I stood up. "Who wants to go home?"

Sam drove Zofi and Holly back to town. Belle, Mari, Alice and Naimh rode with me. The mood was subdued, but at least no longer tense.

Everyone was a bit emotionally drained, and conversation was sparse. We pretty much just listened to music the whole way back.

After dropping everyone off, I started by unloading the leftover food and drinks into my kitchen and then dumped out my suitcase to start a load of Laundry. I had just finished closing the washing machine door when I turned around and jerked in surprise to find Belle standing a few feet away.

“Shit, B. I should never have given you the key back," I muttered, holding my hand over my chest.

“Sorry!” she squeaked.

“I wasn't trying to sneak up on you.”

I waved her off, the matter already forgotten.

Without another word, she extended an arm out to me. I took her hand, and she led me over to the family room and plopped us together on the couch. She even took my left arm and wrapped it around her body before pulling her legs up beneath her and snuggling against my side with her head on my chest.

“I owe you an apology," she stated quietly.

“You already said sorry for surprising me.”

“Not that." She grimaced.

“I apologized to everyone else, but not to you."

I frowned.

“What do you have to apologize for?"

“For starting the fight last night in the first place."

“Not entirely your fault," I said diplomatically.

“Everyone was drunk and everybody said some things I'm sure they regret.”

“But I'm the one that started it."

“Well, yeah, that's probably true." I rubbed her head and sighed. "Good lord you were bombed out of your mind yesterday.”

"I blame the tequila. That stuff really sneaks up on you."

“Well it doesn't help that you don't even weigh a hundred pounds soaking wet."

“You saying I need to put some meat on these bones? Put a Little more fat into my ass and titties Like the other girls?"

“That's a Little extreme," I said, hedging.

“You just need to recognize your limit."