Page 54 of S.O.S. Perk

“You know what Melissa?” Sloane put out there.

“What, my bestie of all besties?”

“You are a brilliant woman. I’m immediately going to grab the reins andmakethings happen.”

A second snort sounded over the phone. “Good. I’m glad to help, but that ‘brilliant’ thing? Please tell it to my boss, my coworkers, and all the kids who give me shit all day.”

“You got it,” Sloane answered. “And as an additional thank you, I’ll also write you up in the school newspaper as the resident Wonder Woman. Heroine extraordinaire. How’s that work for you?”

“Dandy,unlessI have to wear that sparkly WW outfit. Then the deal’s off.”

“Oh, you’ve stuck your foot in it now, baby. I know exactly what I’m buying you for Christmas!” Sloane teased.

“If I find red, white, and blue in my stocking, I’ll be sending you an equally obnoxious A.R.G.U.S. uniform. You’ll be Etta Candy to my Diana.”

“Uh, Mel? That’s not really a threat. That outfit you’re describing will be an upgrade for me. You’re forgetting, my norm is a Fed-suit, so Army fatigues aren’t the turn-off you think they are.”

“Right. But speaking of clothing,” Melissa changed the subject, whiplash fast. “What exactly are you wearing today? Tell me you didn’t dig out a black and white.”

“I did not.” Sloane glanced down at the jeans and sweater she’d chosen for the occasion. The jeans showcased her ass and thigh muscles, and she hoped the fitted sweater made her boobs look perky. It had been a long time since she’d thought about the girls needing to look spritely. “I have on my favorite jeans, and that forest green sweater you gave me for my birthday.”

“Excellent,” Melissa approved. “And you shaved your pits?”

Sloane rolled her eyes. Now Mel was just trying to throw crap at the wall to distract her from being nervous.

But wasn’t that exactly what she’d called her friend for?

Hell, yes.

Sloane bantered back. “Relax, Mel. I waxed, plucked,andepilated with my razor. I’ll have you know there’s not a stray hair anywhere on my body.”

“Well done,” Melissa yawned. “That’s better than me. Right now,I’mvying for follicular outcroppings that fall somewhere between Bigfoot and a Wookiee.”

It was Sloane’s turn to snigger. “That’s a very pretty picture.”

“Well, considering I haven’t had a date in two months, let’s just say I’m insulating to conserve energy.”

“Now you’re just trying to make me feel bad that I might have a…space heater later,” Sloane quipped.

“Nuh, uh. Don’t feel bad,” Melissa threw back. “Just give me all the dirty deets afterward so I can live vicariously through you. And don’t get all nun-like on me. You’ve pumpedmefor info enough times,AgentVessers.”

“Guilty,” Sloane admitted. “But only because you serial date, and I’ve been dealing with an endless void.”

“A self-imposed slump,” Melissa returned. “Because of that dick-head ex-husband whose name shall not be mentioned.”

They’d made a late-night, drunken agreement years ago that her ex’s moniker would never take up residence on either of their tongues, ever again.

“So does that mean I’ll get the low down on…any, uh, low-downs?” Melissa kept prodding impishly.

“We’ll see,” Sloane prevaricated. “I might not be proud of myself if I actually ambush the man.”

“I will,” Melissa replied smartly. “You are who you are, girlfriend, and if this Perk character can’t handle the heat—”

“—he needs to get out of the kitchen,” they both finished together before laughing.

Except…

Sloane didn’twantto scare Perk away.

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