Page 64 of Stripping Bare

The words Jonah wanted to use to describe the asshole who was using innocent women to mess with him weren’t fit for polite company. So he forced a smile and told Mrs. Vanderwinkle, “No one you need to worryabout.”

Because Jonah was damn well going to make himpay.

Jonah’s housewas warm and welcoming despite its massive size, but when Tessa went to the guest room to change clothes and let Badger out of his kennel, she suddenly felt alone and vulnerable. Since she’d returned from Seattle, she hadn’t yet rekindled any of her childhood friendships. Tonight would be a perfect night to curl up on the couch with a girlfriend to share a bottle of wine and talk about theirtroubles.

Brynne Whitfield Steele flashed into Tessa’s mind. Tessa took out the business card Brynne had given her, which listed the boutique’s Facebookpage.

She opened the Facebook app on her phone and brought up La Belle Style. From there, she clicked on Brynne’s profile. Her dark hair and gorgeous face were immediately recognizable in her profilepic.

Tessa’s finger hovered over thefriendbutton. To press or not to press? Was it just weird and pathetic for her to stalk Brynne, friend her, and then message her asking her to come over for girl time, when they didn’t know oneanother?

Before she could talk herself out of it, she poked at the phone. Lots of people friended folks they didn’t know very well, and business owners tended to accept all the requests they received. She took a bolstering breath and messaged Brynne through the boutique’spage.

Hello. I’m Tessa Martin. We met briefly at the TripleB.

Brynne:Hey there! Did you change your mind about checking out that sweater? Wait a minute. Tessa Martin. You’reTHETessa.

Apparently word had gotten around after what had happened today. And they all knew she’d been critical to clearing Jonah last year, which meant they were all privy to herhistory.

There went her idea. She didn’t need Brynne to look at her withpity.

Tessa had started this PM, but now she had no idea what to type back. In the end, it didn’t matter because three dots appeared on thescreen.

Brynne:Maggie called Reid earlier to tell him about what happened in the park today. He’s been hitting up Jonah’s phone for hours, but no answer. He and the other guys went up to Jonah’s place earlier, but the lights were off and the Tesla wasn’t in thegarage.

Tessa:He’s out rightnow.

Brynne:Are you at hishouse?

Tessa debated. If she said yes, would Jonah’s entire family descend? She had a feeling Jonah wouldn’t be very happy to return and find them all sitting in his living room. Not after the day he’dhad.

Everyone else seemed to think Jonah was such an easygoing guy, but Tessa knew the truth. He was much deeper than his smart-ass smirk and his sarcastic T-shirts. He had an intensity and an edge of darkness that no one else seemed tosee.

Tessa:Yes, but Jonah’s gone to see Mrs. Vanderwinkle. Do you think you could keep everyone away, just fortonight?

Brynne:Do you know the Steelebrothers?

Not really. Only what Jonah had told her, which wasn’t much. But if they were anything like him, they were forces of nature. Reid, in particular, seemed like acyclone.

Besides, she and Jonah needed to talk this through. If his brothers showed up, she might get shut out of the search for the hacker. And she’d be damned if she’d let thathappen.

Tessa:Will the others follow Reid’slead?

Brynne:It’spossible.

Not a sure thing, but it would have todo.

Tessa:Can you convince Reid to leave it alone until tomorrow? Jonah hasn’t had much rest and I have a feeling the whole thing could blowup.

Brynne:What wholething?

Tessa:Jonah can explain it all in themorning.

Lord, he would kill her for making that promise to his family, but what was she supposed to do? He’d be even angrier if she let them come here tonight and she told them everything. Angry? He’d goapeshit.

Brynne:I’ll use every wile I have, but you’re gonna oweme.

Was Brynne one of those women who played the give-to-getgame?