Page 66 of Dark Awakening: New World

Edgar wasn't aware that they wanted him to come, and he wasn't sure that Frankie meant it.

"I have a job to do." No one had required him to fly them anywhere recently, but his job was to be on standby for when he was needed. "I've just seen your guy and his buddies. They are still slaving over that equipment, hoping to find the black box."

Frankie rolled her eyes. "Tell me about it. Between that and my Perfect Match training, Dagor and I barely see each other. As you know, it's difficult for a newly mated couple to be apart."

Edgar grimaced. "I wouldn't know. Did you order already, or are we waiting for your cousin to arrive?"

"I didn't order. I grabbed a table first. But now that you are here, I can go. What would you like?"

Edgar gave her an incredulous look. "Don't even think about it. I'll order for us. Tell me what to get for you and for your cousin."

"You are such a macho guy." Frankie rolled her eyes. "As if I can't place an order by myself."

"I'm sure you can, but do you want to stand in line in those shoes?" He looked down at them pointedly.

They were pink, glossy, and at least five inches high. He had no idea how she even managed to walk in them.

"Good point. I'll have a grande latte with skim milk and a scone. Angelica will have the same, just with soy milk. She's lactose intolerant."

He turned to Jasmine. "What about you?"

"I'll have what Frankie is having. I'll help carry things when they fill the order."

"That's okay." He patted her shoulder. "I'll manage."

42

JASMINE

As Edgar walked away, Frankie waited until he was out of earshot to lean over the table with a mischievous smile lifting her lips. "He seems in a good mood. Is he finally over you?"

Jasmine cast a sidelong glance at Edgar, making sure that he wasn't looking their way. "He's infatuated with the princess, but it's not serious. He was very eager to meet your cousin."

Frankie's eyes lit up. "That's awesome. I would love to match those two." She narrowed her eyes at Jasmine. "You don't mind, right?"

"Not at all. I want Edgar to find his happily ever after. I will feel less guilty about ending things between us. He was good to me, and I feel like I didn't treat him right." She sighed. "But I just knew that he wasn't my one and only, and I think he knew that as well, but it has taken him longer to accept it."

Frankie frowned. "So, why are you still feeling guilty?"

"Because I have Ell-rom, and I'm happy, while Edgar doesn't have anyone yet."

"I get it." Frankie turned toward the wall of greenery segregating the café. "Here she is." She jumped to her feet and rushed over to hug a blond woman who looked nothing like her.

Angelica was a little taller than Frankie, but not while Frankie was wearing five-inch platform heels, and she was a little fuller in all the right places. She looked young, carefree, and sweet.

Nothing like the daredevil that Jasmine had imagined her to be. But then looks could be deceptive, and with a face like hers, Angelica could get away with murder, and no one would suspect her.

"Jasmine," Frankie said as she led her cousin to the table with an arm around her waist. "Meet my cousin, Angelica."

"Hi." Jasmine offered the woman her hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you."

"Like what?" Angelica shook her hand with surprising strength for a delicate and feminine-looking girl like her. In comparison, Jasmine felt almost masculine.

"That you are fearless and that you are the queen of bikinis. Frankie told me that she borrowed three sets from you."

Shaking her head, Angelica pulled out a chair and sat down. "I found this place that sells factory rejects for peanuts. I paid five bucks per set, and the defects were barely visible."

Frankie mock-glared at her. "Don't reveal all of our secrets."