Deadly Intuition(36)
Mandy pulled a pop out of the refrigerator and offered it to Sophie. She took it wordlessly.
“I just assumed you guys lived together,” Sophie said.
“I’m actually looking for a house,” Mandy replied. “I got an inheritance from my dad’s will a few weeks ago. I’m just starting the process. I haven’t even found a real-estate agent yet.”
“What happens then?” Sophie asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Will James move into the house with you?”
Mandy shrugged. She’d be lying if she said the thought hadn’t crossed her mind. “I guess we’ll just figure it out when it happens. It’s still down the line. It will be fine.”
Sophie popped the top on the soda, watching Mandy as she distributed the food items into various cupboards and the refrigerator. Once she was done, Mandy settled on a stool next to her and opened her own drink.
“So, tell me, what’s going on with you and Grady?”
Sophie stilled. “Nothing.”
“Oh, please,” Mandy scoffed. “You’ve obviously had sex.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You have the look,” Mandy said. “Plus, I knew what was on Grady’s mind when he left here yesterday. He was all flustered and mad. It was kind of funny.”
“You seem to know all of them pretty well.”
“Their sister was my best friend all through middle and high school,” Mandy said. “I spent a lot of time at their house.”
“But you didn’t date any of them back then?”
“I had a crush on James,” Mandy admitted. “He was too old for me then, though. When he graduated from high school, he went into the Marines and I just kind of let it go. You know, life moves on.”
“But you didn’t forget?”
Mandy giggled. “He’s hard to forget.”
“But, you’re happy, right?”
Mandy nodded. “I am.”
“And he is?”
“He acts like he is,” Mandy said, shrugging. “He’s hard to read sometimes. They all are. They’re typical men. Getting them to talk about their feelings is like pulling teeth. Why? Are you worried about Grady?”
Sophie shook her head. “No. It’s just a fling. It’s nothing.”
Mandy recognized the signs of denial when she saw them. She didn’t press Sophie on the issue. “You know what you need?”
“My head examined?”
Mandy laughed. “No. A girl’s night out.”
“You want to go out? It’s a Sunday.”
“We don’t have to tie one on,” Mandy said. “A few drinks at a bar would do us all some good. We can get away from the rampant testosterone.”
“Us all? Who do you have in mind?”
Mandy’s smile was wide. She had a few ideas – two, to be exact.
Sixteen
“This is so much fun,” Heidi squealed.
Sophie glanced at her, immediately liking the plump brunette and her pleasing personality. Her giddiness was positively infectious. It was a weird feeling for Sophie, but she didn’t fight it.
Mandy had introduced the two of them when they’d arrived at the bar. Sophie’s initial reticence was quickly wiped away. Heidi wouldn’t allow anyone to maintain an air of aloofness around her.
“Is someone else coming?” Sophie asked, sipping from her margarita.
“Ally.”
“Who is Ally?”
“James’ sister,” Mandy replied.
Sophie balked. “Grady’s sister?”
“They are all one, big happy family.”
“Ally is great,” Heidi said. “You’ll like her. She’s really funny.”
Sophie was inexplicably uncomfortable. How do you make friends with the sister of the man you just spent an entire day fornicating with?
Mandy’s eyes were bright as they met Sophie’s above her drink. “Don’t worry. Ally will like you – and she won’t care that you’re sleeping with her brother.”
“You’re sleeping with Grady?” Heidi held her hand to her heart, faking a swoon. “I’m so jealous. He is so cute.”
“You know Grady?”
“I’ve met all three of them through Mandy,” Heidi said. “That gene pool is something else.”
“It is,” Sophie said, smiling shyly.
“So, you have to tell me about Grady,” Heidi enthused. “What does he look like naked? This one won’t give me the down and dirty details about what James looks like naked.”
“It’s not that impressive.”
Sophie swiveled as another voice joined the party. She took in the tall woman standing at the edge of the table. She had dark hair, like her brothers, and her smile was warm and welcoming.