Free Second Chance at Love (The MacKenna Born & Bred Trilogy) by Tara Paradise

few paperbacks for her reading pleasure because, well, who didn't love a good
romance?
    They had lunch at a nice little Italian restaurant in the
city called Casa Italia. Brooke ordered the chicken fettuccini alfredo with
fresh broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes; it was out of this world. She was
completely stuffed.
    If she wasn't careful, she'd have to pour herself into the
pretty new bikini she'd bought. She hadn't exactly been keeping up on personal
fitness the past couple of weeks, just the few times she'd run. But it had been
so hectic, between her mother's surgery and trying to settle in. She really had
to make a conscious effort to exercise. She considered getting a membership at
the fitness center in town. That way, she would be able to use any of the
machines she chose and take advantage of the swimming pool they were sure to
have. Yes, that was it. She put it on her mental to-do list for Monday morning.
    Stopping for a few minutes at one of the fountains, they
took a seat on a nearby bench. Brooke's feet were killing her. They'd done a
ton of walking and her heels were probably not the wisest choice of footwear.
She toed off her shoes and absently rubbed her feet.
    “Why don't we go out tonight for a while?” Karissa
suggested. “To Locomotions,” she quickly added when Brooke shot her one raised
eyebrow.
    “Don't tell me it's karaoke night. Because I'm warning you
right now, I don't do karaoke,” she stated, emphatically. Karissa just smiled.
    “Oh, God,” Brooke groaned. “Forget it.”
    “No, karaoke is on Wednesdays. On Saturday nights there's a
live band.” Brooke eyed her, skeptically. “Come on, Brooke. When's the last
time you went out and just let loose and had some fun?” Karissa wanted to know.
    Brooke thought about it. It had probably been a couple of
months. The last time she could remember was going out for a ladies' night in
Los Angeles with Ashley and one of their other girlfriends. It had been at
least a couple of months, sadly.
    “When's the last time you did?” Brooke wanted to know.
Karissa smiled.
    “I get out now and then. I have fun.”
    “What, do you have some scheduled for next year?”
    “Oh, you've got jokes.” Karissa smiled and bumped Brooke
with her shoulder. She hadn't been out in months, but Brooke didn't need to
know that. “Please,” Karissa begged.
    “Oh, okay,” Brooke said, giving in.”But just for a little
bit.” Brooke laughed when Karissa threw both arms around her for a hug. She was
like a little kid anticipating her first taste of candy.

    Brooke was just putting her earrings in when Karissa tapped
on her bedroom door and then walked in.
    “Oh my God!” she exclaimed. “You look gorgeous. Absolutely
gorgeous.”
    She twirled her finger in the air, indicating that she
wanted Brooke to do a complete turn-around. Brooke turned in a circle, showing
off her assets. Her dress, white and form-fitting, hugged every curve of her
body.  It was strapless, and clung to her breasts and hips flatteringly,
stopping at the middle of her thighs. A strip of golden skin was exposed on
each side where the dress was slit from just above her hip to just beneath her
underarm. She wore gold sandals, the straps wrapping around her ankles. The
pretty gold hoops were the perfect finishing touch. Her dark tresses cascaded
down her back.
    “You don't think it's too much, do you?” Brooke asked.
    “Absolutely not, honey. It's perfect. Every man there is
going to be fighting over you.”
    “Well then, it's too bad that I'm not looking for a man,
isn't it?” Brooke couldn't have been more truthful. She was tired of men and
relationships. She wanted some peace in her life. More peace, less drama. It
was just too bad that it always seemed to be the other way around. She took one
last look in the full-length mirror before giving herself a nod of approval,
and turned to her sister. “Let's do it.”
     

 
    When Brooke pulled her car into a vacant parking space in
the lot next