Page 76 of Lahaina Noon

Applause broke out, and Jorrie decided to accept it and bowed deeply.

Jack popped the first of many bottles of champagne. “We expect you all at the wedding, but for now, drink up everyone! Tomorrow, we fly.”

Jorrie ran around Vaughn to Bridget and grabbed her friend’s hand. She looked at the ring and then up at Bridget’s happy face. She squealed in that high-pitched shriek of hers that shouldn’t be in the audible range of human hearing but somehow was. All of the dragons in the room with their super sensitive ears clapped their hands to the sides of their heads and stared at her wide-eyed.

“Hey Bridget,” called Liam, “If you don’t defeat the Shadow King, maybe Jorrie can do that and liquefy his brain!”

Jorrie pointed at Liam, motioned like she was cutting a throat and pointed at him again. The grin fell from his face, and the guys around him slapped him on the back, laughing. Jorrie turned back to Bridget. “Girl, my teeth hurt from all this sappy sweetness.” she smiled, then faltered. She whispered, “Can we go somewhere and talk? In private?”

Bridget looked at her friend in concern, Jorrie wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. She sent Vaughn,be right back!She saw him nod while he was having his ear talked off by Gabe and Bunny. She took Jorrie’s arm, and they left the banquet room, going outside under the guise of getting fresh air.

There was a lovely bench outside under some hanging bougainvillea, so they sat and breathed in the warm night. Jorrie was sitting with her hands on the edge, leaning slightly forward over her knees. She was tapping her left foot at a fast tattoo.

Bridget became concerned. This was very unlike her friend. She waited for her to speak, but she continued to sit there, tapping her toes. Finally, she couldn’t take it and grabbed her friend’s hand. “Jorrie. Talk to me. Now,” she ordered.

Jorrie looked at her. “I need to tell you something, but I don’t know how. I don’t even know if I believe it, but I promised I would tell you.” She took a deep breath. “I need a minute. Talk about something else.” She waved a hand at her.

Bridget sat back and thought, then smiled and said, “Okay, something else? You’re on, sister! So, tell me when you are going to jump the lovely, masculine, and oh-so-yummy Liam. Hmm? Don’t you wantto? What was it you told me, oh yes, climb him like a tree? I recall that’s what you told me to do with Vaughn, and here I am, bonded and engaged?”

Jorrie stared wild-eyed at her friend.

She laughed and had mercy. “I’m not saying you need to do all that, but come on, Jorr. The sexual tension wafting off you two is enough to get ten virgins pregnant. He wants you so bad, he’s ready to roast any man who comes near you. You don’t have to marry him, but you need to have sex and find out if you’re compatible. It’s exhausting watching you circle each other.”

The blonde woman nodded, her curls bouncing furiously. “I know, it’s frustrating because he doesn’t want to overstep, with you being my best friend and mated to his boss, and he’s sorta old fashioned. He wants to ‘court’ me. I just don’t know.” She looked at Bridget for guidance. “It doesn’t seem this is the time to start something, with this battle on the horizon.”

Bridget gazed softly at her best friend. She put her arm around her and leaned their heads together. “Jorrie, that’s why this is the best time. You never know what tomorrow will bring. It’s not guaranteed. Also, let me tell you, girl, it will be the best sex of your life. Two words: magic healing.”

Jorrie laughed and gave her a thumbs up. “Sold! Okay, Bridge, here’s the rest.”

Chapter 41

The following afternoon, everyonegathered in the field at Bunny’s parents’ farm. It had been a hectic morning, and Bridget hadn’t seen Jorrie. When she finally spotted her, she positively sparkled. She smiled and snuck up behind her. “So, how was it?”

Jorrie jumped and turned around. “Bridge.” Her friend smiled. “I. LOVE. YOU!”

She hugged her. “Told ya.”

Liam strolled by just then, glancing over.

Bridget grinned at him, giving him a thumbs up.

He blushed at first, then came over and dipped her over his arm, giving her a big, noisy kiss. Both ladies laughed themselves silly.

Vaughn appeared. “Excuse me, Liam? May I ask why you are kissing my future wife?” Fortunately, he was smiling, knowing they were playing.

Liam turned, smiling back at him. “Because your mate is the reason I can do this!” He grabbed Jorrie, threw her over his arm in a similar dip and kissed her deeply. Cheers and wolf whistles echoed across thefield. He slowly brought her back upright, but they continued with their kiss.

Bridget thought she was going to have to remind them to come up for air when they finally broke apart.

They stared into each other’s eyes for a moment, and he pulled on one of her curls before strutting away, whistling. Jorrie sighed with deep satisfaction and wandered the other way, humming lightly.

Your work, I assume?Vaughn asked Bridget.

She grinned.They were already heading that way. I just gave them a nudge so we could avoid the huge cloud of pheromones when we walk past them.

Vaughn laughed,so who’s next on your matchmaking radar?Just then, Gabe and Bunny strolled past, hand in hand. Vaughn wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Oh, HELL no!Bridget replied. She looked around and saw Siobhan leaning against a tree, looking sad and a little lonely. She smiled.

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