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Hadley nodded. “I suppose that’s fair.” A pause as Spencer movedeven closer. “You smell like strawberries.”

Spencer laughed quietly. “That’s a new one.”

“It’s true. I can’t get enough of it.”

“I’m going to kiss you now, and take my time doing it, unless youtell me not to.”

Hadley offered the slightest of nods. She held Spencer’s gaze butsaid nothing.

“You understand? This is your out.”

Hadley only blinked at her in response.

The anticipation was almost too much. Spencer moved in slowly,hovering just beyond Hadley’s mouth in case she had any change of heart, andthen all bets were off. The magnetism of the other night returnedinstantaneously as soon as her lips met Hadley’s in an unpredictable dance.Like some kind of lightning bolt had descended and zapped them into the most tantalizingconnection that washed over Spencer from her head to her toes. When she kissedHadley, it was so much more than just a kiss. She’d kissed a lot of girls inher life. Some were even quite excellent kissers. This was different. WithHadley, Spencer felt her everywhere: in her thoughts, her body, her being,which was a new and unnerving experience.Morewas the only word on her mind. Hadley’s mouth moved over hers expertly,matching her rhythm. Her hands slid into Hadley’s hair, holding her in place asshe kissed the lips that had captivated her all evening, that slayed her nowand had her questioning everything she thought she knew. Damn it, if Hadleysaid the world was triangular, she’d be inclined to agree in this moment. Whythe hell couldn’t it be? She sank further into the kiss, pressing againstHadley, melding their bodies together, and savoring that friction. She feltHadley’s breasts pressed into hers, and the unexpected arousal that snaked downher spine and took up residence between her legs had her deliriously shaken.She wanted her hands beneath that shirt. She wanted to touch those breasts,kiss them. What in the world was this intoxicating dance? Finally, it wasHadley who took a step back with one extended hand on Spencer’s shoulder, leavingher cold and grappling.

“Whoa” was the only word Hadley spoke. Yep. She’d felt thelightning bolt, too. They stared at each other, recovering, becomingreacquainted with oxygen and equilibrium. She pointed at Spencer, touched herlips, and pointed at Spencer again. “Did you feel that?”

Spencer nodded back, her hand finding its way on top of her head.“How could I not? It’s…we’re…yeah.” Her most eloquent of moments.

“We might be approaching big bang.” Hadley’s eyes closedmomentarily before her gaze landed on Spencer’s. “You don’t know what big bangis, but this is feeling close. I think that we need to—”

“Well, hey there!” a petite brunette woman called happily, comingup the walk. No. More like strutting. She beamed at Hadley and then at Spencerwith her hands on her hips like a proud mom on picture day. “You must beSpencer.”

“Oh. Yes. I am.” She extended her hand and was met with a firmshake from the woman, who studied her with interest. Way too much interest.

Hadley looked on with hesitation. “Spencer Adair, meet one of mybest friends, Isabel Chase, who was probably just heading into her apartmentback there. Where shelives and is heading. We’re also neighbors.”

“And super close,” Isabel said, rocking back on her heels andsmiling at Spencer, still seeming to be in research mode. “Hadley tells me,like, fucking everything. It’s amazing how much I know.” She tapped a finger tothe side of her head.

Spencer’s eyebrows rose. “Is that so?”

“So much knowledge right here.” Another tap.

“Okay!” Hadley said, clapping once and shooting Isabel daggerswith her eyes, all the while smiling. A true feat to accomplish all three.Spencer was impressed. “Isabel probably has her cat to feed. Yessiree Bob. He’sthe hungriest cat. Always counting the minutes until she walks in the door.”

Isabel nodded. “Fat Tony. He’s a mess but means well. Hopefully,you can meet him sometime soon. Provided you’ll be around. You think you mightbe, Spencer? Around.”

Hadley pinched the bridge of her nose.

Because Spencer wasn’t sure what else to say, she went for thecommon ground angle. “I have a cat, too. And yeah, that’d be great. I hope tosee you.”

“Perfect!” Isabel said happily, clapping Spencer on the back.Hard. “I better get outta here so you two can spend some time alone.” Shewiggled her fingers at them like a ghost. “Don’t let me get in the way if youhave more kissing to do.”

“Izzie.”

Spencer shook her head. “You don’t have to—”

“Yes, I do,” Isabel said, and made a circular gesture between thethree of them. “In the way here. I sense it.” She pointed at Hadley. “I’ll seeyou in the morning at breakfast, unless you’ll be otherwise engaged?” Shepulled a face that said, “am I on the right track?”

“I’ll be there,” Hadley said, through a tight lip.

“Aces,” Isabel said. She shot finger guns at them and headed intothe courtyard of the complex.

What a weird individual.

Hadley passed Spencer an apologetic look. “I swear to you thatI’ve never seen her do that. The fishing for information, flashy game show hostroutine. I think she’s in a mode lately. She has a lot on her plate.”

“She’s heard of me?”