These two really were two peas in a pod, her best friends.
It's said that people who are too different can't be close friends. Well, this was proof!
Tegan always seemed so composed, but what was this?
Finley's expression became increasingly hard to read. He looked down at Tegan, who was still clutching him, and his lips twitched. "What's this?"
"A new seduction tactic?"
Stella: "!!!"
Tegan: "..."
The word 'seduction' snapped Tegan back to reality, her face instantly darkening.
"I—I didn't mean to, I just…"
Finley dropped his usual playful demeanor, his expression turning serious.
Seeing his face darken, Stella quickly rushed over and grabbed Tegan's arms, which were still wrapped around Finley's waist.
"Tegan, let go!"
Oh, heavens. This was her girl, alright, pulling the same kind of stunt as Susie.
Tegan finally came to her senses. Her hands flew off Finley's waist as if she'd been burned.
"Um, Finley, are you here to see my husband? He's in the study. You should go on up," Stella said quickly.
Finley looked at Tegan, then smoothed down his clothes with a deliberate slowness.
When he turned back to Stella, the sharp edge in his eyes vanished, replaced by his usual roguish charm.
"Ooh, calling him 'husband' now, are we? How obedient, Star," he teased.
Stella's face clouded over. "Just go, will you?"
This guy and his smart mouth.
Finley grinned, but when his gaze landed on Tegan again, it took on a more thoughtful, intense quality.
An image from a distant memory flashed in his mind—a photograph. The eyes in that photo were a perfect match for Tegan's.
His strange, penetrating stare made Tegan instinctively shrink behind Stella.
"Not his. Hull's," Stella corrected. "And Susie was way more intense than you. Hull nearly lost his pants that day."
In broad daylight, no less. It had been quite a scene.
Tegan paled.
Learning that Susanna and Hull had a similar moment only made her more flustered. She hadn't pulled Finley's pants down, thank goodness. But grabbing a man's waist in front of so many people was still mortifying.
"I really didn't mean to," Tegan insisted.
"I know. I believe you," Stella said, nodding seriously.
Tegan was one of her closest friends; of course, she believed her. Besides, after the mess with Uriah, she was in no state to be thinking about other men.
Tegan looked at her and sniffled. "Is that what you told Susie, too?"
Stella nodded. "Yep. I trust you and Susie just the same."
Tegan was silent.
Somehow, that didn't sound as reassuring as it was meant to.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)
Amazing stuff, can't wait for more Chapter 245...