Connie checked that her outfit for Silvers was ready, clean and ironed, hanging it on her wardrobe door and changing the jeans twice. She settled on the ones with crystals on the back pockets, she liked them better as they fit her snugly and usually got a comment or two as well. Maybe she’d get lucky . . . probably not, but possibly this time she could be wrong and some hunk would turn up and whisk her away. In her dreams, possibly, but that’s all she had right now.
She double checked that Cyndi wasn’t anywhere near, then sat down to check her emails, hoping she’d had a reply from the Paranormal Dating Agency. It was more than likely too soon, but then again, she was a half glass full kinda gal, so there was no harm in looking. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart sped up when she saw the email in her inbox . . . a reply from Gerri Wilder sitting there!
“Oh shit!” Connie exclaimed as she clicked on it. “I hope I don’t have to sell everything for you, Cyndi.”
Her eyes sped over the screen as she read Gerri’s words, her hands clapping with glee. “Oh my! I can’t believe this!” Connie’s voice rose with excitement as the enormity of what she’d done sank in. Not only was the Paranormal Dating Agency taking her email seriously, but she wouldn’t have to sell any of her belongings, or herself, and it looked like her best friend was in with a shot of finding her one true love.
“Holy hell, shit, shit, and shit again.” Connie jumped up, dancing around her room, happiness filling her at the thought of Cyndi finding love . . . then she stopped. “Oh,” she gasped when she realized that she might lose her friend at the same time if she left to join her mate’s Pack.
If that happened what would she do? “Don’t you dare,” she told herself firmly, mumbling aloud. “You’ll be fine and you will not be sad. You’ll be ecstatically happy for Cyndi.”
Connie forced her thoughts to how Cyndi would be gloriously in love with her soul-mate and that’s all she wanted for her friend, and maybe, someday, she’d find her own mate and be just as happy. Miracles happen . . . yeah, in fairy tales or when you employ Gerri Wilder!
She could start saving again and use the Agency when she’d got enough money together. Or . . . she could offer to be Gerri’s slave again. That might work. She giggled at that thought, wondering if Gerri would be open to that suggestion if it were to find her mate. “You never know.” She laughed again at the same time as her heart soared for her friend but knowing she’d have to put a game face on. She couldn’t let the cat out of the bag but couldn’t help but wonder who Gerri had in mind for her friend.
Don’t think about it. Just try and forget about it or she’ll pick up that something’s going on.
Yeah, she would. Cyndi was good at reading people and although Connie was just as good at keeping secrets, her friend had a sixth sense when it came to her. So she’d need to work hard at hiding this. Best to not even try to hide it, the safest option was to focus on other things going on . . . like their night out or the dang rogue problem. That would sure put a damper on things and should throw Cyndi off the scent.
Her thoughts so focused on Ms. Wilder and her exciting email that she almost jumped out of her skin when her door opened and Cyndi walked in. “Cyndi! What’re you doing? You almost gave me a heart attack.”
Cyndi looked at her as if she were crazy, staring hard at her. “What am I doing? Jeez, I’m just coming to check on you, that’s all. I’m done with my work for the day so thought you’d like to catch up, that’s all. What’s wrong with you? Your face is all flushed and looks like I’ve caught you with your hand in the cookie jar, Connie.”
“Me? I’m fine, nothing wrong with me.” Connie flashed her a smile, stepping over to close the lip on her laptop. “I was just thinking about this rogue problem and hoping that Chad gets it sorted soon. Don’t you?”
Connie hated herself, she really did, when she saw worry flash over Cyndi’s face as she came in and sat on the edge of her bed. “Hell, yeah. I hate being confined to camp and I’ve heard about some other Pack’s where there are people that have been hurt. So, yes, I hope it’s sorted soon. You don’t think we’re in any real danger . . . do you?”
“Nah, we’ll be fine so long as we do as we’re told.” Connie walked over and took down her jeans, flashing them to Cyndi. “What do you think of these for tomorrow?”
Cyndi shook her head, grinning. “Eye-catching for sure. But, the question is . . . whose eye is it you’re trying to catch?”
Connie shrugged, hanging them back up. “Nobody in particular. I know Cody is out of my reach, and there’s not anyone else that sets my heart thudding in my chest. But I’m hoping there might be someone new that I’ve not met before and that he’s the one.”
“Connie, you’re not exactly an old maid. You’ve got plenty of time to meet someone.”
“I know but I don’t want to just meet any old someone.” She let out a huge sigh, one that was pent up and full of longing for what she really wanted. “I want that special person, the one, the only one for me. I want my soul-mate, Cyn. I want what my mom and dad have. Jeez, you see them together, they’re still so much in love with each other and it’s something magical that’s just amazing to watch sometimes . . . sickly too.”
Connie giggled and Cyndi shook her head. “I know what you mean. Your parents are kinda amazing and it must be so special to find your soul-mate, but it’ll happen when it happens. You can’t rush these things and wishing for them doesn’t make them happen any faster.”
“Hmm,” Connie huffed. “I don’t know about that but I hope you find yours too, bestie, ‘cause you deserve your happily ever after even more than I do.”
“Aww shut up.” Cyndi’s face flushed scarlet. “I’m not looking and you know it.”
“Aaah, but that’s the thing. Doesn’t everyone say that’s when love finds you? When you’re not looking for it?”
“I’ve never been looking for it and it’s not found me yet.” Cyndi laughed, getting up and pushing her friend playfully. “Nothing’s changed and I’m happy the way I am, and remember for tomorrow . . . I’m not getting dressed up and I’m not going out with a painted face so don’t annoy me about it or I’ll stay home.”
“Some mascara and lip gloss, that’s all I ask.”
“Fine!” Cyndi threw her hands up. “That’s all, but I’m wearing my old boots and if you say one more word I’m not going. Now, I’m away for a long soak in the bath and then dinner will be ready.”
Connie pursed her lips together, dragging her finger across it in a parody of zipping her mouth closed, Cyndi’s laughter filling the room as she left. “Whew! That went well.” Connie grinned as she passed the first test of her friend not realizing what she’d done.