In Love by Design (The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod) by Tracy Ellen Page A

loud? Why would being blackmailed make the two-timing jerk not…not even want to be near me?”
    After dashing a furious hand over her eyes, Mac started ranting and raving up and down the length of the bedroom while plotting. Watching her agitation, I refrained from logically pointing out that there’s no age limit on stupidity. Mac was really worked up, but I knew she was mostly worried sick under all that anger.
    Turn ed out, lucky me was the only person with half a brain that Mac trusted to confide her humiliating suspicions regarding Diego.
    I agree d, how could I possibly say no to play detective after being so buttered up?
    So I sighed and gave i n gracefully to the inevitable.
    “I think you’re mistaken that Diego is messing around, Mac, because I believe he loves you. However, something is hinky and I will investigate,” I held up a hand when she whirled to face me with a big smile, “but only if you make a deal.”
    The eagerness dimming on her face, Mac crossed her arms and narrowed her pretty eyes. “What deal?”
    I crossed my arms , too. “There’s no way I’m investigating alone. I know it’s hard for you, but the deal is I get to tell Jazy and Tre J. You know they’ll keep their mouths shut.”
    Mac looked down in thought for a second, biting her lip. She muttered sulkily, “Tre’s okay, but Jazy thinks Diego’s a boy-toy.”
    I stood up to give my sad sister a bracing one-armed hug and laughed. “Hell, we all think that, Mac, but every girl deserves her toys.”
    S niggering and glowering at the same time. Mac looked up at the ceiling and entreated, “What did I ever do to deserve such sisters?”
    The doorbell rang. Leading her out of the bedroom, I squeezed my oldest sibling’s arm and answered cheerfully, “No need to look up there for answers, Mac, you’re just incredibly lucky.”
    Thinking about tomorrow night’s ninja plan, it’s difficult to find the bright side of investigating my sister’s husband of suspected infidelity. I smelled a lose-lose situation for Team Anabel on this one. Somebody’s not going to be happy with me at the end of all this. I guess the bright side is that they’ll be mad at Jaz and Tre J, too.
    Shifting in the truck’s front seat, I accidentally put pressure on my left butt cheek and a stabbing pain was the result. Flipping up my short skirt, I gently skimmed my fingers along my butt until they touched a piece of a splinter sticking out above the skin. It was long enough to get a good grip with my finger and thumb, and I slowly pulled it out. Feeling several more that weren’t so easily accessible, I pushed the visor back up and made another phone call.
    There ’s only one person I’d call at close to midnight on a work night to pull splinters out of my ass, and I figured she can’t say no, since I agreed to be her Maid of Honor. Fair is fair.
    Anna’s voice was groggy with sleep when she answered, and she kept repeating in surprise, “I can’t believe you’re calling me!”
    I don’t think it’s that unbelievable that I am calling, so after the third time, I interrupted her refrain and told her what I needed. This had her wide awake and laughing in no time.
    Anna bargained, “Ah…sure, I’ll agree to operate when you get here, if you promise to answer every question I have about how you got the splinters!”
    I grumpily agreed, knowing I am creating a monster, but having little choice.
    She paused and then asked, “Where are you right now, anyway?”
    It struck me that her tone of voice sounded like she was trying very hard to be casually nonchalant.
    Frowning, I answered, “Waiting for Luke in his truck. Why?”
    Anna only laughed again and said a quick, muffled goodbye before hanging up.
    I shrugged at her flakiness and relaxed back after that call. I still hadn’t listened to my fake godmother’s voicemail, but I was getting drowsy and put it off again to rest my eyes.
    They fluttered open when Luke did a soft rap on the driver’s