“I think I’m still buying you a huge fucking rock for this finger, but I love that it’s there forever,” I tell her honestly. “I love you.”
For words I never thought I’d tell a woman, I can’t say them enough to this one. It’s like it only took once to open the floodgates.
I pull a card out of my wallet and hand it to Jude. “I have a mural that needs doing in Vegas. If you’re interested, call me. Job pays well.”
“What kind of design you looking for?” he asks.
“Strippers, in stages of dance. For a club my cousins are opening,” I tell him.
“Boobs I can do. I’ve been drawing those since I was eight.”
“You should do it,” Molly tells him.
“Okay, I’ll call,” Jude agrees. “Congrats on the wedding.”
As soon as we walk out, Molly stops me on the street. “You really want to get married in two weeks?”
“I want you to be able to have your mother at our wedding, Molly. For that to happen, we need to do it soon,” I tell her.
Molly gets a sad look in her eyes. “She’s not going to know it’s me getting married. She will think she’s attending Maggie’s wedding.”
“But she will be there, and you know who she is. That’s all that matters.”
“What is the plan for after? Say we get married in two weeks? I need to stay in Portland for a little while, Alfie. I can’t come back to Vegas with you. My entire business is run out of Seattle.”
“We will figure it out. Besides, you have a new project to work on in Vegas. Those last two buildings, they’re yours. I’ve told the owners to sell to you.”
“You told them to, so they will?” She laughs.
“Yes. That’s how Vegas works. You wanted my throne? Well, I’m giving it to you on a silver platter.”
“I don’t want your throne, Alfie. I just want my buildings,” she clarifies. “And I also want you.”
“You have both.” I lean down and press my lips to hers.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Turns out when my husband says he’s going to do something, he gets it done. I did not believe for a second that he could plan an entire wedding in two weeks. But here I am, sitting at our reception table, watching him across the room.
I have no idea how this all happened. I told him if he can make it happen, I’d show up and say I do. He worked night andday alongside his mother and aunt and somehow managed to pull this all together. But what’s more impressive than that is the fact he talked to my mom. He asked her about what kind of wedding she saw for her daughter.
My mother might not know who I am now, but she was the person who knew me the best back then and remembered the chats we’d had about what my dream wedding would be like. Then Alfie made sure to get every detail right, down to the emerald-and-white table decorations. When I was younger, emerald was my favorite color. I had forgotten about it until I walked into the reception tent.
Alfie had everything set up at my parents’ house, so it was less stressful for my mom to attend. I really don’t know how I got so lucky to find a man who’s that thoughtful. The only thing missing is Angus. He would have loved this. He would have annoyed the crap out of Alfie by trying to take over the planning of everything too. I still find myself going to message him. Call him. Look for him in the crowd.
I haven’t been able to bring myself to replace him, which is making keeping up with things at work really damn hard. I need to get a grip. I’m aware that I need to hire someone, but doing so seems like it’s more final than attending his funeral. It’s stupid—I know.
I look down at the huge-ass, shiny diamond now covering the tattoo on my finger. I can’t believe I’m married and my best friend isn’t here to see it. I’ve never really been one to believe in an afterlife. But right now, I really hope he’s up there somewhere watching. I hope he knows how sorry I am for what happened to him. I hope he knows how much I love him.
“Most brides don’t look like they want to cry on their wedding day, Mol. What’s wrong? Want to do a runner? I can cause a distraction and get you out without anyone noticing.”
“Thanks, Daddy. But no. I was just thinking about Angus,” I tell my father. “Also, Alfie would notice.”
“He would. That man doesn’t stop watching you.” Dad smiles. “I’m really happy you have him, Mol.”
“Yeah, he’s a good one.”
“I’m going to take Mom inside,” Dad says.
