Page 7 of The Killer Card

Needless to say, she wasn’t even considered for the guest list. Nelly’s parents, however, were given ample amounts. She went back and forth for weeks on whether or not to invite them. It had been four years since the debacle of a wedding they’d set up with Cristian and none of them had spoken since. But they were still her parents- and Elias’ whole family would be there- so she decided to be the bigger person and send the invite.

They had declined almost immediately.

Nelly hadn’t shed a tear, not in front of any of us anyway. But when I’d spoken to her on the phone a few weeks ago there had been something… Off about her tone. She no doubt felt like she was missing out on something vital- her mother helping her get ready, her dad walking her down the aisle- but was putting on a brave face for all of us.

“I’m marrying the love of my life,” she’d said, almost too dreamily. “There’s nothing that could ruin this for me.”

So, anything for the bride, was the motto of the week.

Cristian hadn’t quite gotten the memo, or was too tired to care, because he’d been going back and forth with her all morning about the open bar at the reception. And the paparazzi. And why did it have to be that specific church in New York. Blah, blah, blah. Even Elias had given up listening to them and was now out on the lake fishing while I sit waiting for Nelly and Clara on the porch.

Through the cedar and pine, I can just make out Elias’ boat bobbing in the middle of the lake. The water would be perfectly still if not for the light breeze rippling across its surface. Having grown up in South Florida, I’m still not used to these unseasonably cool summers. The kind where you can get away with wearing boots and a cardigan in the middle of a sunny day. I think I even spot Elias shiver a little despite his pull-over.

I never took him for the fishing type- or even the outdoorsy type other than a run on the beach- but there are a lot of things I still don’t know about my friend’s fiancé. He lived a very full life before Nelly, worked his way up from being a nobody with nothing to being a literal rockstar. Now he’s a man with all the money and means to explore these little hobbies, and he’s ready to give my best friend the entire world. All she has to do is ask and that man will drop everything for her.

Unlike Cristian, Penelope has Elias wrapped around all her fingers.

“Good morning!” Clara sing songs off key as she climbs the porch steps. She pauses, glancing at the sliding door and then back to me. “What are they arguing about now?!”

I raise my coffee to my lips with a shrug. “No idea, but probably something about Cristian’s E.D.”

Clara snorts, sitting in the rocking chair next to me. “Cristian does not have E.D. And you cannot put that in your toast.”

My eyes narrow. “How would you know—”

“Bitch, I’ve known you for over ten years.”

“Then you also know I haven’t even written my speech yet.” I lift my coffee to my lips as Clara’s fall open. “Oh, come on, Clara—”

“How have you not written your speech?!”

“I’m a procrastinator—”

“You’re a lawyer-“

“I’m very busy—”

“The wedding is in five days—”

“I’ll get it done.” I roll my eyes. “God, Mom, back off.”

I don’t mean to snap at her, but my words come out sharper than I intended nonetheless. Clara recoils, folding her pink cardigan tighter around her slender frame. Through the open windows we listen to the banging of pots and pans and Cristian begging Nelly not to cook.

“For the love of God, please don’t subject us to the heartburn.”

“I cook for your dad all the time, Cristian!”

“He’s too nice to tell you it sucks!” She gasps and a cabinet slams shut.

Setting down my mug I uncross and recross my legs again. “Will your mom be flying in?”

Clara nods, blonde curls bouncing. “Yeah, she’ll be flying into New York the night before.” Clara chuckles. “I don’t think anyone is rooting for Elias and Nelly more than her. She’ll be scrolling the tabloids for days, reposting pictures.”

Doctor Christine Ramirez is a huge fan of The Island King. She’s been following him since his beginning, since we were too small to recognize his earliest hits when we heard them decades later at his club. Well, Clara knew exactly who he was, but Nelly and I needed a speed run. Of course, the moment he opened his mouth Nelly was gone. I will give my girl some credit for at least trying to keep her panties on. Elias’s voice was too powerful though. It just yanked them off and set them on fire.

The man in question docks his canoe, making his way back toward the cabin with a bright smile, the sleeves of hoodie pushed up his tattooed forearms.

“Our girl never stood a chance,” I mutter around the rim of my mug.