“Between the two, we never stood a chance.”
“Nope.” Jules leaned in for another kiss. They’d come to this bar together the day they met. It was almost as much a part of their journey as the show, so it seemed only fitting that they’d celebrate Sophie’s new role here tonight.
“Hey, Jules,” Sophie said, eyes widening. “Do you see what I see?”
Jules followed her gaze to the bar, where Josie was putting on a white blazer over her lavender blouse. Now she was wearing a white suit, standing next to Eve…in her white dress.
“Oh my God,” Jules whispered. “Are they…?”
“I think they are,” Sophie said, her voice slipping up a notch in excitement.
As they watched, Josie clapped her hands together, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. “Thank you all so much for coming tonight,” she said. “I know you’re probably wondering why you’re here, and I hope you’re not upset when you find out, but we didn’t want to make a fuss, so…Eve, you tell them.”
Eve gazed lovingly at Josie before turning to face their guests. “We’re getting married tonight.”
A ripple of surprise spread around the room, gasps and squeals followed by cheers and applause. Sophie brought her fingers to her lips and whistled while Jules clapped and whooped her excitement. Oh, this was definitely going to be an unforgettable night.
“So, if you’ll just follow us…” Josie led the way toward the back hall and into the stairwell.
“This is so exciting,” Sophie whispered, giving Jules’s hand a squeeze.
They came out on the rooftop, which had been strung with yet more fairy lights and set with white chairs facing a flower-laden arbor against the railing, with Manhattan twinkling as a backdrop.
“Wow,” Jules gasped, pressing a hand over her mouth.
“Wedding goals,” Sophie agreed. “These ladies have really outdone themselves tonight.”
They found seats next to a couple Jules didn’t know but had seen in the bar before. Josie and Eve lingered in the doorway, watching as their guests all took their seats. An older woman walked out and stood beneath the arbor, notebook in hand, presumably there to officiate the ceremony.
An instrumental song began to play over the sound system. It wasn’t “Here Comes the Bride,” and Jules didn’t know its name, but it was a familiar tune that invoked wedding scenes in her head. Josie and Eve linked elbows, gazing adoringly at each other before they began to walk down the aisle.
“Oh,” Jules whispered, swiping at the tears on her cheeks.
“I knew you were the type to cry at weddings,” Sophie teased, but her eyes were glossy too.
Josie and Eve took their places in front of the arbor as sunset streaked the sky behind them, spreading pink and purple hues over the Manhattan skyline. It was a breathtaking moment, and Jules heard the clicking of a camera somewhere behind her as their wedding photographer documented the moment.
“Good evening, friends,” the officiant spoke. “We’re gathered here today to join Eve and Josie in marriage.”
Josie grinned, tears glistening on her cheeks, and Eve swallowed hard, her chin quivering as she fought her own tears. Jules pressed a hand to her chest, the other clasped tightly between Sophie’s. She knew Eve was a widow, that it had been a struggle for her to open her heart again to Josie, and somehow, it made this moment even more beautiful.
Josie and Eve exchanged heartfelt vows, their eyes never leaving each other as they said their “I do’s.”
“By the power vested in me by the great State of New York, it’s my absolute pleasure to pronounce you married,” the officiant announced. “Eve and Josie, you may now kiss your bride.”
A lone tear rolled over Eve’s cheek as she leaned forward, pressing her lips against Josie’s. The rooftop erupted in applause, friends and family rising to their feet to celebrate the new couple as they made their way back down the aisle, hand in hand, beaming with joy.
“Come on downstairs,” Josie called over her shoulder as she and Eve entered the stairwell. “There’s food…and cake!”
Jules turned to look at Sophie.Someday, that will be us. She saw the same sentiment reflected back at her in the chocolate depths of Sophie’s eyes. They leaned in, sealing the moment with a kiss.
