quiche, some fruit and a few slices of bacon.
I choose a seat at the table, where people are slowly filtering in. Jackie sits next to me and immediately digs into her eggs, bacon and toast.
"I guess I figured out why I was gaining so much weight," she said between bites. "I didn't think it would ever happen again."
"How long have you known?"
"A few months. We didn't want to say anything until I was further along because of... you know."
I nod. "Of course. You knew before you got married?"
She grins. "That’s why we got married in Vegas. I didn't want to be rolled down the aisle in a yard of white lace."
I laugh so hard I choke on a mouthful of quiche and reach for my mimosa to wash it down. A glass of water appears to my right and Preston takes the seat next to me. I grab that instead and gulp it down, clearing my throat. "Thanks," I say to him.
"Welcome," he says back, and attacks his overflowing plate with vigor and a concentration that is familiar.
Jackie elbows me, and when I ignore her, she pokes at me again. "Would you stop shoving your bony elbow into my arm?"
She leans in close so she can lower her voice. "Spill. You rode here with Preston. He's sitting next to you and you haven't clawed his eyes out yet. And he brought you water. Not because you were choking, but just because. Are you guys..."
"Don't even go there, Jackie." I can see the disappointment in her eyes. I'd love to make it disappear but it's not happening. "You'll find out what's up in a minute, but... we agreed to be nice to each other for a little while."
Jackie starts to ask another question but is interrupted by a loud tingtingting. Nate is at the head of the table, tapping a knife against his glass. When the room is quiet, he sets the glass down and clasps his hands together. He can barely contain his smile.
"Morg and I want to thank you all for coming, especially on short notice. It's a beautiful day and we hope you'll hang out and enjoy it with us. First, we have a small announcement."
Morgan stands, her grin matching Nate's. They have always been too damn cute.
"As some of you know, Nate and I have decided to get married... finally!" She stops while everyone laughs, since that has been the most asked question of their relationship. "And," she continues, "We want to share this event with our closest friends, those of you who have been around for a long time and have seen us through some good and some bad years. We're announcing today that we'll be treating everyone at this table to seven days and six nights on St. Lucia!” She pauses for the interruption of applause and low murmurs.
“You'll only be responsible for your airfare. The resort is all inclusive, so you won't have to worry about a thing from the moment you land until you get back on the plane. Nate and I will get married on the island, you'll all be in our wedding party, and the entire affair is being planned by... Angie and Preston!"
Morgan waves at us, encouraging us to stand. We awkwardly rise and smile through the laughter and sarcastic commentary.
"So the theme of the wedding is Death Match?"
"WWE, Wedding Wrestling Entertainment!"
"You picked the two people who don't get along to plan your wedding in a foreign country. One of them isn't coming back alive."
I should have been prepared for the reaction, but I'm not. I'm embarrassed that when people think of me and Preston, they expect a spectacle. They practically bet on who will win every round. I hate what we've become over the two decades that have passed and I know it's just as much my fault as it is Preston's.
Right there at that table, I hold on to my resolve that this wedding will be a success if it kills me. And it might.
Hours later, as the sun is dipping past the horizon, throwing shadows through pink haze, Preston is driving me back to my apartment.
"You're too quiet."
Surprised, I glance over at him. He's wearing wraparound shades and squinting into the bright sunset. "Enjoy it. It doesn't
I choose a seat at the table, where people are slowly filtering in. Jackie sits next to me and immediately digs into her eggs, bacon and toast.
"I guess I figured out why I was gaining so much weight," she said between bites. "I didn't think it would ever happen again."
"How long have you known?"
"A few months. We didn't want to say anything until I was further along because of... you know."
I nod. "Of course. You knew before you got married?"
She grins. "That’s why we got married in Vegas. I didn't want to be rolled down the aisle in a yard of white lace."
I laugh so hard I choke on a mouthful of quiche and reach for my mimosa to wash it down. A glass of water appears to my right and Preston takes the seat next to me. I grab that instead and gulp it down, clearing my throat. "Thanks," I say to him.
"Welcome," he says back, and attacks his overflowing plate with vigor and a concentration that is familiar.
Jackie elbows me, and when I ignore her, she pokes at me again. "Would you stop shoving your bony elbow into my arm?"
She leans in close so she can lower her voice. "Spill. You rode here with Preston. He's sitting next to you and you haven't clawed his eyes out yet. And he brought you water. Not because you were choking, but just because. Are you guys..."
"Don't even go there, Jackie." I can see the disappointment in her eyes. I'd love to make it disappear but it's not happening. "You'll find out what's up in a minute, but... we agreed to be nice to each other for a little while."
Jackie starts to ask another question but is interrupted by a loud tingtingting. Nate is at the head of the table, tapping a knife against his glass. When the room is quiet, he sets the glass down and clasps his hands together. He can barely contain his smile.
"Morg and I want to thank you all for coming, especially on short notice. It's a beautiful day and we hope you'll hang out and enjoy it with us. First, we have a small announcement."
Morgan stands, her grin matching Nate's. They have always been too damn cute.
"As some of you know, Nate and I have decided to get married... finally!" She stops while everyone laughs, since that has been the most asked question of their relationship. "And," she continues, "We want to share this event with our closest friends, those of you who have been around for a long time and have seen us through some good and some bad years. We're announcing today that we'll be treating everyone at this table to seven days and six nights on St. Lucia!” She pauses for the interruption of applause and low murmurs.
“You'll only be responsible for your airfare. The resort is all inclusive, so you won't have to worry about a thing from the moment you land until you get back on the plane. Nate and I will get married on the island, you'll all be in our wedding party, and the entire affair is being planned by... Angie and Preston!"
Morgan waves at us, encouraging us to stand. We awkwardly rise and smile through the laughter and sarcastic commentary.
"So the theme of the wedding is Death Match?"
"WWE, Wedding Wrestling Entertainment!"
"You picked the two people who don't get along to plan your wedding in a foreign country. One of them isn't coming back alive."
I should have been prepared for the reaction, but I'm not. I'm embarrassed that when people think of me and Preston, they expect a spectacle. They practically bet on who will win every round. I hate what we've become over the two decades that have passed and I know it's just as much my fault as it is Preston's.
Right there at that table, I hold on to my resolve that this wedding will be a success if it kills me. And it might.
Hours later, as the sun is dipping past the horizon, throwing shadows through pink haze, Preston is driving me back to my apartment.
"You're too quiet."
Surprised, I glance over at him. He's wearing wraparound shades and squinting into the bright sunset. "Enjoy it. It doesn't
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