So Many Boys (The Naughty List #2)(17)
Author: Suzanne Young

She turned off the faucet before shaking out her hands into the sink. “That’s right.” She winked. “Forgot.”

She moved back, studying her reflection as she brushed her hands through her long blonde hair—the only evidence of the old Chloe, the schemer who’d tried to steal Aiden. She sighed. “Well, good luck with that,” she said, shooting a glance at Kira.

“Thanks, wench,” Kira returned, turning away from her.

I half expected Leona to trip Chloe as she walked out, but instead she held open the door for her. Once Chloe was gone, Leona pushed the door closed and turned back to us, her mouth hanging open.

“Did you see that?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Kira said, bending toward the mirror to reapply her lip gloss. “Black is so not her color.”

“Not that,” Leona said. “She didn’t even use soap to wash her hands! That’s completely unsanitary.”

“And totally nasty,” Izzie echoed.

Although I fully agreed that hygiene was important, we needed to focus. I’d been hoping that Robert had been mistaken about SOS breaking into someone’s house to wipe their computer files. I mean, SOS had hacked plenty of computers, but to clear the hard drive? That was harsh. Still it was obvious after the latest message—and now the news of the blog—that this faux Kitten meant business.

I rested my shaking hands on the cold porcelain of the sink. I’d never thought the copy-Kitten’s ruse would get this far. Saying you’re the Society of Smitten Kittens was one thing, but actually performing missions? That was appalling!

“I meant to tell you,” Izzie said, looking at me wide-eyed. “While Sam and I were arguing last night, my grandpa clicked in to tell me that someone had broken into his garage. He didn’t think anything was stolen, but my bet is that some of our equipment is gone.”

“Figured that,” Leona said. “I don’t blame them. I had an impressive spy gear collection.” She looked at Izzie. “And sorry about the arguing with Sam.”

Izzie waved it off with her hand. “It was nothing. No bigs.”

I wanted to crawl into a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. This copy-Kitten had rep-assassinated us and stolen our goods. Would the horror never end?

I let the voices of the squad fade to background noise for a minute as I concentrated hard. I rubbed my eyes and, when I finally opened them, I stared at my reflection. Blotchy. Scared.

“I have to go,” I said suddenly, spinning to face them. I had an assignment to complete.

“Now?” Leona asked. “You look like you’re going to puke, Tess. Maybe you should sit down.”

“Ew, on the toilet?” Kira asked, scrunching her nose in the direction of the stall.

“Maybe we can go to the mall?” Izzie interjected, obviously still itching to use her plastic.

Leona and Kira seemed to consider this, but I interrupted. “No,” I said. “You girls need to practice, get your cheers in order. I have other business to handle. Business involving a certain pouty blonde with an affection for the unholy.”

“Black is still not her color,” Kira added.

“Totally,” I agreed, keeping my voice authoritative. (It helped inspire confidence.) “Now, I’ll run my surveillance and call to set up a rendezvous point for later. Agreed?”

The Kittens stared back at me, looking a bit stunned.

“Whoa,” Leona said, a smile tugging at the corners of her dark lips. “You sounded like the old Tessa just now.”

“It was pretty cool.” Izzie giggled.

“Well…good.” I straightened my posture. The old Tessa would have totally kicked spying tush right about now.

The bell overhead rang and Kira groaned. “I’ve got to jet. Practice immediately after school,” she said, holding up her finger in warning to the girls. “Spread the word.”

“Yes, captain,” Leona said with an eye roll and a salute.

Kira glanced at me. “Good luck, Tess.” She smiled supportively and I nodded, watching as she left.

After Leona and Izzie followed her, I waited and turned to examine my reflection once again. Did I still know how to spy? Investigating someone like Chloe, someone I was clearly connected with, was a conflict of interest. Would I be able to objectively collect information?

The skin under my eyes looked puffy, and I sighed heavily. Then with only the sound of my shoes echoing on the tile floor, I walked up to the bathroom door, yanked it open, and headed out.

It was time to get back to basics. It was time to channel the skirt.

ASSIGNMENTS 1 & 2

5:00 P.M., SEPTEMBER 15

Riley and Jenn were sitting together in a vinyl booth at Mel’s Pizza sharing a slice as the operative observed them. Both seemed a little distracted, but every so often, Riley leaned in to give Jenn a quick kiss. The operative squinted, trying to understand.

Both Riley and Jenn were starting relationships with other people—or so it seemed. How could they so boldly flaunt their infidelity, then act affectionate in public, as though nothing were wrong?

The operative adjusted her black baseball cap downward before reaching for the straw of her cherry Coke, all the while peering from beneath the cap’s bill. She’d never seen a case like this. It would require a serious cheater case study.

Just then, the door to the pizza shop jangled open. The operative glanced over and nearly choked on her carbonated beverage. It was Megan Wright…and she looked stunned.

Riley had been resting his head on Jenn’s shoulder, laughing easily when Megan walked in. Living life, unaware that his sins were about to confront him. When he saw her, he immediately straightened up, but the hurt on Megan’s face was plain. Even as she bravely tried to smile.

“Meg!” Jenn called out, waving her over. “Sit with us.”

The operative tilted her head, enjoying this turn of events. There’d be no way Megan could act her way through this. She was about to get busted. The operative slipped her hand into the pocket of her shorts and pulled out a tiny metal device, which she slipped in her ear. From across the room, she’d be able to hear anything. Even a whisper. Thank you, infomercial.

Megan looked from Jenn to Riley, then she pursed her lips and nodded. She walked over to the booth and slid in across from Jenn—directly next to Riley. The tension was delicious. The operative happily picked up her slice of pizza and took a bite.

“I haven’t seen you in forever,” Jenn said to Megan, reaching in her purse to pull out a tube of lip gloss. “Where’ve you been?”