Page 28 of Playing Along

“We’re getting married here at City Hall today, Lucy,” I say with finality.

Lucy sighs heavily but then perks up. “You at least need witnesses, though, right?” She moves a finger between herself and Emily. “Look, witnesses!”

Nora laughs and, in spite of myself, so do I. Lucy is nothing if not persistent.

I look down at Nora and she gives me a one-shouldered shrug as if to say, why not?

“Okay, fine,” I say, turning back to them. “You two can be our witnesses.”

“Yes!” Lucy exclaims with a victorious side arm pump. She closes the distance between herself and Nora, then pulls her into a tight hug. At first Nora stiffens in surprise, but then she relaxes, lifting her own arms up to hug Lucy back.

“Wait for me!” Emily exclaims before adding herself to the hug. I look away from them before I get all sappy and emotional.

“Sorry to rush this,” I say when they still haven’t stopped hugging sixty seconds later, “but as I said, Nora and I would like to get married, you know— today.”

The women all laugh as they pull apart.

“We get it—you gotta lock this one up,” Emily says with a grin.

More like the opposite, I think wryly. I gotta keep this one from being locked up.

“Well, let’s go then,” Lucy urges, grabbing the door handle. Her phone rings loudly. She pulls it back out from her purse and in a move driven by sheer panic, I grab it from her and shove it in my pocket.

For the second time today Lucy stares at me like I have gone insane.

Honestly, maybe I have.

“Good call, babe,” Nora pipes up, saving me. “No phones at the wedding.” She gives Lucy an apologetic smile. “I’m sure you understand.”

“Oh.” Lucy’s expression clears. “Yeah, sure. Of course. It’s just, that was Mel. She’s probably calling about when Emily and I are going to be at the restaurant. Just let me shoot her a quick text? Then I swear I’ll turn my phone on silent.” She holds out her palm expectantly to me. “Unless you want me to invite her,” she adds with a wink as she waits for me to pass the phone. “Don’t you think it would be nice for your bride to have at least one friend here? Not that we’re not friends,” she adds with a glance at Nora. “But we're silver friends, and you should have a gold friend here, you know, like the song. Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, the other is gold. Nora needs a gold friend here.” She finishes relaying her argument with a satisfied smile, as if we’re playing euchre and she just played her trump card over top of my ace.

Nora eyes me with hope shining in her eyes. “It would be fun to have Mel here,” she says. Which, what? Does she not realize how lucky we got that neither Lucy or Emily know about the dead body on her lawn? I highly doubt we’d get so lucky with Mel. In fact, I bet the real reason she called was to talk about the case, not what time they should meet for breakfast. Furthermore, what does Nora care if Mel comes to the ceremony for our fake marriage?

Sometimes I really don’t understand women.

“Lucy, Emily, can you just give us a second to talk?” I ask with a very forced smile.

“Oh, sure. Yeah, yeah,” they both chant.

I take Nora by the elbow and lead her far enough away that they can’t hear us, but close enough that I can still keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t bribe some unsuspecting soul to let them use their phones or something.

“Why can’t we invite Mel?” Nora asks once we’re facing each other.

“Invite Mel?” I repeat with a groan. “Don’t you realize that we are one tiny yank away from this whole plan unraveling faster than a dropped ball of yarn?” She’s a knitter, she should get the analogy, but even so, I’m not finished. “I mean, sure,” I throw my hands up, “let’s invite Mel. In fact, while we’re at it, how about we invite the significant others of the whole police force? Make it a real party. A bon voyage to you as you head for prison!”

“Okay, geez, I get it.” Nora sighs, crossing her arms across her chest. “You’re right. No Mel.” She sighs. “I guess I just got swept up in how nice it sounded to have a friend here.” Her eyes drift over to Lucy and Emily. “I don’t know. It’s weird, is all, meeting Stafford and Montgomery’s wives. So much has changed in three years.” Her voice is tinged with sadness, but she quickly shakes it away. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter. I’m being ridiculous. Obviously I don’t want to go to prison, so no Mel.”

I sigh. The juvenile part of me wants to tell her that’s too bad, she’s the one who said no to marrying me three years ago—she has no right to be sad that there are new people in my life. But for once the part of me that loves Nora is louder than my wounded pride.

“What if we meet up with them after things are official?” I hear myself suggest. “Once we’re married, it won’t matter if they find out about the case. My testimony will be locked up.”

Nora lifts her eyes to meet mine, smiling softly at me as she nods her acceptance of this plan. “You’re a good man, Jack Reynolds, you know that? The very best kind of man. And I don’t deserve you.” She sets her hand on my arm and gives it a tiny squeeze before heading back over to Lucy and Emily.

I stand there, staring after her as her words twist around inside me, upsetting my equilibrium. It’s ironic, really, her saying she doesn’t deserve me, seeing as she’s the one who I’ve always tried to be a better man for.

Chapter 11

Nora

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