Page 13 of Delivery After Dark
“I can’t believe you said that!” Monique said, sputtering.
“You can’t?” Oliver raised a brow in her direction. “Really?”
“Well, I believe it, but I don’t have to like it.”
“Anyway, Linc, what exactly are your intentions toward my much-loved sister-in-law?”
“I, uh… Well…”
Oliver rolled his eyes. “Articulate.”
“Leave him alone, Ollie,” Dara said.
“It’s a fair question,” Linc said. “Let me just say that I like Monique a lot. I thought about her all the time after she left, and we’ve talked a lot on the phone and by FaceTime.” He glanced at Monique, who seemed to be holding her breath. “I’m very happy she came back and that I get to spend some time with her while she’s here. You can rest easy that she’ll be very safe and well cared for with me.” He looked back at Oliver. “Okay?”
“I can live with that.”
Monique rolled her eyes at him. “Go away.”
“Your sister is rude,” he said to Dara as he helped her up.
“And you’re a pain in my ass,” Monique said.
Oliver grinned at her. “You love me.”
“It’s a good thing I do, or I might be tempted to punch your lights out.”
“Easy, killer. Don’t show Linc how crazy you are right out of the gate.”
Linc rocked with laughter.
“I apologize for my husband and sister,” Dara said to him. “If they aren’t bickering, they aren’t happy.”
“I see that,” Linc said.
“Midnight curfew,” Oliver said as they walked away. “Don’t be late.”
Monique gave him the finger.
His work there was finished.
* * *
After he’d spoken with what seemed like a hundred different people, Morgan took a seat at the bar next to Sierra.
Jace put a fresh draft beer on the bar and pushed it toward him. “On the house, my friend.”
“Thanks, Jace. Appreciate you guys opening the bar early for the reception.”
“No problem at all. We were glad to do it.”
When Jace moved on to see to other customers, Morgan turned to Sierra, taking in her spiky dark hair, multiple ear piercings and colorful sleeve tattoos that were on full display due to the tank-style top she wore that showed off some of her considerable curves. “Thanks for being there today. Meant a lot to me.”
“Oh. Sure. How’re you doing?”
“Today’s been a bit of a roller coaster. I hate the reason for this gathering, but the people on this island have restored my faith in humanity since Billy died.”
“I’m glad you’re feeling the love. It’s a special place.”
