Page 26 of Undercover Hearts
"Ready?" Jenna asked.
Michelle looked up, her professional assessment giving way to something warmer as she took in Jenna's appearance. "Perfect. You look exactly like someone who'd attend this workshop."
"And you look exactly like the kind of woman she'd fall for," Jenna returned, allowing a hint of genuine appreciation into her voice.
Something flickered across Michelle's expression—not the familiar denial or discomfort, but a more complex emotion that acknowledged the truth.
"Final equipment check," Michelle said, refocusing as they verified recordings and communication signals.
As they prepared to leave, Michelle hesitated at the door, her hand on the knob. "Jenna?—"
"Yes?"
"We need to be convincing today," Michelle said finally. "Whatever happens in that workshop, we do what's necessary for the cover."
Jenna understood the unspoken permission being granted. "Absolutely. The operation comes first."
Michelle nodded once, decision made. Then she opened the door, and they stepped into the hallway together, automatically shifting closer, hands finding each other with practiced ease. The performance had begun.
The Phoenix Women's Collective headquarters welcomed them with its distinctive purple exterior glowing in the morning light. Alina Evans greeted them at the entrance, her auburn hair pulled back in a professional twist, clipboard held like a shield against her chest.
"Michelle, Jenna, so glad you could make it," she said, her smile warming as she guided them inside. "We're especially excited about today's workshop. Building Healthy Relationships is one of Sienna's passion projects."
Jenna maintained easy physical contact with Michelle as they followed Alina through the foyer, her hand resting naturally at the small of Michelle's back.
"The group is gathering in the east room," Alina continued, leading them toward double doors at the end of a hallway adorned with empowerment quotes elegantly stenciled on the walls. "We've kept it intimate. Only fifteen participants."
The room itself was arranged differently from their previous visit. Instead of the traditional circle, plush couches and loveseats created a conversational atmosphere, with pairs of chairs positioned for one-on-one exchanges. Natural light poured through tall windows, illuminating the space where several women were already seated.
Jenna assessed the gathering with a detective's eye beneath her friendly smile. Sienna occupied a central position, commanding attention without obvious effort. Kendall stood near the windows, seemingly casual but positioned for optimal observation. Nicole hovered near a refreshment table, her gaze tracking Jenna with undisguised interest despite Michelle's obvious claim. Several other women Jenna recognized from photographs as PWC inner circle members clustered in conversation.
"Let's find a seat," Michelle murmured, guiding Jenna toward a loveseat positioned with clear visibility to both Sienna and the door.
The workshop began promptly at ten with Sienna welcoming everyone in that perfectly modulated voice that commanded attention without seeming to demand it.
"Communication lies at the heart of every successful relationship," Sienna said, moving to the center of the room. "Whether business partnerships or intimate connections, our ability to express authentic feelings determines our ultimate success." Her gaze swept the room, lingering momentarily on Michelle and Jenna. "Today, we're honored to welcome Dr. Erin Novak, relationship psychologist and author, who will lead us through exercises designed to deepen connection through authentic communication."
A tall woman with loosely braided, shoulder-length black hair rose from her seat. Unlike the other participants in their business casual attire, Dr. Novak wore flowing layers in earth tones, multiple bracelets jingling softly as she gestured.
"Thank you, Sienna." Her voice carried the slight lilt of an accent Jenna couldn't immediately place. "Ladies, today we dive beneath surface conversations to explore the currents that truly connect us as human beings."
Jenna felt Michelle's subtle tension beside her. This workshop format—focused on personal revelation rather than business networking—presented both opportunity and risk. Deeper access to PWC members balanced against more intimate disclosures that might strain their cover.
"We begin with a partner exercise," Dr. Novak continued, distributing small cards to each couple. "These prompts ask questions most partners believe they've answered but rarely have—at least not with complete honesty."
Jenna accepted their card, reading the prompt silently:Share a fear about your relationship that you've never voiced aloud. What prevents this disclosure in your daily life together?
She glanced at Michelle, whose expression remained carefully neutral despite the challenging question that would force them to improvise beyond their prepared backstory. This required personal invention that felt convincing—not just rehearsed facts about fictional past experiences.
"Partners, turn to face each other," Dr. Novak instructed. "One will speak while the other listens—no interrupting, no preparing responses. Simply receive what's being shared."
Michelle shifted, angling her body toward Jenna, their knees touching. The physical contact seemed to ground them both as intimate conversation began filling the room.
"I'll start," Jenna offered, keeping her voice low enough for privacy while ensuring Kendall, positioned nearby, could still observe their interaction. "The prompt asks about unspoken fears."
Michelle nodded, her dark eyes focused entirely on Jenna's face with an intensity that might have been unsettling if Jenna hadn't recognized it from their most intimate moments. That complete attention—a gift Michelle rarely bestowed but that, when given, felt like standing in direct sunlight.
Jenna took a breath, crafting a response that would sound authentic while revealing nothing that might compromise their operation. Yet as she began speaking, something unexpected happened—truth began weaving itself through her prepared fiction.