Free Three Little Words by Susan Mallery Page A

different. A problem for another time, she told herself.
    They all walked out and started to go their separate ways. Consuelo stopped her.
    “Do you have a second?” the other woman asked.
    “Sure. What’s up?”
    “I need to ask you something.”
    Isabel smiled. “Honestly, I can’t think of a thing I would know that you don’t already, but go ahead. I’ll give it my best shot.”
    “You grew up here. I thought you’d have insight.”
    Isabel nodded. “Sure. Is this a town thing?”
    Consuelo shifted her weight, then glanced around as if making sure they were alone. “Not exactly.”
    Stranger and stranger, Isabel thought.
    “I’m interested in someone,” Consuelo admitted.
    “I’m surprised.” Isabel shook her head. “Okay, that came out wrong. I don’t mean I’m surprised you like someone. I guess I’m surprised that you think you need advice.”
    “I know I’m attractive.” Consuelo glanced down. “I work out. I have all the right parts.”
    “I think you’re selling yourself a little short. You’re stunning and sexy and you move like a panther.” She didn’t need a PhD in sex to understand that Consuelo had something that left other women looking as exciting as fence posts.
    Maybe that was her problem, she thought. She wasn’t sexy enough. If she acted sexier, maybe she’d be sexier. Something to consider later.
    “The panther thing might be the problem. I want to be seen as a woman, not a predator.” She made a fist, then relaxed her hand. “This is stupid. I can’t change who I am. When someone annoys me, I punch him out. Who am I kidding? I’m not going to be nice and normal. It’ll never work. Thanks for listening.” She started to turn away.
    Isabel grabbed her arm. “Hey, wait. You can’t give up, just like that. I don’t believe you simply punch people out. I’ve been annoying and you’ve never punched me out.”
    Consuelo managed a smile. “That’s different. You’re my friend.”
    “But still—you have the skills to control yourself. What’s the issue with the guy?”
    The real question was who was the guy? She couldn’t imagine anyone in Fool’s Gold upsetting Consuelo. The woman was always in control. Ford and Angel both jumped when she told them to. And it was pretty darned great to watch.
    “We were talking and I wanted to kiss this guy,” Consuelo said. “But I remembered that guys are supposed to make the first move.”
    “I’m not sure he’d mind you kissing him. He’d probably be happy.”
    “What if he’s not?”
    “Any—” She started to say “straight guy” only to realize that hit a little too close to home for her. “What’s he like?” she asked instead.
    “He’s sweet,” Consuelo murmured, glancing at her feet, then back at Isabel. “Smart and funny. Cute. A good guy. I like him. But I’m not a soccer mom. I don’t know how to be normal. You know, like you.”
    “Ordinary and boring, you mean.”
    “No. The kind of woman a man wants to be with for more than sex. I don’t want to be a conquest. I want to be...”
    “In a relationship?”
    Consuelo nodded slowly. “He’s the first guy I’ve liked in a long time. But he’s nothing like me.”
    “Isn’t that a good thing? Opposites attract and all that?”
    Consuelo sighed. “I should just go kill something. I’ll feel better.”
    “That’s certainly one solution,” Isabel said slowly, hoping her friend was kidding. “Or you could take a chance. Go out with him a couple of times. See where it leads.”
    “Maybe. Is the sex different?”
    “Excuse me?”
    “Between normal people? Without the threat of danger or death?”
    Isabel opened her mouth, then closed it. “I’m so the wrong person to ask. I’ve never had dangerous sex.”
    “Right. It’s mostly indoors and in a bed.”
    Except for those few experiences in Billy’s truck, yes. “You prefer it outdoors? You can ask the guy. I’m thinking he’ll be thrilled to be flexible.” This was ridiculous.