Page 64 of All My Witches
“That’s my professional name,” she explained. “Bianca is my stripper name. I only strip on weekends,though.”
“Of course.” I rolled my neck. “So, can you give a little heads-up about what’s going onhere?”
“Yes, and please be specific,” Landon said. “Start with the part about us gettingmarried.”
“It’s been on the books forever,” Jan said. “You proposed during the great hotel fire last month. You were trapped in a stairwell together, running out of oxygen, and wanted to make sure that Echo knew how much you loved her. It was a glorious proposal. Everyone thoughtso.”
“Sounds fabulous,” Landon drawled. “Obviously we didn’tdie.”
“No, you were saved by a helicopter that landed on the roof at the last minute. It was very dramatic.” Jan’s smile was serene. “You accidentally fell during the flight and were missing for two weeks. Your partner found you soon after, but you had amnesia. Frankly, it’s a miracle you guys made it thisfar.”
Landon shot me a rueful look. “We manage to get through everything. Go back to the amnesia, though. Are you saying I survived a fire, fell from a helicopter, got amnesia, recovered from amnesia and we’re getting married all within amonth?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Just asking.” Landon held up his hands. “So … a wedding,huh?”
I expected him to turn tail and run, something that might occur on a sitcom rather than a soap opera. He remained where he was,though.
“I’m confused about how I can even get married,” I interjected, hoping to take the onus of the conversation off Landon’s broad shoulders. “I’m alreadymarried.”
“Right!” Landon looked relieved when I made the point. “She’s already married. She can’t do it a secondtime.”
Even though it wasn’t a convenient time, I couldn’t stop my agitation from bubbling up. “There’s no reason to get worked up. It’s not as if it’s reallyhappening.”
Landon furrowed his brow. “Are youangry?”
“Should I be? It’s a made-up world, Landon. You don’t have to act as if I’ve got scales and run away to get out of whatever is going to happen here. It’s notreal.”
“Bay … .” Landon’s expression shifted into something I couldn’t identify. “I didn’t mean it likethat.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I shook off my irritation. “Let’s just get through this.” I focused on Jan. “Tell me how it is I’m not a bigamist and I’ll start moving through thisscene.”
“You divorced Mr. Ferrigno on Witch Island six weeks ago,” Jan explained. “It was in all the newspapers. You managed to get a quickie divorce even though he would’ve contested it if he’d known. He was unhappy, but you’refree.
“You told me this story,” she continued. “Why don’t you rememberit?”
“I suffered from a bout of amnesia earlier in the day, too,” I replied. “I’m still getting overit.”
Jan looked relieved. “I’m glad to hearthat.”
“Yes, that’s the highlight of both of our days.” Landon turned to me. “What do you think we’re supposed to dohere?”
“Follow thestory.”
“And that means … getting married?” He said it with equal parts trepidation anddoubt.
“It’s a soap wedding,” I offered. “We won’t make it to the ‘I dos.’ Something will happen to interrupt the ceremony. You’ll besafe.”
“That’s not what I was getting at, Bay.” Landon’s irritation was palpable. “I simply want to know what’s about to happen. I don’t think that’s asking toomuch.”
“Of course not.” I tugged on my limited patience. “While you’re figuring out what you want to do, I’ll head to wherever it is I’m supposed to be getting ready. I’m sure there’s a bridal roomhere.”
Jan beamed. “There most definitely is. Your bridesmaids are waiting foryou.”
“Great.” I was stiff when I turned to Landon. “I’ll bet Clove and Thistle are my bridesmaids. You should go wherever Jan wants you to go, and find Sam and Marcus. I’ll see you at the altar, if you’re there. Don’t panic. I guarantee it will beinterrupted.”
Landon wrapped his fingers around my wrists to still me. “I’ll see you in a fewminutes.”
