Page 16 of Bride of Choice

“And if you’re smart, you’ll understand why it’s just as important that she claims you as hers, Bok choy,” I quipped. With that, I dismissed him. “Come back at me with more crap like that, buddy boy, you’ll earn yourself the dunce cap.”

“Dundsz cap?” Bok garbled out.

“Yes,” I said simply.

Turning back towards Boog and Gopher, I smirked as I pretended to dust my hands. “That was kinda fun,” I admitted, “but I won’t butt in on your Lo de-husbands, emotional support rave or whatever this shit is.” Lord knows I should be the last one dispensing dating advice!

“Well, it’s been fun, fuzzy wuzzies!” Waving at the crowd, I turned to leave, surprised when another male called out and stepped forward, his question aimed at me.

Spinning back around in surprise, I eyed a familiar face. “Righty… tsk-tsk. Now, what have you gone and done that you need advice on fixing things? When Cottontail isn’t being a pest she’s disgustingly sweet, like honey.”

Righty glanced around nervously, like he wasn’t sure he wanted to say.

“What happens in the Lo de-husbands club for dinguses, stays in the Lo de-husbands club for dinguses,” I promised him and even made a little cross over my heart.

When the others gathered raised their hands and repeated my words like this was legit some sort of secret, get-shit-straight-with-your-lady club, I finally cracked a real, honest to god grin. Oh…ho-hoh-ho! This was gonna be so much fu-un!

???

I was surprised the sun hadn’t started to peek as I shuffled my way back to my hut, yawning and rubbing at my eyes all the while.

Acknowledging I was much more half asleep than awake far too late, I grunted as I slammed right into the back of a local.

“Ugh. Sorry. Stumble-walker comin’ through,” I murmured tiredly. My voice sounded as sleepy as I felt.

A grunt left the male I’d just nearly mowed down. The phrase perfect stranger came to mind as I peeled my face off of all that furry warmth. Perhaps not in the sense one might assume and more so the likeness to a heated body pillow, which sounded so damned good right now.

The idea of bumping into Rek in my current state, or if even at all, I was still so mad at that jackass, had my hackles up and my stomach twisting.

Giving my eyes a good rubbing once more, I blinked as my hands fell away, frowning at my sleep-blurred vision. Damn, could those Yeti hubbies gab.

It was mostly stupid stuff, and I think for some thinking shit through while they got what was weighing on them off of their chests. Boog and Gopher didn’t seem to find offense that I’d jumped right in and accidentally overtaken their guys’ meeting.

I hoped I’d helped some of them. A lil tough love from Joanie may just do their sorry, fluffy booties some good.

A grunt left me that matched the male I’d smacked into as I gave up any pretense of trying to act like a normal human being and felt around him, until he was clear of my bumbling stumbling and I could shuffle on my way. “Sorry. Tired. Need sleep,” I mumbled in way of an apology. Tossing my hand up, I offered Mr. Mystery Yeti a wave over my shoulder.

“Where you go?” he grumbled out curtly. I didn’t recognize his voice and it didn’t help that he kept clearing it.

“I go home,” I said on a laugh, giggling at myself, I was that damned tired.

“Where you… comes from?” he tried again.

“The land down under,” I snarked, smart ass that I am, and started to hum that catchy tune. I went so far as to start mumble-singing it under my breath, between weird fits of laughter. Sleep-drunk was a thing. I really needed to prioritize my time with the Sandman. This shit was starting to show.

I was just shy of my hut when I clued in Mr. Mystery Yeti had followed me.

Scowling, reaching for my door, I grunted when it didn’t open.

What the hell?

“Hey!” I told the door, trying to open it several more times unsuccessfully.

“What you do?” the male asked.

“What’s it look like I’m doing?” I snapped, dropping my hand from the door handle to wave wildly at it, in between eye watering, jaw cracking yawns.

“No lives there,” the male offered with a snort, while I, classy lady that I am, shot him a single fingered salute right back at that. Then… I started to laugh my ass off.

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