102
GEORGINA
One year later
“And now, it’s time for you both to exchange your vows,” Henn says. “At least, that’s what the template says we should do now.”
Everyone seated in rows on our patio chuckles. And I don’t blame them. For his first time officiating a wedding, Henn is absolutely killing it.
There was never any serious question that Henn would officiate our wedding, while Josh served as Reed’s best man, any more than there was a question that Alessandra would be my maid of honor and Kat my bridesmaid. Or that Reed and I would get married here, on our patio, surrounded only by the people we love the most. Reed and I both knew long distance travel would be difficult for my father, thanks to some lasting side effects from chemo. And also that Reed’s mother would never want to fly internationally, even if Reed were to arrange a luxurious private flight for her. Plus, Eleanor hates hotels, so we knew she’d be most comfortable staying here, at our house, along with her favorite nurse, Tina. And so, in the end, Reed and I agreed to get hitchedhere,exactly like this, rather than in some far-flung exotic locale.And we couldn’t be happier about it.
“Georgie?” Henn prompts. “Why don’t you say your vows first. Show Reed how it’s done.”
Nerves rocket through me. Not because I have any doubt about pledging myself to Reed forever. But because I’m quite certain what I’ve come up with for vows won’t come close to expressing the depth of my love for Reed—the gorgeous, generous, enthralling man who’s become my world. My breathing stilted, I pull a piece of paper out of my cleavage. “Sorry,” I mumble, indicating the paper. “I didn’t want to mess this up.”
“You can’t mess it up,” Reed says soothingly, squeezing my hand. “No matter what you say, it will be perfect.”
I glance down at the paper. And then return to Reed’s chocolate eyes. I clear my throat. “Reed, loving you feels like the most natural thing in the world—like breathing and blinking and smiling.” I smile. “I never have to think about loving you, because I was born to do it.Designedto do it. But ‘love’ isn’t a big enough word for how I feel about you. There’s really no word for it, actually. No way for language to encapsulate the depth and endlessness of my devotion to you, any more than the word ‘infinite’ truly encapsulates the vastness of outer space. Please know that I love you as deeply as a human being can love. I adore you, with every drop of me. I admire and respect you. And Ilikeyou. My vow to you today is to love you fiercely and faithfully, forever. Until we’re old and gray. Which, in your case, will be in about three years.”
Reed hoots with laughter, along with Henn and Josh. Plus, I can hear Alessandra and Kat guffawing behind my back, as well, along with everyone in our audience.
“Try the veal, I’m here all week,” I say, making Reed chuckle again. I crumple my paper and toss it behind me, and then grab both of Reed’s hands. “It boils down to this. My beloved Reed, I promise to be yours, in sickness and health. For richer or poorer?—”
“Don’t jinx me, baby.”
Again, everyone laughs, including me.
“Reed Rivers, I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, as your wife. I love you so much. I promise to give you, and only you, all of me. Forever.”
“Perfect.” He leans in and kisses me gently. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too. So, so much.”
“That was so beautiful, Georgie,” Henn says. He smiles at his best friend. “Okay, buddy. You’re up. Make it good.”
“I’ll do my best.” A huge smile overtakes Reed’s face. “To start, I feel the need to correct a few things I’ve said in the past—things that were true when I said them, but aren’t anymore. I once told you I’m a believer in ‘going big or going home.’ But now that I love you the way I do, I’ve realized that’s not an either-or proposition. Going homeisgoing big, as long as I’m coming home to you.”
I clamp my lips together to keep my chin from trembling.
“Another thing,” Reed says. “I once called you the ‘Ginger Rogers of Spin.’ But I’ve since realized that’s too limiting. You’re the Ginger Rogers ofLife. A badass at everything you do. Far more so than me. From the outside, people might look at us and assume I’m the teacher here—that I’m some sort of Svengali. But the truth is you’ve taught me far more than I’ve taught you. You’ve taught me how to love, Georgie. You’ve taught me how to be happy.”
Well, that does it. Tears spring in my eyes.
“You’re my partner,” he says, his chest heaving. But then, his mouth quirks up with a little half-smile. “Mysparringpartner, at times, yes. My partner in crime, for sure. But, always, my equalpartner.”
My breathing hitches as I try not to sob.
He cups my cheek in his palm. “I thought I knew it all when I met you, Georgina Ricci. I thought I had the whole world figured out. But you came along and showed me what I was missing. You completed me and brought me pure joy. And for that, I’m so grateful. My vow to you, my beloved Georgina, is that I’ll always love and protect you and take care of you. You’ve got me, baby. All of me. And I promise, every day of my life, forever, to make sure I’m the Fred Astaire you rightly deserve.”
Best. Wedding. Reception.Ever.
With a loud whoop, I throw my bridal bouquet up and behind my back. And when I spin around to see where my flowers landed, I’m thrilled to discover it’s Zasu, the woman who mentored me during myinternship atRock ‘n’ Roll,who’s caught them. It’s a perfect result, since Zasu is always telling me horror stories from her “hellacious” dating life. Hopefully, those flowers will bring her a prince, the next time she swipes right on Tinder, rather than yet another frog. Although, given that Tinder is Zasu’s primary vehicle for meeting men, I wouldn’t count on it.
As Zasu raises her flowers into the air, a loud cheer rises up inside the house—a telltale sign that yet another “super-group” has walked onstage to perform another “typical wedding song” for the party. It’s the only wedding gift Reed and I requested: for Reed’s attending artists to get up onstage, at some point during the reception, in any combinations, and thrill our guests with their interpretations of classic party songs. Tunes likeDancing QueenandLove ShackandUptown Funk. And that’s exactly what these musical geniuses have been doing all night long. And it’s been the best thing, ever.
The iconic piano intro to “I Will Survive” sounds from inside the house, followed by the smooth vocals of the one and only Dean Masterson of Red Card Riot singing the instantly recognizable first line.
“I have to dance to this one!” I shriek. I mean, come on.Dean Mastersonis singing “I Will Survive”... atmywedding? My fourteen-year-old self would need smelling salts.
