Three Little Words (Fool's Gold #12)(20)

Isabel grabbed her arm. “Hey, wait. You can’t give up, just like that. I don’t believe you simply punch people out. I’ve been annoying and you’ve never punched me out.”

Consuelo managed a smile. “That’s different. You’re my friend.”

“But still—you have the skills to control yourself. What’s the issue with the guy?”

The real question was who was the guy? She couldn’t imagine anyone in Fool’s Gold upsetting Consuelo. The woman was always in control. Ford and Angel both jumped when she told them to. And it was pretty darned great to watch.

“We were talking and I wanted to kiss this guy,” Consuelo said. “But I remembered that guys are supposed to make the first move.”

“I’m not sure he’d mind you kissing him. He’d probably be happy.”

“What if he’s not?”

“Any—” She started to say “straight guy” only to realize that hit a little too close to home for her. “What’s he like?” she asked instead.

“He’s sweet,” Consuelo murmured, glancing at her feet, then back at Isabel. “Smart and funny. Cute. A good guy. I like him. But I’m not a soccer mom. I don’t know how to be normal. You know, like you.”

“Ordinary and boring, you mean.”

“No. The kind of woman a man wants to be with for more than sex. I don’t want to be a conquest. I want to be...”

“In a relationship?”

Consuelo nodded slowly. “He’s the first guy I’ve liked in a long time. But he’s nothing like me.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? Opposites attract and all that?”

Consuelo sighed. “I should just go kill something. I’ll feel better.”

“That’s certainly one solution,” Isabel said slowly, hoping her friend was kidding. “Or you could take a chance. Go out with him a couple of times. See where it leads.”

“Maybe. Is the sex different?”

“Excuse me?”

“Between normal people? Without the threat of danger or death?”

Isabel opened her mouth, then closed it. “I’m so the wrong person to ask. I’ve never had dangerous sex.”

“Right. It’s mostly indoors and in a bed.”

Except for those few experiences in Billy’s truck, yes. “You prefer it outdoors? You can ask the guy. I’m thinking he’ll be thrilled to be flexible.” This was ridiculous. Talk about the blind leading the blind. “Maybe you should ask someone else about it. Someone more adventurous.”

“I don’t want anyone else to know. You won’t say anything, will you?”

“No.” First, because she’d given her word, and second, because there wasn’t anything to say. She didn’t know who they were talking about or what Consuelo was nervous about.

“Any guy would be lucky to have you in his life,” she offered. “The next time a guy you like asks you out, say yes. If you want to kiss him, kiss him. If he reacts badly, please don’t kill him.”

Consuelo got an odd look on her face. “You’re saying I shouldn’t have sex with him and then slit his throat.”

Isabel laughed. “Probably not.”

But instead of chuckling in return, Consuelo shook her head. “I’m never going to get this right,” she muttered, before stalking away.

Isabel stared after her, not sure what on earth had just happened.

CHAPTER FIVE

“I LIKE THE PLAN,” Jeff Michelson said, walking with Ford through the CDS building. “The combination of challenging physical activities and classroom time is perfect.”

“I’m glad you think so. The Gold Rush Resort has plenty of rooms for the weeks you’re interested in, and we can extend the reservations into the weekend for anyone who wants to bring his or her family. We’ll have transportation from the resort to CDS and run a shuttle into town. Car rentals are available, too.”

“Great.”

This was Ford’s second presentation of the week, and they’d both gone well. He was going to get a contract from both. So far he was significantly above the projected sales target, but Ford figured with the company just starting, he was picking low-hanging fruit. There would be more challenges later as he had to hunt down clients.

The plan was for the companies to be so pleased they came back every year or two, which would give them repeat business. But it would take a while to kick in.

The two men went back to Ford’s office. He confirmed the tentative dates, printed out the contracts and handed them over.

Jeff took the folder. “We’ll make our decision this week.”

“I’ll hold those two weeks until Friday,” Ford told him.

“You have other companies interested in them, don’t you?”

Ford smiled. “We’re getting busy, but don’t worry about that. As soon as I hear from you, the time is yours. I’ll hold the hotel block of rooms, as well.”

“I saw the casino on my drive into town. Could we stay there?”

Ford leaned back in his chair. “You can, but I’ll tell you, the casino offers a big distraction. Your people will stay up later gambling, so they’ll be less focused the next day. If you want to offer them accommodations there, I would suggest they switch hotels Friday night and then stay the weekend.”