Page 32 of Matched

“Cabrón, you can keep your secrets.” I grip the shopping cart until my hands hurt and increase my pace, pushing the cart faster and leaving Tony behind.

“Where you going? Wait up.”

My husband is a closed book. And I’ve learned from Taya he won’t be able—and also might not want—to share what happens when he’s sent on missions. But he’s more than just his job, and I want to learn about those parts. I grind my molars and snarl. I’m not great at being the gentle, patient kinda gal who’ll give him space to blossom and grow. I’m more of the “let’s break down the walls with a sledgehammer” kinda gal, especially when time is sort of an issue here. Not the best quality for a caring wife to have.

As I’m about to enter, the door on the opposite side swings open and out walks a familiar face. I stop and wave just as my husband catches up to me. “Hi, Trevor.”

Trevor rears back when he sees us. His eyes go wide and his shoulders stiffen. He tries to hide a DVD under the Sara Lee frozen pie in his hand, but Tony grabs it. “Jack Frost? What are you, eight? Or is it some new porno version?”

I turn and lightly slap my husband’s shoulder. “Not everyone’s sitting at home watching porn all the time like you.”

Trevor laughs and takes the opportunity to snatch back the DVD. “It’s a bit of a birthday tradition.”

I turn and pin my husband with the most serious glare I can muster. “You didn’t tell me it was his birthday.”

Trevor clears his throat and shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “None of them know. I usually just spend it alone, watching Jack Frost, eating key lime pie, and getting hammered on whiskey.”

“Doesn’t sound like fun. Let us throw you a little party at our place.” Tony winks at me and looks entirely too smug.

I nearly choke on my saliva. Does Tony realize what he just said? I take measured breaths attempting to chase away the small bit of hope attempting to reside in my heart that my husband might be coming around to erasing the expiration date on our marriage.

I hike the straps of my bag higher onto my shoulder. My mission right now is to make sure Trevor isn’t alone on his birthday. “We’ll have everyone over, it’ll be fun.”

Trevor rubs the back of his neck and stares down at the floor. “Wouldn’t wanna put y’all out.”

The sliding doors swish open again, and we all step to the side to let a mom and her squealing toddler pass us by on their way out of the store. Once we’re clear of the walkway, I smile at Trevor. “We’d love it. We’ll have food and everything. You can bring Jack Frost if you want.”

“You sure?” His blue eyes are so hopeful that I’m suddenly extra glad that Tony asked.

“Come on over around eight. Tony will text you the address.”

“Thanks, y’all. I really do appreciate it.”

Tony claps his hand on Trevor’s shoulder. “And happy birthday.”

Trevor smiles and heads off toward the parking lot while we enter the market. My mind races as I begin creating a mental list of what I’ll make, what we need, and whether or not we’ll have time to get some balloons.

“Inara?” Tony tugs me back as I turn to head into the produce area. “Thanks for that.”

I whip my head around and my brows furrow. “Thanks for what?”

“For supporting me with the whole party idea.” Tony’s unexpected gratitude warms me from the inside out. That, along with the sweet, caring side of himself that he just showcased by figuratively gathering Trevor under his wing like a mother hen.

Tony grabs the cart from me and trolls through a row of fruits. “Jim’s still shutting him out when it comes to things other than work.”

Jim can be so bullheaded. But I have no idea what it’s like for any of them. I’ve never lost a close friend, especially one I work with. Nor can I imagine what it would be like to have someone new shoved into their tight-knit group. I shake my head. It must be so uncomfortable for everyone. “The team needs this celebration.”

Tony takes his time inspecting the produce before placing each hand-chosen fruit and vegetable into a bag and gently setting them down in the cart. There’s something about a big, brawny man delicately handling apples and carrots that makes me go all soft inside. Maybe because it seems so out of character with the macho front Tony often puts on.

While he continues to shop for our impromptu celebration, I pull out my phone and text Taya. Of course, she responds right away and offers to text the rest of the group so I can concentrate on shopping. I snort and look over at the cart. She has no idea. If Tony is left unchecked, we may be walking out of here with a three-hundred-dollar grocery bill, considering the cart is already half full and it’s only been five minutes.

Tony and I blaze through the store and walk out, having spent two hundred dollars. By the time we get home, we have a few hours before everyone is supposed to arrive. The house isn’t a mess, but Tony insists on running over everything and making sure it’s all spotless. I knock on the door frame to the guest bathroom as Tony scrubs the sink. “So, I have some decorations stored in the garage from one of Mami’s old parties.”

Tony interrupts me before I have a chance to finish. “You got one of those slow cookers, right? I make a mean salsa.”

“Yeah, it’s in the pantry,” I say, gesturing to my left. “Right next to the sex toys.”

Tony freezes at first, and then stutters. “S-sex toys, yeah, those are cool.” His skin takes on a reddish hue and he fumbles around, knocking over the toothbrushes and hand soap. Yet another reminder he’s not as much of an experienced player as he likes to let on. What’s annoying about it, though? Imagining how much fun I could have teaching him new tricks.

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