Chapter Twenty-Nine

I stood, waiting at the front of the Little White Wedding Chapel with Juan Carlos on my right as the man of honor and Alex on my left as the best man. James stood between Alex and me, his face split nearly in half by a gigantic grin. He looked impossibly happy, as though nothing that had happened or would happen could ever compare to this moment.

He was waiting for his bride.

The Elvis impersonator/officiant pressed a button on the podium and the wedding march began, a bluesy version of Billy Idol’s “White Wedding.” He sang the words, doing a pretty good imitation of The King. Vivian appeared at the end of the aisle, stunning in a red-and-black lace dress and black veil. My eyes filled with tears that I let spill over. She looked so beautiful. Her gaze fixed on James as she step-togethered her way up the aisle. Then she made an impatient face, picked up her skirt, and ran the last half of the distance.

James caught her and spun her around for a dip ending in a kiss that had Elvis mumbling, “Hunk-a hunk-a burnin’ love.”

I laughed, and it felt so good I didn’t want to stop. Next thing I knew, Vivian was hugging me, exclaiming over my hair and dress. We tittered like little girls over each other’s outfits before Elvis cleared his throat and tapped his watch.

Vivian took her place next to James, slipping her hand in his.

“Dearly beloved,” Elvis began, the reflection of Vivian and James in his sunglasses. “We are gathered here today to join this couple in the holy, holy bond of matrimony.”

As Elvis did his thing, my attention wandered to Alex. He stood tall next to James, taking his role seriously, his gaze fixed on me. His mouth tipped up into that smile I had no defense against and the chaotic place inside me stilled. Maybe we’d make it, like Vivian and James, and maybe we wouldn’t. I only knew in that moment, in that cheesy chapel with the fake flowers and faker Elvis, I had the strength to give it a try.

Nothing about this weekend in Las Vegas had turned out the way we’d planned, the way we’d wanted it to. But as I looked around at my friends I knew one thing for certain, none of our lives would ever be the same. Juan Carlos and Richard had found something they didn’t know they could have. Vivian and James had pledged their lives to each other. And Alex and I were beginning an uncertain adventure, taking it very, very slow.

And maybe that’s more than anyone could expect from a wild weekend in Las Vegas.

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