Blush for Me

by Kristen Proby

  “Killjoy,” Addie mutters. “Now that I’m allowed to have sex again, and Ella is sleeping through the night, I had some sloppy-drunk sex myself.”

  Cami holds her fist out for Addie to bump. “Atta girl.”

  “You guys are not going to believe this,” Riley says as she walks into the bar, her heels clicking smartly on the floor. “I don’t know if I even believe it.”

  “You were abducted by aliens,” I say, and smirk when she narrows her eyes at me.

  “I’m serious.”

  “Okay, what is it?” Mia asks.

  “I just got off the phone with a guy named Trevor Cooper. He’s the executive producer of a reality food show on Best Bites TV.”

  Mia’s eyes widen. “I watch that channel all the time.”

  “I know,” Riley says, and claps her hands excitedly. “He says he’s heard amazing things about our restaurant, and they might want to have us on that show Traveling Eats. And he says he has other ideas for some long-term features too.”

  “No,” Mia says immediately, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “What do you mean, no?” Riley demands.

  “I don’t want cameras in my kitchen,” Mia says, shaking her head. “It’ll only distract me.”

  “Mia, this is a huge deal. This is the kind of exposure that could make Seduction explode.”

  “We’re busy enough,” Mia insists.

  “This is not just your place,” Riley replies, her voice rising. “All of us own it.”

  “It’s my kitchen.”

  “This is national television. It’s an honor that they want to even consider it.”

  “I’m honored, then,” Mia says with a shrug. “But I still say no.”

  “I think we should consider it,” I add, and hold Mia’s gaze firmly when she glares at me. “We have to think about the big picture, Mia. Riley’s right, it could mean a lot of really exciting things for us.”

  “You’re not going to talk me into this.”

  “What I want to know is, does this Trevor guy sound hot?” Addie asks with a grin.

  “He sounds like a man,” Riley replies, gritting her teeth. “You’re not taking this seriously. It’s national television. It’s the kind of opportunity that everyone wants, and a rare few get.”

  “Okay, so what’s the next step?” Cami asks.

  “Trevor is coming here next week,” Riley replies with a triumphant smile. “He wants to check us out, and I warned him that he’d have to talk Mia into it.”

  “He can talk all he wants,” Mia says stubbornly.

  “Trevor is a hot name,” Addie says thoughtfully. “Maybe Riley could be his sexcation.”

  “How did I end up in business with you guys?” Riley demands, her hands on her hips. “I’m not sleeping with the network television producer. I’m hoping he’ll want us on his show.”

  “And I’m hoping he doesn’t,” Mia says.

  Riley narrows her eyes. “He’ll be here next Wednesday. Do not sabotage this, Mia. I mean it.”

  “I won’t,” Mia says with a sigh. “But I want it known now that I am not in favor of it.”

  “So noted.” Riley grins. “Network television, you guys. We’re about to hit the big time.”

  Song

  Jake’s song for Addie, “If I Had Never Met You,” specially written and recorded for Listen to Me, is available for purchase from music retailers!

  Kristenproby.com/listentomesong

  Announcement

  And don’t miss the first two delicious novels in Kristen Proby’s Fusion series!

  LISTEN TO ME

  Seduction is quickly becoming the hottest new restaurant in Portland, and Addison Wade is proud to claim one-fifth of the credit. She’s determined to make it a success and can’t think of a better way to bring in new customers than having live music. But when former rock star Jake Keller swaggers through the doors to apply for the weekend gig, she knows she’s in trouble. Addie instantly recognizes him—his posters were plastered all over her bedroom walls in high school—he’s all bad boy . . . exactly her type and exactly what she doesn’t need.

  Jake Keller walked away from the limelight five years ago and yearns to return to what’s always driven him: the music. If he gets to work for a smart-mouthed, funny-as-hell bombshell, all the better. But talking Addie into giving him the job is far easier than persuading her that he wants more than a romp in her bed. Just when she begins to drop her walls, Jake’s past finally catches up with him.

  Will Addie be torn apart once again or will Jake be able to convince her to drown out her doubts and listen to her heart?

  CLOSE TO YOU

  Camilla “Cami” LaRue was five years old when she first fell in love with Landon Palazzo. Everyone told her the puppy love would fade—they clearly never met Landon. When he left after graduation without a backward glance, she was heartbroken. But Cami grew up, moved on, and became part owner of the wildly popular restaurant Seduction. She has everything she could want . . . or so she thinks.

  After spending the last twelve years as a navy fighter pilot, Landon returns to Portland to take over the family construction business. When he catches a glimpse of little Cami LaRue, he realizes she’s not so little anymore. He always had a soft spot for his little sister’s best friend, but nothing is soft now when he’s around the gorgeous restaurateur.

  Landon isn’t going to pass up the chance to make the girl next door his. She’s never been one for romance, but he’s just the one to change her mind. Will seduction be just the name of her restaurant or will Cami let him get close enough to fulfill all her fantasies?

  An Excerpt from Easy Magic

  Keep reading for an exclusive excerpt to the next fantastic romance in Kristen Proby’s New York Times bestselling Boudreaux series,

  EASY MAGIC

  Prologue

  ~Mallory~

  No one should have to say goodbye to their grandmother at sixteen years old. Especially when it’s a forever goodbye.

  And definitely not when that grandmother is the only parent this sixteen-year-old has ever known.

  “Stop being so sad, child,” she says, her voice coming as a whisper. She’s lying in her big, soft bed, her long salt and pepper hair fanned out around her in a pretty halo. I used to love to brush her hair and braid it, over and over again. I get my thick hair from her.

  Along with the ability to see dead people and read minds.

  “How can you say that?” I ask and wipe a tear from my cheek. “I know what’s happening. I’m not a baby.”

  “No,” she says with a weak smile and cups my cheek in her frail hand. Why is she so frail? My grandmamma is the strongest woman I know! “You’re not a baby, even though I sometimes wonder where the time has gone.”

  “I can’t do this,” I whisper and lay my head on her chest. “You can’t leave me.”

  “Oh, sugar.” She sighs and gently pushes her fingers through my hair, brushing it off of my face. “I won’t be far, you know. I’ll be here, to talk with you, to guide you.”

  “I can’t do magic,” I insist.

  “Opening yourself up to me is not magic, cher.”

  “I don’t want any part of this,” I reply and burrow my face deeper in the covers, feeling her weak heartbeat. “It’s taking you from me.”

  “And I’m sorry for that. I truly am. You’ve had more loss in your young life than anyone should have to bear.” She pauses to catch her breath. I hate that she’s so weak. “I’m not leaving you here alone. You have Lena and her grandmother, and they love you like family.”

  “I know,” I reply and let a tear fall into the blankets. “But it’s not the same.”

  “No.” She continues to gently push her fingers through my hair. “It’s not the same. Not enough. But they are here for you, always.”

  Lena has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. Her grandmother, Sophia, and mine have been best friends since they were small girls as well. The four of us have been clos
e, the only family the other has.

  “How am I supposed to do this without you?” I whisper. “You’re the one who understands how different I am. No one loves me like you do.”

  “And no one ever will, sugar. Not exactly like me. But someone will love you. Understand you. You just have to wait a while for him.”

  I roll my eyes. My grandmother may be a powerful psychic and witch, but she’s also an incurable romantic.

  God, I’m going to miss her.

  “I just need you,” I insist.

  “I’ll be here,” she says again, but I shake my head. “I know you’re afraid of what you can do.”

  “I’m not afraid. I hate it.”

  “You won’t always, love. Look at me.”

  I raise my head to look into her deep brown eyes. She looks so tired.

  “People are always afraid of what they don’t understand. You’ll learn. You have such a gift, Mallory. You can help people.”

  “You helped people and it’s killing you.”

  “And that was my choice,” she replies and smiles again. “And the outcome was worth it. That little girl was returned to her family.”

  “And the killer—” I can’t even finish the sentence.

  “Will get what’s coming to him,” she insists, but the fear is there at the edge of her voice. He found his way into her head, and did so much damage, she’s dying.

  I will never do this.

  “I love you, sweet girl. You have brought more to my life than I can ever say.” She cups my cheek again. “You are wonderful. And I know you don’t want it, but your gift is there all the same. Sophia will teach you, and if you’ll just open yourself up, you’ll see me. I’ll be here.”

  I can’t do it!

  “I love you, too,” I reply and watch as she finally closes her eyes and sighs deeply. I’m so selfish. She’s tired, and she’s hanging on because I can’t let go.

  Oh, how I don’t want to let go.

  I can’t take my eyes off of her. I don’t want to miss even one breath, one flutter of her eyelashes. Her eyes open one last time and focus on me. She smiles.

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  Chapter One

  ~Mallory~

  “I’m sorry I’m late!” I rush into Miss Sophia’s house, toss my handbag on the new couch that Lena and I talked her into buying, and hurry to the kitchen. I was supposed to be here a half hour ago for dinner with them both. “I got caught up at the shop.”

  “It’s just jambalaya,” Miss Sophia replies with a smile. I swear, she hasn’t changed a bit since I was a child. Her light blonde hair has no hint of grey in it. Her face is free of lines, except for the few around her eyes from smiling, and she has more energy than Lena and I put together. “It’ll keep on the stove until we’re ready for it.”

  “Were you busy today?” Lena asks and takes a bite of cornbread. She’s leaning against the kitchen counter, still dressed in her work uniform of a tight black pencil skirt and red silk top tucked in, showing off her waistline. She’s fair-haired, just like her grandmamma, with bright blue eyes and the prettiest heart-shaped lips I’ve ever seen.

  “There better be some of that left for me.” I tug the red napkin covering the bowl of cornbread aside and sigh in delight at the sight of the deliciousness. “Oh, thank God.”

  “This is my first piece,” she says and takes another bite.

  “I got delayed at the shop with Charly Boudreaux,” I say, finally answering Lena’s question. “She ordered some essential oils and stopped by after she closed her shop to pick them up.”

  “The Boudreauxes are good people,” Miss Sophia says as she ladles our bowls of jambalaya.

  “You know them?” I ask, surprised. “You’ve never said anything.”

  I haven’t known Charly and her sister-in-law Kate long, but I like what I know. I met them at Charly’s shoe shop, Head Over Heels, a few months ago. Since then, we’ve had a couple lunches and one fun happy hour outing with Savannah, Charly’s sister. There are a lot of the Boudreauxes.

  “Their family has been here as long as yours and mine,” Miss Sophia says and passes the steaming bowls to us. “Rich as Midas, but not showy with it.”

  “Well, that we know,” Lena says. “Everyone in Louisiana knows that.”

  “I went to school with Mrs. Boudreaux’s oldest sister. Sweet woman. Lost touch over the years, and she moved to Florida, I believe. All I’m saying is they seem like good, hard working people.”

  “Well, that seems to be true,” I reply with a nod. “Charly puts in long hours at her shop.”

  “It’s good to see you make a friend,” Miss Sophia says, but Lena just watches me, speculation in her eyes.

  “We’re two businesswomen trying to make a go of it in the Quarter,” I reply with a shrug. Lena isn’t a jealous woman, but she’s a very protective one when it comes to me. And it works both ways. You’re not raised by known psychics and witches and not getting bullied growing up. “You’ll have to join us for lunch next time.”

  “I’d like that,” Lena says. “Speaking of lunches, the principal asked me out on a date today.”

  Miss Sophia and I look at each other, then at Lena. “What did you say?” I ask.

  “No, of course,” she says and frowns. “I’m a teacher at his school. Of course I’m not going to date him.”

  “Was he inappropriate with you?” Miss Sophia asks.

  “No, he just asked, and I declined.”

  “I know someone you might want to date,” I say, Charly’s brother Beau immediately coming to mind. “He’s a Boudreaux.”

  “I’m not interested in dating.”

  “You went on a date on Saturday,” I remind her in exasperation. Lena dates more than anyone else I know.

  “Yes, and that one date made me realize that I’m done with it.” She takes a sip of sweet tea and shrugs her petite shoulders again. Lena’s thin, just like her grandmother.

  “He’s not ready for you,” Sophia says to Lena, who just rolls her eyes and looks at me with desperate eyes. Help.

  “You don’t have to date if you don’t want to,” I say reasonably. “What was it about Mr. Saturday Night that turned you off of the male species as a whole?”

  “Nothing in particular. He was nice enough, but I’m tired of meeting men who are just nice enough. Nothing ever comes of it, and frankly, it’s beginning to feel like a waste of good lipstick and shaved legs.”

  “Well, if you change your mind, Beau Boudreaux seems like a nice guy.” I keep my eyes trained on my dinner.

  “You touched him?” Miss Sophia asks casually.

  “I shook his hand.”

  There’s a moment of silence, but I stay quiet, eating my dinner.

  “Oh, come on, Mal.” Lena drops her spoon in her bowl. “And?”

  “And what?”

  “You’re so damn stubborn. You feel things, even when you don’t want to.”

  Which is why I avoid touching people.

  “Wishing you didn’t have your gifts doesn’t make them go away,” Miss Sophia reminds me gently.

  “I know, and I stopped avoiding them long ago.” I purse my lips. “I see the dead. Not all the time, but enough. It doesn’t scare me. And yes, I’m an empath, so I get feelings about people when I touch them.”

  “And what feeling did you get about Beau?” Lena asks, leaning in like I’m about to tell her state secrets.

  “Not much,” I admit, still perplexed at the lack of emotion I was able to pick up from him. “But I know he’s smart. Not a lot of grey area with him, so similar to you in that respect. And I didn’t have to touch him to know that he’s a bit uptight and has a stick up his ass a lot of the time.”

  “Oh, yes, please let me date him,” Lena says dryly.

  “But I didn’t feel anything when I touched him.” My voice is soft, as it still takes me by surprise when I think of it.

  “Nothing?” Lena demands, her eyes wide, as she raises her spoon to take a bite.
>
  I do the same, thinking back on it. “There was no wave of emotion or memories. It was just . . . calm.”

  “Interesting,” Lena says, a frown between her eyebrows. “That’s unusual.”

  You have no idea.

  “Beau isn’t for Lena,” Miss Sophia says confidently and sits back in her chair, finished with her dinner.

  “If you’re so sure about who is for me, why don’t you clue me in?” Lena demands.

  “Because neither of you is ready,” Miss Sophia replies. “You’ll figure it out eventually.”

  Lena sighs deeply. “Maybe Beau is going to be important in your life because he’s meant for you.”

  I stare at Lena, blinking slowly, then tuck my hair behind my ear and shake my head. “No. He’s not for me.”

  Miss Sophia doesn’t say anything at all. She just sips her sweet tea and watches me with that knowing gaze that’s always driven me nuts. Because behind those shrewd eyes is a woman who sees more than anyone I know. Too much, sometimes.

  “He’s not.”

  “Okay.” She smiles and Lena lets out a loud laugh.

  “I have to meet him.”

  “You want me to set you up after all?”

  “No.” She shakes her head. “So I can see the man who’s going to give you a run for your money.”

  “How did we get here?” I stare at the two women I love more than anything, completely frustrated. “I already said he’s not for me.”

  “If you say so,” Lena says, but Miss Sophia is still silent, just watching me with those knowing blue eyes, smiling softly.

  “Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to have a witch in the family?” I demand, staring at Miss Sophia, who just smiles wider, still sipping her tea.

  “I know many things,” she replies, then breaks out into a belly laugh when Lena and I just glare at her. “I’m turning it off now, girls.”

  Miss Sophia’s psychic abilities are strong, much stronger than mine, but her gift is in magic. She and Lena make it look like an art form.