Page 10 of SEAL the Deal
“The fuck! How you figure that?” snapped Rick.
“I recommended the vet. Even said she was pretty.”
TJ finished stretching and sat on a bench seat. “That’s true.”
“Well, what about selection?” asked Rick.
“That was TJ’s idea.”
Rick frowned. “Yeah, well it was my element that let you SEAL the deal,” he said accenting the words with his fingers.
Mike laughed. “Guys, I could never choose between you. You’re all family. Plus, it was actually Axe who brought Ali and me together.”
TJ grunted. “He’s right, but you can’t have a dog as your best man.”
“True, and that’s why I’ve asked my brother, Dean.”
Rick frowned. “What the hell? I thought you were an only child?”
“That’s because you’re the world’s worst listener. You’re only interested in tits and ass,” said Ernie.
“That’s not true.”
“Really? What’s the Chief’s wife’s name?”
He frowned. “That’s not fair. We never see her.”
“Emily. Her name is Emily,” answered Mike.
He shrugged. “I knew that.”
TJ rose from the bench. “Rick, Mike and Ali want a low key event. We will respect that.”
Rick scowled as he nodded. “Yeah, got it.”
“Right,” TJ continued. “Let’s get back to work. We’re running mask drills in the kill house.”
* * *
Leonie’s squeal of delight filled the café turning heads and earning a scowl from an elderly woman reading a paper. “Ali, it’s freaking beautiful.”
She blushed as her sister clutched her hand, inspecting the engagement ring.
“Holy shit! He must have dropped a bomb on this.”
Her sister, a blonde middle-aged mother of two had a real way with words. Ali’s father always accused her of having a mouth dirtier than a railway worker’s coveralls.
“And you said he proposed on a glacier with a violinist and a bottle of Dom?”
Ali smiled. “Yes, he did. It was the most romantic thing I’ve ever experienced.”
“That’s panty dropping right there. I’m wet just thinking about it.”
She giggled. “Leonie!”
Her sister took a sip from her coffee. “That boy’s a goddamn dreamboat.” Her eyes shone as she smiled. “I am so happy for you.” She lowered the cup to the table. “OK, so let’s talk wedding. When you were little, you always wanted the whole nine yards: unicorns, carriages, doves, an orchestra and white lace. Yards and yards of white lace.”
“Oh, that’s right, I remember. No, Mike and I have agreed on a small intimate affair. I’m thinking one of the vineyards out near Swartz Canyon.”
