She snatched the bouquet from his hands and then playfully threw it at him.
“Months without seeing each other, and you start with that? Just wait, I’m going to get you back!”
Jaxen avoided her light-hearted assault, chuckling. They both headed toward the parking lot, their laughter filling the air. Katelyn lifted an eyebrow, amused by the dynamic of playful rivalry between Jaxen and Alfy.
The gloom that had settled with Langston’s death seemed to dissipate slightly.
On their way back, Katelyn had assumed Jaxen would follow them in his own car, but instead, he joined her in the backseat. Alfy, perched in the front passenger seat, playfully bared her teeth at Jaxen and warned, “Dare to call me shorty one more time, and I swear I’ll knock you out cold!”
Her demeanor was far from menacing, instead radiating playful charm.
Amusement sparkled in Jaxen’s eyes as he teased, “Time to face the facts. Shorty suits you—it’s quite endearing.”
Suddenly, a throw pillow hurtled toward Jaxen’s face.
“Ouch! Attacking your own team, are you?” Jaxen teased. With a triumphant smirk, Alfy retorted, “Be warned, next it might just be something explosive!”
Jaxen always brought out her combative side. He could be exasperatingly tease-worthy.
Katelyn observed their playful exchange with a gentle smile.
Once settled, Alfy turned towards Katelyn, her expression tinged with concern.
“I almost forgot to ask. Were you able to acquire the Spring Snow Herb you sent me to research?”
Alfy had been tasked with merely information gathering and was eager to hear about the results.
Katelyn nodded and replied, “Yes, it was somewhat challenging, but I secured it successfully.”
With the herb now in hand and hopes of Carol’s health stabilizing, they could soon move forward with her surgery. This promised to relieve a significant burden.
Alfy responded with a relieved nod, “Glad to hear that.”
She kept staring at Katelyn with a goofy smile, which led Katelyn to gently tap her forehead.
“What’s got you so dreamy after our time apart?”
Jaxen, visibly amused by Alfy’s antics, suddenly suggested, “What do you say we check out a bar later to celebrate Alfy’s arrival?”
Before Katelyn had a chance to reply, Alfy interjected, “No, I’m heading straight to sleep. You go back to where you came from.” After an over ten-hour flight, she was visibly worn out. Moreover, she was eager to reconnect with Katelyn and spend some meaningful time together.
Katelyn also felt less than enthusiastic.
“Let’s pass on that for today. Perhaps another time.”
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