Perfect Stranger (Novella) by Carly Phillips

Seriously. Considering the reason I was here, the place and the people made an impact.”
    Macy leaned on the counter. “It just so happens that there’s a fund-raiser this weekend to raise money for women’s heart health. I’m selling tickets and you should come!”
    Nicole hesitated; the thought of walking into a big event all alone was not something she was ready to face. “I don’t know. I mean, I’m new in town—”
    â€œAll the more reason to go where you can meet people! Dates aren’t required. I’m not going with anyone, so we can hang out. What do you say?”
    Nicole figured Macy was right, as far as it being a good way to get to know people, and now that Macy had invited her to join her, she felt more comfortable.
    Before Nicole could answer, her new friend chimed in once more. “It’s for a good cause. The police department is co-sponsoring the event, and since this place is basically like a doughnut shop for Serendipity’s Finest, I agreed to pimp tickets for them. Please?” Macy was nothing if not persistent, and her enthusiasm was infectious.
    So was the fact that the police sponsorship guaranteed Sam Marsden would be at the event. And she’d like to see him again . . . “Okay.”
    â€œYay!” Macy’s smile dimmed. “But it’s expensive since it’s a fund-raiser.”
    â€œHow much?”
    â€œSeventy-five dollars.”
    Nicole nodded. She had a plan for her life that included opening her own bake shop, but not right away. She needed to research the area, see if it could sustain what she had in mind. Which meant she needed a job while she plotted her future. In the meantime, she had the trust fund her grandparents had left her, something that irked her parents to no end, since it meant they couldn’t control what she or Victoria did.
    Nicole didn’t plan to blow through the money frivolously, and she’d need it for her business venture, but it did enable her to rent the apartment and cover the cost of living until she got on her feet. As far as she was concerned, getting to know people in her new town and supporting a worthwhile cause certainly fell under that heading.
    â€œNo problem.” She met Macy’s gaze, and the other woman smiled wide.
    â€œGreat! Oh. Another thing.”
    Nicole leaned forward on her arms and waited. Clearly she’d met someone in the know.
    â€œCocktail attire.”
    â€œAlso not a problem.” She’d packed up everything she owned, which, thanks to Tyler and his mother’s world, included formal and cocktail dresses, but she’d kept out a few favorites.
    â€œThat was easy,” Macy said.
    Nicole grinned. “I try.”
    â€œSo are you interested in a primer on your new hometown?”
    â€œI’m all ears.”
    Macy propped a hip on the counter, relaxed and happy to chat. “Wednesday night is Ladies’ Night at Joe’s. You should join us—the
us
depends on who is free because there’s been way too many marriages and babies lately, so the ladies and the men are dwindling. But not for you because you’re new to all the men and they’ll all be new to you. So you’ll come to that too?”
    Nicole nodded, pleased to have plans. “Absolutely.”
    â€œGreat.” Macy looked toward the front door and the family who’d entered. “I have to go seat people. If I don’t have time to talk more today, I’ll see you Wednesday? Seven P.M. ”
    Nicole smiled as the other woman headed off to do her job.
    She liked Macy Donovan, and it seemed like Macy had already accepted Nicole. She hoped everyone else in Serendipity felt the same way.
    * * *
    A s on a typical Wednesday night, Sam met up with some guys from the station at Joe’s Bar. Josh Mercer had bought the current round and the jokes were flowing freely. Mike and Cara walked in, followed by his sister,