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“Why?” The first wrinkle of frustration appeared on his brow.
“Because I am a planner. I love planning. Planning makes me feel safe.”
“Plans are not guaranteed,” he pointed out. “You had plans with Louis. Those fell through. What good did your plans do then?”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
Because Louis had told her that he loved her. He’d proposed. They’d had an engagement party and had met with vendors and caterers and photographers. Trick couldn’t bear to stay in her hotel room last night after sex, and now he thought their relationship would simply work itself out? Ludicrous.
“We don’t have time for this. Ari and Ex are waiting. Like it or not, you made a commitment, Trick. One you’re late for because you decided to show your out-of-town friends a spur-of-the-moment good time. But then, they’re probably allergic to plans, too, aren’t they?”
Rylee and Trick arrived at the Silver Saddle five minutes later. Ari and Ex were sitting at a wide round table in the corner, with what looked like one of every appetizer spread out in front of them. They offered to share, saying that the chef had given them the spread for no charge as a wedding gift.
Trick dug in, laughing and joking as if he and Rylee hadn’t just argued about their future together. She watched the interaction through narrowed eyes. How was it that he got away with absolutely everything? He crashed a wedding and the guests and couple fell in love with him. He barged into town, his sights set on the Noble-Ramos wedding and their wedding planner invites him to record the festivities.
It hadn’t taken much more than a peach Bellini and a smile for her invite him into her bed. He’d had Dee and Tripp, Rylee and her mother, and now Ari and Ex eating out of his hands.
He was also notoriously generous. He left envelopes full of money as wedding gifts—okay, fine, she believed he did it anonymously—changed tires for stranded couriers, and turned complete strangers into fast friends. He was confounding.
Trick set up his tripod and camera while chatting with Ari and Ex about the questions he was planning to ask them. He advised them not to worry, that this wasn’t a live feed and they could yell “cut!” and start over if they needed to.
After Ari took a sip from her glass of rosé, she tilted her head. “I have to admit, Trick, we weren’t sure your intentions were pure. If it hadn’t been for Rylee, you’d have been kicked out of the TCC the moment we spotted you.”
“Out of the great state of Texas,” Xavier corrected with a smile.
“I owe a lot to her.” Trick looked Rylee’s way and she plastered on a smile for the sake of Ari and Ex. They didn’t need to know about the drama going on behind the scenes. As far as they were concerned, there was no issue with the gold flatware or between Rylee and Trick.
“I have a question before we start.” Ari leaned in. “It’s been eating me up inside.”
Trick mirrored her position, leaning forward as well. “I’m all ears.”
“Why weddings? Why interlope on a stranger’s happiest day? I don’t ask out of malice, just curiosity.”
Trick nodded slowly. “I know it might appear that I’m there wreaking havoc.” He waved his hands in front of him to illustrate. “The truth is, I’m a romantic at heart. I’m there to capture the moments that go unnoticed. Everyone films and photographs the dancing, the cake, the bouquet toss. What about grandma crumbling her napkin in her fist as she remembers her own wedding sixty years ago? What about the first time an aunt holds her newborn niece? Lots of unexpected—” he slid his gaze to Rylee “—andunplannedmoments happen at the wedding reception. Those are what make each wedding unique.”
“That’s so true.” Ari, and now Ex were hanging onto Trick’s every word. Rylee knew that he was speaking from the heart, which made it that much more annoying to hear. “I’m so glad we invited you to ours. Will you be catching those small moments on film?”
“I’m under strict orders not to film the wedding or the reception. Unless you override your wedding planner, my hands are tied.” Trick’s affable manner was boiling Rylee’s blood.
“What about your friends who crash weddings with you?” Rylee snapped. “Would you like to explain to Ari and Ex why they showed up this morning, howling about how they couldn’t wait to crash the wedding with you?”
Twenty-One
Rylee had been resolutely quiet since they’d sat down at the Silver Saddle, which was unlike her. Apparently, those unspoken comments had piled up, and she’d gathered enough steam to erupt.
“Is that true?” Ari asked, a worry line bisecting her brows.
“It’s true,” Rylee said. “Trick left with his buddies to go day-drinking and discuss your wedding. Which was why he was late meeting me, and why I was late meeting with you.”
Ari blinked and exchanged a look with Ex.
“I’m sorry.” Rylee shook her head, meaning it. “You trusted me to corral him. I believed he was sincere when he promised not to ruin your big day. Evidently what I say, orplan, means next to nothing to him.” Challenge flashed in her eyes, as if she was daring Trick to speak up in front of the almost-married couple.
Challenge.Accepted.
“They showed up without telling me,” Trick explained, keeping his eyes on Rylee. He pivoted to face Xavier and Ariana. “I don’t work with them anymore. And you don’t have to worry about them coming to the wedding or the reception. They showed up thinking they could jump in, since the Noble-Ramos wedding is the most trending social media topic on the planet, but I set them straight. They’re on a plane to Vegas as we speak.”
