Part 320 (2/2)

”Mind your adjectives, Bri.” Johnno winked at Emma. ”Jagger's older.”

He lifted a brow when he heard the knock on the door. ”Ah, the call of

the gray-eyed, infatuated copper.”

”Shut up, Johnno,” Emma said pleasantly as she hurried to answer with

Conroy at her heels. ”Michael.”

”Sorry it took so long.” He dragged on the dog's collar to keep him from

leaping. ”Okay?”

”Sure.” She leaned down, the beads of her evening dress glinting, to rub

between Conroy's ears. ”We were just pa.s.sing out congratulations. Dad

and Johnno won Song of the Year.”

”No, we were just leaving.” Bev was already picking up her wrap. If

ever she'd seen a man who wanted to be alone with a woman, it was

Michael. ”There's a pot of tea in the kitchen,” she added, flicking a

glance over her shoulder to get the others moving. Before Emma could

protest, she pulled her close. ”Time's too precious to waste,” she

murmured. ”Michael.” She put her arms around him. ”Thank you,” she

said quietly. And pulling back, smiled. ”Welcome to chaos.”

They made their way out, one at a time, while a disinterested Conroy

sniffed around, then went to sleep in the corner.

”They're quite a group,” Michael stated when the door finally closed.

”No pun intended.”

”Yes, they are. You're not going to mind having dinner with the lot of

them tomorrow, are you?”

”No.” He didn't give a hang about tomorrow. Only tonight. The way she

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