“Loki has come to apologize,” Isa explained.
Oh, right. She’d actually completely forgot about that encounter. The flowers were placed on the porch and then Loki stared up at her pleadingly. His hands were in the prayer position.
“Please, wonderful, lovely, beautiful Georgina, won’t you forgive Loki?”
“We’ve all told him off,” Isa told her. “Even Juliet.”
She gave Juliet a surprised look then turned to Loki. “It’s okay, Loki. I forgive you. As long as you promise not to do that again.”
“I won’t, kind lady.” Suddenly, he stood and she was enveloped in a hug so tight she couldn’t breathe.
“What is going on? Loki, let her go now!” Ed barked.
Loki let her down and then she was drawn back against Ed’s chest, his arms wrapped around her front. “Mine. No touching.”
“Ed!” She went bright red. “You’re embarrassing me.”
Loki nodded. “I understand, sheriff. Hands off. Loki is going to leave now. Lady, I owe you a favor. Loki always pays his favor.”
He paused as though waiting for something.
“Um, okay, thanks.”
It seemed to be enough of a reply for Loki as he nodded and then took off.
Kiesha shut the door behind him then grabbed her hand. “Shoo, Ed. Girl time.”
Well, there hadn’t been much point in brewing coffee she realized fifteen minutes later once Kiesha had poured everyone a glass of bubbles. Except for Isa, who was driving. And Juliet, who had club soda instead.
“Cheers!” Kiesha cried.
They all had several sips. Georgie wasn’t used to drinking and she definitely wasn’t used to drinking this early, but she went with it.
Cleo raided Ed’s cupboards. “Damn, the sheriff doesn’t
believe in junk food, does he?”
“That’s why I came prepared!” Kiesha drew a bag of double-chocolate cookies out of her handbag. Soon they were all eating, drinking and giggling at Cleo’s stories about O’Ryan.
“All right, let’s cut to the chase.” Kiesha leaned forward to stare at Georgina.
Georgie was already on her second glass of wine and had a nice buzz going. So she leaned forward too. “Okay.”
“Have you and Ed done the nasty?”
She blushed. “Umm, that’s a bit personal isn’t it?”
Is this what friends spoke about? Maybe it was. What did she really know?
“Come on, you can tell us. Lips sealed.”
“Kiesha,” Isa said warningly.
“No, we haven’t.” Was that weird?
“Damn it.” Kiesha slammed her fist down on the table, rattling Juliet’s glass. “I lost the bet.”
What bet? Wait, was that why she was asking? Because they were betting on . . .