Page 7 of Lahaina Noon

“I know, Mom. I just hate they were so mean to you. You worked so hard for them; you didn’t deserve it! Besides, I know you shouldn’t be left unsupervised for too long.” Gabe eyed her craft room door with unease.

“Hey!” she slapped him playfully on the arm. “I’ll have you know those blankets were super comfy once you got past the lumps!” She grinned at him and was relieved to see he grinned back at her.

“I’m pretty sure Aunt Jorrie and Uncle Jack are coming over after work to commiserate with me, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to talk about the ‘bitch’.” She got up and started towards the kitchen, calling over her shoulder, “Tacos, okay?” knowing the answer was never no.

Bridget was in the kitchen shredding the last of the cheese for dinner when she heard voices at the door before the bell heralded the arrival of her squad.

“Gabe! Get the door, would you?” she called out. No reply. “Gabriel!” she called again, using her mom voice. Still no answer. Rolling her eyes, she set the grater down and walked to the door to let Jorrie and Jack in. “Sorry for the delay. Gabe must have his headphones on again. Playing in a tournament, I’m sure!”

She was enveloped in a cloud of blonde hair and squeezed within an inch of her life. “Air. Breathing. Not. Overrated!” she gasped, patting Jorrie on the back.

“Sorry, sorry!” Jorrie let her go and jumped back.

Bridget laughed; Jorrie was certainly an enthusiastic hugger.

Jack chuckled behind her and slid past, calling over his shoulder, “If you’re done assaulting the love of my life, let’s get in the kitchen. I have margaritas!”

“I thought Darren was the love of your life!” Jorrie challenged him.

“Only when he’s around!” Jack trilled as he pranced down the hall.

Bridget and Jorrie giggled and followed him back to the kitchen, where they found him bent over in the fridge.

Jorrie sighed. “You know Jack, I’ve always said that fine ass was wasted on you. Dump Darren and run away with me instead!” she reached over, pinched his butt, and ran around the island.

He squealed and gave chase, making Bridget howl with laughter.

These two truly were her best friends. She had loved Jack from the moment Brian had introduced her to his older brother. Jack had grabbed her, thrown her into a dramatic dip, and begged her to leave his brother and be with him instead. He’d kissed her soundly on the mouth before winking roguishly and giving her back to her then-boyfriend. She’d been in her junior year of high school, and this was well before he’d come out. She had laughed then as she laughed now and knew Jack was doing his best to fill up the hole in her heart left when Brian died. She really had gotten the better end of the family deal in the marriage. Jack was the brother she’d always wanted and never had.

They had met Jorrie in college and the four had quickly become inseparable. They studied hard, partied harder, and had memorable trips together. They had all been each other’s shoulders to cry on. Jorrie had been her maid-of-honor at her wedding, although Jack had campaigned hard for the honor. He had resigned himself to being best man for his brother instead. Jorrie had been her other rock when Brian had passed.

Jorrie walked out of the kitchen, calling out, “Gonna let the Rutabaga know dinner is ready,” as she walked to Gabe’s room. There were a few blissful seconds of quiet then shouting as Jorrie no doubt pounced him, probably tickling him mercilessly. Thank goodness her best friend and the love of her life got along so well. They had a special bond and were always trying to get one over on the other.

“Aunt Jorrie’s trying to kill me!” he shrieked from his room.

“Okay, as long as there’s no forensics to prove it. Dinner’s ready!” she called back.

“Rutabaga.” Jack mused. “I’ve never understood why she calls him that.”

“To annoy him.” She turned to Jack to ask him to set the table when she saw his face had lit up with alarm.

He looked at the clock, then back at her. “Girl! It’s almost seven!” he said in a panic. “You don’t have your face made up, your hair is still in a pony, and I’m sure you haven’t dusted off anything to wear!” He ran to her bedroom like his ass was on fire.

She followed slowly. “Aren’t you forgetting something? Vaughn doesn’t know where I live; how is he supposed to pick me up? I’msure it was just a pity ask. He probably got outside and thought, thank goodness I don’t have to deal with her anymore,” she said ruefully.

Jack stared at her as if she’d suddenly started speaking in tongues. “Honey,” he started slowly. “That man most certainly wants a piece of you. He asked me all kinds of questions about you during the project. Things that weren’t related to work. He’s interested in more than a business deal. Also, he absolutely has your address. He sweet-talked me into giving it to him two weeks ago. Even if he didn’t, he’s Vaughn Drake! He knows everything about everyone! He’s got a lot of information easily at his fingertips. He knewwhere you lived. I didn’t tell you before because I didn’t want you to get in your own head. Now, I’m telling you this because I love you, but go get your perky butt in the shower and do something with that hair! I’m going to pick out your outfit.”

He turned towards the closet, then back, reaching over and gently pushing her mouth closed. “Shower. Now!” he clapped, shaking her out of her stupor.

She turned and rushed to the bathroom without even thinking it through.

“Squee!” Jorrie squeaked in an octave that shouldn’t be heard by humans.

Bridget removed her hands from her ears, sure she could hear the neighbor’s dog barking.Then again, she thought,that doofus barks if the wind blows too hard.

“You look ah-mazing!” her friend sighed. “That man is going to swallow his tongue when he sees you. Who knew you were hiding such a hottie under those baggy clothes!”

Bridget wasn’t so sure about that. “Are you sure about this outfit? It seems a little… revealing,” she muttered, trying to pull up the neckline and then had to pull down the hemline. “What if he just wants to go to Chili’s? I feel really overdressed.” she fretted.

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