Page 8 of Lahaina Noon

Jorrie rolled her eyes and spritzed some Chanel on her neck. “Seriously, Bridge, Vaughn Drake? Some chain restaurant? No way, that man is going to wine and dine you and then hopefully have a little Bridget Ridgeway for dessert!”

“Jorrie!” Bridget said with a horrified expression. “I amnota first-date kinda girl! In fact, I’m not an any-date kinda girl!”

Jorrie looked at her with a serious face. “No one since Brian?” she asked quietly.

Bridget shook her head. “No,” she whispered.

“Honey, you used to be the life of the party. We used to have to peel you two apart all the time because you and Brian went at it like rabbits every chance you got. I understand why you took some time off, but it’s been so long. You’re a beautiful woman and you don’t even remember it. Quit second guessing and get back to that fiery red-headed siren you used to be. No wonder you have so much tension built up! You and Vaughn have been circling each other nonstop for the last six months. You want him. He wants you. You’re both consenting adults. Time to be a bad girl and let that inner slut loose, don’t you think? Brian would understand and want you to move on. Live a little. Get you some.” Jorrie smiled wickedly.

Bridget gave her some serious side-eye then her face softened. Jorrie was right. Ever since Brian had passed, she had certainly turned into a shell of her former self. She knew that Brian would encourage her tomove on as well, but it had been hard. No one had piqued her interest that way until now. She gave a soft sigh that made Jorrie grin.

Whenever she saw Vaughn, or thought about him, her insides were full of butterflies, and she grew warm in places she’d thought long dormant. She was about to respond, when she heard the doorbell. She grabbed Jorrie’s hands and squeezed hard, “OHMYGOD. He’s here!”

Something large and smelling faintly like gym socks came flying into her bedroom. Gabe stared at her in confusion. “Mom,” he said softly, “You look beautiful! But Uncle Jack said you’re going on a date? With a man?” his eyebrows quirked up.

“Well, yeah, a man, Rutabaga,” Jorrie retorted, “Who do you think she dates, Bigfoot?”

Gabe snorted at her, then looked at his mom again, “Yeah, Mom doesn’tdate. That’s the issue. And it’s about dang time!” He wrapped his arms around her. “You’re the best mom ever in the whole world, and you deserve someone who can make you happy,” he whispered.

Bridget felt her eyes tearing up as she squeezed him tightly and laid her cheek on his. He was so tall now! “Thank you, baby,” she whispered back. “You’re the best son ever.”

Jorrie leaned over and pried Gabe out of her arms. “As much as I hate to break up this Kodak moment, there is averyhot man waiting to take your momma out for the evening, and I don’t think we should keep him waiting. Also, if you mess up her makeup, I’ll kill you both,” she threatened laughingly.

Gabe stepped back, crossing his arms. “Just who is this guy anyway?” he demanded.

Jack leaned into the room, “The guy is standing in your front hallway waiting for your mom to come out and join him in the very nice Rolls Royce out front.”

Jorrie turned to look at Gabe, and they looked at Bridget. “Ooh, a Rolls!” they said in unison, then snickered at her pained expression.

Gabe gathered himself. “Well, as the man of the house, I need to meet this guy!”

Chapter 6

Bridget had a secondbout of panic before Jack shoved her evening bag into her hand and nudged her towards the previously discussed sexy red shoes.

“Relax,” he cooed reassuringly. “He’s fine. It’s not like Vaughn’s going to bite the poor kid’s head off.”

“Besides,” Jorrie added, “It’s cute that he puffed up like that, going to protect his mama; it’s really sweet.”

Bridget knew they were right. She’d been fantasizing about this man for months while they worked together on that project. She knew him to be kind and laid back. She was just super nervous and needed something besides her own weirdness to focus on. As if she’d summoned it by thinking of it, the shadow on the wall behind Jack and Jorrie started to grow. It curled like a bony finger, pointing at her accusingly. It thinned further, reaching again as if trying to separate itself from the rest of the shadow cast by the floor lamp in the corner. She hated that lamp; it resembled some metal monstrosity from the Art Deco period that Brian had loved and she had merely tolerated. He’d kept the lamp from his bachelor days, and now she couldn’t bear to partwith it. Although if it kept making creepy wall crawling shadows, that thing was going on the curb next bulk trash day.

“Bridge!” Fingers snapped in her face, and she saw a concerned look on Jack’s face.

“Earth to Bridget,” said Jorrie, “Where were you just now?”

Completely losing my mind. “Uh,” she stuttered. “Just trying not to throw up from being nervous I guess,” she finished weakly.

“Well, get out there before he thinks you’re standing him up in your own home!” Jack grabbed her and pushed her out of the room.

Bridget walked into the foyer and saw Vaughn in an immaculately tailored suit, having what seemed to be an animated conversation with Gabriel. He looked devastatingly handsome in a three-piece suit and tie. The soft waves of his raven-black hair blended into the collar of his jacket.

When her heels clicked on the tile, his eyes lifted to her, and she could swear she saw flames in them before he cleared his throat and straightened his tie. She saw his gaze roam over her figure from head to toe, lingering on the shoes before moving back up to her face. Jack had been right about them. They did wonders for her legs.

“Bridget.” He breathed in. His purely male voice made her already weak knees even weaker.

Gabriel turned to look at her with a face of sheer delight. “Mom!” he shouted, “You didn’t tell me you were going out with Vaughn Freaking Drake!”

Bridget had a moment of bemusement. “Well, I didn’t have a chance to and even if I did, I didn’t know you would know who Vaughn ‘Freaking’ Drake was.” She smiled at Vaughn and mouthed ‘Sorry’before looking back at her spawn, which was currently jumping around like a puppy.

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