A whirlwind courtship and subsequent marriage to a man who’d revealed the ugly side of his jaded personality within an hour of exchanging vows made her wary of forming any lasting relationships. She also wasn’t looking for a relationship. Picking up a man only for sex had never been Iris’s style, yet she wasn’t going to rule out a little harmless flirting. “Remember, you don’t have to look for Mr. The red color and narrow bands crisscrossing her bared back were a welcome departure from the requisite modest black dresses she’d worn to her ex’s fund-raisers and dinner parties. After all, she’d taken the time to put on makeup and a hot outfit. When would she have this opportunity again? What self-respecting woman went to a club by herself? Then again, she’d been really looking forward to an evening with a little flirtation…and more. “Iris, are you there?” Tracy asked while Iris stared out the windshield. She claimed they needed to dance and kick up their heels, while letting off some steam. It’d been Tracy’s suggestion to hang out together. I’m saying all of this to let you know you’ll have to go to the club without me.” Once I revise according to his suggested changes, he’ll review it again so I can submit it before the end of the semester. “My professor wants to go over the entire thesis tonight instead of putting it off for another time. Activating the Bluetooth feature, she asked, “Are you ready?” Tracy Daniels’s name appeared on the dashboard screen.

A cool November breeze swept over her exposed skin as she stepped out into the parking lot behind the row of stores where she rented a second-story, two-bedroom apartment above a gift shop on Cavanaugh Island it was cool but not cold enough for her to go back upstairs for a shawl.Īs soon as she slipped in behind the wheel of the late-model Lincoln MKX and tapped the start Engine button, her cell phone rang. She left the bathroom, humming under her breath, then scooped up her phone, clutch bag, and keys.

The sophisticated makeup, hair, with a body-hugging red dress and black suede stilettos was a complete departure from her normal jeans, T-shirt, and apron she wore as the pastry chef at the Muffin Corner. If the style worked for such a beautiful actress, Iris hoped it would do the same for her. She smiled, flashing straight, white teeth. Taking up a small round brush, Iris smoothed back the sides of her short, chemically straightened hair before spiking the crown with her fingertips á la Halle Berry.

The smoky shadow on her lids, faint raspberry blush on her cheekbones and matching gloss on her lips complemented her chestnut-brown complexion. Peering closely at her image in the mirror over the bathroom vanity, Iris Nelson applied a coat of mascara to her upper and lower lashes and then took a step back to examine her handiwork. Combine ingredients with cracked ice in a cocktail shaker.

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