Page 32 of Jag

Sami told the story how Carly and Crusher met, and I smiled when she said that he patiently outlasted her prickly friend.

They shared funny stories about Ally and Neely. I never laughed so much in my life. I wiped under my eyes and was glad I put on the waterproof mascara, or it would have been smeared across my face.

“So, are you going to tell us how yesterday went with Jag?” Luna asked, and I glanced over at her.

“Why would you think I spent the day with Dom?” I asked.

“Because I was at the gym helping Ghost load the computer programs they will need when Coast came in and said Jag was spending the day with you if anyone needed him. And duh, you were riding on the back of his bike when he rode past.”

“Oh, yeah. It was nice,” I answered Luna’s original question.

“Just nice?” Sami asked.

“Well...” I didn’t get to finish when Luna cut me off.

“Did you two douse some of those flames?” Luna asked.

“Luna!” Bailey chastised.

“Like none of you are curious. The man has been grouchy since I’ve known him. When he came back into the bar the other day, after he followed River out, it was like he had a personality change. I mean you guys told me he wasn’t himself, but I’d never seen him act any other way. And the first time I saw River and Jag interact was in front of Yoga Sensual, and let me tell ya, I’m surprised Ghost and I didn’t have to hose the two of them down. As they spoke to each other sparks were flying off them,” Luna commented and looked at the others as if to see if either of them would dispute her.

“Well, his bike was in front of his place this morning, so I’m going to answer and say they didn’t do the deed. ‘Cause not that I know anything about Jag’s umm...prowess, but if he’s anything like Crusher, no way would he have been home,” Carly spoke up as she continued to watch the road.

“River, you don’t have to tell them anything other than to mind their own business. But they are nosey and will continue to hound you,” Sami said, and Bailey agreed.

“Aren’t you two the queens of what is polite,” Carly said.

“Better than the queen of no tact!” Sami shot back. I watched as the two women went back and forth with insults.

“Please, have pity for us. Those two can keep that up for hours, and if you at least tell us what non-getting-naked activities the two of you did, it will shut them up,” Luna said, and I laughed at her pout and the puppy dog eyes Bailey turned on me for added effect.

“Fine,” I said, rolled my eyes, and began sharing how Dom and I shared the day. When I finished, we were pulling into a parking space at one end of the mall.

“Ahhhh,” all four women said.

“I didn’t know any of them knew how to be romantic,” Carly said, then added. “They are more like I imagine a caveman to be romantic. Hit you over the head, kill something for you to eat, then kiss you until you give in.”

I laughed with the others as we looked to make sure nothing was coming as we crossed to the sidewalk in front of the mall entrance. We only had to wait until the one car that was close passed. When we reached the sidewalk, Carly was still watching the car that had driven past.

“What’s up?” Sami asked.

“Just weird. That car looked like the same one parked on the street across from Sue’s house,” Carly said and frowned.

“Are you getting back into deputy mode?” Bailey asked.

“There are hundreds of those cars around, but it is strange because that one has the same scuff mark over the passenger side rear tire well. Like they got too close to something and before they realized it, they scraped the side,” Carly said, then turned and pulled the mall door open.

“Well, they’re gone now. What do think about going down one side of the mall, then we can go to the food court and have lunch before hitting the other side?” Luna said as the five of us walked inside.

“Good grief, can’t go anywhere with you guys if you aren’t thinking of food,” Carly said and shook her head.

“Hey, eating for three,” Luna answered.

“I’m not eating for three, but I am thrilled to eat and have it stay down,” Sami added.

“I stay hungry. I’m going to weight three hundred pounds before this pregnancy is over,” Bailey commented.

Carly hooked her arm through mine. “Let’s get them waddling along, River, because I don’t think they’ll wait for us to reach the food court. They will stop at every store on the way that has food. Cookies, pretzels, and then drinks, which brings us to locating the nearest restroom.” I chuckled when Luna, Sami, and Bailey flipped Carly as they passed us.

---