Marriage by Mistake

chin lowered and his eyebrows raised. "A result of built-up anger."
    Felicia stuck to her guns. She was not going to admit there'd been anything more to that kiss, anything deep or personal. Though, of course there must have been. She'd never enjoyed a kiss with another man, never imagined, over and over, having another one. Now she simply lifted a shoulder.
    "Huh," said Troy. He spread his feet and put his hands on his hips. "So...we only get hot for each other when we're mad. Is that what you're saying?"
    Since he was sounding less dubious and more credulous, Felicia agreed. "Yes. I think that describes the phenomenon."
    Troy rubbed his jaw. "I'm not so sure, but I'll tell you one thing, we have no business going around kissing each other."
    "Agreed," Felicia said. And, though she did agree, she felt piqued.
    "The question is," Troy went on, tilting his head. "How the hell do we avoid getting angry with each other?"
    It was a darn good question. "Perhaps..." Felicia thought quickly. "Perhaps we should always have something nice to say to each other, when we chance to meet."
    Troy stared at her. "Always have something nice to say."
    "That's right." Felicia tried not to bristle. It wouldn't do to get angry at him now . "In fact, why don't we start immediately?"
    "Saying something nice to each other."
    "Yes."
    He rubbed his jaw again, his expression more dubious than ever, but he agreed. "Well...all right. At this point, I'm willing to try anything." He paused. "You go first."
    Felicia stiffened. "Why should I go first?" He would no doubt let her say something nice, then turn around and insult her.
    Troy threw up his hands. "All right, I'll go first. Something nice about Felicia. Something nice." He put his hands down and clasped them behind his back. "Okay. Here's something nice about you." He drew in a deep breath. "You're a good person. Honest-to-God, basically good."
    Felicia's jaw dropped.
    "Well, hey, come on, you know that." Troy sounded defensive. "You pour every ounce of extra energy you have into half a dozen charities. What is it—? All the way from more art programs in the schools to battered women? And you're good at it. You help an awful lot of people. It's admirable. Yup." He nodded. "Downright admirable."
    Felicia knew she still looked like a woman out to catch flies. Troy thought she was admirable? He noticed or cared about the charity work she did? "Am I supposed to believe this?" she finally asked.
    Troy scowled. "Look, if this is going to work, you're going to have to at least believe what I say."
    "Okay, okay. I'll...try." But she couldn't believe him. Troy didn't admire her.
    "Now it's your turn," he said.
    "Right, right." But how was she to top that? Felicia licked her lips and tried to think. "Something nice about you..." She grimaced.
    "Oh, come on. It can't be that hard."
    "Well, actually..."
    "Felicia."
    "All right, all right." She held up her hands. "It isn't hard, really. I know what I admire about you: how easy you are with people."
    Troy scowled. "That's nothing admirable."
    "Oh, yes it is. It's a talent you have. I—I wish I had it, too."
    "You're fine with people."
    "Oh, I have impeccable manners. I know how to make small talk, but you—" Felicia sucked in her lips as she wondered how to put it. "You have a way of drawing people out. You put them at ease and make them laugh. You make them feel...as if they're charming, too." She laughed. "Why do you think you get invited to every party that happens around here? People know that wherever you are, they're going to feel good."
    Troy was still scowling. "That doesn't sound like much of a virtue to me."
    "That's because you take it for granted. Believe me, it isn't easy for most people." She tilted her head and decided to add, "And it's why I think you'd do marvelous at that fundraising job for the Boston Aid Foundation."
    "Oh, for heaven's sake—"
    "Troy." Felicia was laughing. "Do you think I would keep offering you, of all people, this job if I wasn't convinced you'd be good at it?"
    Troy's eyes narrowed to slits. "Huh."
    Felicia still felt like laughing. This had been a most odd interchange, telling each other nice things. And the strange part was, it had felt just as good to say something nice to Troy as to hear him say something nice about her. "So." She chuckled and spread her hands. "There. We aren't angry at each other. Wonder of wonders."
    "Yeah," Troy said, low. "It's a marvel."
    Their eyes met and Felicia felt her happy