "Divvy" Simone loves her daughter and making time for her passion for writing. Time for a love life? Not so much, especially not after being a divorced, single mother for several years.

That is, until Vance Mallard.

With Vance's help, Divvy must put together her best friend's wedding in under thirty days. The first week is the most crucial of all. Planning locations, music, and food are all par for the course. Peeling back the scarred layers protecting her heart? No way.

Vance has a plan of his own. And…

In one week, everything could change.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookJaunts
• Release date: Jul 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393143529

Book preview

Chapter One

Six months ago, my best friend squealed into the phone, We’re going cruising in the Mediterranean!

Belle and I kept up with each other all the time, but I was pretty sure the we in this case meant her and Sam.

You’re coming too, she added.

Me? Playing third wheel? Not again. Thanks, Belle. I just…

I won’t take no for an answer, she interrupted. Besides, the cost is amazing. One hundred dollars for the international airfare to Barcelona. One hundred dollars for the cruise. And a three-hundred-dollar on-board credit.

My bull crap-o-meter flipped into antsy mode. That didn’t sound amazing, that sounded suspect.

Seriously suspect.

I went along for the ride, just to see how spectacularly it would implode.

While my daughter, Olivia, went road tripping with her father and his new wife, I readied myself for the disappointment. I mean, Belle and I have been there for each other through so many things, so I practiced my best ‘so sad this happened’ facial expressions. I even promised myself I would not go down the petty route and tell her that I knew we should’ve had a back-up vacation plan.

Good thing I didn’t.

Not only were our airline tickets completely legit, our seats had been mysteriously upgraded to first class. Damn, first class had it good!

Our overnight stay in Barcelona rocked. The hotel concierge ensured we caught the shuttle to port for embarking on the cruise. And the cruise…

I had a mini-suite to myself. Isabelle and Sam had their own mini-suite. And because we completed a short survey about our interests, small tokens of appreciation were placed in our staterooms. For Belle, they’d left a box of Dove dark chocolates. For Sam, a special credit to purchase workout gloves in the onboard gym. He was such a gym rat.

For me, Octavia Butler’s Kindred rested against my bed pillows.

After six days of Mediterranean bliss, my bull crap-o-meter faded to the background. Naples. Cannes. Majorca. Every place and everything so beautiful and wonderful, and oh, the food! Delicious, every bite, every time. I even got in some good text conversations with Olivia on days we were in port.

On the sixth night, Belle invited me to her and Sam’s mini suite. A row of neatly designed towel animals lined their dresser. Definitely Belle’s doing. She did that on the cruise she and I went on a few years before. That one had been fun, but a lot more expensive and a bit less fantastical.

Sam sat on the bed, joined at the hip with Belle. A man sat in one of the two chairs. I recognized him as the guy who worked out in the gym with Sam while Belle and I enjoyed midday margaritas. Certainly handsome up close with a gorgeous tan that spoke of sun, not spray-on. His beautiful brown hair, tucked behind his ears and barely reaching his shirt collar, hung full, unbound, almost boyish in the way the curls fell to just above his eyes. It was, frankly, unfair that his lashes were long and fit perfectly in a face sculpted by the gods of good genes. But... what was he doing there?

Hello. I extended my hand to the stranger. He rose quickly to his feet and shook my hand. A solid shake, slightly calloused palms that knew work. I bit back a gasp as he stood, not realizing he would tower over me by six inches, even with me in my favorite three-inch wedge sandals.

Vance Mallard. And you’re Divinia Simone? He smiled, showing perfectly lined teeth. Either braces or perfect genes made them that way.

What was going on? Who was this man? Why did he know my name? What cologne was he wearing… or was it wearing him?  My goodness, the scent wafted at me with a tempting come hither pull. I slid my hand from his and stepped back, catching myself before I leaned in to sniff him.

I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage, Mr. Mallard. I smiled to soften the words.

That’s my fault, Divvy. Belle stood, took my hand, and sat me down in the only other open chair in the mini suite. Now you’re both here, Sam and I want to discuss something.

Vance sat back down. Okay. So, what’s up? Are we planning some fun for our day back in Barcelona? By the way, I’m sorry I couldn’t join you guys on the cruise until Naples.

I stiffened in my seat. Did he just say he was joining us in Barcelona?

Funny you should mention planning. Sam twined his fingers with Belle’s. Her smile shined like diamonds and her face glowed.

Wait… glowing?

Are you guys pregnant? I asked, totally distracted from my questions about Mr. Mallard.

Not yet, Belle answered. She grinned even wider. But we have good reason to try.

Then the shine hit me again, only from her hand. You’re engaged! I should’ve noticed the moment I walked in the room.

But I’d been thrown off kilter by Mr. Sexyback.

She reached forward with her left hand. This time, not sidetracked, I gaped down at the huge emerald-cut center diamond haloed by smaller, equally beautiful stones, all on a platinum band that fit perfectly on Belle’s dainty ring finger.

Congratulations! I leaned forward and gripped Belle in a tight embrace, then yanked Sam into it for a group hug.

After I let them go and sat down, Vance reached over and gave Sam a bro-hug, necessary back pounding included. When he hugged Belle, he couldn’t have been