Page 6 of Lahaina Noon

“Superior Payne in the ass,” muttered Jack while Jorrie snorted a quiet laugh.

“Yes, no matter how nasty she was, I shouldn’t have sunk to her level. I’m so sorry that the deal fell through. I was really looking forward to working with you. With your company, I mean. I know it would havebeen beneficial for all of us. I don’t know how she got ahead of us like that, but again, my sincerest apologies for how that played out. I wish I could make it right somehow, but I’m no longer employed.”

Turning to her friends, she continued, “I need to go home and sort out what’s next in my life if you all don’t mind.” she sighed, looking around the office one more time. She heard a little grumble that seemed to have come from Vaughn.Did he just growl,she thought as she turned, studying him closely.

His eyes flashed, and his mouth turned up in a sinful smile. “Okay, Ms. Ridgeway, if you truly want to make it up to me, I must insist you join me this evening. You want to skip lunch? That’s fine; I understand this has come as a shock to you. I’ll pick you up for dinner at 7:00 p.m. and we can go from there. See where the evening takes us? I think I can help you out, and I know you can help me.” He reached over her shoulder and ran his hand slowly down her ponytail as she nodded, without fully understanding what she was agreeing to. “Yes,” he continued, “You have just the amount of fire I need; see you tonight?” He winked and turned around, walking down the hall.

Bridget let out her breath in a whoosh.What. The. Actual. Hell?She turned towards Jack and Jorrie, a dumbfounded expression contorting her features.

“Did he just, did I just, did he just ask me out? Like, out, out? On a date out?” she sputtered. The disbelief in her tone made her voice rise a full octave.

Jorrie’s wide eyes told her she wasn’t wrong. “Holy shit Bridge! Hotness finally asked you out! And he one hundred million percentwants you, the way he touched your hair?” Jorrie squealed, jumping up and down, her curls flying everywhere.

“Slow down there, Jumping Jack Flash!” said Jack, putting his hand on top of Jorrie’s head to calm her before she head-butted him in her excitement. Confusion briefly clouded his eyes before they cleared and lit up.

“Girl!He so totally asked you out, hot damn, it’s about time! What are you going to wear? Please tell me you still have those killer red do-me pumps.” He mimicked, showing off a little leg. “Those things scream sex appeal. They would be perfect with that red and black dress you have in the back of the rack. You’re so getting laid!”

Jorrie looked at Jack, “How do you know about that?” she laughed.

“Brother privileges,” he said airily.

Bridget laughed, “Okay, y’all are crazy, and I love you, but I need to get out of here now before the Major calls security.” She glanced down the hall and saw the witch staring at her, tapping the toe of her leather pumps in irritation.

“Yeah, she’s out there. I’m going home; I have to figure out what to do with my life. Maybe I’ll just wallow in self-pity and become a bog witch. It’s always been my heart’s desire. Anyway, I love you both; get out of here before she comes after you, too.” She kissed them on the cheeks, smiling.

“She’s got nothing on me.” Jorrie sniffed. “Let her try. I’ll show her what’s up.”

Jack laughed. “Okay, fine, but I’m coming over after work. We are going to go through that closet and find something amazing for you to wear.”

A look of confusion suddenly moved across Bridget’s face. “Wait, he said he would pick me up at seven? He didn’t ask me where I live!”

Chapter 5

Bridget was comfortably ensconcedin her favorite ratty t-shirt and shorts, a glass of wine in hand, watching TV when Gabriel walked in the door. “Honey, I’m home!” she called out in anticipation of his confusion. She heard the thump of his backpack and the slap of his oversized feet on the tile as he ran to the living room.

“Mom?” he asked slowly and quietly, as if she was some figment of his imagination. He looked like he was afraid she would disappear if he breathed too hard. “Why are you home? Are you okay? Are you sick? Are you hurt? Do I need to call Uncle Jack? Or Aunt Jorrie? Mom!”

He rushed over, flinging out his words rapid fire. He patted her shoulders to reassure himself she was in one piece.

“Calm down, baby,” she laughed softly, touched by his concern, “I’m fine, absolutely fine, never better, in fact.” She saluted him with her wine glass.

“But why are you home before six and already into the wine?” he asked suspiciously.

Pfft, already, she thought as if she did it so often. Okay, so maybe she did have a glass after a hard day at work. Maybetwo. And yeah, most days were ‘hard’ if she really thought about it. Okay every day was hard when working for Major Payne. Speaking of, “Well baby, I’m not working anymore.” She watched his face for signs of alarm or concern, maybe even a little panic. She had been trying to decide how to break the news since she finished her crying jag in the driveway.

He completely surprised her, breaking into a giant grin and shouting, “Hell yeah! It’s about time you dumped those jackasses!”

She sat up quickly, “Gabriel Patrick Ridgeway!” she snapped. Nothing said you mean business like using a full name. “Language, young man!”

He laughed at her fury. “Sorry, Mom, but you know you hated working for Major Payne in the Ass!” He danced backwards out of her reach.

“Where did you hear that name?” she demanded, then smacked her forehead “Uncle Jack. I should have known. He’s behind this, isn’t he? Well, regardless, I didn’t dump their asses, they dumped mine. Major Payne surprised me today at my presentation and made a fool out of me. She did it in front of an audience because that’s how she rolls.” Bridget watched her son’s face darken with anger.

“That bitch!” he grumbled. “Sorry, Mom, I knowlanguage, but come on! You know I’m right! Where was Uncle Jack? Why didn’t he do anything?” he demanded with the injustice of a teenager who knew life had been more than a little unfair to him. Losing his father at a young age was certainly a battle his peers had not fought.

What a sweet boy being so outraged on her behalf. “Uncle Jack was there, honey, but there wasn’t much he could do. He doesn’t work there. If it makes you feel better, I did have to talk him and Aunt Jorrieout of slashing her tires in the parking lot.” She ruffled his hair in the way she knew he hated, but she had done since he was little. It was a sign of how upset he was that he didn’t lean away.

“Honey, you know we are going to be okay. We still have plenty of money left over from the settlement fund. I really don’t need to work right away, but you know I hate being in the house all day,” she reminded him.

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