Second Look (A New Beginning Book 3) by Connie Stephany Page A

o’clock shadow.
    Cassandra’s eyes narrowed at her. “Not that I’m aware.”
    Jennifer laughed at her possessive look and Mandi joined in. “What’s that look for? He’s a free man, isn’t he?”
    She looked out towards where Amber was splashing in the kiddie pool. She found a little friend and was having so much fun she didn’t even want Jennifer to play out there with her.
    “Well, yeah, I guess.”
    “He’s hot as hell and nice as can be. I’m pretty sure any woman would be happy to date him.” Jennifer smirked. “Why? Would you be jealous?”
    Jennifer’s mouth was practically watering at the thought of Cassandra’s best friend. Noah’s body was very fit from being an exercise fanatic. His handsome face and piercing gray eyes were almost hypnotizing. Girls had drooled over that man since high school and he’d only improved with age.
    “Of course not. We’re just friends.”
    “Hmm, I don’t buy it. I see the way he looks at you.”
    Cassandra narrowed her eyes at Mandi. “And what way is that?”
    Mandi grinned, and replied, “Like he wants to eat you for dinner.”
    Jennifer laughed while Cassandra waved the thought away with her hand. “We should all have a BBQ together or something. Maybe I’ll ask him out myself.”
    If looks could kill, Jennifer would be dead by the way Cassandra glared at her.
    “Don’t even think about it.”
    Jennifer and Mandi looked at each other knowingly, and then burst out laughing. Eventually, Cassandra would open her eyes and realize that she and Noah were more than just best friends. It was really only a matter of time.
    The conversation changed to men Jennifer met in Arizona, and she wanted to tell the girls all about her sexy doctor, but something held her back. It didn’t feel right to discuss Sam with Mandi.
    “I really didn’t date. I was boring.”
    She closed her eyes and let the sun beat down on her face so she could hide the lie from her friends.
    “So no one ever asked you out? You never even slept with anyone?”
    Jennifer opened one eye at Cassandra and glared at her.
    “No and none of your business.” She paused and said, “Like you should talk, Cassandra. Who’s the last guy you were with?”
    Cassandra fell back against the chair with a frown. “Oh, shut your face.”
    The rest of their day was relaxing, fun and exactly what the doctor ordered. By the time Jennifer and Amber got home, had dinner and a bath, Amber was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. It was one of the rare nights that Amber was sleeping before her head even hit the pillow, so Jennifer didn’t end up snuggling with Amber, but instead went out to read a book.
    The only problem she had was that the book wasn’t distracting her from thoughts of Adam.

Chapter Nine

    Adam
    The past has a way of catching up with you
    It was hard for Adam to believe it had been two weeks since he lost his dad.
    Life kept moving, no matter how sad he was. Whether or not he was ready to move forward without his dad around, he didn’t have much choice.
    That night, he was going out with his buddies for the first time since the funeral.
    He couldn’t help but feel guilty.
    At least he had a good excuse. Adam’s good friend, Tom, found out he was going to be a father again. His wife, Colleen, was pregnant with their third baby.
    They met up at a bar in Princeton, the town just north of Zimmerman. He wanted to steer clear of the bars in Zimmerman because he was avoiding Sarah. She’d been texting him almost daily and it was getting harder for him to ignore. He needed a night off from all of it.
    Adam was just taking a drink of his second Bud Light Lime when movement at the back door made him glance over. He did a double take when he realized the woman who walked in looked exactly like Jennifer.
    He couldn’t peel his eyes away as her twin walked up to the bar and spoke to the bartender.
    I must be going crazy or it really is Jennifer.
    Tom smacked his arm. “Dude, what’s your