“Oh, you’re going to eat, sister of my heart. Even if I have to shove it down your gullet.”
My mouth dropped open of its own accord. “Rude.”
“We don’t want you passing out, love,” Maisie said gently.
“I just wanted to run to the courthouse, get married, and be done with it all.” I speared my best friend with a look I hoped might kill. “Not make such agoddamned fuss.”
“You would regret that for the rest of your life,” she countered. “You’refuckingwelcome. Now, what do you want for breakfast?”
“Nothing,” I insisted. “I’m already dressed. I don’t want to risk spilling anything on this dress.”
“Toast it is.”
“Would you mind popping a piece in for me as well, please, love?” Maisie asked.
Cricket frowned. “Are you okay?”
“Tummy’s a bit crook, but I didn’t eat this morning, so I’m sure that’s all it is.”
Cricket shook her head. “Did you tell Hatch?”
“Hell, no,” Maisie hissed out. “I’m just a little tired and nauseous. It’s nothing. He’s got enough on his mind without worrying about my stomach issues. It’ll pass.”
The nurse in me kicked in and I took her wrist in my fingers. “Any pain radiating on your right side?”
“No.”
“Vomiting or diarrhea?”
“No. Really, love, I’m fine.”
I released her wrist. “Your pulse seems fine.”
“Because Iamfine,” Maisie pressed. “I’m sure it’s just all the stress with this Warlock business.”
“You’re just trying to distract,” Cricket admonished.
“Not if Maisie’s really sick.”
“I’m not,” she assured me.
“Are you sure you don’t want anything other than butter?” Cricket asked.
“Fuss,” I hissed, jabbing a finger at my best friend. “Fuss.”
She responded by shoving a piece of toast in my mouth. “Eat.”
I managed to finish my toast, then we rushed out the door, lest we be late.
* **
Rooster
Flea and I waited outside the courthouse, along with Hatch, Booker, and Cricket’s man, Minus. I’d met Minus several years ago, long before he’d been exiled and I’d exiled myself, and I liked him. Kate, Cricket, Minus, and I’d gone out a few times together, but our young couple’s dates and thoughts of growing up together, had been dashed by choices and circumstances we didn’t see coming.
“You doin’ okay?” Flea asked.
“Yeah, why?”
