A moment after the sound of ascending footsteps had faded, Amy heard a muttered,

“Hard ass.”

Amy couldn’t help but chuckle. “You know she means well, Bri. Lin would never admit it, but I know she sees me as an older sister. Her whole family has practically adopted me.”

“She has a funny way of showing it,” Bri groused.

 Her crossed arms threatened to push even more of her ample bosom than usual above the daringly low neckline of her form fitting purple dress.

By this point Kim had wandered over to pull Bri and Amy into an amiable group hug. Although Kim was tall in her own right, she still had to settle for wrapping her arm around Amy’s upper back rather than draping over a shoulder like she could for the other three.

“Hey, Lin is Lin. We all know that. That’s part of what makes her our special friend.”

Another protesting growl from Bri’s soft, pudgy midsection was soon echoed by a soft gurgling from Amy’s own stomach. Lunch really was starting to sound like a good idea.

Hmm, maybe hunger had been making it hard to focus? No, it was deeper than that. Oh well, she could think about it over a good meal. Maybe a nice big bowl of lo mein from Kai and Mei’s place.

“How about we go get something to eat? I was thinking maybe some noodles …”

A grinning Kim reached up to lock an aimable elbow around Amy’s neck.

“I’ve got a better idea. Instead of spending money we don’t need to, what say we take advantage of money we’ve already spent? No sense letting those sweet Union’s meal perks go to waste for another day. Besides, noodles should be on their menu today anyway.”

“Oh that sounds wonderful!” Bri was practically vibrating with anticipation.

“I suppose …”

Kim called out to the office, “Hey chief, you good with the three of us taking the rest of the day off and heading down to the Witch’s Union?”

“That sounds fine,” Tonya replied without looking up from her document. “I think Amy could use some relaxation. Even the best breaker in the Union needs a break every now and then. While you’re there, could you drop off some documents and check on a few things for me? It would save me the trip.”

Amy peered at Kim with as much suspicion as she could muster, “So is this going to be relaxation, or do you have some nasty Hunter training session in mind?”

Kim waved it off flippantly with her free hand, “Just a bit of weight training and some pool time for me and my Second. I’d never be so bold as to usurp Master Strongbone’s right of instruction.”

Bri bounced giddily in front of her two friends. Her hands were clasped prayerfully in front of her chin, and her eyes sparkled with brilliant stars of hope.

“’Pool time’ means the private pool, right? Please say you’ll join me and the Gents in the private pool.”

Kim gave an exasperated sound.

“Not every outing has to become a sexcapade, you little horndog.”

Bri turned her full lower lip out into a pout.

“But it’s always so much more fun when my friends are with me having fun too.”

Amy wasn’t in a mood to get drawn into this conversation. Trust her sensuality-prone friend to stir up inconvenient urges. If she couldn’t slip away to her apartment for some stress-relieving solo time on her own weight equipment, at least she could be led away to her fate with some sense of dignity.

She pulled herself out of Kim’s embrace to make her way upstairs.

“I’m going to go change and check on Jester. I’ll meet you two at the side door in about twenty minutes.”

“Wear something sexy!” Bri insisted.

Amy turned to give her friend a stern eye.

“I’m getting dressed for exercising, not a night on the town. Plus, it’s still chilly out.”

“At least put on a cute top and skirt over your exercise stuff. You never know who we might run into.”

This was seriously getting irritating. 

“We’re not running into anyone.”

Bri refused to back down.

“Well maybe we will. Let’s have Kim do a reading.”

“I don’t need a reading.”

“Well I do,” Bri huffed. “Kim?”

As if on cue, their resident cartomancer already had her oracle deck out and a card drawn.

“Here you go, my dear,” she said, her hand shining in a silvery flourish.

“Hah! Three of Cups! Party time!”

Bri took the card and held it up toward Amy in triumph.

“Something good is going to happen to you, and we’re going to be there to help you celebrate.”

“Hmpf.”

Amy wasn’t about to add anything to that proclamation. No sense taking the wind out of the sails of a friend who only wanted her to be happy.

“Have a great time, hon,” Tonya called out from the office. “Text or send a spirit if you need me.”