“So…” Felicity eyed Maddie. “Vietnam, then? You two were on then? That’s why she was tracking you all over the country, emailing and calling every time I turned around?”

Maddie’s eyes became distant at some fond memory. “Yep. But it started a bit before that, around Australian Fashion Week, back when I started freelancing.”

“How on earth did I miss that?”

“I have no idea. Elena’s changed so much that I think it should be obvious to everyone. I mean, she’s still cool and controlled, of course. But she’s so much lighter.”

She was. Felicity nodded slowly. “Well. Yes. I’m glad she is. After the horrors that evil ex Richard put her through, she deserves to be happy.”

“So do you,” Maddie said kindly. She leaned in and added in a low voice, “Elena tells me you’ve fallen for a veterinarian. She didn’t say who, but I’m guessing since you met some vets at Living Ruff, that narrows it down a whole lot. And if it had been studly flirt-boy Gabe Mendoza, she’d have just told me. Which means”—she grinned—“you and Cooper, huh?”

Felicity’s cheeks burned red hot almost instantly, and she rued the day she’d inherited such pale skin. She briefly considered denying it, then couldn’t bring herself to. Finally, she just huffed and said, “Yes.”

“Oh, mate, I’m so, so pleased for you.” Maddie flung herself into another hug, this one even more affectionate than the last. “She’s funny and friendly. I liked her a lot. She’s bloody terrific. You snagged a good one.”

With a weary sigh of defeat, Felicity went along with the whole body-mashing thing and hugged her back. They broke apart. “She is. And you should talk.”

Maddie chuckled. “I know. Elena’s a goddess, and I’m the luckiest woman alive. Well, this calls for shots! Let’s get smashed like a bobtail lizard on the M1.”

“Ew. Does Elena know you think roadkill’s hilarious?” Felicity arched an amused eyebrow.

“Oh, she knows. She likes me anyway.” Maddie’s happiness was addictive. She linked her arm through Felicity’s and hauled her toward the bar. “Isn’t that the best thing about being in love? When our partners know all our worst shit and super weird baggage but think it’s endearing?” She laughed.

“That is a definite bonus,” Felicity agreed, “especially when one has as much weird baggage as me.” She muttered the last part half to herself, then waved the bartender over and ordered them both drinks.

“You know, you’re not that weird, Felicity,” Maddie said after the man had left. “Actually, I always thought you were hilarious. So full of bullshit and fake dramatics. You were the funniest part about working at Hudson Metro News. I think you’re an acquired taste. And good on Cooper for seeing that.”

Warmth filled Felicity at the words. Okay, fine, she really did like Maddie Grey. Felicity drew in a breath and admitted something that was doubtlessly fueled by a considerable amount of alcohol. “If Elena had to fall in love with anyone, I’m glad it was you. She’s brilliant, and you’re kind.”

She hoped Maddie wouldn’t be offended by that distinction, but Elena was brilliant in a way few people were. And Maddie was kind in a way few people were as well. Women with icy fronts needed kind partners, Felicity had recently concluded. That’s all there was to it.

Maddie shot her a surprised look, then elbowed her. “Heh. I knew you liked me. And before you deny it, it’s mutual. Not that surprising, though, since I’m fond of all my friends.”

The bartender returned with their drinks and retreated.

Felicity was still focused on one important word. Friends?

“Well.” Felicity couldn’t think of anything else to say. She smiled. “Okay, then.”

Maddie laughed and raised a glass, clinking it against Felicity’s. “To the goddesses who chose to love us…for some mystifying reason.”

Felicity’s smile was wide. “To the goddesses who chose us.”

* * *

Cooper was enjoying the delights of the penthouse suite’s impressive jacuzzi when Felicity returned.

The woman looked utterly delicious. Naked, slippery, smooth, muscled, and curvy all at once. Cooper’s eyes were sparkling and beautiful.

Wow. I love her.

Felicity’s tension fell away, and she slumped against the wall. “I’d have rushed here sooner if I’d known this brazen scene awaited.”

Cooper merely leaned back farther, pushing her bare breasts above the water’s surface.

“Vixen.” Felicity kicked off her heels and slowly peeled off her hose, realizing she had her lover’s rapt attention.

Although that was good for her ego, it wasn’t a striptease; Felicity was dead tired. All these meet-and-greet networking things were exhausting. Not to mention Elena’s amusement every time she met Felicity’s eye. That had been a bit much.

“If you take any longer,” Cooper called out, “the water will be cold.”

“Sorry,” Felicity said, shaking herself. “I was just thinking about tonight. Certain things came to light.” She shed her dress and then hung it in the closet. “I’m still processing. And I’d have been back sooner, but Amir’s driving is just so…ugh…sedate. He’s always so careful, plodding all through Sydney’s back streets. I miss my own driver back home. He’d have lapped Amir.”

“It was nice of you to hire Mitch. I know how much he loves driving flashy cars. He’s in heaven.”

“Niceness had nothing to do with it,” Felicity said. “Mitch knows New York like the back of his hand, every shortcut, and understands when I say ‘step on it.’ I mean it. It’s like being in a turbocharged rocket.”

“Seriously?”

Felicity grinned, then pulled off her bra and panties and headed for the tub. She slipped herself between Cooper’s powerful thighs and pressed her back against those tempting, pillowy breasts. She sighed. This felt like home.

“You’re such a softie,” Cooper murmured in her ear. “And I’m going to have words with Mitch about keeping you alive.”

“He’s not that bad. And you should talk, the speed you drive,” Felicity murmured, closing her eyes. “Anyway, don’t you think he looks sharp in that uniform? He’s so proud of it.”

“He is. You pretend you’re not being kind, but I heard from Mrs. Brooks about your other new hire. A certain receptionist?”

“Ah.”

“I know Bartell Corp said it would pay the new receptionist’s wages as part of its charitable contributions to Living Ruff, but it was wrong not to consult Mrs. B first on who you chose. She was ready to give you one of her old-fashioned paint-peeling dressing-downs before I explained why you did it.”

“My hire has excellent credentials. In fact, she’s overqualified.”

“Felicity,” Cooper said with a tut, “Kristie is a prescription-pill abuser who has been homeless for three years and doesn’t play well with others. Her insistence she has to have her dog with her at all times is the only thing Mrs. B approves of because Mrs. B completely adores Ruby. And Ruby adores her as well. But we both know Kristie was not the first choice or even the hundredth choice for that position.”

“I know that. But her job has conditions. Staying clean. Attending her support group.”

“Why did you do it, though?”

“What happened to Kristie could happen to anyone. I couldn’t forget her. She could have been me. Hell, she already sounds like me.”

“Oh, I’ve noticed. We all have. When you call Living Ruff now, Kristie answers with exactly your brand of disdainful, bored tone. It’s a miracle we still get any donations after they’ve been through her.”

Felicity couldn’t contain her laugh. “I know, I know. Sorry. Okay, I’ll talk to Mrs. Brooks and apologize for meddling in her domain. I have plans for Kristie in one of our marketing divisions that desperately needs an injection of originality. But first she has to feel comfortable in a workplace again. I talked to her about it, and starting small is the key. Don’t worry. I’ll explain to your boss that it’s only temporary.”

“Mrs. B will be most relieved to hear that,” Cooper said. “She was going to call you anyway and tell you our good news. Daniel’s our first successful candidate for the vet-tech course.”

“That skinny scared kid with the weed dog?” Felicity’s eyebrows shot up.