Page 3 of Dragon's Honor

It didn’t budge.

She frowned. She didn’t have time to deal with the weird new bangle. “We should get going.”

“Are you sure you want to wear that thing?” Olivia was still eyeing the bracelet cautiously, like it had transformed into a deadly viper or something.

Finley didn’t want to investigate the magic out of it. Nothing special ever happened to her. Aside from things that made her feel less than. The bracelet was wonderous, and it chose her. At least until it revealed itself as harmful, she didn’t want to take it off, and she didn’t want to let it go.

“It’s just a bracelet. Probably some weird technology that just hasn’t gotten popular in the U.S. yet. Let’s get going.”

* * *

Club Opal was thrivingwith bodies grinding on the dance floor to the rhythmic thumping of music blaring from strategically placed speakers. The psychedelic lights strobing and slicing across the club topped off the effect. A gaggle of Olivia’s closest friends were waiting just inside the door as they walked in, and two of them hooked arms with Olivia, dragging her toward the bar in the back.

Finley tried to keep her hands busy, not tugging and fidgeting with the dress. She liked the way she looked in it, but she still felt self-conscious. She wasn’t used to her curves on display or her boobs pushed up to her chin, though they looked extra hot.

It was her first night out in a long time and she wanted to enjoy it. Even if she did feel like she’d been dressed up as Olivia’s personal Hispanic Barbie doll for the night.

She followed after Olivia’s friends, thinking that maybe an ice-cold drink would help steady her nerves and take the edge off. Olivia was already leaning against the counter as she waved over the bartender, a tall, muscular guy with a smile that probably made most of the women in here go loopy.

The bartender leaned toward Olivia. “Hey, gorgeous. How’s tricks?”

“Just got back from Brazil. Celebrating some good news with my sister. How are you, Dominick?”

He grinned.

Dominick was a big man, rich brown skin, dark eyes. He was built more like an exotic dancer than a bartender. He wore a black button up with black pants, both of which looked tailored to pull in just the right spots to draw attention to everything he had working underneath.

He didn’t even ask what we wanted; he just started pouring drinks and passing them around while he and Olivia caught up.

Finley watched their interaction. They were flirting heavily, but she could tell that Dominick was holding back, almost like there was something forbidden about Olivia.

With their drinks in hand, they headed to find a table to set up camp. Olivia always had to have the run of the club. She wanted to be in the heat of the dancing and the party goers. She always like to have a good time and she would have a good time with anyone. Finley, on the other hand, would’ve been just fine with a table tucked in a corner somewhere.

“What’s with you and the bartender?” she asked as they grabbed a table and set their drinks down.

“Dominick? Nothing. He’s a friend. Plus, I’m not sure my fiancé would like me flirting with anyone.”

“Your what?”

“My fiancé.” She held up her left hand were there a big, glimmering ice-skating rink of a diamond took up most of the first section of her finger.

“You weren’t wearing that earlier.”

She grinned and shook her head. “I wanted to surprise you. And you notice everything. You can tell when I cut an inch off my hair. You’re kind of a freak.”

“He proposed.”

“If by he, you mean, my love, Zac, then you would be correct.”

The sisters jumped up and down together and hugged.

“I’m so happy for you.” Then Finley put her hands on her hips. “Did he ask Dad for permission?”

Olivia shook her head, giggling like it was some kind of joke. “Nope. Dad hates Zac.”

Finley sighed. “I’m not going to help you smooth it over. Are you going to elope or are you just going to throw them in a room until they like each other or only one comes out alive?”

“Does it matter? The love of my life asked me to marry him. He doesn’t want to wait either. He wants to get married once his movie wraps.”

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