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"No," she said "It’s been four n of her, and the city’s warded even if she did come back Other than that, I don’t know"

Mallory looked at ht Whatever this was, she wasn’t done with it

"What if I can’t do happy, Merit? Ihost hunters, no supernatural dra We haven’t been thrown to the wolves by theto use us for political fodder I should be freaking thrilled Instead" She sighed, shrugged

I took her hand, squeezed it "Mal, you are the happiest person I know The brightest person--except when you were evil"

"Except for that"

"And even then, you crawled out of it So if you tell ’s off, I believe you Have you talked to the Order about it? I thought you guys were on better terms"

"They already think I’m crazy"

"Well, what about Gabriel? Maybe the Pack’s felt soo’s resident shifter alpha would have co

"I don’t even knohat I could tell hi hot and wolfy and all, but all this peace and prosperity isme antsy’?"

"Then I’m officially out of ideas"

"So you think I’ panic in her voice, as she held up a hand "Sorry I’ on me"

I put an ar to be fine, Mallory Everything is going to be fine I’ to have a wonderful week in Paris"

"You’re right I know you’re right" She shook out her hands, her shoulders, obviously trying to loosen up "What’s going to happen is going to happen, and there’s no point in worrying about it now Let’s just have fun"

"Let’s just have fun," I agreed, and clinked ainst hers

Because, paranoid or not, the other shoe was bound to drop It always did

• • •

"All right, ladies!" Lindsey said, standing on a chair in her bare feet, ringing her glass with a spoon When the crowd quieted, she glanced around the rooht’s Bachelorettetravaganza!"