Page 76 of Unhinged

Greg picks up his coat with another frown. “Seriously?”

Candi goes around the counter, getting closer to him. “Yes!”

“No.”

Candi pouts. “What about rings?”

“No rings, either.”

She spins around, pleading, “Simone, get dressed up and get your hair done.”

Impatient, Greg sighs, and I shake my head. “What I’m wearing now is fine.” A jean skirt and a Platform 69 T-shirt. It’s like a fairytale.

Candi throws out her arms. “Come on, guys! Y’all just can’t have a wedding, and it not have any traditions.”

Milt says, “We can pick up a cake.”

Candi huffs, “That’s all?”

Greg checks his watch. “We need to do this before Vaughn finds out. Where is he? He’ll want a prenup for you.”

“Like we need one. I wouldn’t take anything from you.”

Milt picks up his Taste of Home magazine. “He and Monty ran out for more supplies. You know how Monty likes to shop.”

Greg looks at me. “Get your coat. We need to go now. Milt, can you make it a fast one?”

Still reading his magazine, he says, “Sure thing. Bing, bang, boom.”

I wrinkle my nose, doubtful we can or should do this.

Greg asks, “Do you have all the ID requirements?” Shocked, I nod but can’t speak. Greg then nods toward the locker room. “Come on. My dead grandmother is faster—not the one who lost to a train, obviously.” He seems to want to do this more than I do. I suppose money talks.

After I grab my coat and purse in a daze, I follow him, but Candi stops me as Greg walks to his truck. “Simone, you can turn this around. I know it.”

“What do you mean?”

Her smile is sad. “I think you love him.”

I laugh until I snort. “No. We’re friends.” And fuck buddies with an expiration date.

I head for the door, and Candi mutters, “They’re both so fucking hard-headed.” Maybe.

Outside, I go to Greg’s truck but getting in the passenger seat, I say, “Wait.”

“What now?”

“I don’t want to do this. It’s dumb. I can live with my name. It’s fine.”

“Bullshit.”

“I don’t want this to ruin your dating life. Kleo or any other woman might not want to wait a year for you.”

He shrugs as he puts the truck into reverse. “They won’t have to.” Oh.

As we head toward the road, I say, “There are so many ramifications for us doing this. Our families will flip out.”

“Yeah. I mean, we’ll have to tell them. Mine before they hear it around Durham. You, because your dad will tell your mom.”

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