Yet her heart ached for them both.
~ ~ ~
A few days later, at Penelope’s place, the mood was lighter, at least until chaos erupted in the kitchen.
“No, no, get away from Fuller!” Lucia called out. “Stay back, girl.” She took a step and stomped her foot.
“Ugh.” She grimaced, snatched a paper towel off the dispenser, and picked up the remains of the spider to dump it in the trash.
“What’s going on?” Penelope returned from the bathroom.
“There was a spider, I think a wolf spider? It was huge, and, at first, I was cheering Fuller on to kill it and eat it—and she tried. She was pawing at it, but then she snapped back and was rubbing at her nose. It bit her!”
A laugh burst from Penelope. “So you killed it?”
“Yes! I don’t know if they’re harmful to cats, and who knows how this might have escalated.”
“I see. And where’s my little predator?”
Lucia looked around. “Oh, over there. In front of the back door, enjoying the sun. Guess she’s OK.”
“Thank you for defending Fuller.” Penelope gave Lucia a soft kiss.
“Are you making fun of me? For the record, I usually don’t kill spiders. I trap them and escort them outside.”
“Of course you do, and, no, I was serious.”
Lucia gave her a long look. “All right, then. Are you ready to leave?”
“Why are we doing this again?”
“Because Skye and Jules are down over the Collective and we’re trying to cheer them up. So we will join them at the bar for some food and a round of pool or darts.”
“I haven’t played any of that in years.”
“You can team up with Jules, then. I don’t wanna lose.”
“Wow. That’s how quickly you replace me?” Penelope grabbed her jacket from the wardrobe.
“When it comes to winning a game, you betcha.”
“You’re lucky I’m generally not competitive.” Her lips quirked. “I’m surprised you are, actually.”
Lucia rolled her eyes. “Everyone is. Come on. I’m starving.”
Picking up her keys, Penelope opened the door, and they headed for her car, Lucia explaining in detail the last time they’d met at the bar, over a year ago, when Francesca had joined them, and she and Lucia had thrashed Jules and Skye.
Lucia ignored Penelope’s wide-eyed stare and kept on talking. Penelope needed to know what she was walking into. All her friends were sharks, and if she wasn’t careful, they’d eat Penelope for breakfast. She smiled to herself, unsure if she wanted to protect Penelope or watch her hold her own.
Chapter 39
Respite
Penelope laughed when Skye missed an easy shot as the woman she’d been eyeing all evening walked by and smiled at Skye.
Lucia groaned. “Damn it, Skye! That was our chance to end them.”
“Sorry.” Skye rubbed the back of her neck, gaze still fixed on the woman at the bar. “Let’s finish this, all right?”
