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James chimed in with a gif of a cowboy riding a Mustang into the sunset.
We’re staying in a fancy-ass hotel called the Bellamy. Planning on crashing the Noble-Ramos wedding. Let us know when to sync up.
Following Todd’s text was a photo of the three of them—more acquaintances than friends now that they no longer ran a social media channel together. Trick hadn’t hung out with his buddies in at least a year. Why had they crawled out of the woodwork to fly to Royal?
Not sure on timing yet. Beer tomorrow,Trick texted back. He looked over his shoulder at Rylee. He couldn’t very well explain to his friends that there would be no crashing via text message. He’d have to tell them in person.
On his channel, he’d maintained that he was filming the pregame, but he hadn’t let his fandom know that he would not be sharing any of the Noble-Ramos wedding or reception. Frankly, he hadn’t decided if he would or not. He was filming an interview with Ari and Ex tomorrow. There was an outside chance of gaining their blessing to shoot footage of their big day. Asking for permission was weird, but not in a bad way. Trick was looking forward to showing up invited rather than crashing an event where he didn’t belong.
Tonight!Rusty argued via text.
Shots, baby!James replied.
Shit to do,Trick answered the group, but he had to smile. As boneheaded as they could be, they were good guys. He hadn’t shared that he was radically changing his public content, so it wasn’t their fault they didn’t know. He texted over the address of a cantina in town and suggested that his buddies grab dinner and drinks therewithouthim.
A few texts followed with middle-finger emojis and good-natured razzing. Trick ignored them. Tomorrow, he’d straighten it out and let them know what was up.
Applause filled the room and Trick looked up to see Ari and Ex walk in. Looking every inch the celebrity in a skin-tight pale gold gown, Ari waved. Ex was in a suit and tie, sans jacket. He took a bow which elicited more applause and laughter from friends and family.
Rylee materialized at Ari’s side and directed them to a table that had been reserved for the bride and groom. She then attempted to fade into the background.
For Trick, she hadn’t faded a bit. Or maybe it was that shecouldn’tfade. Wherever he was with her, Rylee glowed like the north star, far outshining the wealthy entrepreneurs in their midst.
He knew why he was looking forward to showing up invited to this wedding. Because Rylee had been the woman to invite him. She was the main reason he was looking forward to Saturday.
Maybe the only reason.
Seventeen
Rylee was exhausted. Her feet ached. A tension headache was forming between her eyes. She was tired of smiling. She was starving. She wanted nothing more than to go back to her room, finish eating the box of chocolates and then collapse on her bed and sleep for twelve hours straight.
She regarded her watch. It was nearly 11 p.m. She’d have to settle for five or six hours of sleep.Sigh.
She’d lost Trick at some point during the evening. He’d been filming and chatting with the guests, conducting interviews like the ones Rylee had watched on his channel before. The questions were innocent, ranging from favorite flavor of ice cream, to whether the interviewee would prefer living near the ocean or in the mountains.
She’d felt his hand on her back at least one other time during the evening and that had been when he’d handed her a plate of assorted hors d’oeuvres. He must have noticed she hadn’t sampled the trays being passed around. Was there anything the man didn’t notice?
Ari and Ex were making their way to the door. Rylee was glad they had thanked Colin for the last-minute arrangement. They might be particular about their preferences, and change their minds more than any couple she’d dealt with in the past, but they were also polite and kind, and never took advantage of the people helping them.
“Rylee.” Ari smiled, a glimmering goddess in gold. “You were right about that wedding crasher. Everyone loved the interview questions. They thought Ex and I cooked them up.”
After the happy couple had been seated at their reserved table, Rylee had informed them of Trick’s plans for the rehearsal party. She’d assured them that their fans would love participating in the behind-the-scenes extras, and promised that there was nothing offside about Trick’s plans. Dee happened to overhear and had backed Rylee’s claim.
“Everything turned out great,” Ex said now. “We’ll see you and Trick tomorrow, I take it?”
“Six o’clock sharp.”
“It’ll have to be sharp. I want to get a good night’s sleep, and we’re planning on a long, hot bubble bath afterward.” Ari walked her fingers up Ex’s tie before kissing him. All Rylee could think about was how wonderful a bubble bath would feel right now.
She saw the couple out, waited until the last guest followed and then nearly collapsed. Not before thanking Colin and Corynna, who were in the kitchen faux arguing over which edible flowers tasted better. The kitchen staff was in cleaning mode, their pace moderately slower than earlier. Rylee said goodbye and thanked them collectively, and then left via the rear exit.
Outside, Trick was leaning against the door of her borrowed car, his legs crossed at the ankles, tripod on the ground, his hand on the hilt. She came to a stop as her pinky toe wailed in agony. This was the first and last time she was wearing these damn shoes.
“I thought you’d gone hours ago,” she said, wearily making her way to him.
“I left and then came back. I had an arrangement to make.”
She regarded him with suspicion. “What kind of arrangement?”
