The Mating Game: Big Bad Wolf(48)

Of course, Ryker had threatened Harriet with actual violence if she didn’t stop demanding a specific date that she could expect cubs.

Harriet had ignored him.

“Give me your kerchief,” she sniveled to Lem as they trailed behind the happy couple.

“I’m using it,” he said, dabbing at his eyes. “My allergies.”

“Oh, you big baby.” But then she grabbed his hand and squeezed it hard. “Aren’t they the most gorgeous couple?”

“Sure are,” Lem said, and honked into his kerchief.

As the wedding party walked up to the road, Cadence, who was Daisy’s bridesmaid, let out a cry of alarm.

“Oh, my God, your car has been vandalized!” she said.

Daisy peered at the truck. She recognized the style of graffiti. “Nope, that’s just spray-paint by Jasmine. That must be her wedding present to us.”

“Are you kidding?” Jkat called out from the crowd of shifters. “I’m sending you a bill! That’s a Jkat original!”

Daisy flashed her a grin.

“Goodbye, everybody! Thank you for the best day of my life!” she called out to them, and Ryker did a deep, dramatic bow to the crowd before opening Daisy’s door for her and helping her climb in to the truck.

As they drove away, she stuck her hands out the window and waved at the crowd behind them.

“I’m surprised your mother isn’t following us,” Daisy said, glancing in the rearview mirror to make sure.

Ryker laughed. “Are you kidding? Of course she is, she’s just too cagey to let you spot her,” he said. “To spare her the trouble, I quote unquote left out our vacation itinerary for her to find. She’s just planning on meeting us there.”

“She what?” Daisy cried out in dismay.

Ryker snorted. “Come on, Daisy, you think I didn’t anticipate this? I booked a second destination for us under a fake name. We’ve got ten parent-free days ahead of us.”

“Oh, thank God.” Daisy slumped back in her seat in relief.

“I love you, Mrs. Ryker Harrison,” he added, stroking her knee.

“Mrs. Ryker Harrison,” she mused dreamily. “It has a very nice ring to it.”




THE END