Page 120 of Used

“Nice.” Looking in the box, he starts to reach inside and I tap his hand. “Hey.”

“There’s something else.”

“Yes, I know. Give me a second.” I fold the veil carefully and set it inside the box’s lid. From the box, I remove a card and something heavy that’s wrapped in tissue paper. Pulling off the paper, I find a pistol. “Oh, my God.”

Glancing at Trick, I find him frowning.

“I was gonna get you a gun myself, which ‘Vil knows.”

“That’s… thoughtful of him, but don’t you have enough guns for both of us?”

“Obviously not if you and Rachel only had one gun between you the other night.”

Oh, boy, I think. Opening the card, I find there are messages in two different handwriting. One person, Rachel apparently, wrote the words ‘Thank you.’ The other wrote a date and the words, ‘Buy-in Paid.’

I laugh.

“What?” Trick asks suspiciously.

Laughing harder, I slide the card to him.

“Asshole,” he says, rolling his eyes.

“What if—?” I pause.

“What?”

“What if we ask them if they want to get married at St. Mary’s when we do? Rachel didn’t get married in a church, and I think she’d like to. I get the impression she doesn’t feel comfortable asking for another wedding.”

“They’re both hardcore introverts. It would be the same five people there for them, and this time one would be a groom.”

“She has the production company people now, right? And some friends from school I’m sure. She wouldn’t have invited them when she eloped but she could this time. And we’ll have plenty of people.”

“They’ve been married almost a year.”

“Do most people even know that? I didn’t.”

He shrugs. “It’s your day, babe. Do whatever you want.”

“Good. I will.”

He smiles and gives me a quick kiss. “It’s a sweet gesture. I appreciate it.” Then he takes out his phone and starts searching the net.

“What are you doing?”

“Registering for that poker tournament.”

“You’re going to play against me in a public game?”

“Definitely. I’m gonna take ‘Vil’s money.”

I sigh and pack my presents back in the box.

“Hey,” he says as I start to walk out.

“Yes?”

“I’ll take a kiss.”