LITMIR.BIZ

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feel obligated to include her in his plans.

      “Mrs. Madaris will see you now.”

      Kenna smiled at the receptionist. “Thanks.”

      Kenna thought the same thing now that she had the first time she laid eyes on Syneda Madaris. The woman was simply gorgeous. And from what Kenna had heard, in the courtroom she was equally impressive.

      Long, golden-bronze hair flowed down her shoulders, and her sea-green eyes always seemed to sparkle with excitement. Her pregnancy was more obvious now than it had been a month ago, and she had a radiant glow about her. Reese had mentioned that Syneda and Clayton had announced that they were having a boy. Everyone was happy, especially the couple’s eight-year-old daughter, Remington, who had been begging for a baby brother or sister, preferably a brother.

      “Kenna, it’s so good seeing you,” Syneda said as she hugged her.

      “Thanks. Same here.”

      That was one of the things she enjoyed most about Reese’s family. They were good people, down to earth and as friendly as could be. “Reese had a meeting with Dex, so I thought I’d tag along and use the time to meet with you and Clayton. I understand he’s in court.”

      “Yes, his court docket was changed, but I’ll be glad to help you with anything.”

      “It’s about the foundation I established a few years ago in my grandmother’s memory. I would like your firm to take over handling it for me.”

      Syneda smiled. “It will be our pleasure. We handle a number of foundations and trusts already, including the one Trask has set up and the one Uncle Jake and Diamond established as well.”

      “Wonderful.”

      “It will only take a few minutes to complete the paperwork and then a couple of weeks to get everything notarized. We’ll call you back to sign the necessary documents at that time.”

      “That sounds like a plan,” Kenna said excitedly.

      Less than ten minutes later, Kenna had completed the paperwork and returned the forms to Syneda. “Thanks, Kenna,” Syneda said, sliding the documents into a folder. “So when did you arrive in Houston?”

      “This morning. I sold almost everything I had in Austin, since I want to start fresh and buy new furniture. The things I didn’t want to part with I loaded in a U-Haul truck and drove here.” She chuckled. “I think Reese was a nervous wreck until I arrived at his place. He was afraid I’d fall asleep at the wheel and wind up in a ditch or something.”

      Syneda smiled. “I can imagine. He’s very protective where you’re concerned.”

      She nodded. “Yes, and I’m very protective where he’s concerned as well. I think he’s a wonderful person and a special friend.”

      “Yes, and you’re in love with him.”

      Kenna went utterly still. Was Syneda a mind reader? “What did you say?”

      A knowing smile curved Syneda’s lips. “I said you’re in love with Reese.”

      Kenna drew in a sharp breath, opened her mouth to deny it and then stopped. From the look Syneda gave her, she wasn’t buying anything Kenna had to say. The sea-green eyes staring at her were sharp, shrewd, confident, and for a moment Kenna felt like a deer caught in the headlights. Syneda was right, of course, and the only thing Kenna could do was come clean.

      “Yes, I love him. But how did you know?”

      Syneda chuckled. “I can tell whenever you look at him. I always suspected as much, but last month when you were on the dance floor, you only had eyes for him.”

      Kenna shook her head. “That’s pathetic.”

      Syneda gave her a soft smile. “No, it’s not pathetic. There’s nothing wrong with a woman loving a man.”

      “But it’s pathetic when he doesn’t love you back. Reese only sees me as his best friend and nothing more. I’m so afraid he’s going to discover the truth one day and that will ruin everything.”

      Syneda shook her head. “I don’t think it will be that way at all. Making the move from friends to lovers was pretty easy for me and Clayton.”

      “Was it?”

      Syneda’s smile widened. “Yes, and it will be just as easy for you and Reese once he realizes he loves you as well.”

      “Trust me, he doesn’t love me that way. In fact, he and Alyson are trying to work things out, and maybe that’s a good thing.”

      Syneda rolled her eyes. “Alyson Richards?”

      “Yes.”

      The mere mention of the woman’s name grated on Syneda’s nerves. All it took was for her to remember when she and Clayton had run into Reese and Alyson at a political fundraiser last year. Alyson, who evidently considered herself a fashionista, had pulled Syneda aside to tell her that her shoes weren’t the same shade of purple as her dress. Syneda quickly let Alyson know that she was well aware of that fact, and hadn’t meant for them to be exactly the same color.

      “I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you,” Syneda said. “Alyson is too possessive, and Reese knows it.” Syneda lifted a brow. “And why do you think working things out between them is a good thing if you’re in love with him?”

      “Because I can control my emotions a whole lot better if he’s seeing someone and if I am, too. This is the first time Reese and I aren’t involved with anyone else, and I figure that’s the reason for my attraction. There’s no one else to take my mind off him.”

      “Oh, I see.”

      “So I figure it’s time for me to find someone and start seriously dating again. It won’t be so bad if Reese decides to get back together with Alyson. I’ve gotten used to her being in the picture and I know how to deal with her. Heaven forbid if he gets serious about some other woman who can’t accept the kind of friendship we have.”

      Syneda didn’t say anything as she studied Kenna. Clearly, Kenna didn’t know her own beauty or power. Granted, Reese was slow. But Syneda was certain he would eventually realize he loved Kenna. With some men you had to light a fire under them. That’s what had had to happen to Luke to get him to see what he’d be losing if he didn’t come to his senses.

      “So you actually believe Alyson is the best person for Reese?” Syneda asked Kenna skeptically.

      Kenna shrugged. “I don’t know about her being the best person for him, but I think she understands our friendship and knows it’s non-negotiable. She’ll be fine. She’s even agreed to throw me a party this weekend at her place so I can meet new people. I’m hoping there will be at least one guy there I like.”

      Syneda forced a smile, just imagining the party Alyson had planned for Kenna. Then her smile widened. She had a feeling those plans were about to backfire and Alyson would finally see just how protective Reese was when it came to his best friend. Mama Laverne had it all figured out, and Syneda had a feeling the family matriarch was right once again.

      “Well, if you think meeting new guys and moving on without trying to win Reese over is for the best, then do what you have to do,” Syneda said nonchalantly. She would give anything to be a fly on the wall at the party this weekend. Kenna might have thought she was being the sacrificial lamb by graciously stepping aside and letting Alyson have Reese, but she had a feeling that in the end Reese wasn’t going to let that happen.

      “Now if I can just find someone to take me to Luke’s rodeo school opening in a couple of weeks without appearing desperate,” Kenna said, interrupting Syneda’s thoughts.

      “You aren’t going with Reese?” Syneda asked, somewhat surprised, especially since Reese usually brought her to all their family functions.

      She shrugged. “I’m hoping he takes Alyson. And if he does, then I don’t want

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