“Right after the finals.” Dante smiled.
“If you make it to the finals,” Jemini said.
“We’re making it to the finals and Dante will be rocking a championship ring alongside his wedding ring.” Aldridge’s tone was firm.
“June doesn’t give us very much time to plan. We need to get the invitations out right away.”
I nodded when Anika glanced at me, encouraging her to speak her mind. Even though we were both adults, it was still difficult delivering unexpected news to our mother. “About that. Dante and I want a huge party. Open bar, celebrity DJ, chocolate fountain. But for the ceremony we were thinking something less grandiose.”
“Okay, so the vineyard is out.”
“How small are you thinking?” I asked, nudging Anika along.
“Pretty much the people in this room and Dante’s parents.”
“The fuck?” Jemini slammed her glass into the table.
“We want something less traditional.”
My mother’s outraged gaze settled on me. “Is this your doing? Did you talk her out of the fairy-tale wedding of her dreams?
“Me? No. This is all Anika and Dante’s idea.”
Turning back to Anika, her tone was less harsh but still tense. “Baby girl, you only get married once.”
“We can only hope,” Aldridge said in between sampling the scalloped potatoes.
“I know it’s once in lifetime and that’s why we want to stay true to ourselves.”
“Where do you want to have this mini wedding?”
I braced myself for the fallout from Anika’s response.
“The Little White Wedding Chapel.”
“On the Strip?” She tossed her hands in the air as if signaling she’d heard enough.
“I’ve actually Googled the place and looked at the pictures. It’s really quite lovely.” Anika beamed proudly.
“It’s so charming,” I agreed.
Aldridge leaned in and asked. “Were we looking at the same pictures?”
“Shhh.” I pinched his side.
“Is this a joke? Are you two pranking me?”
Dante cleared his throat. “No Mom, Anika and I have made up our minds.”
“Don’t call me mom. And minds can be changed. What am I supposed to tell everyone?”
“Tell them they’re not invited,” I said.
“Shut up, Danessa. I just know you had something to do with this.”
“Jemini, I know you’re disappointed but let’s not be rude,” Aldridge said.
“Did you push these two bitches out your vagina?”
