Marie Ferrarella - Her Red-Carpet Romance

It reads like a Hollywood script!

Yohanna

I’m not looking for romance. I’d rather just focus on my career; it’s what I’m good at. Love?

Not so much.

Lukkas

It’s been years since I’ve dated—legitimately. Yes, the paparazzi have shot me with beautiful women, but they’re just photo ops. ( shaking his head vehemently ) I’m not looking for love. Not me! Not again!

Yohanna’s mum

I tell her all the time, “Get married!

It’ll solve all your problems!” (breathing exasperatedly) But does she listen? When is she going to learn that Mother knows best?

The Matchmaking Mamas

We haven’t met a bachelor or bachelorette we can’t match. (smiling sweetly into the camera) Today: single … Tomorrow: in love!

This is what the critics are saying: “Finding your soul mate has never been so much fun!”

Her Red-Carpet Romance

Marie Ferrarella

www.millsandboon.co.uk

USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award-winning author MARIE FERRARELLAhas written more than two hundred books for Harlequin, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, marieferrarella.com.

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To

Mary-Theresa Hussey

in loving gratitude

for all the good years

Contents

Cover

Introduction It reads like a Hollywood script! Yohanna I’m not looking for romance. I’d rather just focus on my career; it’s what I’m good at. Love? Not so much. Lukkas It’s been years since I’ve dated—legitimately. Yes, the paparazzi have shot me with beautiful women, but they’re just photo ops. ( shaking his head vehemently ) I’m not looking for love. Not me! Not again! Yohanna’s mum I tell her all the time, “Get married! It’ll solve all your problems!” (breathing exasperatedly) But does she listen? When is she going to learn that Mother knows best? The Matchmaking Mamas We haven’t met a bachelor or bachelorette we can’t match. (smiling sweetly into the camera) Today: single … Tomorrow: in love! This is what the critics are saying: “Finding your soul mate has never been so much fun!”

Title Page Her Red-Carpet Romance Marie Ferrarella www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award-winning author MARIE FERRARELLA has written more than two hundred books for Harlequin, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, marieferrarella.com .

Dedication To Mary-Theresa Hussey in loving gratitude for all the good years

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

Cecilia Parnell reached into her pocket to take out the key her client had given her, then stopped midway and pulled her hand out again.

The initial movement had been automatic. She had the keys to all of her clients’ homes. Ninety percent of her clients were at work when she and her cleaning crew arrived; the other 10 percent usually preferred to be out when their homes were rendered spotless from top to bottom.

A firm believer in boundaries and privacy, Cecilia made it a policy never to use the key when she knew her client would be home. And today Yohanna Andrzejewski was home. She knew that because the young woman had specifically requested to see her.

Cecilia assumed the request had something to do with some sort of dissatisfaction with the quality of the work her crew did. If so, this would be a first, since no one had ever registered any complaints, not in all the years that she had been in this business.

Pressing the doorbell, Cecilia took a step back from the condo door so that Yohanna could see her when she looked through the peephole.

But it was obvious that her client didn’t bother checking to see who was there. The door opened immediately, giving Cecilia the impression that the young woman was standing right behind the front door, waiting for her to arrive.

“Thank you for coming, Mrs. Parnell,” Yohanna said, closing the door behind her. She sounded breathless, as if she’d been running.

Or perhaps crying.

“Of course, dear—” Cecilia replied kindly.

She was about to say something else when she turned and really looked at the young woman for the first time. Yohanna, usually so bright and upbeat that she practically sparkled, not only looked solemn but almost drained of all color, as well. Cecilia stopped walking. The mother in her instantly kicked in.

“What’s wrong, dear?” she asked, concerned.

Yohanna took a deep breath and then let it out. It sounded almost like a mournful sigh. “I—I’m afraid that I have to let you go,” she murmured, appearing stricken and exceedingly uncomfortable.

For the life of her Cecilia couldn’t think of a single reason why she and her crew were being dismissed. She screened every one of her people very carefully before she hired them. Her daughter was a private investigator, so background checks were very easy to run. All of her employees had been with her for at least two years if not longer, and each one of them did excellent work.

Something else was going on.

“May I ask why?”

Yohanna’s eyes widened as she realized the natural implication of what she had just said. She was quick to correct the misunderstanding.

“Oh, no, it’s not anything that you or your crew have done. If anything, they’re even better than when you first started cleaning here. I’m really thrilled with the job you’ve been doing.”

Confusion creased Cecilia’s brow. “Then, I don’t understand. If you’re happy with our work, why are you letting us go?” The moment Cecilia asked the question, she saw the tears shining in the younger woman’s intense blue eyes. “Oh, darling, what’s wrong?” she repeated.

This time, not standing on any formality, Cecilia took the young woman into her arms and hugged her, offering her mute comfort as well as a shoulder to cry on.

Ordinarily, Yohanna kept her problems to herself. She didn’t like burdening other people, especially when there was nothing they could do to help or change the situation. But this time, she felt so overwhelmed, so helpless, not to mention betrayed, the words just came spilling out.

“I was laid off yesterday,” Yohanna told the sympathetic woman. “I can’t afford to pay you.”

It was obvious that uttering the words was excruciating for Yohanna.

Cecilia gently guided the young woman to the light gray sofa and sat with her.

“Don’t worry about paying me. You’ve been a wonderful client for four years. We’ll work something out. That’s not important now. Tell me exactly what happened,” Cecilia coaxed.