Page 58 of Flame
“Who is getting married?” Moss comes in, stopping in the doorway, confused. “What the hell did I miss in here?”
Jess takes another bite. “Foxx just tried to kill Banks.”
“Oh. That’s fair,” Moss says.
Mom shuffles around the island and stops by Dad. Her eyes are wide.
“Did you just say you’re getting married?” she asks as if she’s afraid to say the words.
“Who?” Moss asks.
“I might’ve missed something because I thought Foxx said he was getting married,” Maddox says. “But that can’t be right.”
I sigh, rolling my eyes. “I’m getting married. You heard right.”
“To whom?” Mom asks.
“If it’s to Bianca, I want an apology!” Banks yells.
I wipe my palms down the front of my jeans. I didn’t expect to be so nervous. I’m not used to feeling this way. It’s … strange.
“I’m marrying Bianca,” I say, warning Banks not to say another word. He holds up his hands. “As soon as possible. I was coming over here to see if you,Mother, could help me figure things out.”
She races across the room and pulls me into a hug. Jess chomps on his sandwich, amused. Moss pours a glass of tea, warning Banks to keep quiet. Maddox picks up a chair and takes a seat.
“I’m glad you’re all so entertained,” I deadpan.
“When did this happen?” Mom asks, her excitement building. She pulls away. “I didn’t know you were seeing her.”
Here we go … “But, if you do this, it must look real. It must be believable.”
I clear my throat. “We’ve been seeing each other for a while and decided to get married. We don’t want to go to the courthouse. So I was thinking maybe you knew a pastor or a preacher who could come over to my house and perform a quick ceremony. Nothing fancy.”
“Can I at least meet her first?” Mom asks. I think she might cry. “I’m so happy for you, Foxx. I … When can we meet her?”
“I can bring her to dinner tonight.”
Mom’s eyes light up. “That would be wonderful.”
“So the preacher?” I ask, my skin feeling too small for my body. I need to get the hell out of here. “Can you help me?”
“Yes. You know I can. I’ll have options tonight at dinner.”
I nod, relieved. “Thanks. When do you think you can get it done?”
“Well, you’ll need to go get a marriage license. But I don’t see why you can’t get it done tomorrow, probably. Tuesday at the latest.”
Perfect.
“Do you need help with anything else?” Moss asks.
“Can I throw you a bachelor party?” Banks asks.
“No,” everyone in the room says.
Banks sighs, dejected.
“Pippa and I know this great place not too far from here,” Jess says. “We’ve gone there a couple of times. Great hotel. Great food. Lots of stuff to do if you’re into that. If you want the information for a honeymoon or something, let me know, and I’ll hook you up.”
