Fire Storm by Ally Shields Read Free Book Online

he needed to put her and their relationship first.
    “It’ll be so great after the kids come.” Claris stopped with a giggle. “I want my children to have their father around every day. Mine was away on business so much that he hardly remembered how old I was. He missed a lot of important events, including holidays and my high school graduation. I don’t think my mom thought the money was worth it. I know I didn’t. Now she’s dead, and he’s still jetting around the world.” She cocked her head at Ari. “I guess that’s why I was so sensitive when Brando was gone all the time.”
    “So, is everything ready for the big day?”
    “I think so. Your bridesmaid dress should be ready next week.”
    Ari paused in sipping her coffee. “It’s not pink, is it?” For some reason, unknown and unfathomable to Ari, her friend had wanted to coordinate their dresses and keep it a secret. She wasn’t looking forward to the unveiling, but was determined to wear whatever would make Claris happy.
    “You’ll just have to wait another week. I wasn’t going to let you see it before the rehearsal, except we need to do a final fitting. Don’t worry, you’re going to love it.”
    Ari resigned herself. It was pink. “OK. Anything else I need to do?”
    “I think most of it’s done.” Claris ticked off the list. “Church is reserved, you and I finished addressing the invitations last weekend, flowers are ordered, dresses are almost done, Brando has rented tuxes for himself and his best man.”
    “Did Steffan say yes?” Steffan was the leader of the local werewolf clan. He and Brando had become close friends over the past year.
    “He did. You know Steffan was away a lot too, working with the new werewolf coalition, but I heard the current girlfriend, Jena, is keeping him close to home, at least when she’s visiting from Minnesota.” Claris clapped a hand over her mouth and stared at Ari in horror. “OMG, speaking of visiting, how could I forget? Andreas left last night! Are you OK? Have you heard from him?”
    “I doubt if he’s landed yet.” Ari checked the large moon clock on the wall. “Could be another hour. With the time change, he might still be asleep.”
    “He’ll call. I’m betting sooner rather than later,” Claris predicted. “He’s so good about that.” She leaned on the counter, propping her chin with one hand. “Do you ever wonder what he was like before he became a vampire? The gentleman aristocrat. I bet he was something.” Claris sighed.
    “He still is. I haven’t thought too much about his human past, but I wish I was with him now to see him at his ancestral home. He’s really proud of it.”
    “Gosh, Ari, I didn’t mean to imply he wasn’t a sweetie. He’s wonderful, but I can’t help wondering what he was like before. Does that bother you?”
    “That you’re curious? Of course not. I guess it’s natural for you to think about his human years, but I don’t, because I’ve never been fully human.” She wrinkled her nose. “It’s fun to picture what his kids would have been like.”
    “Ooh, think what your kids would be like. The two of you,” Claris said. “His dark wavy hair and long lashes. Your big green eyes. And all kinds of super powers. They’d be something, all right.”
    “And drive us crazy. Good thing we’ll never have them.” Ari’s face brightened with sudden mischief. “So, while you guys have been busy planning your lives, did you pick the sex and birth date of the first child?”
    “Of course not!” Claris threw a dried sachet at her, which bounced off Ari’s arm and landed on the counter. “But we don’t intend to wait very long.”
    Ari picked it up and tossed it in a basket. “I’d better mix you up a vitex potion. It takes two or three months to build up enough in your system, but it often works to increase fertility.”
    “Way ahead of you.” Claris blushed again. “I’ve been putting some in my evening tea for the last