Page 103 of Tanner

Her shoulders fall. I look at her in question of what’s wrong.

“My mom would never be able to come to a wedding. Even if she did, she wouldn’t know it was me getting married. It kind of takes the excitement out of it a little. A girl dreams of planning a wedding with her mother.”

“I understand. Not having mine there will be heartbreaking. Then, there’s Dad and Missy.” I groan. “And my brothers who are going to tell me I’m too young to make this decision. They’re gonna love you, but they’re bachelors. They won’t understand.”

She nods in understanding. “I agree with you about eloping today. This love is about us. I don’t need everyone around me to announce my love. I just want you.”

My heart swells for this woman. “So, today? You’ll marry me today?”

She laughs, pulling me into her and softly kissing me. “Everything about you and this relationship has been unconventional, so yes. I say, hell yes. Let’s get married today!”

22

HARPER

It turns out, you can’t get married in a day. When we Googled city hall, we learned you had to wait twenty-four hours after obtaining your marriage license.

I leave work early to the sight of Tanner standing on the curb in a navy suit and a town car waiting on the curb. When I ask him why the car, he says it’s because we have a lot to do in a little time.

Our first stop is City Hall where we do the paperwork and then start the twenty-four-hour countdown on our phones.

Next, we drive up Fifth Avenue to Tiffany. When we walk inside, Tanner opens his arms and says, “Pick one.”

It’s a girl’s dream, but, like our love, I want something less flashy than a Tiffany sparkler.

“I’m serious. Any ring you want is yours,” he says, assuring me.

I look around the room at the gorgeous cases of jewelry glistening under the pin spot lighting. My mom has a diamond chip that was meant to be a promise because my father couldn’t afford more at the time. She never upgraded it. I love that.

“Is this the kind of ring your mom had?” I ask him.

“My parents were struggling college students, barely scraping by. Dad proposed with an antique ring they’d found in a hippie shop on Haight Street in San Francisco.”

I lean up and passionately kiss him in the swanky department store. When I pull away, he’s a little taken aback by the kiss.

“Let’s take a walk.”

We stroll down to 47th Street where the iconic Diamond District is housed. I came here with a college friend to have her engagement ring resized.

There’s a booth in one of the stores that caught my eye years ago. Antique rings line the case, each with a special story. We choose a 1.07 carat blue sapphire round cut vintage engagement ring in rose gold that was part of an estate from a couple who was married for forty-seven years. It fits perfectly and has a matching wedding band.

When we share our own story to the Israeli owner, he goes in the back and comes out with a gorgeous long-sleeved lace jacket that was part of a wedding dress from the 1920s. Memories of our first night at the speakeasy flash through my mind, and I jump at the opportunity to wear it as part of my wedding dress.

Our next stop is uptown to Bergdorf Goodman where we part ways—him going to the men’s department and me to evening wear. I’m surprised to see April when I get off the elevator. At first, I think it’s a coincidence until I see her tears and am pulled into a very un-April-like hug.

“I can’t believe you’re getting married!” she cries with a happy shake.

“You’re not mad? Or going to tell me it’s an insane idea?”

She releases me and wipes her eyes. “It’s batshit crazy. Like, the stupidest thing you’ve ever done. Who elopes? Who are you, Carrie and Big?”

“I was thinking more Ross and Rachel.”

We join arms and start walking toward the dresses.

“They were in Vegas. This is much cooler. As your maturer friend, who obviously has a more secure head on her shoulders, I have to warn you about the ramifications of marrying in a hurry. You name it, and I’ve seen it at our law firm.”

I stop and turn to her. Our day has been such a whirlwind that I didn’t think about something that is probably vital in our nuptials, especially for a girl who marries a man worth as much as Tanner Sexton. “Actually, can you please do me a huge favor?”