Girl Crush (Redwoods Book 1) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Girl Crush

  Copyright

  Dedication

  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

  Acknowledgments

  About the Authors

  Coming Soon from Kaydee Mavericks

  Coming Soon from Riley Rhea

  Table of Contents

  Girl Crush

  Copyright

  Dedication

  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

  Acknowledgments

  About the Authors

  Coming Soon from Kaydee Mavericks

  Coming Soon from Riley Rhea

  Girl Crush

  Part One of a Serial

  by Kaydee Mavericks and Riley Rhea

  Copyright

  Copyright 2015, Kaydee Mavericks & Riley Rhea

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to author and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.

  Cover Designed by Melissa Gill @ MGBookCovers

  Cover Photo by DepositPhoto.com

  Dedication

  We are dedicating this book to our friend, Jen Z. Thank you for everything that you have done and continue to do on a daily basis for the both of us out of the kindness of your heart. We wanted to give you something in return. What’s better than having two friend that write novels? Having them begin a series to give a loyal reader a book right up her reading alley. We hope you love what we have in store for you.

  Today’s moving day and let me tell you I’m extremely excited about starting a new life in California, working my dream job with an amazing finance company. I graduated from high school when I was only sixteen, started college and I’ve now completed my master’s degree in business and finance at the young age of twenty-three. Yeah, I’m an over achiever and then there is the fact that my parents were really strict and since I spent most of my time at home there was nothing left to do but study hard and dream big. That way one day I could escape this place and live my dream.

  When I was packing to leave my family home before college I stumbled across a box of old photos. Curiosity got the best of me since I’d never seen this box before. When I opened the lid the first picture I saw was my mother when she was younger. She was standing in a beautiful wooded area that I’d never seen before and for some reason, it stuck with me. There was something about the scenery that made me want to go there, almost like it was pulling me there.

  Before I left for college I broke down and asked my mom about the picture. I had to practically beg her for answers. She told me it was called the Redwoods located in Northern California. I was confused as to why my mother was so secretive about the photos. I also wondered why she would ever leave such an amazing place. She refused tell me anymore than the location, and ever since I saw that photo I knew that’s where I wanted to be.

  When I was close to graduation I began researching finance companies in or near the Redwoods and when I received the call that there was a position for a personal assistant at Vaughn Enterprises, in Redding, California, I accepted without hesitation. It was like a dream come true. I was going where I felt I belonged, even though I’d never been there before.

  I start there next week and I’m excited to see what I can do and who I work for. I decided to drive to California so I would have my car with me and since I don’t have that many things that are coming with me, I figured it would be a nice little road trip. Besides my clothes and a few personal items, everything in my current apartment came with it and will stay there.

  Am I nervous to be leaving everything and everyone behind? Hell yes, I am, but this is what I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember. I’m hoping once I get my foot in the door at Vaughn Enterprises, I can move up the ranks and become a financial advisor, not just someone’s personal assistant.

  When I told my parent’s about the job I’d taken I thought my mom would have a nervous breakdown. She begged me to try to seek employment closer to home, but I was dead set on Vaughn Enterprises. Finally, after many tears my father stepped in, spoke up and told her it was bound to happen sooner or later. Of course mom cried harder and I could hear her mumbling to my dad, but couldn’t make out what he was saying. As I walked out of the room I heard his response. “It’s her destiny. You knew sooner or later this day would come. We can’t protect her forever.”

  I didn’t bother to question what those words meant. I just assumed that he was trying to soothe her and make her understand that I was a grown woman and it was time I spread my wings. After I checked my old bedroom to make sure there was nothing I wanted to take with me I found my parents waiting by the front door. I hugged my parents and promised to call as soon as I got there and that I’d be home to visit. I received death grip hugs from both parents before I was able to being my journey. You’d think I was never going to see them again.

  Before heading on the road I decide to stop off and grab enough snacks to last the entire trip and prepare myself for the twenty or so hour drive ahead of me from Kentucky to California. It would be ideal if I could do it in one shot, but since it’s over two thousand miles I know I will have to stop to sleep before continuing on.

  I ended up stopping for the night somewhere in Colorado. I couldn’t even tell you the name of the town. I was so exhausted by the time I found a hotel I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I ended up sleeping in a little later than I meant to meaning it took me a little longer to get to Redding that I’d initially planned, but I’m finally here.

  I pull into the apartment complex, from the moment I saw this place online it seemed to pull at me just like this town. I can already tell the photos didn’t do it justice. Each apartment section is painted with a different rich deep color to each of them, they are all three stories. I’m thankful I was able to get my apartment on the first floor.

  I look around for apartment office so I pick up my keys and see if there is any paperwork for me to sign before I can see my new place. I spot it right in the center of my complex. As I walk toward the office I feel like for the first time in my life I’m exactly where I belong. This place already feels like home.

  As soon as I enter the office I’m greeted by a very smiley older woman, “Hello, dear, you must be Miss. Marks.” She walks toward me and extends her hand, “I’m Joyce Cranbrook, and I’m the manager here at Cranbrook Creek.”

  I shake her hand, “It’s nice to finally me
et you Mrs. Cranbrook, but please call me Kerrigan.” Miss Marks makes feel older than I actually am.

  “Of course, dear, but that goes for you as well, Mrs. Cranbrook reminds me of my mother-in-law so call me Joyce.” She motions for me to follow her into the office, “Take a seat, Kerrigan. We will just go over everything we discussed on the phone and we can get you on your way.”

  I take a seat and she hands me the paperwork that I’ve signed already and goes over it once more. “We’re all set, here are your keys and you’re in section E apartment one-o-one.” She hands me the keys and we both get up and head to the door.

  “Thank you so much, Joyce.” I shake her hand before walking out the door.

  “I hope you like it here Kerrigan, and if you ever need anything don’t hesitate to come and find me, I’m always around.” She turns her arm in the motion of being around and heads back to her office.

  I walk back over to where I parked my car and drive over to my building, finding the parking spot I was told would be numbered I pull my car in front of the place that I will be calling home. I normally wouldn’t have gone for such an expensive place, but with my new salary I thought I’d be able to afford it.

  I grab a box of my things and head for the door. Setting the box down, I use my key to open the door. Bending down to pick up the box, chills run all over my body. I feel eyes on me, quickly spinning around to see who’s there only to find that it’s just my imagination playing tricks on me. After shaking off the feeling, I grab my box and head inside.

  The first thing I realize when I look around is that I’m going to need to go furniture shopping right away. I brought an air mattress for me to sleep on until I could get myself a bed, but really didn’t think about all of the other things needed for the space. I go back out to the car to finish bringing in what I brought with me and the entire time, I felt eyes on me, but never able to see anyone. The weird thing is, I never once felt uncomfortable about it, just curious, which is strange since I’m in a new state and I know absolutely no one.

  You’d think that I’d be nervous waking up in my new home so far away from what I’ve known my entire life, but that wasn’t a concern at all. I felt safe here so for the most part I slept like a rock. When I try to get up off the air mattress to begin my day I realize that I also feel like I slept on that rock, my back is killing me. No matter how much stretching I do there is no working out the knot of tension caused by the air mattress.

  I grab my phone and look up Redding furniture shops and find a few different ones that are only a couple of miles away from me, so I decide to jump in the shower and head off to find myself a bed at least. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they can deliver it today too there is no way I can go another night without a real mattress.

  After spending all morning looking at different furniture shops, I finally found everything I need for my apartment. They told me it would be two days until my living room set could be delivered but fortunately I talked them into delivering my bedroom set to me this afternoon.

  After that was taken care of I purchased new dishes, towels, a television and food from the local Wal-Mart. I’m carrying the television box up to my apartment, which is really hard to do since I can’t even see over it when I practically mow someone over.

  “Shit!” I hear.

  I set the box down to apologize to the man I just ran into. “I’m so sorry, sir. Are you alright?”

  When I look down at the man I’m momentarily stunned he’s gorgeous. I scan him from head to toe, hoping he thinks I’m checking for injuries when really I’m looking at his long lean body. He’s wearing a form fitting blue V-neck tee that shows off his solid chest and abdomen. His jeans fit him just right and even though they aren’t tight they still leave little to the imagination. I lower my hand down to him to help him up off the ground, which he ignores and stands on his own. When he is standing in front of me I’m taken aback by his face. It’s like a sculpture, all perfect angles and lines. His eyes are a beautiful green that stand out against the contrast of the dark blonde hair and scruff on his face.

  “That’s alright buttercup, no harm done. But why don’t I help you with that box that way I can save someone else from being knocked on their ass?”

  He bends down and picks the box up with ease, “Which way to your apartment?”

  I point toward my place and he walks off with the TV and I’m speechless. I’ve been on my own for the last few years and always have had to fend for myself, but this stranger helping me, makes me realize how alone I’ve really been.

  Opening the door for him, he follows inside and sets the box on the floor, looking around, “Did you get robbed, buttercup? Your place is empty.”

  “No I just moved in… I’m sorry, what’s your name again?” I ask.

  “Shit, right, I’m Bryce Collins, and I actually live in the apartment above you.” He holds out his hand for mine.

  Placing my hand in his, “I’m Kerrigan Marks and thanks so much for helping me with the box.”

  “Nice to meet you Kerrigan, I can already tell that we’re going to be great friends.”

  I laugh, because the weird thing is, I was thinking that he’s someone I can get along with and have some fun with. “I’m sure we will.” I smile at him.

  “Oh, honey, that smile isn’t going to work on me. I know of a few men your look would work on though.” He laughs.

  Well shit, who would’ve thought? I also know he’s blowing smoke up my ass about my looks, but I’m starting to like him anyways.

  “Are you hungry, how about some lunch, Bryce? I was just about to make something to eat, care to join me?” I hear his stomach rumble and we both laugh.

  Saying he just has to run back to his place for a minute then he will be back, I turn to head toward the kitchen and figure out what I’m going to make. I decided on making my homemade macaroni and cheese thinking that Bryce would enjoy it.

  When Bryce returns we sit down to eat and lunch was great, not because of the food so much as the company. The more he talks the more I can tell we’re going to be great friends. We have so much in common and I’m looking forward to spending more time with him. It’s like we’ve been friends forever.

  “So where did you say you were going to be working?” He asks.

  I’m so excited to start there I know my face has a huge smile on it, “I landed a personal assistant position at Vaughn Enterprises.”

  “That’s great, I actually know the man that owns VE, pray you don’t have to work directly with him, he can be an asshole at times.” His laugh almost sounds strained, like he doesn’t mean it but I don’t ask.

  “I honestly have no idea who I’m working for at the company. All I know is that I’m a personal assistant, and all I can hope for is to be able to move up in the company and actually put my master’s degree to good use.”

  “Wow, back up girl, you have a master’s degree? How the hell old are you?” He asks.

  I laugh because I get this a lot, “I’m twenty-three, but I graduated from high school at sixteen and went straight off to college, got my master’s and now I’m here.”

  “Well, that’s pretty damn amazing, Kerrigan.”

  He gets a look in his eyes that I haven’t seen yet and makes me a little nervous, “Since you’re over twenty-one we have to go out dancing!”

  Shaking my head, “Nope, I don’t dance, hell I don’t even drink. I have too much to worry about with my job and moving halfway across the country from my family to go out and party.”

  “I’m only giving in now, but mark my words I will get you out to a club and make you have some actual fun in your life.” He gets up and pulls me into a hug, “Thanks for lunch, buttercup, but I have to run.”

  “Anytime, Bryce.”

  He grabs my phone off the counter and starts typing something in, “Call me if you need anything, I’m normally around.”

  I hear his phone ringing and know that he called himself from my phone so he has my number. “
Thanks again Bryce, I think the rest of the week I’m going to lay low and rest before I start my job on Monday.”

  After saying goodbye he heads out and I make my way over to the things I bought and start to unpack. When my bed arrives I make quick work of setting it up, placing the new bedding I bought on it and then I decide I need to test it out. Lying down I know immediately that I made a great choice. As soon as my head hits the pillow I’m out like a light.

  The last few days have flown by. Bryce has stopped by every day for dinner. He either he brings food or I cook. Now it’s time to start my future. I’m looking forward to finding out who I’m working for and starting my new job.

  I dress in my favorite long tweed skirt, a white button up blouse with a loose pink sweater on top and finish the outfit off with my favorite Mary Jane’s. I wrap my hair in a tight bun at the nap of my neck. Looking in the mirror I brush my hands down my skirt and call it good.

  The drive doesn’t take long and before I know it I’m pulling into the Vaughn parking garage. I grab my purse and head toward the front door. I was told to check in with reception and they will send me in the right direction.

  The building is massive with glass windows all the way to the top, craning my neck back to see the top of the building and I would guess it’s at least fifty floors to the top.

  When I open one of the doors to go inside I can’t believe how amazing the inside looks. Marble floors cover every square inch, the rich cherry wood reception desk stands out and I head that way.

  I wait for what feels like forever, before I start to get impatient. I don’t want to be late for my first day on the job, clearing my throat to get the receptionist’s attention, she looks up from her paper and a wrinkle between her brows appears when she looks at me. “Can I help you, Miss?”

  “I’m Kerrigan Marks, and I was told to see the receptionist and they will point me to where I need to go. I’m guessing since you’re behind the desk, that would be you.” I say with a little more attitude than I probably should’ve, but she’s being plain rude and I don’t like it.