Surprised by Love: A Contemporary Romance (The Armstrongs Book 4) by Jessica Gray
Authors: Jessica Gray
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fingernails to flip away some imaginary dust.
Toni looked at Tricia’s petite frame, perfectly made up face, manicured fingernails, and her immaculate clothes. That woman looked perfect. Like always. Toni couldn’t remember having ever seen her when she wasn’t all put together. Tricia didn’t seem prone to all the mishaps other women had to face like deranged hair, a crinkle in her suit or even a chipped nail. God, it must be amazing to be that perfect all the time!
After brunch, they spoiled themselves with a visit to the spa. Massage, manicure, pedicure, new haircut. The full program. Compared to prices one would have to pay back in the States, the cost was cheap. Even considering they went one of the fanciest salons in the city. Another great perk to living in Asia.
The massage finally worked some magic and Toni started to relax. Sipping champagne while having her muscles rubbed didn’t hurt either. Soon, her mind quieted down and by early afternoon they were giggling like teenagers.
“So, what’s after this project?” Tricia asked.
“I don’t know. I love my job, but I’m starting to get tired of waking up someplace new every couple of months. You know it would be nice to have a home to go to at the end of the workday, instead of some apartment. To put down roots. Make friends.”
Tricia said, “I’m your friend.”
Toni nodded. “Yes, But I only see you every three months, when I’m in Kuala Lumpur. I want a normal life. A home. A garden barbecue on the weekend. Yoga class on Tuesdays. A family.”
A shocked look spread across Tricia’s face, and Toni covered her mouth with her hand. “Did I really say that?”
“You did, my dear. You are in trouble up to your nose. You either go all in or all out with your man.”
“What are you talking about?” Toni asked.
“You need to get Douglas out of your system, or permanently into your life. And I know the perfect place to give you a little boost in deciding which way to go.”
“And what would that be?” Toni asked with the suspicion that she wouldn’t like the answer.
“Allure.”
Toni raised an eyebrow at that. She had heard of the new upscale luxury boutique, advertising they carried the most daring and provocative underwear. Toni was normally very down to earth and even worse, a practical black or white bras and panties type of girl. Allure lingerie was the exact opposite. Daring. Provocative. She shook her head. “No way. I am not going there.”
Tricia didn’t insist, and while that fact alone bothered Toni, she was relieved enough not to question it.
Chapter 18
Douglas and his brothers had decided last night to travel to the beach for the weekend.
Before leaving, he hoped to see Toni and maybe a miracle would happen and she’d want to join them. They’d secured a big villa at the beach with three bedrooms, where she’d have her own bedroom.
But he didn’t find her, she was neither at her apartment, nor up at the gym and pool. Time was running out and he finally decided it wasn’t meant to be and they had to leave without her.
His first impulse was to leave a message for her in the lobby with the concierge, but then it struck him as a stupid idea. She thought our making out was a mistake. The memory sent an icy chill down his spine. How could she say that? Kissing her had been like a short trip to heaven.
Seeing everyone waiting on him, he pushed thoughts of Toni from his mind and joined his family. Monday was a holiday, which meant they had three whole days to spend at the beach. The four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur was made easily enough, and the banter between the brothers and Kendra kept his mind from straying too far away.
When they arrived at the beach house, everyone rushed to take a plunge into the ocean, but soon enough, Douglas found himself alone with his thoughts once again. I wish she was here with me.
Douglas had finally stopped denying the truth and admitted to himself that Toni was the perfect woman
Toni looked at Tricia’s petite frame, perfectly made up face, manicured fingernails, and her immaculate clothes. That woman looked perfect. Like always. Toni couldn’t remember having ever seen her when she wasn’t all put together. Tricia didn’t seem prone to all the mishaps other women had to face like deranged hair, a crinkle in her suit or even a chipped nail. God, it must be amazing to be that perfect all the time!
After brunch, they spoiled themselves with a visit to the spa. Massage, manicure, pedicure, new haircut. The full program. Compared to prices one would have to pay back in the States, the cost was cheap. Even considering they went one of the fanciest salons in the city. Another great perk to living in Asia.
The massage finally worked some magic and Toni started to relax. Sipping champagne while having her muscles rubbed didn’t hurt either. Soon, her mind quieted down and by early afternoon they were giggling like teenagers.
“So, what’s after this project?” Tricia asked.
“I don’t know. I love my job, but I’m starting to get tired of waking up someplace new every couple of months. You know it would be nice to have a home to go to at the end of the workday, instead of some apartment. To put down roots. Make friends.”
Tricia said, “I’m your friend.”
Toni nodded. “Yes, But I only see you every three months, when I’m in Kuala Lumpur. I want a normal life. A home. A garden barbecue on the weekend. Yoga class on Tuesdays. A family.”
A shocked look spread across Tricia’s face, and Toni covered her mouth with her hand. “Did I really say that?”
“You did, my dear. You are in trouble up to your nose. You either go all in or all out with your man.”
“What are you talking about?” Toni asked.
“You need to get Douglas out of your system, or permanently into your life. And I know the perfect place to give you a little boost in deciding which way to go.”
“And what would that be?” Toni asked with the suspicion that she wouldn’t like the answer.
“Allure.”
Toni raised an eyebrow at that. She had heard of the new upscale luxury boutique, advertising they carried the most daring and provocative underwear. Toni was normally very down to earth and even worse, a practical black or white bras and panties type of girl. Allure lingerie was the exact opposite. Daring. Provocative. She shook her head. “No way. I am not going there.”
Tricia didn’t insist, and while that fact alone bothered Toni, she was relieved enough not to question it.
Chapter 18
Douglas and his brothers had decided last night to travel to the beach for the weekend.
Before leaving, he hoped to see Toni and maybe a miracle would happen and she’d want to join them. They’d secured a big villa at the beach with three bedrooms, where she’d have her own bedroom.
But he didn’t find her, she was neither at her apartment, nor up at the gym and pool. Time was running out and he finally decided it wasn’t meant to be and they had to leave without her.
His first impulse was to leave a message for her in the lobby with the concierge, but then it struck him as a stupid idea. She thought our making out was a mistake. The memory sent an icy chill down his spine. How could she say that? Kissing her had been like a short trip to heaven.
Seeing everyone waiting on him, he pushed thoughts of Toni from his mind and joined his family. Monday was a holiday, which meant they had three whole days to spend at the beach. The four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur was made easily enough, and the banter between the brothers and Kendra kept his mind from straying too far away.
When they arrived at the beach house, everyone rushed to take a plunge into the ocean, but soon enough, Douglas found himself alone with his thoughts once again. I wish she was here with me.
Douglas had finally stopped denying the truth and admitted to himself that Toni was the perfect woman
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