“This is my boyfriend, Gill. He was at the wedding.” Preacher sits back and tilts his head to the side. I know that pose. That crazy motherfucker is plotting something, just like I knew he would.
Gill strolls in and greets everyone. Selene gets an extra chair and sits Gill next to Preacher. She moves her plate into the new chair, and Gill sits down.
“I’m on the waiting list,” Gill announces, with a pleased smile on his face.
“Gill’s trying to get us tickets to the Beyoncé concert in Houston.” Selene wraps her arm through his and puts her cheek on his bicep. “From there, we’re gonna go to Vegas for a few days.”
“Oh,” Preacher says. “I tried to get tickets for my sister, too, but they’re sold out. How did you get on a waiting list?”
I choke on my potatoes, and Cori rubs my back.
“You okay, baby?” she asks. “Have some water.” I notice Devin narrowing his eyes at us.
“Oh, I’m in a queue,” Gill says.
“A queue?” Preacher scratches his head. “I’m clueless about those things. Can you show me your phone?”
“Uh, yeah.” Gill pulls out his phone and shows Preacher his screen. Ruby fusses and tries to take the phone. Devin makes no moves to take his daughter, so I do, and feed her the rest of her food. For the first time, I catch Cori smiling at Ruby, but when she notices me watching her, she drops the smile and scowls.
“Too late. I caught you.” I wink at her.
“So, you have to get an app?” Preacher asks, scratching his head again. I roll my eyes. He pulls out his own phone. Ruby slams her hand on the table, and Preacher pretends to jolt, and she lets out a big belly laugh. He drops both phones on the floor and jumps out of his chair to get them.
“Oops. I got some gravy on your phone, Gill. Give me a second, and I’ll go clean it off.” Preacher jogs into the kitchen.
“It’s okay, mate,” Gill says, waving his napkin around, but Preacher pretends not to hear.
He’s gone for about ten minutes, and when he returns, he hands Gill back his phone. I shake my head. The good dentist won’t know what hit him.
Seconds later, Gill’s phone buzzes.
“Oh, shoot. I have to go. There’s an emergency.” He stands and thanks the hosts.
“Oh, no,” Preacher says. “Did a kid break a bracket?”
Chapter 54
Cori
Eden says goodbye to my parents, promising to visit more often. As kids, the three of us were either here or at Eden’s house. We never hung out at Selene’s because her father would take every visit as an occasion to preach to us. It got old quickly.
I hug my best friend, walk her to the door, and watch until she gets in her car and backs out of the driveway.
I nearly collide with Selene when I turn around. She takes my elbow and pulls me into my old bedroom, which is now Ruby’s room. My bed is still there, but there’s a crib and a clutter of toys and clothes scattered about. I kick a stack of dirty laundry to the other side of the room.
“Your husband is a dummy. You should see the way he looks at you with love-colored vision.” She bats her eyes. “But now you’re looking at him the same way. Are you sure, Cori?”
“We talked, and I’m positive.” I take both her hands in mine. “I’m a happily married woman now.”
Selene looks into my eyes. I hold her stare and give her a reassuring smile. She drops my hands and pulls me into her for a hug. My eyes fill with tears, and I cry on my cousin’s shoulder.
“You know I love you,” she whispers.
“I have never doubted that. I love you, too.” She pulls away and cups my face.
“As long as you’re happy, I’m happy. I’m still gonna keep my eyes on him, though. Beat his ass again if he needs it.” I let out an unguarded laugh and hug her again.
“You’ve always had my back, but we’ve talked about it, and I’ve forgiven him. I want you and him to be friends, like we’re all friends with Ripley.”
