Fierce Devotion (The Good Knight Society #3)

Chapter One

Jennifer moved papers around on her desk as she listened to Tessa on the speaker and rolled her eyes. She knew her friend was up to something, and she knew she wasn’t going to like it.

“Jennifer, tonight’s event is a really good way to meet potential contributors. Do you really want to lose this chance?”

“Those things make me uncomfortable. Everybody who will be there—I don’t know how to say it—I guess classy is the word I’d use. I won’t fit in. People won’t want to talk to me.”

“That’s bull, Jen. You fit in just as much as we do. I can guarantee people will talk to you. They are very friendly.”

Jennifer snorted. “You and your husband, Devon, are a perfect couple. Of course, people are going to want to talk to you. Blond, blue-eyed, extremely good-looking, athletic, all-American. I’m the opposite of that, Tessa.

Short, plain, with crazy hair, and from the wrong side of the tracks.

I can guarantee ‘classy’ is not a word anyone would use to describe me, and people won’t come around me.

I work with animals all day. I don’t fit in at all. ”

“You are so full of it. You’re beautiful, funny, smart, and so darn sweet. You fit in just fine, although a shopping trip wouldn’t hurt.” She chuckled.

Jennifer let out a desperate sound of discouragement, then laughed. “I hate shopping.”

“Not as much as you hate spending money, Cheapskate.”

“That’s not a nice thing to say to a friend.” Jennifer laughed and leaned back in her office chair at the shelter.

“But am I wrong?” Tessa asked.

There was a slight pause. “No.”

“It’s okay to be cheap, but Jen, you are extreme. I can’t remember the last time you bought something for yourself.”

“I don’t need anything,” Jennifer replied.

“It’s not always what you need. When’s the last time you bought a blouse for yourself?”

Jennifer rolled her eyes. “I can’t remember.”

“See! You’ve been like this since we met in college,” Tessa reminded her.

Jennifer blew out a frustrated breath. She’d had to pinch every penny to survive, most people wouldn’t understand that level of poverty unless they had to live it.

Jennifer threw her pen on top of her desk.

She knew Tessa was going to get her way.

She always did, but Jennifer wanted her to work for it.

“And what’s the problem with that?” Jennifer complained halfheartedly.

“Absolutely nothing. You were brilliant.” Tessa giggled. “I remember when your roommate, Nancy, told me you worked at the campus cafeteria, so you didn’t have to pay for a food card. But you were so incredibly shy. I couldn’t figure out how you could waitress when you didn’t talk to people.”

Jennifer snorted, and Tessa laughed.

“I wasn’t having conversations with them. I was just taking their orders.” Jennifer grinned and started to organize her desk.

Tessa chuckled and then continued. “You got your books for free by putting in hours at the college emergency hotline. Which, I might add, meant you had to talk to people.”

“Not face to face,” Jennifer reminded her.

“And your outfits, although mostly cute and original, I didn’t know you got all your clothes from the Salvation Army. I envy your ability to live on so little. You had everything you needed and still saved money from what little you made.”

Jennifer leaned back in her chair and smiled at her college memories.

“After we became friends, everything we did—when I could get you to do anything—you found ingenious ways to save money. You saved me money, which my father will forever be grateful for.” There was a slight pause as they laughed, and then Tessa continued.

“I’m especially thankful to my friend, Nancy, your roommate at the time.

If it weren’t for her, we probably would have never met.

And I sometimes wonder if I would have met Devon since his dorm was across the hall from you guys. ”

Jennifer set a stack of papers aside. “If you remember correctly, I had to study constantly, too. The vet program was intense. But I do sometimes think about how we met. I’ll never forget the first time you two met.

I believed in love at first sight after that.

And you’ve been together ever since. Devon thinks my frugality is great. ”

Tessa’s tone softened. “I know your penny-pinching stems from your shitty childhood.”

Jennifer swallowed the pain that pierced her when she thought of those years. “Tessa, can we talk about anything else?”

“Yes, sweetie. I’m sorry.” Tessa cleared her throat. “You need to get out more. You work too damn hard. You deserve to have some fun. So please come with Devon and me tonight.”

Jennifer remembered telling Tessa about her childhood. She’d been the only one she’d ever confided in. Her father was a horrible person. He was abusive to her in so many ways.

Jennifer shook off her memories, best forgotten, and sputtered. “Okay, fine, but I’ll meet you there.”

Tessa smiled. “Great.”

Jennifer rolled her eyes and tossed her braid over her shoulder. “What time?”

“Six-thirty. And they always order a lot of appetizers, so you won’t have to spend money on dinner.”

“Ha-ha. You’re hilarious.”

“It’s the truth.” Tessa laughed at the snort that came from the phone. “Oh, and Jen, Madlyn will meet us there tonight. Just thought I’d give you a heads up.”

Jennifer didn’t know the woman very well and frankly didn’t want to know her. She was selfish, miserable, and hard to be around, but she was Tessa’s friend, so she’d put up with it.

“Tessa, I don’t have a problem with her. She’s just never liked me.”

“She doesn’t like you because you’re prettier than she is without trying, and it ticks her off. I know she can be a real witch, but she’s having a rough time.”

“What happened?”

“Johnathon left her for another woman.”

“Wow. That’s the third time this year, isn’t it?” Jennifer asked as she rolled her eyes. She secretly didn’t blame the guys. Madlyn was a bitch on her good days.

Tessa sighed. “Unfortunately, yes. She keeps getting angrier each time.”

“Why does she think she needs a man? She keeps trying to find one, and it always ends up being the same type.”

“She’s been like that since we were in high school together. I don’t think her home life was the best.”

“I feel bad for her sometimes.” Jennifer felt awful thinking unkind thoughts about the woman.

“Yeah, me, too. That’s why she’s coming out with us tonight. To get her mind off things,” Tessa said.

“I hope it helps.”

“Me, too. So, I’ll see you there?” Tessa’s voice was hopeful.

“Yes,” Jennifer grumbled.

Tessa snorted. “Don’t sound so sad about it. You’re going to have a blast.”