“Say a prayer,” I whisper to Laken. “It’s go time.”
Laken shudders. Her hair shines like gold, and she’s donned a cobalt blue dress that only magnifies her beauty.
“Coop is singing as she walks down the aisle,” she whispers. “She didn’t want it, but I convinced her.” Tears glitter in her eyes. “We just wanted to do something extra special. And don’t worry. I’ll make sure the kids are there.” She swallows hard. “I guess we’ll know if it’s you by the dress.” She shrugs, and I give a little nod.
Laken and Logan are in on my scheme. I’m assuming Coop and Wes know, too. Logan said he’d tell Ellis for me, and I broke the news to Brody on the car ride over.
“It’s happening,” I say mostly to myself as I survey the room. “Everyone out!” I bellow, and the rest of the girls give a lazy glance my way. “I mean it. I want to talk to Messenger alone.” My eyes meet with Rory’s. “We haven’t always gotten along, but we’re on the same side now, and there are some things I want to say to her.”
Rory’s brows hike as if she were anxious to hear it. “Get out, all of you. It seems Chloe and I have business to tend to.”
The room quickly drains with Michelle butting her shoulder to mine. “Who knew you were such a kiss ass, Bishop?”
Lexy sneers my way as she tries to take a brownie, and I smack her hand away. My God, I almost let her have it.
Soon the final click of the door is heard behind me, and the air stills as Rory and I lock eyes.
Rory lifts her head a notch, the pride in her eyes unmistakable. “You’ve made your decision, haven’t you?”
Chloe laughs.She’s still trying to strike a deal with me. Tell her yes. I’ll be her little celestial bitch. I want to see where it’ll get me.
“No.” I shake my head.And that was meant for you, by the way.
Rory picks up her dress and steps forward. Her pretty pink pedicure makes her toenails look like candy.
“What this?” She eyes the brownies on my platter with a greedy grin.
“I took it from catering,” I don’t mind spilling the lie. “Logan thought you and the girls should eat.”
Rory snatches up two with each hand and shovels one into her mouth with urgency as if she hasn’t eaten for days.
“Mmm.” She rolls her eyes. “Tastes like paradise,” she says through a mouthful.
My heart begins to race just watching her. My entire body breaks out into a sweat, and I can hardly catch my breath.
Oh my God, she’s doing it,I say to Chloe.
Wow. And it was so damn easy. Death by chocolate. Let’s hope she gets a serious case of the Grim Reaper soon. I’m just itching to have my body back. You don’t think she’ll head in this direction, do you?
Once she’s a free spirit?I ask.Nope. My possession of your body was a one-off. You are marked for the lamb. Hopefully, she’ll head back to the other side, and we won’t have to think about her for the next eighty years or so.
Rory makes a face. “Fetch me some water, would you?” Her hand glides to her belly before she shoves another brownie into her mouth and quickly swallows it down.
A bottle of water in the corner catches my eye, and I quickly scoop it up.
“Oh, thank God.” She gives a hard blink. “My vision is blurry. I swear, that baby screamed in my ear all night. I told Logan to shove a pillow over its head, but he’s a glutton for punishment.” She reaches for the water bottle, and I yank it just out of reach.
Her eyes meet with mine. “Give that to me right now, Chloe. This isn’t a time to play around. I haven’t eaten all morning, and those treats aren’t setting well with me. Do you know how difficult it is to go to the bathroom in this dress?”
“I can imagine.”
She swipes for the bottle again, and her eyes bulge as she examines me in this new light.
A horrific cry rips from her as she drops to her knees.
“Somebody help me,” she wails.
“I’m here, Rory,” I say. “I’m here to help you—to the other side.”
