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I grab some poppers from my pocket and pop them. “Happy birthday!” I yell out. He takes out his gun from the back of his waistband and cocks it, the professional mask sliding over his playful face. Confetti lands on his head, while he laughs and rolls his eyes at me before he secures his gun.

I give him a big hug, my hands moving over the knives, and to the other gun he’s hiding under his oversized shirt.

“Shit, Dashie, I was ready to kill someone.” He kisses my forehead, holding me in his arms for a while. Why do I smell Moon on him? I debate asking him about it, but he beats me to it.

“I ran into your brother coming up,” he says, letting me go.

I eye him warily. “Are you okay?”

He leans against the railing with his stomach and runs two hands through his bleached blond hair. His knuckles are red with dried blood, and why does it look like he got slapped hard across the face.

“Did my brother ask you to do something for him?”

“You can say that.” He chuckles, but it comes out like he’s in pain. He stares at his hands and shrugs. “Do you have any smokes by the way?” he asks, changing the topic as he checks his pockets.

I shake my head, motioning to the door. “Tian stole them.”

“Figures, both of them don’t like it when we smoke.”

“I know, fuckers.” I roll my eyes, staring at the cars down below before casting a glance his way.

He nods, looking out in the direction of the water.

“Do you know when they’re announcing it?” I ask, biting on the inside of my cheek. “My wedding?”

“Probably tomorrow,” he says, sounding a little guilty. We’ve never lied to each other, so why does it feel like he’s holding back right now. He runs a hand through his hair and scratches his nose like he always does when he’s nervous.

“Are you really okay? Did my brother hurt you?”

He shakes his head. “I can handle Moon, trust me,” he answers and swallows hard, but the bruise starting to show on his neck tells me otherwise.

“Do you want me to talk to him?”

He hangs his head and takes a deep breath. “You don’t have to do that for me. I got it.”

I grab his hand, to turn him in my direction. He keeps his eyes down but the moment I place both hands on his cheeks he seems to relax while I smoosh his face. “I love you El, you know I’ll do everything for you.” I place my left hand on his shoulder; he freezes at first but becomes less tense when he looks into my eyes. I know he sees parts of Moon when he looks at me.

“I love you too,” he promises, covering my hand with his. We both smile and take a deep breath.

“Did you really piss him off?” His voice is smooth and low while he winks at me.

I playfully push him away from me. “Ask him. Did you mess with Moon?”

He shrugs, flashing me a bright smile. It falls when he turns his head in the direction of the closed door.

I press my shoulder against his and rest my head against his temple, watching the cars down below. He takes another deep breath and we’re both quiet for a while staring out over the city. “Did he say anything about me, other than that I’m a pain in his ass?” he asks reluctantly after a long while.

“Who are we talking about? Moon or the asshole who left?”

“The asshole.” He chuckles. “I think Tian has met his match.”

I roll my eyes, staring at my hands. “Only that I need to stop smoking, and that I get on his nerves.”

He rests his chin on my shoulder, and I feel him kissing my temple. “Don’t worry about what will happen tomorrow, you still have me. I might not fuck you, but then again, you’re still a virgin and that scares me.”

“You too fucker,” I counter, while he laughs. “I’m going to ask Moon to beat you up,” I tease.

He stretches his arms above his head groaning. “He might like it, don’t give him any ideas.”