Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)(57)

Felicia thought about the teen. “I like him. He’s very resourceful and fun. From what I can tell, he has an excellent character and he’s intelligent.” She smiled. “He’s much more socially normal than I am.” She paused. “We hugged. I found the moment meaningful.”

“I’m sure he did, too. However tall he is and socially capable, he’s still a kid who’s all alone. I would say, be on his side and let him know it. Be consistent. Knowing and understanding the rules will help him settle in. You want to have fun together, but also give him some space. This has to be overwhelming.”

All things Felicia could do. It was the emotional connection that had her worried.

“How’s Gideon holding up?” Patience asked quietly.

“This is hard for him. He’s avoiding Carter.” And me, she thought, but she wasn’t going to say that. “He had no idea he had a child, and to have Carter show up with no warning... It’s difficult. I worry that Carter will feel rejected.”

“Sure. That makes sense. You don’t want to push it, but try to get them to hang out together. Casual stuff where they’re in the same room.”

“Maybe a movie tonight.” Felicia thought about the possibilities. “One they’ll both like.”

“Or one they won’t,” Patience said with a grin. “Give them something to bond over. A reason to roll their eyes together.”

“Maybe an animated film,” she said, pleased with the idea. “There are several I’ve wanted to see.”

“That would work.”

“Thank you. You’re really good at this.”

“I have a little more practice,” Patience said. “That’s all.”

“Are you and Justice going to have children together?”

Patience flushed. “Wow. Always with the direct questions.”

“I’m sorry. Was that inappropriate?”

“No, just unexpected. To be honest, we haven’t talked about it very much, but I would like to have children with him. I never meant to only have one. Lillie has made it clear she would like a brother or sister. Or both.”

“Justice would worry that he has too much of his father in him to procreate. That he would pass along something bad. I believe in his case nurture is the more powerful influence. I could get you some articles, if you’d like them.”

“Maybe they would help,” Patience said, then smiled. “You’re always so nice to me.”

“I enjoy your company. You’ve been friendly and kind since I arrived, and Justice loves you.”

“Because you and Justice are close. I should probably admit I didn’t like you very much when you arrived in Fool’s Gold.”

Felicia felt her eyes widen. “Why?”

“You’re so beautiful,” Patience grumbled. “I mean, look at you. And then I found out you were really smart and you’d worked with Justice for years. I assumed you two had, well, you know.”

“Been sexually intimate?”

Patience made a strangled sound in her throat. “Right. You’re so good at reminding me to simply state the truth. Okay, yes. I was afraid you’d slept with him, and I could never measure up to all that perfection.”

“The success of sexual relationships between people who care about each other is much more mental than physical. While technique can make things interesting, the emotional connection is far more important.”

“I’m unmoved by your facts,” Patience said, her tone teasing.

“Because your feelings are irrational. I go crazy when I see a spider, so I know what you mean.” She leaned forward. “We never had sex. Justice and I are like family. We love each other—just not that way.”

Felicia told herself not to mention that she’d begged Justice to sleep with her four years ago. Explaining she’d wanted the experience and not a relationship wouldn’t make Patience feel any better. Besides which, Justice had refused and nothing had happened. She was learning some things were best left unsaid.

“Wow,” Patience said happily. “If you’re like his sister, that makes you my sister-in-law. I’m getting a bigger family and you are, too.”

Felicia stared at her as the truth of those words sank in. Belonging, she thought, stunned. It was really happening to her. Perhaps Patience would even ask her to be one of her bridesmaids. Felicia had never been in a wedding before.

“Are you okay?” Patience asked. “Was that the wrong thing to say?”

“No,” Felicia said, smiling and feeling the need to cry all at the same time. “It was exactly the right thing to say.”

* * *

“WE’RE GOING TO have movie night,” Felicia said, holding up the Blu-ray feature she’d purchased that afternoon.

Gideon leaned against the kitchen counter. “Are you asking me or telling me?”

“Telling you.”

He looked at the package. “It’s a cartoon.”

“It’s animated. There’s a difference.”

“Not to me. If we have to watch a movie, can’t we see one with a lot of car chases and shoot-outs?”

She would have assumed he’d seen enough violence for more than one lifetime, but he was a guy. Those kinds of movies generally had a specific outcome. Emotional drama could be ambiguous, which most men found unsatisfying. It was why so few of them enjoyed foreplay without promise of orgasm. Not that Gideon had been seeking either from her.