Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)

“Too bad. It would be fascinating. I enjoy speaking with identical twins. There have been studies that suggest an almost psychic connection. If it exists, I believe it comes from sharing DNA.” She paused. “We were talking about your relationship with your family.”


“The DNA stuff is much more interesting.”

“Liar. You’re trying to distract me.”

“And it nearly worked.” He shrugged. “I do okay with my family.”

“By what scale? You never see them or call them.”

“How do you know I don’t call them?”

“I haven’t heard you on the phone with anyone since I moved in.”

“Maybe I call from work.”

“It’s the middle of the night anywhere in the continental United States.”

His eyebrows drew together. “Sometimes you being smart is a real pain in the ass.”

She smiled. “I’ve heard that before.”

Their server, a college-age guy in black pants and a white shirt, stopped by their table. He explained about the specials, then offered to get them drinks. Gideon named a bottle of wine.

When the server had left, Felicia rested her elbows on the table and her chin in her hands. “We were talking about your family,” she said, her voice teasing.

“Figures you wouldn’t forget. Fine. I don’t see them very much.”

“Or talk to them.”

“Yeah, yeah. I don’t talk to them.”

“They don’t know about Carter, then?”

He drew in a breath. “I don’t know what to say. My mom will want to meet him. It complicates things.”

“They must be very proud of you, of your service.”

“They’re grateful I’m not dead,” he admitted, then sighed. “Okay, sure, they’re proud. They’re good people. My dad was career army. We moved around a lot. I knew I wanted to be just like him. Gabriel wanted to be a doctor. He got the army to send him to medical school. Slick trick, if you ask me.”

“He’s still in the service?”

“Last I heard.”

Their server brought them bread. Gideon offered her a slice. She took it and set it on her side plate.

“I think you’re right to wait on letting your parents know about Carter,” she said.

“Really?”

“Carter’s still adjusting, as are you. If you were close to your parents, their presence would be welcome. But you’re not, so they would be one more stressor. In a couple of months, when you and Carter have a closer relationship, it will be easier.”

She wondered if she would still be living in Gideon’s house when his parents arrived. She wanted to be. She liked her new life. Was this what it was like to be married? Sharing chores, doing things together. She cooked, but Carter and Gideon cleaned up after. They watched movies, rode bikes, worried about Carter’s adjustment. It all felt so normal.

Was it love? she wondered. She had strong feelings for Gideon. Not just sexually, but in other ways. She liked him and respected him. She missed him when she wasn’t around him. She could imagine herself staying with him indefinitely. But was that love? She had no way of knowing what love felt like.

“Have you been in love?” she asked.

He froze in the act of buttering his bread. “Excuse me?”

“Were you in love with Ellie?”

“No. She was a sweet girl, but I was pretty young. I didn’t love her.” He shook his head. “Carter asked me the same thing, and I lied.”

“Lies aren’t always destructive. Sometimes they’re told out of kindness. Him believing you loved his mother will make him feel safer. There’s no reason for him to know otherwise.”

She wanted to ask again if he’d ever been in love, but sensed it wasn’t a topic designed to get Gideon to relax. Maybe she should speak with one of her friends about love. Isabel had been married before. She would know what love felt like.

“Do you know about the new PR firm moving to town?” she asked. “It’s owned by several football players.”

“I’ve heard something,” he said. “Raoul Moreno brought them here.”

“One of the owners is a woman. Taryn Crawford. I met her the other day. She was very direct. I liked her a lot. A lone woman among alpha guys. I can relate.”

“The old ladies are going to want some kind of strip show for sure,” Gideon said with a grin. “Eddie and Gladys do like their beefcake.”

“Have they asked to see your butt?”

“No, and I’m not offering. They’re pretty wild women.”

“Imagine what they were like forty years ago.”

The server returned with the wine. They placed their orders, and the server left. As he did, a dark-haired woman in her forties walked over to their table and smiled at Gideon.

“I’m Bella Gionni,” she said. “I own House of Bella. You’ve been in to have your hair cut.”

“Nice to see you again,” he told her.

“I hate to pry, but I heard about your son. If you need anything from the community, we’re here for you. You just have to ask.”

Gideon looked like a deer in the headlights. Felicia wasn’t sure how to help.

“The town is so welcoming,” she said, and held out her hand. “Hi. I’m Felicia Swift.”

“Nice to meet you.” Bella’s gaze settled on her hair. “Your hair is a lovely color. Is it natural?”

“Yes. I’m lucky.”