by E. L. Todd
Skye came to my rescue. “That’s normal, Trinity. Guys don’t care about these sorts of things. I know Cayson wouldn’t want to plan it with me.”
Cayson shrugged and drank his beer again.
I gave a look to Skye that said, “Thank you.”
“Well,” Trinity said. “Have you decided who your groomsmen are?”
“Cayson,” I said immediately. “We already decided that.”
“He’s your best man,” Trinity said. “Now who are your groomsmen?”
“Do I have to have any?” I asked.
“Yes.” Trinity’s eyes were wide with irritation. “Have you ever been to a wedding?”
“But Cayson is my best friend. Why can’t I just have him?” I asked seriously.
“Because you need more,” Trinity argued.
“Who are you having?”
“Skye and Silke,” she said. “I would have asked Beatrice but she messed up my brother. Forget that. Why don’t you have Conrad, Theo, and Roland?”
“Can I have my dad in there?”
Trinity looked like she wanted to rip my face off. “Do you know anything about weddings?”
“What do you think?” I snapped.
“You can’t have your dad in there.”
“Why?” I demanded. “He’s my other best friend.”
“If that’s true, why are you such a dick to him?” Trinity asked.
I shrugged. “Because I’m supposed to be a dick to him. He’s an ass to me.”
She sighed. “Slade, no. You can’t have your father. What’s wrong with the other guys?”
“Nothing,” I said. “They’re all good friends.”
“Then they’ll be in it,” Trinity said with finality.
“What about Thomas?” Skye asked.
“Oh yeah,” Trinity said. “I always forget about him.”
“Was he at our engagement party?” I asked.
“I don’t think so,” Cayson said.
“Anyway, you can have him too,” Trinity said.
“But I’m not even close with him,” Slade said. “I’d rather have my dad or my band mates.”
“No dad,” Trinity said. “But band mates are okay.”
“It’s my wedding,” I argued. “If I want my dad in there, he can be in there.”
Trinity looked like she seriously wanted to slap me.
“He’s right,” Skye whispered.
“It’s not traditional,” Trinity said.
“So?” I asked. “We’ve been fucking without being married. Who cares about tradition?”
Cayson jumped in. “I’ll talk to him, Trinity.”
She looked down and relaxed.
“How about the bachelor party?” Cayson said. “That should be fun to plan.”
My eyes widened in excitement. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
“Strip club?” he asked.
I cringed. “No, that’s just weird.”
Cayson breathed a sigh of relief. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
Trinity looked at me with a smile on her face and approval in her eyes.
“What should we do instead?” Cayson asked.
“Skydiving!” I said.
“That’d be sick,” Cayson said.
“While we’re drunk,” I added.
“Whoa…hold on,” Skye said. “Let’s not get carried away.”
“No!” I said. “Let’s climb Everest.”
“Mount Everest?” Cayson asked with a cocked eyebrow.
“Hell yeah,” I said. “That would be awesome.”
“It’s thirty thousand feet,” Cayson said.
“Well, we’ll walk slow.”
“People die on that hike,” Skye said.
“Which makes it more exciting,” I said.
“No.” Trinity silenced the conversation with just her tone. “Skydiving is okay. No hiking.”
I sighed in irritation.
“What if we just hit the beach and go surfing?” Cayson asked.
“Yeah! That’d be cool,” I said.
“We got that settled,” Cayson said.
“I approve of that bachelor party,” Trinity said.
“We’ll climb Everest some other time,” I said.
Trinity shot me a glare. “No.”
“No?” I asked. “Now that we’re getting married you’re going to boss me around?”
“I bossed you around before.”
That was true. “I’ll climb Mount Everest if I want.”
She smirked then looked away. “Fine. I guess I’ll be a widow.”
“I wouldn’t die,” I argued.
“Everest is like the most dangerous thing you can do besides being a crab catcher in Alaska,” Cayson said.
“Rumors,” I said.
“Based on fact,” Trinity hissed. “Why don’t you climb something smaller first? Then we’ll talk.”
“I guess I could go mountain climbing…” I rubbed my chin.
Trinity sighed and officially gave up. “So, we need to pick out the appetizers, and it has to be a full bar.”
“Shit, how much is this going to cost?” I asked.
“It’s a little pricey but it’ll be fine.”
“Uh, no it won’t,” I snapped. “I dropped a shitload of money on that ring. I’m broke, Trinity.”
“My dad is paying for everything,” she said. “Calm down.”
“Why does he have to pay for it?” I asked. “It’s our wedding.”
“Traditionally, the father of the bride pays for the wedding,” Cayson explained.
“Enough with the word ‘traditionally’. Trinity and I are not even remotely traditional,” I argued.
“Well, Dad offered,” Trinity said.
“So?” I snapped. “That doesn’t mean we should take his money.”
“He doesn’t mind,” she said.
“When I asked if I could marry you, I said I would take care of you. Letting him pay for our wedding doesn’t sound like I’m keeping my word.”
“Well, I’m broke too,” Trinity said. “I’m trying to start a business and I don’t have a good income right now.”
“Then let’s just go to City Hall.”
Skye covered her face like she was mortified.
Trinity looked like she was having a stroke.
Cayson rubbed his temple and groaned.
“What did I say?”
“We are not getting married at City Hall.” Trinity’s eyes were so wide they were about to pop out of her head.
“What’s the big deal?” I asked. “Isn’t it like twenty bucks?”
Trinity took a deep breath and covered her face. “I love him…I love him.”
Cayson shook his head. “Just stop talking.”
Was I missing something?
“No girl wants to get married at City Hall,” Skye said. “Don’t suggest the idea again.”
“Fine,” I said. “Let’s get married at one of the Preston estates. They have tons of space and a great landscape. We could have hundreds of people there. That cuts the cost of the venue and then we’d just have to worry about the cost of food and stuff.”
“I don’t want to get married there,” Trinity said. “I want to get married at this vineyard. Slade, you’ll love it when you see it.”
“Whether I love it or not, we can’t afford it,” I argued.
“My dad wouldn’t have offered if he didn’t want to do it,” Trinity said.
“That doesn’t matter,” I snapped. “I’m going to be your husband. I’ll provide for you.”
“Slade, it’s okay,” Trinity said. “All young couples need help when they first start out their lives together. That’s normal.”
“If we needed help, I wouldn’t have proposed. Trinity, we can do this on our own.”
“Why are you being so headstrong over this?” she demanded.
“Because it’s disrespectful to take money from your father,” I said. “Why am I the only person who thinks this?”
“Cayson, help,” Trinity pleaded.
Cayson turned to me. “Dude, it’s okay to let Mike pay for it.”
“Why?” I asked. “Would you let Sean pay for yours?”
“Yes,” he said. “Well, I’d let him pay for some of it. Knowing my dad, he’d want to pay for half.”
Trinity turned to me. “If your father offered to pay for half, would that help?”
“No,” I demanded. “I’m not taking anything from my parents. They already paid for my education and they’re giving me a shop to run. I would never have the audacity to ask them for anything.”
Trinity’s eyes softened when she looked at me. “Well, at least you appreciate them more.”
“I’m getting married so I have to be more mature,” I said. “And I feel like letting my wife’s father pay for my wedding is immature and pathetic.”
“I want to have my dream wedding,” Trinity said. “I didn’t take money from him for my business, so it’s okay if I take this.”
“No,” I snapped. “What’s more important? Having a luxurious wedding or marrying me?”
“Slade, that’s not even the issue,” she said quietly.
“Well, we’re getting married at your dad’s place then. That’s all we can afford.”
Trinity sighed in frustration. “Since when did you get so much pride?”
“Since I asked you to be my wife.” I looked her in the eye and didn’t back down. “Trinity, everything is different now. We aren’t just playing house anymore. We’re adults and we’ll figure this out together. What does it matter where we get married as long as we’re together? Plus, I want to go on a honeymoon too.”
“Dad offered to pay for that too.”
I glared at her.
“Slade, you’re making this a bigger deal than it needs to be. If he offered to buy us our first home or pay our bills, that would be different. Weddings are usually paid for by the parents.”
“I don’t care what ‘usually’ happens,” I said. “This is what we’re doing, Trinity. I’m sorry.”
Skye shifted her weight awkwardly then looked at Cayson. Cayson met her look then looked down, like he was trying to disappear. Trinity glared at me, clearly pissed she wasn’t getting her way. I didn’t care.
Skye turned to Cayson. “Don’t we have that thing?”
“Oh yeah,” Cayson said. “We should go. We’ll be late.”
Trinity and I ignored them as they left.
I closed all the magazines and the binder and put it aside.
Trinity stared at me with her claws out.
I looked her in the eye and held her gaze. “I get that you’re pissed off right now. I know you want to scream at me. I get it. But I just got you back and all I want to do is hold you and be with you. I want to lay on the couch with you on my chest. I want to make love and never stop. So, can we keep this wedding issue separate from our relationship? When we discuss the wedding, you can scream and yell at me. But when we’re done, can it just be us?”
Her eyes softened and her claws were withdrawn. “Okay.”
I didn’t expect her to agree to that. “Let’s take a bath.”
“Okay.”
***
A towel cushioned my head while I leaned back, and Trinity sat between my legs, her back pressed against my chest. The water was warm and soothing. She breathed deeply and regularly, calm in the moment. Candles illuminated the room, and the scent filled our noses.
My arms were wrapped around her slim waist. She’d lost a lot of weight in the past few months, and she couldn’t afford to lose anymore. I hoped her newly found joy would encourage her to eat more. Her arm rested on the side of the bathtub and her ring was sparkling from its own source of light. “I never want you to take off your ring.”
She stirred slightly, like she’d been sleeping. “Why would I ever remove it other than when I take a shower?”
“I don’t know. But there should never be an excuse.”
“I love it, Slade. I’ve already become so attached to it. Whenever it’s not on my finger, I feel lost.”
“When is it not on your finger?”
“When I shower.”
“Well…that’s okay.”
She chuckled lightly.
“You could just let me take it back and you can get a tattoo ring.”
“God, no,” she said. “That’s hideous.”
I extended my left hand. “You think this is ugly.”
“No, it’s hot on you. Me, not so much.”
“I think it would be hot,” I said.
“Nope. I’m a diamond and platinum type of girl.”
I kissed her bare shoulder. “Whatever my baby wants, she gets. But you should consider getting a tattoo. It would look hot on you.”
She released a sarcastic laugh. “I couldn’t pull it off.”
“Hell yeah, you could.” My hand moved to her hip. “Right here…a deadly spider.”
“Gross, no.” She shook her head. “I don’t like insects.”
“Or maybe my name…” Just the idea turned me on and I got hard.
She felt it. “You really like that idea?”
“Yeah. When you wear a bikini, it would show a little bit. Sexy as hell.”
“Then why don’t you get my name tattooed on you?”
“I will if you want me to.”
“Really?” she asked in surprise.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“It’s tacky to get a chick’s name tattooed on your arm.”
“But you aren’t a chick,” I said. “You’re my soul mate. It’s not tacky at all.”
“I guess that would be pretty hot…”
“But I have to warn you,” I said. “Once you get one, you’ll get addicted.”
“I think I’ll manage,” she said.
My hand moved to her ribs. “You can get a snake right here—a black mamba.”
“Why do you like tattoos of animals so much?”
“Because they’re badass.”
“Do you not like the way I look?” she asked quietly.
“Of course, I do,” I said immediately. “Tattoo or no tattoo, you get me going like no one else. I just thought it would be sexy. But do what you want. If you do change your mind, you have to promise me something.”
“What?” she asked.
“You have to let me ink you.”
“Will you give me a good deal?” She rubbed her ass against me playfully.
“Depends on what you do for me.”
She gripped my thighs and moved her body up. Then she took me with one single movement.
I groaned when I felt her. “God, you feel good. Everything is on the house.”
“That’s what I thought.”
***
Trinity and I just finished lunch, and now I was staring at her across the table, hypnotized by her exceptional beauty. Her green eyes reminded me of the forest, and her fair skin was pale like the moon. Every feature dazzled me. Marriage wasn’t so bad when I realized I was entitled to stare at her for the rest of my life.
“What?” she asked.
“I just like to look at you.”
Her cheeks blushed slightly, and her lips pulled up in a smile. “I like to look at you too.”
Trinity was out of my league. I knew people looked at us and wondered what she was doing with an average guy like me. I still didn’t know what the hell she was doing with me. But every time I looked at the rings on our fingers, it reminded me that she wanted me forever. Even when death took us, we would be buried together. I’d never have to worry about losing her. And that was the most amazing thing in the world.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
“How lucky I am,” I said honestly.
Her eyes softened when she looked at me. The shell of her depression was gone, and now we were back to normal. But I felt like she loved me more than she did before. Now she never took me for granted, not that she did before, and every moment with me was a gift.
I felt the same about her. “What are you thinking?”
“What changed your mind about marriage?”
I thought that was obvious. “Seeing you with Reid.”
“Oh…” The guilt flooded her face.
“I know you weren’t romantically together, but if you spent enough time with him, one day you would be. Then first kisses would happen, and then…other things. Then you would be married. He would get to have the greatest girl in the world and I would…be completely and utterly alone. That made me realize how stupid I was being. Of course I wanted to be married to you. I’m still a little scared of having kids, but we have time to figure that out.”
“I never would have been with Reid again,” she whispered. “I told him that from the beginning. I didn’t mean to make you jealous, but I guess I’m glad I did.”
“Actually, I wasn’t jealous. Just heartbroken.”
Her eyes fell in sadness. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m glad it happened.” At the time, it was scalding and bone breaking, but it brought us closer together. How could I regret something that made us stronger?
She rested her hand on mine over the table. “Everyone thought we wouldn’t last. Everyone thought this wouldn’t work out. When will they understand that we are two halves of the same soul?”
“I think people are warming up to the idea. But it doesn’t matter what they think anyway.”
“I just wish we could see eye to eye about the wedding…”
I didn’t want to talk about that. It would lead to a fight. “That’s still on pause.”
“Pause?” she asked.
“Yeah. I’m too happy with you right now.”
“Okay.” She let it go. “I need to run by the bank. You want to come?”
“Sure. Can we go home afterwards?” I liked saying the word home. Her apartment was my apartment. Our things were combined together, and what was mine was hers. I liked knowing she would always be there, and I didn’t have to go to my own place when we fought. We’d have to tough everything out together. With thoughts like these, it made me wonder why I was so against marriage to begin with. I liked the security. I liked knowing she would always be there.
“Sure.”
***
She and I walked inside then stood in line.
“What are we here for?”
“Cash a check.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Who wrote you a check?”
“You remember that dress I made a while ago? The red one?”
