Page 65 of Unseen Danger
Nevaeh winked. “You know it.” Her hands freed, she grabbed the wrapped package from under her arm. “And a shower gift.”
“Shh.” Cora’s sparkling blue eyes belied the warning. “We’re not calling it a shower, remember? Sofia and Phoenix will leave.”
Nevaeh laughed. “I forgot.” The idea of Phoenix or Sof telling someone they went to a bridal shower was enough to make Nevaeh snicker. They were no doubt both armed and would be watching all the entry points during the whole party.
“Bris and Jazz did an awesome job with the decorations for your party.” Nevaeh scanned the light blue streamers that decorated the ceiling of the living room, the balloons in the corners, and the Here Comes the Bride banner that hung at the far end of the room.
“Didn’t they? I’m so grateful.”
“Good thing Jazz volunteered to help Bris instead of me. Or you know it would’ve all ended up in red.”
Cora’s gentle laugh trickled from her lips. “That wouldn’t be the worst thing. But this does match my wedding colors better.”
“Uh-huh. And you.”
Cora acknowledged the statement with another smile, her pale blue sweater intensifying the color of her eyes. “They know me well.”
“Did I hear a compliment of our decorating job?” Jazz’s voice drew Nevaeh’s gaze to the redhead who approached with a grin. And Flash, who nuzzled his head into Nevaeh’s hand when she reached to pet him.
“You never did miss a compliment.” Nevaeh chuckled.
“A girl’s gotta boost her self-esteem somehow.”
“You boosted enough, girl.” Nevaeh gave Jazz’s tall figure an exaggerated scan from toe to head. “You’re always towering over us little people as it is.”
“Can I help it if you’re vertically challenged?” Jazz flipped a wave of hair off her shoulder in a perfect imitation of the head cheerleader they’d both had to put up with as students at Wilton High.
“I’ll give you a vertical challenge.” Nevaeh reached for Jazz, who dashed playfully out of the way.
Nevaeh grabbed again, and Jazz wrapped her in a loose hug as they laughed.
“You two.” Cora shook her head, holding the bowl away from them with an amused smile.
“I know. We never grew up.”
“You mean you never grew up.” Jazz shoved her away with a teasing grin.
“Hey,” Bris waved at them from the floral-patterned love seat, “when you two are done messing around, we have serious matters to discuss over here.”
Cora chuckled. “Make yourselves comfortable. I was just about to get plates for the snacks.”
“You shouldn’t do the work at your own party.” Jazz’s tone was friendly as her eyebrows dipped. “Remember, Bris told you that? I’ll get the plates, and you sit down and enjoy.”
“Well, all right.” Cora smiled at Jazz. “Thank you.”
Nevaeh and Cora stepped into the living room where Cora set the bowl of cheese puffs on the coffee table crowded with other snacks. She then crossed through the encircled sofa, love seat, and armchairs to reach a floral-upholstered chair that sat directly beneath the banner, clearly intended for the woman of the hour.
Nevaeh’s path to the light blue sofa where Sof sat on the close end was blocked by several dogs. First Jana, then Toby and Gaston stalled her progress as they crowded in for petting.
“Somebody’s popular today.” Sof smiled at the happy crowd.
“Hey, I’m this popular all the time.” Nevaeh sent her a grin as she gave each dog a turn of ear rubs and chin scratches.
“Yeah, that’s what we heard.” Sof’s teasing tone set off warning bells in Nevaeh’s mind as she joined her on the sofa.
She narrowed her eyes at Sof’s grin.
“Seems a certain hot bodyguard wants to see you so badly that he switched you to days.”