Times Two: Love Test, #2 by Holly Manno

Author:Holly Manno
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781733786973
Publisher: fraudess

Book, spices, and compass in hand, Veronica and Jenna rushed, side by side, out the shop door and nearly collided with their driver, Troy, who was standing on the walkway. His hands rested on his hips and with his midnight skin, he appeared to be an overlay against the snowy backdrop and fair-skinned population of Bend, Oregon.

“Troy,” Jenna sputtered.

“Ladies,” his face was impassive.

“Are you shopping too?” Jenna asked politely.

“No.” His eyes rested on Veronica briefly. “I’ll meet you later, where we agreed.”

“Oh, okay,” Jenna said to his retreating wall of a back, “unless you’d like to join us.”

Veronica bristled as Troy turned around. “Join you?”

“Yes,” Jenna chirped, “we’re early to meet the guys. Want to pop in here for a quick drink while we wait it out?”

Troy wordlessly advanced toward the door to the pub and held it for them to enter. Jenna practically skipped over the threshold while Veronica shuffled and looked at her feet.

“The bar,” Jenna exclaimed and took Veronica’s hand. They wove through a few tables and found space at the end of the red velvet ensconced bar. There were two open chairs with room to stand.

Troy pulled the chairs back assisting Veronica first, then Jenna. “Thanks, Troy,” Jenna said. “We can take turns sitting.”

His baritone voice finally emerged. “No, thank you.”

A pert blonde bartender arrived and asked, “What can I get you three?”

Jenna was on a roll as she ordered for all, “Three spiked mint-chocolate cocoas, please.”

Troy’s voice raised, “A virgin for me, please.”

Veronica looked at him but said nothing.

Realizing how it sounded, he appeared embarrassed and for the first time, human, as he stammered, “I’m driving.”

“How do you like being a driver?” Jenna asked.

“It fills the time.”

His brevity was beginning to peeve Veronica as evidenced by the half eye roll she cast in his direction.

Jenna, who was accustomed to working with gruff personalities, continued questioning him. “What else do you do to fill the time?”

“I’m in the Reserves.”

She drilled, “What branch?”

“Navy.”

“What’s your job?”

His voice lowered, “Master at Arms.”

Veronica’s brows rose but she said nothing.

“Impressive.” Jenna replied, “Though there’s not much water in Portland.”

“I go north for my weekends in.”

Her left field question stunned them all, “And why were you lingering outside the shop we were in?”

“Here you go, kids.” The bartender placed three mugs on the counter. “This one,” she gestured to one with a red candy cane, “is the virgin.”

Jenna raised her drink to toast, “Here’s to the Love Test.”

Veronica snatched her mug from the gleaming wooden bar and sipped unceremoniously. Troy took a tentative sip and when he set his cup down, Veronica and Jenna couldn’t hold their laughter in. His upper lip was covered in cream from the drink.

Troy’s unsettling eyes met Veronica’s and it silenced them both. It was as if he’d pinned her to her chair. Jenna noticed the change in energy and as much as she wanted to watch, she knew it was time for a retreat. She quietly placed her mug on the counter and backed away from their trancelike eye lock, making her way toward the ladies room.

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