Page 39 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

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As they droveout of the gated community, Amber let out a sigh of relief. “I didn’t screw that up too badly, did I?”

“You were great.”

“Thanks for coming with me.” There was nobody she’d rather have with her. Amber reached over and squeezed Scott’s hand, a fissure of electricity rolling up her arm at their touch.

“Do you think she’s your sister?”

“Yes. Although she was nothing like what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“I don’t know. Me, but different.”

“I think she is you, but different. You both light up in the same way when you’re excited.”

Amber cut him a glance. What did that mean? And why did she feel jealous? Was this sibling rivalry? If so, that was mighty quick and she wasn’t sure if she liked it. In fact, she knew she didn’t.

“Milkshake?” Scott asked, pulling into their favorite drive-through burger joint in Dakota.

“Yeah.” Her stomach rumbled. She’d missed supper with their excursion. “And a cheeseburger.”

“Two large chocolate milkshakes and two cheeseburgers,” Scott said into the microphone.

“She has everything.”

“Who? Delia?”

Amber nodded.

Scott scooted off his butt so he could dig his wallet from his back pocket. His thighs were tensed as he twisted, his hips so narrow, yet powerful. She focused on the line of cars in front of them so she wouldn’t get caught checking him out, or the bulge… wow. Yep. She needed to get her brain checked. Her eyes were drifting to zones that were marked Lovers Only.

“I didn’t realize you were looking for a senile dog and a husband who works away a lot,” Scott said, letting out a chuckle.

“Ha ha. But look at her. She’s gorgeous. Skinny. Amazing house. Successful life. She’s confident. Perfect.”

“Not being perfect is what makesyouso darn likable.” Scott gave her a smile so warm it made her stomach feel funny. In a good way.

“When it comes right down to it, Officer Malone, you’re not that far off a truckload of ‘not bad’ yourself.”

As they waited for their milkshakes Amber wondered if her sister represented the life she herself could have if she managed to pull it together, started believing in herself and stopped making stupid man choices.

She said, “When I saw her neighborhood I thought she couldn’t be anything like me and that we’d hate each other. But I could kind of see hanging out with her. Even though she kicks my butt in terms of pretty much everything other than having excellent hips for hip checking.”

“Ah, the trash-yourself segment of today’s show. Why do you do that?” Scott turned in his seat, gripping her headrest as he took her in. It almost felt as though he was prepping to lean in and kiss her, but she knew better. He knew she didn’t think of him in that way. Still, she couldn’t help but notice that he smelled wonderful and that his chin had a slight five o’clock shadow that would feel sharp, yet pleasing against her skin.

“She kind of brought out some of my insecurities.” Amber rubbed her thighs with the heels of her hands.

“You were great with her dog. You were kind and sensitive when dealing with her, too. Thoughtful and considerate. There’s nothing to berate yourself over.”

“Do you think she’ll like me?”

“It sounded as though she wants to see you again, so yes. And who couldn’t love Amber Thompson, anyway?”

She almost asked, “Do you?” Instead, she said, “What should I do about my mom?”

“Tell her the truth.”

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