Only Trick

*

The girl who doesn’t trust men is marrying the boy who doesn’t trust women. What. Are. The. Chances?

There was no getting down on one knee and there was no ring, yet it was the most unexpected and beautiful proposal. I’m dying to tell someone. Jade is a possibility, but I know she’d never keep it to herself, and I’m not ready to tell the world. This is where that BFF since kindergarten that I never had would come in handy. Nana will find out as soon as I leave work, but it has to be in person; that’s why I can’t tell her yet.

I have to tell someone!

Me: I need to tell my BFF something. Can you be my BFF and ONLY my BFF for a few moments?

Trick: Yes, I can be your “friend” – what’s up?

Me: Last night the man that gives my heart complete purpose asked me to marry him. It was breathtakingly unexpected and utterly insane … but I said yes anyway because he’s the dream that all other dreams dream of being. Do you think I’m crazy?

Trick: Yes. But I think he’s one lucky bastard!

I text him back five heart and kiss Emojis—he doesn’t reply.

On the way to Nana’s it occurs to me that I have no idea how my father proposed to my mother. He, of course, has never talked about it and neither has Nana. I can imagine it being a big production in front of a lot of people, an expensive ring and scripted emotions. Maybe in another life I’ll be the girl who wants to marry someone just like her father, but it’s not this one.

“Hey, Nana it’s me, open up.”

The door buzzes and I bounce up the stairs with exuberance.

“Well, this is an unexpected surprise. I thought we were having lunch tomorrow.”

I hug her. “We are, but I have something to tell you and it can’t wait.”

She holds me at arm’s length, looking at me with narrowed eyes. “Rachel and your father are parting ways?”

“What? No! I mean, that would be some amazing news too, but no.”

She deflates a little and walks into her kitchen. “Wine?”

“No. I just need to say this, Nana!”

She grabs a wine glass and pours herself a generous serving of Merlot. “I’m all ears, dear.”

Warmth radiates through my body as my heart drums in my chest. “I’m getting married!”

Nana stops mid sip, swallows, and gasps. “What did you say?”

Internally, I laugh. I said those same words to Trick.

“I’m getting married. Trick proposed last night.”

“Oh, sweetie, that’s—” She hugs me.

“Crazy, insane, out of the blue, too soon, unexpected … I know, but I said yes anyway.”

“Wonderful … I was going to say wonderful.” She kisses my cheek and gestures for me to sit next to her at the table. “I assume you haven’t told your father? Or did Trick ask for his blessing.”

I snort. “No, I haven’t told anyone but you. And Trick’s still alive, so it’s safe to assume he didn’t’ ask for my father’s blessing.”

“So when are you going to tell him?”

I shrug. “I don’t know … never.”

“I hope you both have current passports because when he finds out you’re going to have to flee the country.” She wiggles her eyebrows while sipping her wine, then swallows, followed by a dreamy sigh. “But forbidden love is so romantic.”

“You make it sound so tragic.”

She grabs my left hand. “Where’s the ring?”

“He didn’t give me one. Honestly, I don’t think he planned it. It was as if in that exact moment he decided he wanted to marry me. I love that he didn’t even have to think about it; he just … knew. And I did too.”

Nana’s smile spread across her petite facial features. I’ve been waiting all day with impatient anticipation to share this with her and this is why—she’s genuinely happy for me.

“So when’s the big day going to be?”

I drum my fingers on the table. “I don’t know. I mean, one minute he’s proposing and the next we’re walking to the grocery store like any other ordinary day. We haven’t really talked about it. I don’t know if he’s thinking a month from now or a year. But it doesn’t matter. I just want to be with him. Hell, I’d go down to the Justice of Peace and marry him tomorrow.”

Truth.

I’d gamble on him and his unknown past without so much as a blink. I’m willing to say “screw it” and just figure it out as we go.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Grady, go.”

“My God you sure do try to sound important.” I shake my head, boots propped up on the counter, waiting for my next client.

“Says my swoon-worthy God of all things color. I’m shopping for suits. You never call me, what’s up?”

“I asked Darby to marry me and I think her stepmom fucked me.”

“Out, out … everyone out. This is an emergency.” Grady’s in panic mode, and everyone around him should be too. He’s unpredictable when he feels like he’s losing control over me. “Have you gone mad?”