Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 89

...and then this unicorn appeared. At first, I was a little concerned because...well, everyone knows there's no such thing as unicorns, but then my Fairy Godmother, you know, Glenda the Good Witch of the North reassured me that-"

"Elizabeth! What are you talking about?" Lucky asked, a puzzled expression on his face.

"You mean you didn't hear a word I was saying? Is that what you're trying to tell me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow to emphasize her point that she didn't like being ignored.

"Okay, you got me," he admitted. He opened his mouth to say more, but he realized that there wasn't much left to say. Or anything else that he even wanted to say. He closed his mouth and pulled his wool overcoat tighter around him, his eyes staring sightlessly as the waves rolled in Spoon Lake.

"Lucky?" Liz placed her finger under his chin and turned his head so that he faced her. "You can tell me about it. I'm here for you, baby. What happened with your mother?"

"Nothing really," he shrugged.

Liz rolled her eyes and released a long, audible sigh. "Try that with someone who doesn't know you, okay? Now, I'm only asking you this once more. What happened? Did you tell her that you...know?"

"Yeah, I told her," he said, his voice hoarse. "I didn't really get into it with her, though. I thought I would, but I just couldn't. And, after her lunch with Dawn, I'm sure she was relieved to not hear any more from me."

"What happened with her lunch with Dawn?" Liz asked, linking her arm through Lucky's. Silently, they decided to move to the edge of the dock as they waited for the launch. She and Dawn had decided that the four of them would ride to Jacks together. And as they stood on the cold, windy dock waiting for the newlyweds, Liz wished the launch would speed up just a little bit, so that they could get out of the frigid air.

Nearing the edge, they could see the light of the launch as it came closer. Watching its slow, steady pace gave Lucky the peace he needed after the emotional day he'd had. He began to speak softly, "They had words. Dawn ran out. I saw her leave as I was on my way over there. I could see that she was crying so I followed her here. She didn't really tell me what happened, but she didn't have to say anything for me to know that it was bad."

"She's good at hiding her feelings, but you read her pretty well," Liz commented, softly.

"Yeah, I guess," he shrugged again. "She's pretty blunt, you know. If she doesn't like something or someone, she lets 'em know."

"You admire her for that?" Liz asked. She released her hold on Lucky to tighten the knot of her scarf as it lay around her neck. A breeze stirred and she shivered as the cold air traveled through her coat and as she bit her lip and waited for Lucky's response.

"She's okay. Where is all this coming from, Liz?" he asked with a frown. "Is this about the video?"

"No...yes...oh, I don't know!" she muttered, her eyes downcast.

"The video is not a big deal. The dance," he shrugged, "was a dance. It was pretty technical. If you think I enjoyed it, you're wrong. I mean, it was work and-"

"Lucky, please," she said, raising her head as she placed a finger against his lips to silence him. "I believe you. I was just being silly."

"Nah, I kinda liked your silly/jealous side," he whispered, pulling her against him. He brushed her lips with his and as he raised his head, he said, "Liz, you're the one for me...and when the video comes to the end, be sure to remember that."

Lucky chuckled softly, finally able to forget the day he'd had. Liz smiled as she shook her head at him. "I'm getting the weirdest feeling that I'm not gonna like this."