Page 44 of Jackal

“It’s like a dog marking his territory, I think. They all seem to put on a show for each other toclaimtheir women.”

Daisy grinned. “Oh, like you don’t love it, Shiv.”

My hand flew to my chest. “Moi?Ha.” I couldn’t contain my stupid grin. “Okay, maybe a little. Anyway, back to work. I will need a headcount. If he’s inviting a bunch of people I need a figure. Also, did he say what our budget was? I know he said he’s got it,” I said with air quotes, “but I need a dollar amount.”

Lacy shrugged. “He just keeps telling me to get what I want and tell him when to get his tux fitted.”

Gasping, I leaned over my binder. “He’s going with tuxedos? How dapper.”

Lacy jerked her head back, grimacing. “What, did you think he’d show up in jeans and his cut?”

“Falcon wore his cut to ours,” Daisy said. “He did wear some Dickies, though. But he looked hot.”

“I just figured these guys would be more…non-traditional. That’s all. But I can make sure we get a place for tuxes lined up. I need to know how many groomsmen.”

“Probably the officers. Oh, and his dad wanted a tux.”

I made notes to price tux rentals, then another to schedule fittings, then finally pickup. “We are coming right along. Now, we need to get showings scheduled for the venues so we can lock in a date. Then we can do dress and cake shopping. But we need a date before we can do much more.”

Lacy and Daisy both tipped back their drinks.

Sighing, I said, “I’ll talk to Jackal. This is ridiculous. We gotta get this going.”

“You think they’ll hold us up? Because of whatever is happening?” Lacy asked. “Maybe I should just do the courthouse, and we can plan a reception later.”

Daisy grabbed her hand. “No. We’ll work this out. Shiv’s right. They can’t keep us here forever. I love you both, but I actually miss work. I miss different walls. I’d settle for a ride at this point.”

Lacy’s lips thinned. “I’m bored, too. But if I learned anything, it was best to trust them.”

“I believe them. I know something is awry. But I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. When it’s my time, it’s my time. But I’ve been sheltered my whole life. I didn’t stay here in Georgia to be trapped in a smelly old clubhouse.”

“You were desperate to visit the clubhouse when you first got here,” Lacy said.

“I was. And I have. It’s fun. Until it’s not. I just hope I hear about a job soon. I’m going stir crazy here.”

“You’ll get an offer. They’d be crazy not to,” Daisy said as she flipped the page of one the bridal magazines.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence. But I have very little experience, just a lot of education.”

“You’ll find something, Shiv. I’ve been thinking about going to college,” Lacy said.

I smiled wide. “Oh, that’s great. What do you think you want to go for?”

She shrugged. “I love hair and makeup stuff. So I was kinda thinking cosmetology would be fun.”

“I love that idea! Stylists are always in demand. My hair is too picky to let just anyone mess with it,” I told her.

Daisy nodded. “You can totally practice on me. Just don’t cut it too short. There’s a line where if you go too short, you have to style it. I’ve gotten lazy since I put dancing behind me. Just wash and go.”

“If I can’t pull it into a ponytail, it’s too short,” I agreed.

“Really? You guys don’t think that’s silly?”

“Why is that silly? I think you should do it. Whole new woman.Getting married, learning a new skill. Maybe you can even practice makeup now with your wedding party. Well, assuming you have one.”

Lacy smacked my arm. “What do you mean? You’re my Maid of Honor, Daisy is my Matron of Honor. I’ll choose some bunnies to walk with the officers so everyone is paired up, but why would you think you weren’t included?”

Daisy’s brow cocked. “Maybe since you never asked us.”

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