Page 53 of Lahaina Noon

Vaughn then steered her away from the kids and sat her on the couch.

Jorrie and Jack were both sitting there, eyeing her strangely. Jack had a smug smile on his face, Jorrie looked pissed.

Bridget sighed, “Okay, look, guys, I’m really sorry I didn’t have my phone. I didn’t know you were trying to reach me. Vaughn and I were—”

“Getting mated?” Jorrie interrupted with false sweetness.

I’m really in for it now,Bridget sent Vaughn,when she gets that sugar isn’t as sweet as me tone in her voice, you might as well make funeral arrangements.

Vaughn’s nostrils flared in amusement as he tried not to laugh. He was sure it wouldn’t help the situation. “Look, Jorrie,” he began in his most reasonable voice.

She held up a finger, “Donotlook Jorrie me. Now. One of you. Start talking. What the hell is mated? Is that like dragon for married? Bridget? Tell me you did not go marry this guy. Tell me you did not get married without me there.” Tears welled up in Jorrie’s eyes.

Bridget grabbed her hand. “No, no, Jorrie, you know I would never do that without you! Mating is like, a magical bond between a dragon and their partner.” She looked to Vaughn for help.

For a second, he considered sitting back and let her continue to stumble through the explanation because it was kind of cute. But he also valued breathing. He didn’t want to jeopardize that. It wasn’toverrated. He took her hands and looked into her eyes while he explained.

“A dragon bond is when a dragon and his human form, recognize their soulmate. They both love the person beyond all reason and more than anything else in the world. They put them above all others and would move heaven and earth to be with them. There’s a ritual they perform to mark them as mates, and it connects their souls in a spiritual, magical sense. Their lives are now intertwined, and if part of that connection is broken, the magical side of the other ceases to exist. Most do not survive the loss of a partner they are so closely joined.” Vaughn finished speaking and looked from Bridget to her friends. He realized the room was quiet, and everyone was staring at him.

That was beautiful,she told him.

Vaughn continued out loud for the benefit of her family. “What it means for us is that my heart recognized Bridget as the one my soul has been waiting for. I love her; I would die for her. I have waited a long time alone for her, and I will never leave her side. No one can keep us apart. She is my everything. And she loves me too. Somehow, this amazing creature loves me in return. I don’t deserve her.” He smiled at her, and she smiled back at him.

They leaned towards each other, about to kiss, when Gabe shouted, “Mushy shit! Ugh!”

Laughter bubbled up from everyone, and normal conversation started again.

Jorrie took Bridget’s hand, “I’m so sorry, sweetie. I love you so much, and I was afraid you were maybe being taken advantage of. I know Vaughn’s a good guy, but I didn’t want you to end up on an episode of DateLine. That’s how it always starts! I’m so happy for you guys. Oh my God. I’m gonna cry!”

Bridget hugged her friend and turned to Jack, who had been quiet the whole time. He had a hand over his face, and she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. “Jack?” she shook him gently.

He dropped his hand, and his eyes were full of tears. “What? Can’t a man cry in peace at the like most romantic damn thing he’s ever heard? Dammit, Bridge, that was seriously just like the most. I can’t even!” He waved his hands and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his face.

She grinned; his response was so Jack. More importantly, she could tell he was genuinely happy for her. She had been concerned about how he would feel about her moving on from Brian, but she knew Jack wanted her to be happy. They had been good friends before her marriage to his brother, and she was grateful for his continued support.

Vaughn looked a little lost and patted Jack on the shoulder in awkward support.

Bridget bit her lip; this would be good.

Jack sobbed, throwing himself in Vaughn’s arms. “Take good care of my Bridget!” he wailed, dialing up the theatrics. “She’s my best girl ever and I’m just so happy for you both. It’s amazing how two hearts can find each other this way.” He dashed some tears on Vaughn’s shirt.

Vaughn looked helplessly at Bridget and Jorrie; they stared back with sympathetic expressions.

“I just, I just,” he continued, “Want to wish you the best and all the happiness and know if you ever break her heart,” Jack’s tone suddenly turned deadly, “I’ll kill you in your sleep.” He removed the knife fromVaughn’s throat and kissed him on the cheek. He sat back, crossed his ankles and smiled sweetly, tears gone.

Vaughn sat still, trying to figure out what just happened. How the hell had Jack just pulled a knife on him without anyone in the room sensing it or intercepting. He eyed him shrewdly, deciding to roll with it. “Message received.”

Jack nodded gracefully and flicked the knife through his fingers with ease.

Marco and the others exchanged glances and wisely stayed silent.

Did you know about that?Vaughn sent Bridget.

She smirked at him.Yup. He uses that flamboyant routine to catch people off guard. Works every time. He’s not going to admit it, but Jack is quite the badass.

Vaughn eyed the man he considered his future brother-in-law with a new appreciation. He leaned over and kissed Jack firmly on the mouth. “Welcome to the family.”

Another round of laughter filled the room and once everyone was reassured, Vaughn took Bridget and Gabe to a few nearby stores to get some essentials. He insisted on replacing Gabe’s computer and school supplies immediately even though there were only two weeks of school left. Bridget tried to protest, but he was resolute on this, and she gave in quietly to make sure Gabe was taken care of.

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