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THERE WAS NO CHAMPAGNE, but truth be told, we had all ingested so much liquor over the course of an hour, we were set for at least the next month.
Dylan’s eyes lit up the second he saw me. He kissed my hand like in those romantic movies. “You look stunning, Rose. You make a beautiful bride.”
I smiled. “Thanks. And you look dashing and handsome in your tux.”
“Thank you.”
And I meant every word. I’d never been with a man so drop-dead gorgeous. He then pulled out a wedding ring set and my jaw dropped to the ground. This had to be a dream! I couldn’t stop admiring the wedding set.
I was completely shocked. “Ooh shiny! Wow! They’re gorgeous! When did you find time to pull this one off?”
Dylan grinned. “Lily gave me your ring size. And I just worked a little magic.”
“Thank you,” I said as tears welled up in my eyes. “I didn’t expect anything like this. You sure know how to keep surprising me, Dylan. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I never expected you to take Tommy’s place, and I never expected such a fancy ring.” I wrapped my arms around him. “Baby, you got me all shook up.”
“I’m glad you’re happy, so let me love you tender and love you sweet.”
I smirked.
“Gotta love all the Elvis jokes,” he said.
He laughed and then peered at me. “So, are you ready?”
I grinned. “Yeah.”
“Two things, guys,” Lily said from across the room. “One, technology sucks. Give me a sec to figure out my password on my phone. It’s like the biggest mystery known to man. And two. I’m having a little trouble standing without a wall nearby.”
“Should we help her find a seat?” Dylan asked.
Before I could answer, she yelled, “Oh my gosh! Got it! We’re good to go! Your videographer awaits!”
She found the perfect wall to lean against.
“Looks like she made friends with the wall,” I said.
Dylan chuckled.
Everyone got into position. The only people there, well, it was just me in my wedding dress, Dylan standing at the altar with Elvis in his sequined suit, and Lily taping the whole thing on her phone as I walked up the aisle to Love Me Tender, by the King himself. Smiling like a good, happy bride, I clung to my bouquet and played the part perfectly.
I kept walking, but I was nervous and my stomach knew it!
Don’t faint. Don’t stumble. Don’t throw up!
Breathe! For goodness sake! Breathe!
When I looked into Dylan’s eyes, he truly looked happy, and for just a second, it felt like a dream. His confidence helped me to calm down some.
I’d always dreamt of him saying, “You’re my best friend and my partner. I love you, Rose. Will you spend the rest of your life with me?”
But this was just a make-believe fairytale. Because in six months, he would walk away from me and go back to New York City. He wasn’t marrying me because he loved me. He was marrying me as a favor to an old childhood friend.
He shot that movie-star smile at me, and I grinned. Might as well enjoy the fantasy, right? The dress swished around my feet as I walked, and I couldn’t help but throw Lily a huge smile as I floated past the camera.
You’re about to marry Dylan Murphy. The heavens have finally aligned for you, and you’re about to marry DYLAN FREAKING MURPHY!
That being said, things were getting fuzzy.
I should probably write that on my hand...
“Well aren’t you just the prettiest little bride I ever did see?!”
The man we had chosen to be our minister rocked his hips back and forth before landing in an exaggerated split. I blinked. Maybe I should write that down too.
Completely unconcerned that his first trick didn’t take, he stumbled up to his feet, straightened his wig, and unceremoniously smashed Dylan’s and my hands together. He then threw up his arms, and a few rhinestones clattered to the ground.
“Let’s get this show on the road!”
Dylan chuckled softly beside me, and whispered in my ear, “I think I saw him at the bar earlier. He was drinking like a fish...”
I giggled. “Well, he’s in good company.” As if on cue, I wavered in my tall heels, and Dylan’s arm flashed out to steady me.
Our personal Elvis swatted him away with a wink. “All in good time, young man. All in good time. You’ve got to marry the girl before you can—”
“That’s what I said!” Lily shouted. “I gave him that exact speech!
Dylan bit his lip as he glanced down at his watch. “Listen, sir, we have to be married by midnight, so if we could speed this along.”
“Afraid your limo will turn back into a pumpkin? Will your bride’s dress turn into rags?”
“That’s exactly what will happen!” I said. “I’ll lose everything, so chop-chop.”
“Cutting it kinda close, aren’t you?” Elvis asked.
“Technically, it’s not her fault,” Lily said. “The first groom just flew the coop at the last possible minute, and you know what? It was extremely hard finding a replacement. I tried asking all the guys in the casino and bar. I even offered them five million dollars! And they flat out turned me down. Can you believe that?”
Elvis shot her a confused look. “Does she need use of a Green Card?”
“Heavens no,” I chimed in.” Then I nudged my maid of honor. “Hey! Not all of them turned me down. There was that drunk wearing those pants from the 70’s who was totally interested. But Dylan stepped in like my knight in shining armor.”
He smiled at me fondly. And dag, if he didn’t look sexy in that tux.
“I’m so lost,” Elvis said.
I tried to flash a smile. “Long story. Can we please just get on with it?”
“That would be great!” Lily called from across the chapel—where she was now getting what she would later call ‘location shots’.”
Elvis saluted her. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Okay, folks, it’s Now or Never.” He laughed. “That was one of my best-selling singles. Why, it’s so romantic that it inspired Barry White to pursue a career in music.”
“Interesting Elvis fact,” I said.
“Now I’m not sure what’s going on here. But you didn’t end up here by accident. Like Elvis sang: Live each day as if it were your last. It’s written in the stars, your destiny is cast.”
“Amazing advice,” I said. “But if we could get on with it...”
“The song was called Wisdom of the Ages and was recorded for the movie Harum Scarum. I commend you guys for making it to the altar. You've got to follow that dream, wherever that dream may lead.”
“Oh, I love that line! It’s from, Follow That Dream! 1962,” Lily shouted with a thumbs-up. “I read your brochure. It gave me all the quotes you’d be saying tonight!”
He turned back to Dylan and me with a crooked, folksy grin and raised his hands. “Let’s get this show on the road,” he said for the second time.
I nodded.
“Hello, everybody. I’m Elvis Presley, the King of Rock. And we’re gathered here today to witness before family and friends, the solemn exchange of vows between...”
By this time, Dylan and I were having a hard time keeping it together. As I covered my face to muffle my laughter, he leaned forward and muttered into Elvis’ ear.
“Ah, yes. That’s right. You know,” he brightened up, “there’s a CEO of a Fortune 500 company in New York with the same name. They handle my taxes.”
Dylan smirked. “You don’t say?”
“Anyway—we are gathered here today to witness the solemn exchange of vows between Dylan Murphy and Rose Garland in hellish, I mean holy matrimony...”
I chuckled.
He swung his hips around before calling to Lily.
“Pretty lady with the phone, do you have any objections?”
“Nope!” she called back.
“And neither do I, and since we’re the only two people present, I’m guessing that you two are in the clear. Repeat after me: I, Dylan, do take you, Rose—to be my hunka, hunka burnin love! You’re my big-a big-a hunk o’ love. And I’ll love you forever.”
Dylan’s shoulders trembled with silent laughter, and he shook his head. “No—I’m not saying it like that.”
Elvis only smiled. “Feel free to improvise however you like.”
With a deep breath, Dylan turned back to me with a smile.
“I, Dylan Murphy, take you, Rose Garland, to be my lawfully wedded wife.”
My breath caught in my chest, as his hands tightened around mine.
“Well, isn’t that sweet!” Elvis popped his head in between us. “Now you, little lady!”
A shiver ran through my whole body, but I looked steadily into Dylan’s beautiful eyes.
“I, Rose Garland, take you, Dylan Murphy, to be my lawfully wedded husband.”
He sucked in a silent breath and stared at me, a thousand unsaid secrets dancing behind his eyes. The sweet smell of booze filled the air between us, and without Elvis having to say a thing, we both took a step closer.
“You two have got me all shook up!” He took out a monogrammed handkerchief and dabbed at his eyes. “Now—do you have any rings to exchange at this time?”
“No,” I said guiltily, “I ate mine.”
“Uh...just a sec,” Dylan began patting his pocket.
Elvis cocked a brow. “Little lady, shouldn’t you be at the hospital getting your stomach pumped?”
“It was a candy ring,” Dylan tried to explain as he pulled out real rings.
I couldn’t stop looking at them. “They’re the sparkliest rings ever! Wait. Is that even a word?”
“It is now,” Dylan said.
I stared at the round, brilliant, center diamond in a glittering frame of additional round diamonds. It was a haze, but the ceremony continued. The King of Rock n’ Roll sang three of his most famous songs during the ceremony, and I enjoyed that. I think Dylan did too because he couldn’t stop smiling.
“In that case, with the power vested in me by the great state of Nevada—and with a heart full of burnin’ love—I hereby pronounce you: man and wife! You may kiss the bride! And just remember there is no return to sender. So both of you treat each other right.”
All the laughter suddenly stopped, as both Dylan and I froze.
What was the protocol here? What exactly we were supposed to do?”
The minister placed a tentative hand on both our backs and pushed us gently toward each other. “I said...uh...you may kiss the bride.”
My cheeks burned bright red as I glanced down at my heels. “Dylan, we don’t have to—”
Then I was in the air.
I barely had time to gasp before he kissed me. I expected a peck on the lips but his passionate kiss was long, slow, and involved lots of tongue. One hand tangled up in my hair as the other pressed against my lower back, securing me tightly to his body. My eyes closed as I pulled him even closer, tasting the whiskey on his breath—raking my nails back through his messy hair. I heard a faint whistle that I think came from Lily, but the two of us stayed locked together until a throat cleared apologetically in the background.
It was a kiss like from any romantic Hollywood movie. And I could swear I saw fireworks. Or maybe I was lightheaded from all the alcohol. But I swear I felt fireworks exploding all around me. And I had all the tingles that go right along with it! This intense kiss felt like the meeting of two souls, burning as hot as the blazing sun, growing urgent and demanding with each passing moment.
We pulled away—breathless and flushed—only to hear Elvis rocking out Viva Las Vegas. I think we were both stunned that the kiss had gotten so carried away. But there was no denying the chemistry between us.
Elvis sang and shook those hips. I laughed as Dylan spun me around and we danced. I never had so much fun! Normally, I don’t dance, but my good friend, alcohol, told me I was the greatest dancer ever. The song ended, and Elvis shot us a look. “Sorry to break up the happy moment, and those, uh, wonderful dance moves, but I have another couple set to start here in just a few minutes, so if you two wanted to take it upstairs...”
“We get it,” I said.
“Great! Because Elvis has left the building...”
We laughed. Oh, how we laughed.