A/N: For those of you growing weary of this story, it is almost over.
Tara snuggled down in the over-stuffed chair, grinning at her two friends. "Finally!" she exclaimed excitedly, "We're alone. I didn't think the men were ever going to leave."
"I don't think Daryl was ready to say goodnight to Lucy," Sue defended her best friend, shooting her a soothing smile.
Lucy's eyes rolled comically, her grin splitting wide open. "She wasn't talking about my man, girlfriend. Jack is the one Bobby had to haul away."
Sue's eyes darted guiltily back to Tara, finding her barely suppressing her giggles.
"SORRY," Tara signed, pressing her lips together for control. "It's just that Lucy is right. I think Jack would have been content to spend the rest of the evening here with us as long as he got to sit by you. He's got it bad. I've never seen him this way." She looked to Lucy for confirmation.
"I agree. It's like he's been loosed or something."
Sue blushed but enjoyed the confirming words of her friends. "What should we do first? Pedicures? Manicures? Put in a movie?" She wrinkled her nose when she got no response. "What? It's Lucy's last night to be single. We should be focusing on her, not me."
"What if it's what I want to focus on?" Lucy countered, daring her to refuse. "This week has been all about me. I'm ready to take a break, let my nerves rest, and focus on someone else. Like the way Jack devoured you with his eyes tonight while you were doing the hula."
"Oh my," Tara fanned dramatically. "I thought I was going to go up in flames just from watching him watch you." She sat forward, bouncing on the edge of her seat, "And then, when he stood up, strode to the front, swept you off the stage and disappeared with you..." She flopped back, throwing her arm across her forehead. "Wow."
Lucy's hand beat enthusiastically on the arm of Tara's chair. "I know! And to do that in front of her parents. I didn't know Jackson had it in him."
"He's certainly become less inhibited, that's for sure. I noticed when they returned, both were sporting goofy grins and Jack's hair looked a little more 'spikey'," she giggled, using her hands to indicate hair standing on end.
"Let's see," Sue continued, "We have My Best Friend's Wedding, Notting Hill, The Lakehouse, Texas Chainsaw Massacre IV." She glared at her friends who were paying her no heed. "Is anyone listening?"
"...And the little touches, when he thinks no one is watching. Those make my heart flip-flop. And to think it all started with a lick." Lucy laughed, divulging her news to Tara.
"What? Did you say a lick?" She glanced from Lucy's beaming face to Sue's flushed one. "Do tell."
Sue gave up trying to change the subject and sat back while Lucy's vivid imagination embellished each detail. Not even trying to follow the animated exchange that ensued, her mind drifted back to the luau and to a certain intense-eyed, dark haired young man who literally swept her off her feet.
"Jack!" her supposedly stern whisper was ruined by her giggle. "What are you doing?" She rolled her eyes at her obviously ridiculous question. She was being carried over her boyfriend's shoulder, away from the stage where she had been trying to follow the hula instructor. "Not that I mind the view," she chuckled, staring at his firm backside with appreciation.
Jack stopped and lithely slid her from his shoulder to cradle her in his arms. "Enjoying yourself, Thomas?"
"More and more, Hudson," she replied cheekily, her grin growing in the moonlight. She glanced around, finding them at the water's edge. "Why are we here?"
Setting her feet gently on the sand, he straightened, lazily trailing his fingertips along the underside of her arms which were clasped around his neck. Tilting his head, he pursed his lips in contemplation while his hands settled on her hips, tugging her closer.
She found his deepening color fascinating. Watching him, she realized he was struggling with his answer to her innocent question. Stretching to her tiptoes, she leaned into him and feathered her lips around his, pulling back just as she felt him shift to take the lead. "Thank you."
"Thank you?"
"For rescuing me from an uncomfortable situation. I was not enjoying myself up there, trying to follow the hula instructor. I couldn't see what she was saying and I could only see half of her motions."
"And every man's eyes were on you," he sulked grumpily, nipping at her lower lip and tugging on it gently. Trailing his lips across her cheek, he felt her smile as he played with the lobe of one ear, breathing in her uniquely sensual scent. Sighing in resignation, he lifted his head, his smile crookedly matching hers. "What? You like me being jealous?"
She shrugged self-consciously, embarrassed at her delight in the possessive glint in his eyes. "It's just nice to know that I'm not the only one with insecurities although you have nothing to worry about," she rushed to assure him. "I only have eyes for you."
"Me too," he nodded gravely before adding, "And hands. My hands are only for you too." He demonstrated by running his hands over her body, careful to keep his touch light. "And my lips," he added with a comical waggle to his brow. "My lips are all yours." His exaggerated pucker had her giggling and leaning back as he pressed forward, his intent clear.
She turned her head at the last second and his lips landed on her exposed neck. Her laughter exploded when she felt the tickling sensation of the 'raspberry' he blew there. She immediately missed his nearness when he straightened, pulled her with him, and turned them both to see who was approaching. "Hi Daddy," she smiled, glancing at Jack. "Coming to check on us?"
"Hi Honey. And no, I mean yes, well no." He stopped with a huff. "I've got myself confused," he laughed and then explained. "I wasn't worried about the two of you but I kept getting stares from your friends so I thought I might better get up and at least walk around. I don't want to ruin my reputation or anything you know," he added with a wink. "So I let them think your mom sent me to check on you.'
"Shall we come back with you, looking all chastised?" Jack wanted to know.
"That'd be good," Mr. Thomas agreed before stepping forward and signing something to Sue.
"You know he can sign don't you, Dad?"
Mr. Thomas nodded. "Yeah but I felt kind of dumb saying it out loud."
Jack and Sue both laughed, but turned to walk back toward the wedding party with Mr. Thomas trailing them, Jack running his hands through his hair to fuel the imaginations of the people waiting for their return.
Sue was brought out of her reverie by a hand on her shoulder. "So, was your father upset?"
"Huh? My father upset when?"
Tara rolled her eyes and bounced on the edge of her chair. "When he found you and Jack and dragged you back to the party. We could tell your mom sent him looking for you."
Sue hid her smile at her friend's description of the events and shrugged her shoulders. "He had something to say and once he said it, we returned," she allowed noncommittally.
"So in other words, you aren't going to tell us," snorted Lucy. "That's okay," her friend rebounded quickly. "My imagination can come up with all sorts of scenarios. So, which movie do we want to watch? Did I hear you mention Texas Chainsaw Massacre something or other?"