Page 47 of Cowboy Bear's Hope

Penny must have known Jez was bringing popcorn, I mused as I poured.

“Thanks,” Penny murmured.

She was frowning, but at least she wasn’t turning red anymore.

While Jezebel futzed around with the DVD player, I had to admit to feeling a modicum of guilt. Me and Penny used to be in each other’s pockets. But nowadays, we just didn’t see each other like we used to.

Lately, I’d been stuck in town, and she’d been at the ranch more and more. Ever since she hired a baker to take over her duties, she barely even worked at the bakery.

I knew, of course, it was because she was trying to get control of her new supernatural side. But that didn’t account for her and Jezebel having gotten so close.

Ever since Emmet and Jez got married and moved into his cabin on the property, I’ve felt the distance between me and Penny grow.

Truth was, I’d been feeling left out. Like I’d been losing my friend. And that wasn’t fair or true.

Penny had always stood by me and Rosie. She deserved better than for me to be petty about her newfound happiness. And I was so glad she and Max had found each other. They were perfect together.

Besides, there was no longer a reason for me to feel envious. I had my own happiness now, too.

At least, I really hoped I did.

“I have a confession,” I blurted, never one to sit on my feelings.

“OMG! I knew you looked different. Okay, spit it out. What is it?” Penny asked, eyes wide.

“Up until a few months ago, I thought Jezebel’s name was Jordan!” I blurted and slapped my hand over my mouth.

Penny laughed and Jezebel snorted.

“What? Why?” Jez asked, but she didn’t look mad.

“I don’t know, but I am so sorry. I don’t know why I thought that.”

“That’s okay. Not like we talked much before then, Av. It’s no big deal,” she said with a grin and a shrug.

“You are awful with names,” Penny agreed, and then snorted a laugh.

Heifer.

“Also, I was jealous of you two becoming friends. And well, I just thought you should know,” I said, owning up to my shortcomings.

“Oh, no! I hate that you felt like that. But well, I understand,” Jezebel said and came to sit by me.

“What? Avery! Why on earth would you be jealous?” Penny asked, and she looked totally surprised.

“I don’t know. It’s ridiculous, I was lonely, I guess, and feeling bummed out. Can you two forgive me? I feel like such an ass!”

Both women moved closer to me and threw their arms around my shoulders. We hugged and cried a little and laughed at the end.

What the hell was wrong with me? This wasn’t normal behavior for me. Like at all.

I was just an emotional mess. Penny was still wiping at her tears when she leaned her head on my shoulder. She froze suddenly and turned her face into my neck.

“Penny!”

Then, she sniffed me, and well, that was when all hell broke loose.

“Oh my God!” Penny screeched and jumped up, pointing at me like my hair was on fire.

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