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He called her out.
“You want to let us in on why else you called, LT? It’s not just to check in with Pixie, is it?”
Talia answer was a squeal. An actualsqueal.
Pixie blinked. “Tallie?”
“I’m getting married,” Talia shrieked.
Doug looked at Pixie and shrugged.Hewasn’t going to be the one to say, “duh”.
Pixie took up the mantle. “Uh, Tallie? Of course you are. You and Fleet are a perfect couple, and you’re, um, engaged. And weren’t you thinking about planning something small for May?”
“No, Pix!”
No?Pixie mouthed, her brows drawing together.
“I mean yes, we’re engaged, and we are getting married, but…we’re doing it this coming weekend!”
Now Pixie’s posture snapped straight. “What? This weekend? Is this really my sister?” she marveled. “Never mind. Explain.”
“Well, you know Fleet’s not the one who’s been dragging his heels. That’s been me.”
Doug felt thatnowthe “duh” he’d previously had on his tongue would be appropriate.
Talia continued. “But I’m tired of listening to him whine, and all the stars seem to have aligned for this weekend, so we’re going to do it.”
“Oh, my God,” Pixie’s voice cracked. “And what stars?” she continued, still looking confused.
“Well, Fleet’s parents, after a lot of setbacks, have finally moved into their new home down the street. Mom and Dad are leaving for a summer-long camping trip in two weeks, but are free before that. And our besties from San Antonio, Quint and his wife Corrie, are already planning to fly in on Friday. So I said ‘what the heck, why not’. The timing is right. Let’s do it. Fleet is jumping out of his skin right now with happiness.”
Doug could almost see Talia’s eyes roll at her fiancée’s enthusiasm. She wasnota hearts and flowers kind of woman, and was clearly doing this to make her man happy. So why had Doug’s chest tightened at the news?Cripes. Was he…jealous? Of their happiness?Maybe,he admitted.If what he was feeling hadn’t manifested with an edge of…disquiet, he might have written it off as heartburn.
Doug stifled a sigh.Okay. Honesty time.He couldn’t help but wonder if, with Will’s help, he and Pixie might have a future together that looked as rosy as Talia and Fleet’s. That’s what was really at the crux of his mental disturbance.
“Oh my God, Tallie,” Pixie cried, dragging his mind back to the conversation. “Where is it going to be? Who’s invited? Will it be traditional or—”
“Oh, please Pix. You know me. I’m as untraditional as they come. We’re holding it on Mason’s parent’s property, using theSWAT command bus’s steps as our podium. And no, I’m not wearing a white dress. I was thinking my turn-out gear—”
“Not on your life, Tallie,” Pixie cut in, laughing but appalled at the same time. “I’ll give in to you using the farm and the bus, but you willnotbe all swatted up for this.”
“No shit, Sherlock,” Talia replied. “Teasing, Pix.”
“Damn. You got me.” Pixie’s fit of giggles had her breasts jiggling under Doug’s shirt, and he found himself mesmerized as the material shifted across her chest.Damn. What would her breasts look like? He imagined bountiful handfuls, tipped with a sweet pink.
Ah, hell.Doug shook himself. Had there ever been a time he’d imagined tits without gagging?Nope. Never. Which was cause for amazement. He didn’t feel the least bit nauseous. Maybe, just maybe, he was moving on without the help of psychedelics? Not that he could bring his brain to imagine more of Pixie, beyond those pretty orbs, but the thought that he was headed in the right direction all on his own, was heartening.
“Pix, will you be my Maid of Honor?” Talia asked.
Pixie groaned. “Damn, Tallie. My face. By Saturday, it’s going to be a mess of purple and yellow.”
“Then we’ll pick a dress to match,” Talia shot back.
“Seriously?” Pixie made a moue of displeasure.
“Again. Joking, Pix. I already discussed it with Fleet, and he has a fairly famous musician friend who uses the ‘most awesomist’ make-up artist—the musician’s words, not mine. She promises her guy can make any blemishes invisible.”
“I hate to tell you Tallie, but this is more than a blemish.”
