Page 6 of Audra: The Prequel

“I can’t.”

“Why not?” Damon asked. Heat flushed his neck because he was starting to sound desperate.

“Because…” She paused, then seemed to change her mind about what she planned to say. “I’m not interested in getting involved with anyone right now. To be honest, you remind me too much of my ex.”

“He’s handsome, funny, and filthy rich?”

She laughed again, and it was the prettiest sound. “No. He’s untrustworthy and not into commitment.” The resigned sadness in her voice cut through him.

Some other man had messed things up for him. Bastard.

“I’m nothing like that,” Damon insisted.

Okay, maybe that wasn’t exactly true. Commitment was a foreign word to him, but he could be trustworthy. He tended to lay his cards on the table. Most women understood he wasn’t a one-woman man. Why would he be? He was only twenty-seven years old, in the prime of his life and the peak of his career. Settling down was the furthest thing from his mind.

“I’m sure you’re a great guy, Mr. Flash.”

“Mr. Flash?”

“Damon.” A teasing smile lifted the corners of her mouth. She was messing with him. “But I don’t date famous men, ormen chasing fame. They come with too many negatives. It’s nothing personal.”

“So that’s it? There’s nothing I can do or say to change your mind?”

“I’m afraid not.”

Claudia and Eddie returned, both of them carrying small plates of the shrimp tartlets the caterer had made for the party. They were always a hit.

“These are so good,” Claudia popped one in her mouth.

“I better get some before they’re all gone. Come show me where they are.” Audra dragged a stumbling Claudia behind her and back inside.

Eddie sauntered closer. “Struck out,hermano?”

Damon stared after them until they disappeared among the rest of the guests. “I never strike out. I ain’t even gone up to bat yet.”

Chapter Three

Claudia pulled her car to the front of the house.

“All right, girl, I’ll see you on Monday.” Audra pushed open the passenger side door.

“Did you have a good time?” Claudia asked before Audra could get out.

“I had a wonderful time. Thebest,” Audra said with exaggerated enthusiasm.

“Audra.” Claudia stuck out her lower lip.

She laughed and pulled her friend into a one-armed hug. “I’m kidding! I had a great time. It was good to get out of the house for a bit.”

Claudia’s face brightened. “That’s better. I had a good time,andI have two phone numbers in my purse.”

“Uh-oh, watch out, Kent!”

Claudia tossed her blonde hair. “His loss. See you on Monday.”

“Bye, girl.” Audra climbed out, and Claudia honked on her way down the long driveway.

Audra climbed the stairs and let herself into the house. The house her stepfather had built for their large family was a big change from their life from before, when Audra’s single-parentmother had been struggling to raise three children after the death of her husband. Eventually, Audra wanted to move out and get her own place and was currently saving money for that day.

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