I dialed my brother and hid in an alcove.
“Lacey?” He answered like he was confused.
“Yeah,” I whispered, and glanced around. “I need advice.”
“Okay.” His tone still seemed skeptical.
“What if I created a company that fidelity-tested guys, offering this as a service for a fee? Is that morally wrong?”
“Fidelity-testing service? Who would honestly pay someone—never mind. Forget I even asked that. We both know who would pay for something so stupid. Is this hypothetical?” He laughed hopefully.
“No,” I whispered, and scanned the hall again. “What would I need?”
“Honestly? I don’t know. I’d need a minute to think about it.”
“You have a minute.”
“Okay. Uhhhhh. A website that couldn’t be hacked. A system of being paid that couldn’t be traced. A couple of girls who could easily blend in and not be recognized if they wore simple disguises. A way of recording every interaction as proof. An email account that’s linked to the website that could send the recordings of the guy being disloyal.”
“Have you given something like this much thought before?” I asked quietly, a little worried.
“Yeah, this is totally what I spend all my free time thinking about,” he said sarcastically. “It’s simple logic, moron.”
“Can you help me make this?” I closed my eyes for a second and really contemplated if this was a good idea.
“Probably. You would make your entire year of tuition and probably mine in the next two months of summer. I would totally be down for this.” He was too eager. “I legit have nothing better to do. But I have one condition.”
“What?”
“Hennie. You give me your blessing to ask her out. I will knock that website outta the park.”
“Fine,” I hissed, and closed my eyes and forced myself into a momentary chant of do whatever makes him happy before I continued with the regular worries. “Are we going to burn in hell for manipulating people like this?” Second-guessing was already starting.
“No. Dude. If girls are willing to pay you for this, that’s their choice, and you should take the money. And it’s the guy’s choice whether or not he acts like a dick. Not your problem. This is like being a PI for love. That’s what you should call it. PI for Love.”
“I was thinking Fidelity Tester,” I whispered, and checked the hall again.
“That sounds stupid.”
“You’re stupid.” We automatically slipped back into our brother-sister banter.
“Love Tester,” he offered, ignoring the name-calling game.
“Man Tester.”
“Dear God. Don’t you claim to work at a marketing firm?”
“Shut up. Test Dummy.” I laughed, thinking how insanely stupid this idea might be and how dumb I sounded even contemplating it.
“Winner!” He smiled. I could hear it in his tone. “Test Dummy it is. I’ll set up the email account now: iamthetestdummy@gmail.com. The address is available; no surprise there. I guess there isn’t a lineup of other creeps putting money on the name.”
“Okay.” I inhaled sharply. “I’ll go advertise it where all the girls look, kinda random and casual, like it’s on the DL.” I took a second deep breath. “Thanks.”
“No, no. Thank you for the chance to contribute my talents on such a positive, healthy, world-benefitting project, with the side perk being you forced to accept my adoration of Hennie. First order of business, stop the players; next up, save the whales. I’ll get started now.”
***
About the Book
Title: He Loves You Not
Author: Tara Brown
Release Date: October 23, 2018
Publisher: Skyscape
Among her superrich friends, Lacey Winters never minded being the “poor one.” That is, until her tuition money and big dreams vanish overnight. Now Lacey has a plan to make some extra cash—a devilishly brilliant plan. For a fee, she’ll test your boyfriend to find out if he’s faithful or a cheating jerk. Her next target: a slick and sexy trust-fund playboy. Unfortunately for Lacey, his charms aren’t just legend. And before she knows it, she’s under his spell.
It was bad enough that Jordan Somersby’s father forced a spoiled “society princess” on him. Then Jordan had to go and find his dream girl—the beautiful, fun, and down-to-earth Lacey. And he’ll do anything to prove he’s sincere. But pretty soon it’ll be Lacey’s turn to prove that this is not just a game.
Because, when it comes to mixing love and deception, nothing is what it seems. And Lacey and Jordan are about to face the ultimate test.
My Thoughts…
A college girl who is not from the rich side of the tracks is best friends with the rich girl from the rich side of the tracks. When times get rough for her she chooses to make her own way rather than ask for help from those who have the means to help her. For Lacey this is a matter of pride. She didn’t want to be talked about, be that girl who only uses her friends for what they can offer her, and she didn’t want to be looked down on. I respected that. I loved that she took a very difficult route, keeping her life private, and worked to be self-reliant.
Tara Brown wrote a book that could have gone many ways. The characters could have been selfish, conceited, and no fun yet she made them open to accepting those not of the same stature of them, welcoming to others, and always looking for a good time even though most of them had jobs. The majority of the characters were well off but instead of that being a bad thing they came together to support Lacey, support her family, and support their community.
The relationship of Jordan and Lacey was perfect. They came together in a time when they both had a lot going on and tried to keep their personal lives separate from each other. When the time came for them to be honest with each other they listened, accepted, and made the amends with each other all the while opening their hearts and falling in love. I loved that while they came from two different worlds they opened their hearts and understood that their two worlds could come together and happiness could be found.
Author Biography
The international bestselling author of Roommates and the Puck Buddies series, Tara Brown writes in a variety of genres. In addition to her comedic Single Lady Spy series, she has also published popular contemporary and paranormal romances, science fiction, thrillers, and romantic comedies. She especially enjoys writing dark and moody tales, often focusing on strong female characters who are more inclined to vanquish evil than perpetrate it. She shares her home with her husband, two daughters, two cats, an Irish wolfhound, and a Maremma Sheepdog. Find out more about Tara by visiting www.TaraBrownAuthor.com.
Social Media Links
Website: https://www.tarabrownauthor.co
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaraB
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TaraBrown2
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