Page 21 of A Wulver for the Week

“Oh. A nightmare. Sorry, Minnie. I... I mean, I don’t know what I was doin’ in your dream like that.” His face is conflicted—and for the first time in my life, I’m aware of something.

I know Craig is handsome, I know he’s got the gorgeous hair and the manly-man beard—but for the first time ever, I notice how Craig’s face seems to blur the longer and harder I stare.

“You can’t help how you are in someone else’s dream,” I whisper, reaching out to touch his cheek. My hand connects with soft, thick hair. Almost like fur.

His beard, dummy. That’s all.

“Was it a nightmare?” he asks, his voice almost a whisper.

“Nope. Not all.”

“Minnie, I—”

“Minerva! Your mama is about to have a conniption!” Cora’s loud voice suddenly makes me jump as a hand hammers on my door. “You missed the mimosa breakfast. If you miss the Groom’s Side vs. Bride’s Side beach volleyball game, she’s going to disown you!”

“Be right there, Cora!” I shout back.

Craig draws away, letting out a long, shuddering breath. “We’d better go. You play volleyball?”

“Badly, but I’m kinda tall.”

“I’ll play. We’ll nail ‘em!” Craig says, grabbing his beach towel and one of the complimentary water bottles in our mini fridge. He grabs several for me, too, even though I’m sure a place like this has strolling beach waiters or something.

“Sounds good, partner!” I smile.

But when he turns his back, I bite my lip and smother a moan, remembering the hazy, half-asleep passion we shared and wishing I hadn’t woken up before Red Riding Hood took a different kind of ride, one between the Big Bad Wolfman’s thighs.

I WOULD COUNT THISas one of the grandest days of my life.

Minerva playing volleyball is something I would give my life savings to watch on a daily basis. Watching her smile and laugh with her family is something I will always cherish, especially because I think I’m part of it. Without me here as her cover, her family might give her a hard time about being single.

Back in our room to dress for dinner, I call through the bathroom door, “Did anyone interrogate you about your love life?”

“Not a peep!” she shouts back. “You?”

“Between fishing, volleyball, swimming, and tug of war, no one had any breath left to bother,” I laugh, hoping my attire of pale salmon shirt and khaki pants is the right choice for tonight’s fireside luau.

“My dad is going fishing tomorrow with Barry’s dad and uncles. They’re taking out one of the resort’s chartered fishing boats while the girls in the bridal party hit the Reflections Spa. You’ll have time to actually enjoy yourself tomorrow.”

Minnie emerges from the bathroom in a palm green summer dress that stays up as if by magic. No straps. A slit that slides all the way up her thigh. Her hair is swirled up in a single golden clip.

“I’m enjoying myself right now,” I say, my eyes drinking in every inch.

“Flatterer.”

“Not at all.”

We stand close together, her eyes sliding up and down my outfit as I gaze at her. Unless I’m mistaken, our faces wear twin expressions of matching hunger.

“Want to take a walk in the moonlight after dinner?” Minnie asks suddenly, breaking the spell weaving between us.

“Absolutely.”

10: Moonlight

We’re not the only couple to wander off as the band plays classic R&B hits and the pile of skewers and bones grows higher and higher in the center of each palm-covered table. People are dancing. Kissing. Sneaking away.

Craig and Ihaveto go. It’ll look suspicious if we don’t take advantage of the romantic moonlit night on a tropical island.

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