Page 118 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“Who’sBucket?” JP waggled his eyebrows as he threw an airplane at Nia.
“Oh, right, JP hasn’t met Bucket.” Nia laughed. “Bucket is Ladybug’s new rescue.”
I put my carefully folded plane in the basket. “Why can’t I like both?”
“You can,” Nia assured me. “Double D’s being nosey.”
I got a picture of Tenzin on the beach.
Tenzin
Did you make it to Montreal okay?
Me
No international incidents. How’s the beach wedding?
Tenzin
Warm and sunny.
Me
There are animals here. Miss you.
Tenzin
Miss you too, Firecracker.
I sent a picture of myself folding airplanes. I also sent one to Cooter with the captiongoalie wedding.One day I hoped to meet him.
We were almost done when my phone buzzed.
Valya
Come back, I need to do your makeup before the welcome reception.
“Valya has summoned me. See you soon.” I waved.
The lodge lobby was full of people carrying flowers and pillars. Memories of coming here with my family hit me, one after another, as I left the lodge and walked toward the villa. My big sister thwarting my attempts to bring home an arctic fox aside, it had been a fun trip. Being here made me miss Matty and my dadsa lot.
“There you are,” Valya said as I walked into the villa. “Get dressed, then I’ll do your makeup.”
“Sure.” I entered our empty room. Outside the window, I saw some wolves running by. I took a quick look at my schedule again. There was awelcome receptionfollowed by ahockey bus,which looked like my entire night.
I was in Canada. For a wedding. Shit. I grabbed a beer out of the mini fridge and downed it. Hopefully, we were going bar hopping on that hockey bus.
Chapter Forty-One
Clark
Icame out of the bedroom and into the living room. Gwen sat on the wooden floor, holding a beer, watching the wolves play through the gigantic windows.
“What do you think?” I turned around for her, modeling the puppy onesie. At the welcome reception, everyone had grabbed a bag with their name on it, that had instructions for their evening activity. Mine had told me to put on the onesie and a red wristband, then to go to the lobby at seven. This was so exciting.
“You look adorable.” Gwen was wearing something red with black spots… oh, she was a ladybug. Of course!
“We’re being pranked, right?” Carlos came down the stairs, wearing a blue furry onesie.
