Two of a Kind by Susan Mallery Read Free Book Online Page B

Brew-haha anymore.”
    “I don’t think I’ll have the time.”
    “Don’t worry. I need to hire more full-time people. I’m blessed with many customers.” She raised her glass. “To festivals and whipping them into shape.”
    Everyone drank.
    Isabel leaned toward her. “Okay, so what’s the scoop on some fighter chick coming to town? I’ve been hearing rumors that we’re getting our own girl soldier. Is that true?”
    “Yes,” Felicia said. “Consuelo Ly should be arriving in the next couple of weeks. I haven’t heard from her recently, so I don’t have an exact date. She’ll be teaching classes at CDS. Self-defense, hand-to-hand, some advanced weapons training.”
    “Seriously?” Noelle asked. “I can’t decide if I’m excited to meet her or terrified.”
    “I’m excited,” Isabel said. “Have you seen how Ford and Angel walk around town like they’re so hot and we should all be falling all over them?”
    “They haven’t been like that,” Patience said.
    “Ford struts. I’ve seen him strut.”
    Patience’s expression turned knowing. “Someone is worried about her past.”
    “I’m not,” Isabel said firmly. “I refuse to be. I was a child and he can’t hold that against me.”
    From what Felicia had heard, years ago Isabel had had a crush on Ford and been devastated by his departure. There were also rumors that Isabel had written to him regularly, but Felicia wasn’t sure about that.
    “I don’t think Consuelo is interested in Ford,” Felicia said. “Or Angel. She’s known both of them for years. She says they’re not her type.”
    “Too bad,” Patience said. “I’m so into this being in love thing. I need one of you to join me. I want to be able to talk about how wonderful Justice is and how my heart beats faster when he walks in the room.”
    “You can talk about it all you want,” Noelle told her.
    “It’s not the same.” Patience glanced at each of them. “I want one of you to fall in love. I mean it.”
    “I’m leaving town in March,” Isabel said. “This is a bad time for a relationship. I refuse to fall for some guy and then have to decide between him and my career. It’s not going to happen.”
    Noelle shrugged. “Sorry, but I’m getting over a bad breakup.”
    Patience pressed her lips together. “You’re sure you don’t find Ford or Angel attractive?”
    “They’re very sexy, but not my type.”
    Patience turned to Felicia. “What about you? You like both Ford and Angel.”
    “Kind of how I like Justice,” she said. “Biologically speaking, humans aren’t generally attracted to family members. It keeps the gene pool healthier if we’re not.”
    “I’m very disappointed,” Patience told them. “You’re all letting me down.”
    Felicia knew her friend was just kidding, but she still felt guilty. An odd phenomenon and not one she was comfortable with.
    “I slept with Gideon,” she blurted, unable to stop the words.
    All three of them turned to stare at her.
    Isabel raised her eyebrows. “It’s always the quiet types. Have you noticed that?”
    “Gideon?” Noelle asked. “Radio Gideon of the dreamy voice? OMG, I love listening to him.”
    Patience stared at Noelle. “You didn’t just say OMG.”
    Noelle laughed. “Sorry. I love to read teen fiction. It’s a flaw, but one I can live with.”
    Isabel leaned toward the center of the table. “Patience, honey? You’re missing the point. Felicia had sex with the mysterious Gideon.”
    Patience turned to Felicia. “How did that happen?”
    “In the usual way. We were outside on his deck and...” Felicia stopped and cleared her throat. The three of them were staring at her with identical expressions of confusion.
    “You mean you’re curious about the order of events that led up to our encounter. Not where and in what position.”
    Isabel leaned back in her chair. “You know, I’m going to have to think about that. No one has ever given me a choice like that before.”
    Noelle