Page 93 of Mail Order Splash

“I met a few. What do you mean? You were there?” He tried to pull my blanket down. “Murphy took me there. I guess they think alike.”

“Did she leave you there?”

“Nah, she was somewhere upstairs, I think.”

“You should have joined us.”

“Didn’t want to.”

He yanked the blanket off my face. “Why not?”

“Because Dalton had a pretty brunette hanging on him. I couldn’t watch anymore.”

“No, you got it wrong.”

“I don’t want to hear it, Josh. I knew what I signed up for. I’m going to my room.”

“Don’t go away mad. I’m not defending him, it’s that you got it wrong on who she was.”

“Don’t wake Doc. I need sleep for my big day.” I closed my apartment door.

“Rise and shine, it’s your wedding day.” Josh tapped on the door. “Hair and makeup will be here very soon.”

I put the pillow over my head, trying to drown out the banging sound. “I’m too tired, you go.”

“Kleine, this is silly. I know you and this is all because a girl was hanging on a man you don’t care about.”

“Stop being smart, Josh. I‘m not in the mood.”

Thanks to you, Josh, what I saw has been confirmed.

“Get out of that bed of self-pity.” Josh stood over my bed.

“How did you get in here? I locked it.”

“I’ve been able to pick that lock since we were teens. Get up. There are lots of people arriving any minute for your big day.”

“No, I don’t have to. I’ve married him, the certificate is signed,” I grumbled.

“You have given me no choice. Just remember you made me do this.” He scooped me out of bed and over his shoulder.

“Josh, don’t you dare. Put me down.”

“Gladly.” He threw me into the pool.

When I surfaced, at least ten pairs of eyes were looking down at me, one set being Dalton. I slapped the water for Netty, grabbed her fin, and glided away from an embarrassing situation. Josh knew my next move and stood waiting for me in the back pool.

“Why did you do that?” I demanded.

“Because you are being childish. Where is my tough-as-nails friend that takes no crap?”

“She is on vacation, from her senses.” I marched away from him. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“I’ll do it again,” he followed me. “Apparently, you need another.”

“I hate to interrupt some kind of ritual, but can I be of service?” Dalton blocked my path to my room.

“What did you say?” I stopped walking. “Did you say ritual?”

---