Page 122 of The Wild Card
Things have been mildly better with my parents over the past few months. I talk to Mom at least once a week, and we’ve been working on our own relationship apart from Dad.
As for Dad, we don’t talk weekly but a few times a month. He still gives his opinions without asking if I want them. But he’s stopped being so forceful and manipulative. He offers his opinion; he also listens to mine. His questions have started becoming more like … things for me to think about. Not questions undermining my choices.
It’s far from perfect, but it is progress. And it means a lot that Collin asked both DadandChase.
“And Dad said yes?”
“Webothsaid yes. You couldn’t find a better guy than Collin, and I think Dad is finally coming around to that fact. I’m so happy for you, MOLO. And really glad we get to share this family.”
Me too.
“Did you even look at the ring?” Collin asks, moving to pluck it from the table.
I didn’t, actually. But I grab his arm, stopping him from picking it up.
“Wait!” I say, and the conversations stop. “Sit back down. We’ve got a hand to finish. And I think the ring is your call.”
Tank laughs, and Pat bursts into giggles. From beside me, Winnie snorts.
Collin only shakes his head at me. “I had no idea you were so competitive, Molly-girl.”
I shrug as I sit down and point to his chair. “Now you know.”
“Well, you’ve been called,” Collin says. “Show your hand.”
I turn over my cards. “Straight flush, Jack high.”
There are a few appreciative whistles, but Collin only nods, still smiling as he rubs his chin thoughtfully. “That’s a nice hand,” he says.
“It is. And now it’s time to reveal yours.”
Laughing, Collin shakes his head and picks up his cards, still not turning them over. “Just so we’re clear, no matter what these cards are, the ring is still yours. This is the only time we both still win no matter who loses.”
“Aw, isn’t that so cute,” Pat says, fluttering his lashes and putting a hand over his heart.
“Shut up, Patty,” several people say at once.
“Come on, Collin,” I say, tapping the table impatiently and eyeing the ring, which is a gorgeous, princess cut diamond in a simple rose gold setting. I have to resist a very strong urge to grab it from the pile of chips and slip it on my finger. “Show your hand.”
“I think I already did,” he says with a grin. “At least about what’s important. But since you seem so bent on winning …”
Collin flips his cards over in dramatic fashion, and the table once again erupts with cheers and congratulations as he walks over to my side of the table again, kissing me before slipping the ring on my finger.
“Congratulations, future Mrs. Graham,” he says, tightening his arms around me. “Here’s to years down the road of winningwithyou.”
