Free Betrayed Hearts by Susan Anne Mason Page B

baked goods in her arms. His mood plummeted as he remembered their upcoming date. The idea held about as much appeal as stripping wallpaper.
    She turned from placing the treats on a side table, caught him watching her, and smiled. Remorse roared to life as he smiled back, thankful she couldn’t read his mind.
    The sound of footsteps descending the basement stairs gave Nick an excuse to look away. Maxi dashed into the hall, a bundle of vibrant energy. Nick chuckled at her outrageous hair, bejeweled top, and platform shoes. Nothing subtle about Maxi North. His gaze moved past her, expecting to see Chloe.
    Instead, the tentative figure of Lily Draper entered the hall. She hesitated in the doorway, hands stuffed into her jeans pockets, and looked around like a doe scouting the forest for enemies. Her dark hair fell in a soft cloud around her shoulders. Dressed in slim, hip-hugging jeans that flared over pointed, high-heeled shoes, she drew the attention of every male in the room.
    A spurt of excitement shot through Nick’s system, infusing him with new enthusiasm. The evening had just become a lot more interesting. Lily’s gaze traveled around the room until she locked eyes with him. She flashed him a smile that made his pulse jump four notches.
    Oh man, he was in trouble if a mere smile could do that to him.
     
    ****
     
    Nick’s familiar face became Lily’s beacon in the storm of nerves cascading over her. She tried not to stare as she dodged the circle of metal chairs to cross the room. Tonight, instead of his usual handyman attire, he wore dress pants and a brown sports jacket, giving him the air of a professional businessman—not her type at all.
    So why did her heart hiccup when his blue eyes met hers?
    “Hi, Lily. Glad you could come tonight.” Nick grinned so wide that tiny lines crinkled around his eyes.
    “Maxi invited me.” She clasped her damp hands together to hide their trembling.
    Get a grip, Lily. It’s only a church hall.
    “Well, I look forward to hearing your opinion of the group.”
    “You might not like it.”
    He winked at her. “Trust me. You won’t be able to resist my charms.”
    Before she could untangle her tongue long enough to think of a comeback, someone flew up beside them, creating a stir in the musty basement air.
    “Hey, Nick.” The girl threw her arms around his neck.
    “Hi, brat.” Nick’s eyes warmed with apparent affection as he returned her embrace.
    Lily’s eyebrows shot up. The girl draped over Nick was none other than Chloe Martin.
    He untangled himself but kept an arm around the girl’s shoulders. “Lily, this is my cousin, Chloe.”
    Lily’s mind swam. Nick’s cousin? How could that be?
    Chloe smiled. “We already met the other day at the salon.”
    Lily swallowed. “Th-that’s right. Nice to see you again, Chloe.”
    “Same here. I guess Maxi dragged you out.” Amusement shone in her whiskey-colored eyes as she tugged off her bomber jacket.
    “Yeah. She thought I needed to meet more people.” Lily attempted to focus her whirling thoughts and concentrate on what Chloe was saying.
    “Good idea. You’ll have to be part of our discussion group then.”
    “I divide everyone up for discussion purposes,” Nick explained. “Speaking of which, we’d better get started.”
    He excused himself to walk to the front of the room. “Good evening, everyone. Could you please take your seats, and we’ll begin with a short prayer.”
    Dread saturated Lily as she sank onto a chair between Maxi and Chloe. Since moving out of her father’s home, she’d avoided all contact with religion.
    Until now.
    She clenched her hands together on her lap and fused her gaze to the floor.
    “Lord, bless all of these wonderful young people gathered here this evening for fellowship in Your name. Enlighten our hearts and minds to serve You and each other to the best of our ability. Amen.”
    Lily raised her head. Surely there had to be more. Tobias would have gone on for half an