“So what’s the deal with your car?” Trent asked.
I shrugged. “No idea. She started making funny noises and died.”
“What kind of funny noises?” Holly said.
I described them as best as I could, not that it mattered if I was correct or not. It wasn’t as if she could tell me what was wrong with the car.
“Sounds like a broken fan belt.”
I stared at her. “How do you know that?”
She laughed like a hyena in heat and I mentally did a happy dance. At least there was one not-so-perfect aspect about her. “When you have two brothers who are obsessed with cars, you learn a thing or two.”
If Holly’s interesting laugh bothered Trent, he didn’t show it. He was too busy nodding at what she had said, even though he wouldn’t know what it meant any more than I did. Cars had never been his passion. Not like with some guys. I suspected he only had a BMW because of the status associated with owning one. Which was kind of funny. The Trent I remembered couldn’t have cared less about status.
“Have you called for help yet?” he asked.
“Yep. They should be here in about four hours.” I glanced down the street, as if that would magically speed up the tow truck’s arrival.
“In that case, you can come with us. I’ll drive you back before they get here.” Without waiting for a response, he headed for his car. That was Trent for you. Once he made up his mind, end of discussion.
Holly flashed me another friendly smile, then followed him.
I looked back and forth between the two cars. I didn’t like the idea of abandoning my poor baby—but I didn’t have much choice.
“C’mon, Kels,” Trent said, his smooth, deep voice causing the ache between my legs to let out another dreamy sigh. “Erin will skin me alive and feed my carcass to a pack of wild dogs if we’re late.”
Even though my fate wouldn’t be quite as dramatic, I grabbed my purse from my car, locked the doors, and joined Trent and his…girlfriend? Erin hadn’t mentioned that he had a girlfriend, or maybe she didn’t know about her yet. Or she didn’t think I’d care either way, since I wasn’t supposed to be lusting after her brother.
As we drove toward Trent’s old home, Holly twisted around in her seat to talk to me. “How long have you two known each other?”
“Since we were kids,” I said. “Our families used to live near each other. I spent as much time at his house as he did at mine.”
“Kelsey’s brother, Liam, has been my best friend since fifth grade,” Trent explained. “You’ll meet him at the party.”
“Will your parents be there too?” she asked me.
The car accident that stole my parents from me and tore my life apart happened when I was eighteen, but even though I had long since moved on, a flash of pain in my heart stirred at her question. “No. They’re dead.”
Her face twisted into the pitying look I was more than familiar with. I missed it as much as I missed writing exams. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s okay. They died ten years ago.”
“What does your brother do?”
“He’s a Navy SEAL.”
Deep furrows formed across Holly’s forehead. She understood what most women chose to ignore when they fantasized about the heroes in romance novels—that my brother’s career was damn dangerous.
“He’s a hero,” Trent added and a small smile graced my lips at that truth. “He once saved my brother’s life when they were on a mission together.”
Holly’s gaze shot to Trent. “Your brother’s a SEAL, too?”
“Not anymore. He was injured and honorably discharged from the military. Now he works in Silicon Valley.”
“Will I get to meet him today?”
Trent shook his head and parallel parked on the street near his parents’ home, a two-story, light-blue Victorian house with white trim. “No, his wife’s pregnant and due any day now. They couldn’t get away because of that.”
Even though I already knew this, disappointment rolled through me. Unlike with Trent, I had never crushed on Curtis. His claim to fame was that he could make me laugh. Usually during dinner.
Usually to his mom’s chagrin.
As Holly and Trent walked toward the front door, I slowed down for a minute, working hard to get air into my lungs.
And it had nothing to do with them being together.
Okay, it might’ve had a smidgen to do with that.
Trent was introducing Holly to his parents when I stepped into the house. The place hadn’t changed much over the years, with its nautical-themed decorations and antiques. As always, his father’s arm was around his mother’s waist. I almost sighed out loud at seeing them this way. There was never any doubt how much he worshiped his wife—and vice versa. My parents had been the same way.
“Mom, Dad,” Trent said, “This is Holly Whittaker. She’s an investment analyst at my firm.”
So not only was she gorgeous, she was smart. And let’s not forget super nice. Darn it. Why couldn’t she have at least been bitchy? Then it would’ve been easier to hate her.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Joanne said, smiling at Holly.
Trent’s father shook Holly’s hand as my best friend walked into the foyer, hand resting on her protruding stomach. Whereas I was tall, Erin was short, which made her look more pregnant than her current four months.
She grinned when she saw me and hugged me. “You’re late.”
“Sorry. My car broke down on the way.”
“And if I hadn’t done my civic duty and rescued her, she’d still be stranded.” The corner of Trent’s mouth jerked into a one-sided grin, his usual look when he was teasing me.
“Holly,” Joanne said, “have you met Trent’s sister yet?”
Holly shook her head while Erin eyed the woman like she was a curious science experiment that could go wrong at any second. She quickly glanced at me and I shrugged. Not that she knew how I felt about her brother. As much as she loved him, she had never considered him good boyfriend material—as his track record with girls clearly illustrated.
And there was also that incident back in college, when She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named (AKA Michaela, Erin’s former classmate and close friend) dated him. Let’s just say it didn’t end well for all parties concerned. After that, Erin made it clear that none of her friends were allowed to date Trent. Ever.
After the introductions were over, Erin grabbed my hand. “C’mon,” she said, and dragged me into the living room where my brother would be waiting.
As soon as I spotted him near the couch, talking to Erin’s husband, my body put the brakes on and refused to keep moving.
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Other Books in the Love Undercover Series
Spying Under the Mistletoe
She needs a fake husband. He needs to protect his best friend...
Ever since I caught my boyfriend getting hot and steamy with another woman, I’ve thrown myself into my career. But now I’m ready to move from being the super-efficient office manager to an operative with Quade Security and Investigation.
Just as soon as I prove to my boss that I’m kick-ass enough to do the job.
So when my grandmother asks for my help, there’s no way I can say no. Her former love has a mission for Jayden—my hot colleague and best friend—and me. What more could I want?
***
The last thing I want is for Isabelle to be is an operative. She’s my best friend, and I hate the idea of her being in danger. Unfortunately, our boss has other plans.
Isabelle and I go undercover at a resort for happily married couples. But forget moonlight walks and hanging out by the pool. To maintain our cover, we have to participate in activities that would make a nun blush.
Clothes come flying off, and we agree to temporarily be friends-with-benefits while there. N
o strings attached. No complications. Nothing could be simpler. Right?
Wrong—because there’s another reason we’ve been lured to the resort. A reason that will put our hearts to the test…and our lives on the line.
Also by Stina Lindenblatt
Romantic Comedy Series
By the Bay
Decidedly Off Limits
Best Friend Rule #1: never want the guy’s sister. Oops.
Decidedly with Baby
One-Night Stand Rule #1: always check the condom’s expiry date. Oops.
Decidedly with Love
Fake girlfriend Rule #1: never fall for your fake boyfriend. Oops.
Decidedly with Mistletoe
Kissing-under-the-mistletoe rule #1: never kiss your ex-fiancée. Oops.
Decidedly by Chance
Single Mom-To-Be Rule #1: watch out for those horny hormones. Oops.
Decidedly with Luck
Masquerade ball rule #1: what happens at the ball doesn’t always stay at the ball. Oops.
Love Undercover
While You Were Spying
She needs a fake husband. He needs to protect his best friend...
Spying Under the Mistletoe
She’s a former mafia princess. He’s been hired to track down her family secret…
Copper Creek
Cowboy Most Wanted
A sexy cowboy. Some racy photos. And an accidental hook up—or three—with his best friend’s sister.
Once Upon a Cowboy
Cinderella's fairy godmother just turned hot. And male. Very, very male.
Fix Me Up, Cowboy
Nails aren't the only thing getting banged in this opposites attract romantic comedy.
Acknowledgments
The idea for the Love Undercover series came about in an unusual way. Two years ago, I took a Romance Writers of America (RWA) workshop about the CIA. I mentioned it to a friend, and she told me I should write a spy rom-com series. At the time, I was busy writing the By the Bay and Copper Creek books, so a new series wasn’t in the works. But one of the topics covered during the workshop focused on female agents during the Second World War. I became fascinated by their stories, so much so that I started doing research for a historical novel.
It was Brenda St. John Brown, a fellow romantic comedy author, who suggested that maybe I should write a spy rom-com series. She knew about my research. I had so much fun writing the first book in the series (While You Were Spying), I couldn’t wait to write Landon’s story. Thank you to everyone who fell in love with Jayden and Isabelle’s story and wanted more books in the series. And a special thank you to the members of my Facebook reader group (Stina’s Sweethearts) for suggesting Whiskey’s breed and name.
This story wouldn’t be the same without my editor Bev Rosenbaum, as well as Hope and Jessica from Flat Earth Editing for the copyediting and proofreading. All three individuals helped make this book sparkle. The same is true of Brenda St. John Brown, who always shares her brilliant suggestions and wisdom when it comes to my romantic comedies.
And as always, hugs and kisses to my husband Ralph, my three kids, and my cat Callie for your love and support over the past several years.
About the Author
Born in Brighton England, Stina Lindenblatt has lived in a number of countries, including England, the US, Finland, and Canada. This would explain her mixed up accent. She has a kinesiology degree and a MSc in sports biological sciences. At one point, she applied to work with the Canadian Intelligence through the military reserves, but moved to another city before she had the chance to be part of the team.
In addition to writing fiction, she loves photography, and currently lives in Calgary, Canada, with her husband and three kids.
For news about her books, social media sites, and to sign up for her newsletter, check out her website at stinalindenblattauthor.com. Newsletter subscribers will receive a bonus short story.
Spying Under the Mistletoe (Love Undercover Book 2) Page 29
