Shifted

“That you’re a shifter?”

Nicolla widened her eyes. “You’re a Misfit?” She frowned and flexed her fingers, willing herself to shift. Her inner cat wasn’t interested in playing—it ignored her completely. The cat within her was dormant. It had become almost non-existent, as if someone had renounced it for too long. Kelly’s body had something to do with it. “What are you?” she asked Kelly with suspicion.

“I’m a lynxae.”

“No shit, me too.”

“You can’t tell Andi you’re a shifter. He never knew.”

“Why not?”

“Why not? Do you think I would have made it this far if they knew I was a shifter?”

“The blood skipped, didn’t it?”

“Three generations. You?”

“La-di-da! If it had skipped, I wouldn’t be living in the District, would I?”

Kelly pursed her lips. “Well, we have to get this problem fixed. I can’t live like this forever. I’m not a porn star.”

Nicolla folded her arms. “Oh, so my lifestyle is too degrading for you?”

“I’m not good at—” Kelly paused. “Listen, I have an important meeting this morning, I mean, you have an important meeting. You have exactly one hour and twenty-seven minutes to—”

“Fuck that shit, bitch, I ain’t going anywhere.”

“Yes. You. Will.” Kelly brandished her fist in agitation. “Today is the most important day in my life—”

“What, you and your beloved Andi are going to renew your marriage vows? You two could really use it.”

Kelly’s face flushed from her dig. “They’re going to make me a partner and today is the confirmation interview. Now get your lazy butt to the shower and make yourself decent. For the love of God, whatever you do, you have to show up at that meeting.”

“Are you crazy? I can’t go. I know nothing about your fancy-pants lawyer stuff. I’m a porn star, remember?”

“Didn’t I say it was a confirmation meeting? All you have to do is sit nice and agree to what everybody has to say. It’s a piece of cake. Even a monkey could do it.”

“Why don’t you just hire a monkey, then?”

“Goddamn it! Look, if you’re posing as me, we have to make this work until we figure this whole thing out. Do you think I’m happy doing your job? Somebody just called me and asked if I had my…my…enema.” Kelly looked utterly horrified, the word spitting out of her mouth as if it would kill her if she said it too loud. “Why would I need that kind of procedure for a film shot?”

Nicolla chortled. “Oh yeah, I forgot. I have, I mean, you gotta shoot a DP scene this afternoon.”

“What’s a DP?”

Nicolla’s chortle turned into a full-blown roar. “I don’t know if you’re truly innocent, or you’re just sexually retarded, but this is just hilarious.”

Kelly’s face flushed deeper. “Lay off with the insults already. For your information, I’m not good in the sex department.”

With a great effort, Nicolla refrained from her mirth. It still came out as guffaws. “I’m sorry. You’ll find out soon. You’ll like it, considering you’re married to an ice king.”

Kelly shot her a stern look. “Make sure you arrive at my office at nine sharp. I’ll give you the complete rundown once you get there. Wear the navy suit I’ve already prepared in the boudoir. That goes with the black pumps. I put them next to it. My IDs and passkeys are in the purse—”

“Are you always this bossy?”

“Pardon me?”

“You know, sometimes men don’t like it when women get too bossy. Like your cute hubby, for example. Maybe he’s ignoring you because you tend to get too bossy.”