What can only be described as a birthday present tug-of-war ensued.
“Give it back. I told Raven I wanted to give it to her another time.”
“What’s the big deal? It’s just us!”
One more pull, tug, and jiggle— and then... buzzing?
“What is...?” Josh’s voice trailed off.
“What the fuck?” Bran asked.
“Oh my God. Is that...?” Rowan’s scarlet face finally brought a dawning realization to River.
River let go of the box. Rowan fell back on the sofa by Raven. Her arms firmly cupping a very vibratey box. Her face burning, Rowan shoved the box toward Raven. “Christ, please open it so you can shut the damn thing off.” Her face was a hundred and eighty degrees of fiery red.
River glanced at the men. Josh’s shoulders were shaking in silent laughter. Bran looked— uncomfortably —interested. Hugh was staring at Rowan.
Raven got the lid off, and several highly inventive sex toys joined the party, including lubricants and oils. She stared in the box with a look of horrified wonder. “This is... this is... wow, Row. Thank y?—”
Before the thank you left his wife’s mouth, Bran was leaning over her shoulder, digging in the box. Truly, a kid in a candy store moment. Rowan looked resigned. “Holy shit Rave, this one has a remote control!”
Raven found the off button on the rogue vibrator, shooing Bran’s hands away before quickly placing the lid over the stash.
Rowan was dying, but come on, this was funny shit. “Damn, Row, been shopping the naughty stores without me?”
She gave River a ‘go to hell’ look. “Remember the sex toy party Saoirse invited us to before we went to Oklahoma— that you canceled on? Well, I went.”
“You went to a sex party?” Hugh choked on the words. Like River said earlier, it just kept getting better and better.
“Not a party to have sex. Jesus, Hugh. A party to buy sextoys,” Rowan explained. Hugh actually blushed. Priceless.
River hated Patrick wasn’t there to witness the pandemonium.
Raven stood, which took a minute, and thanked both sisters for the amazing presents. Bran especially thanked Rowan with a great deal of enthusiasm.
“Oh,” River began, “did I tell you that Saoirse is bringing her sister tonight? They swung by my house earlier. Her name is Sadhbh. She’s so great. You guys are going to love her.”
Bran asked, “What is her name again?”
“Sadhbh— SAH-eev. Speaking of the party, we better head over. I see one of the catering vans pulling up now.”
That got everyone moving. Raven took a moment to grab her and Rowan’s hands, squeezing them tight. “Thank you. For the presents, for the party, and mostly for loving me.”
“Always.” River and Rowan answered together. Rowan added, “Just please don’t tell me how the toys worked out for you and Bran.”
Laughing, the sisters walked out of Triskelion. Hand in hand in hand.
* * *
The party was perfect.All soft greens and creams. Delicate shortbread cookies, mini cakes, and tarts. Crab and artichoke dip, veg for days, mini beef Wellingtons, whiskey, and sparkling water. The guests praised the renovation and were wowed by the wolf sculpture, earning Josh even more recognition.
Sadbhb Kennedy was everything Raven had promised. Hell on heels like her sister. A history professor instead of a real estate agent, but equally passionate and ferocious. River knew the moment Josh fell in love with the petite redhead. He looked at River once eyes rounded, and mouthed,holy shit. Well, he wasn’t wrong. When you found your person, it was life-altering.
Rowan walked over to join River. “It turned out perfect. Raven is so happy.”
“It did, and she is,” River agreed, smiling. She leaned against a door frame at the edge of the room. Rowan sighed, then fidgeted, then sighed again. “What is it? Will you tell me?” River held her hand. They were always comforted by one another’s touch.
Rowan stared at Bran, slow dancing with Raven. “They’ll be completely moved in here in a few more days. They should have already been moved in. Hugh is, but Raven doesn’t want to leave us, and we’ve never discussed where we’ll live.”
