“You sure about this?” Suds frowns. “Sounds an awful lot like what got Luigi killed.”
“It’s different. Vinny is family. Believe me, it’ll work. What time is it? We need to call Rose and Mia… and Joey. We’re going to need a place to stay for a few-”
“Nope. No way.” Suds juts out his chin, crosses his arms, and scowls.
“Why not?” It’s not like we’re moving there, permanently.
He holds an index finger in the air. “First off, the bed bangs against the wall when we fuck.”
A middle digit joins the other. “Secondly, your uncle will go back to insisting you date his cronies. Third? I don’t want to. I’ll take the floor, you can have the couch.”
“But all our bedding is upstairs.” I push on the wobbly staircase.
Suds leaps, grabs hold of the edge of the loft floor, and like a gymnast he swings until he has the momentum to take hold of the railing. Hand over hand he makes his way to the top then vaults over. A few minutes later, blanket and pillows rain down on me.
“Stay clear.” He picks up the futon, folds it in half, then slides it down and far as it can go before letting go. “Anything else?”
“Clean clothes but I suppose we can retrieve those in the morning.” I move our mattress, make the bed and settle in.
Exhausted, we settle under the covers and I spoon into him.
He sighs. “Maybe we should move far, far, away from the city. Start over someplace else.”
“Where to?” I’m guessing he’ll say Hawaii or the Virgin Islands.
“Anywhere but near your relatives.”
Wow.I thought he was kidding but his tone sounds fed up. “Okay, how about we discuss it after the wedding.”
“How about you tell me what it’s going to cost?” His tone sounds like I’m in for another fight.
“My parents will pay for half, I’m sure and people will give money for gifts.” I scoot out from under him and turn so I can see his face.
I was right, he’s angry again. “The bottom line?”
This is so unfair. I’ve wanted to talk to him for weeks but now he brings it up when we haven’t slept well and are dealing with the aftermath of his parents.
As best as I can, I tick off the expenses so he’ll better understand the cost. “Well, there’s the gown, the dinner the night before, cake, flowers, photographers… Of course there’s the organist, someone to sing at the church, and a DJ for the wedding. The reception.”
“Sam? How much?”
I know it’s stupid, selfish, and costly but every girl wants to be a princess, if only for a day. Damn. He’ll never understand.
“Our half will come to about twenty big ones.” I wait for the volcanic eruption and he doesn’t disappoint.
His eyes almost pop out of his head. “Are you fucking serious?”
“People give money, sweetie. If we invite two hundred and they all gift-”
“Two hundred people? Are y’all kidding me?”
“We can shave it back a little but I have a huge family on both my mom and my dad’s side.”
He shakes his head back and forth. “No way. We could put a down payment on a house, have an incredible honeymoon someplace tropical...”
I touch his arm with a palm to his cheek. “Honey, my parents have been saving up since I was born. To them, this is more important than my college degree.”
“That’s fucked up. They should use the money for their retirement.”
