29. Mae
TWENTY-NINE
Mae
“You want to do what?” Seth asks, his lips pursed.
My fingers twist and turn, anxiously fidgeting as I wait for his response. Does he hate the idea? I hope not. I really want this.
“It’s a drive-through wedding. J.Lo did it. So did Joe Jonas. It’s famous. If I can’t have my friends and family here, I might as well get married in a pink Cadillac.”
He looks like he doesn’t know what to say. Before he can respond, a voice calls out. “Seth, I can’t believe you’re getting hitched. In Vegas of all places.”
I spin around. A very pretty woman dressed in jeans and a sparkly top and a man I recognize from social media come strutting toward us. I have to hold in my inner fangirl. I’ve followed Adam Winslow for years. He has more money than God, and his dad owns half the Las Vegas strip. His online activity has slowed a lot since he got married, but he still posts updates a few times a year, talking about his wife and kids mostly.
“How could you not tell me you knew Adam Winslow?” I clutch at Seth’s hand and hiss in his ear before they get too close.
Seth chuckles. “Didn’t know you were a fan. He’s one of my old frat brothers. The owner of the jet we were on. You gonna be okay?”
He’s mentioned Adam before but not his last name. I’m sure I’m flushed and pale all at the same time. You know those celebrities you crush on for years, and it’s fun because you’ll never really meet them? Abi was all into the Hemsworth brothers. Terry told me the only man she’d ever leave her husband for would be Johnny Depp. But only if he were dressed like Jack Sparrow.
For me, that man is Adam Winslow.
And he’s standing in front of me right now.
His wife, Liz, throws her arms around me. “I’m so glad we finally get to meet the famous Mae. You’re about to become one of us now.” She stands back and surveys me. “Are you okay? You look a little pale.” She puts her hands on her hips. “Seth. You didn’t knock her up, did you? Is that why you’re getting married now?”
I shake my head. “Nope. Not pregnant.” They are the only words I can get out of my mouth because now Adam is coming in for a hug, and I have no idea what to do with myself. The hug is brief, but I still get a whiff of his cologne. Which is the same kind Seth wears.
He lets go and steps back, slapping Seth on the shoulder. “Liz is taking Mae to find a dress and get her hair and makeup done. We can go secure the venue and make sure everything is ready. I’ve already got you a penthouse suite at the Diamond Sky. What kind of wedding did you have in mind?”
I still can’t say anything.
Seth rubs the back of his neck. I’m embarrassing him, but I can’t help myself. Adam Winslow isn’t a real person. He’s a celebrity. Which is stupid because I spent most of the weekend meeting celebrities and talking to them. I never had any problems. Of course none of them starred in my late-night fantasies either.
“Mae said something about a pink Cadillac.”
Liz claps her hands, and her face lights up with a wide grin, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Of course. I’ve always wanted to go to a wedding in the Tunnel of Love. I’ve lived here for years, and I’ve never been there. Because it’s a drive-through, you can only have the witness couple with you.”
She loops her arm through mine and waves to the guys. “We’ll meet you there in four hours. Let us know if the time changes.” Then she drags me into the hotel behind us and toward the elevator, chattering as we walk. “We always knew Seth would marry you. In fact, there’ll be some serious cash changing hands once you say I do. Bets were made on how long it would take after he went back to West Virginia. Pretty sure Hayden’s going to win. I was jealous that Anna got to meet you first. Maya, Jessica, and I along with a few others were on a girls’ trip in Paris when you guys went to New York.”
“Why wasn’t Anna with you?” I’m still not functioning at a hundred percent, and that’s the only detail that stuck out. Plus, the idea of going to Paris fills me with anxiety. I’m not sure I can handle the crowds, but that’s a conversation for another day. I know Maya is Tristan’s wife, but I don’t recognize the names of the others.
“She was, but she went home a couple of days early because her kid was in a play.”
“I’ve never been to Paris.” I wonder how these trips work. And I knew Seth was close with his friends, but this feels more like family.
“Oh, it’s fabulous. We go at least once a year. But the next girls’ trip is to Dubai. Jessica wants to show off her place, and she claims the shopping is better than Paris. I’m not one to shop much, so that doesn’t matter to me. The food in Paris is to die for though. I’m not sure how it is in Dubai. Do you like to shop?”
Maybe Seth should go on this girls’ trip instead of me.
I hold back my chuckle. “Not really.”
“Oh good. Then you can hang out with me and Dani while the others shop. We can go hunt for good food. Or go on adventures. Dani and I went and toured Versailles while they all shopped this time. I’ve heard there’s a building we can bungee jump off of in Dubai. We should do that.”
Is she crazy? No way. But I don’t tell her that.
“How many guys in this little group are married?” I ask. Seth has mentioned heading to several weddings, but I never really paid attention to the exacts because there are too many names to keep track of.
“You’ll be wife number nine. And, sweetie, now we’re family, so get used to it. We do a girls’ trip twice a year at least and meet up as couples for New Year’s Eve and Fourth of July each year. New Year’s Eve is always in Colorado, and we go skiing. It used to be Christmas, but since everyone has kids now, we’ve shifted it a few days. The kids stay home for that trip. Then the Fourth is in a different place every year, and we bring our everyone including the dogs. I think Adam said they were going to try to talk Seth into having it at his place this year because everyone wants to see the resort. I heard you guys are doing amazing things.”
“Thanks. It’s been fun working with Seth.”
Her energy is infectious. And I love that she included me in their group without thinking about it. The elevator dings, and we step out into a gorgeous penthouse. Liz smirks. “Welcome to your honeymoon suite.”
“I thought we were looking for dresses.”
“I’m not a shopper, remember? Besides, this is more fun.”
Four ladies descend on us, and the older one kisses me on both cheeks. I immediately want to pull away. No one does this where I’m from, but at the same time, it endears me to her.
“I’m so glad to meet the bride.” Her voice has a thick Hispanic accent. “My name is Rita, and I’ll be taking care of your dress today. Once I get your measurements, my daughters will do your hair and makeup.” Three girls wave at me with wide, probably fake smiles. “Now, are you ready?”
Rita makes quick work with the measurements, and before I know it, she’s off and running. Her daughters have me in a chair, and within seconds, one is touching up my nails, another is giving me fake eyelashes, and a third has a curling wand in her hand. The glue on the eyelashes is cold on my eyelids. Hopefully everything sticks where it’s supposed to, or I’ll end up looking like a bride who’s had too much to drink. I doubt Liz would bring in incompetent people though. Her husband is a billionaire. I should just relax and enjoy this.
The girls don’t talk to me much—they mostly speak in Spanish to one another. But that’s probably because Liz peppers me with constant questions. She shares lots of stories about Seth as well.
I finally summon the courage to ask her something. “I want to know why Tristan thought that flirting with me would get Seth back for something.”
Liz laughs and launches into a tale about how Seth knew that Tristan liked Maya, but he tried to sleep with her anyway.
Time flies by, and it sets in that marrying Seth means gaining not one, but two families. It’s a comforting thought, especially since this decision may alienate my only real family member.
It doesn’t take long before my hair is twisted into an intricate updo and secured with glittering hairpins. Rita’s girls did a fantastic job highlighting my cheekbones and giving me a bold red lip. My nails are painted the same shade of scarlet red, completing the glamorous transformation. As I look in the mirror, I can hardly recognize myself—but in the best way possible.
The suite door opens, and Rita returns with two racks of dresses.
“You’re getting married in the pink Cadillac, so I went with dresses that will make it easier to climb in and out of a car. Nothing too tight in the legs.”
I flip through the dresses. They’re all gorgeous and sexy, most tea length, but a few are long, and a few are very, very short.
“This one,” I say. And I hope it fits alright. The dress is a creamy shade of ivory, reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour. The silhouette looks like a 1950s prom dress but it’s updated with a shorter hemline, and the strapless neckline is adorned with delicate lace while the fluffy skirt adds a touch of youthful playfulness. A sweet ribbon bow sits on the front.
Liz gasps when she sees me holding up the dress. “That’s the one.”
With Rita’s help, I slip into the dress and step back to look in the mirror. The fabric hugs my curves in all the right places, and I feel like a princess. “It’s perfect,” I whisper.
Liz claps her hands together. “Alright, girl, let’s get you hitched.”
* * *
I was a little sad my dad couldn’t be there, but we’ll have a big reception and maybe even a small ceremony back in Whisper Springs.
The wedding is a whirlwind, a blur of excitement. We hop into the vibrant pink convertible Cadillac, its powerful engine revving eagerly. Adam takes the wheel, and Liz settles into the passenger seat beside him. Seth and I sit on the trunk of the car like people do in parades. The starry tunnel of love looms ahead, its twinkling lights guiding us. A woman with bright pink lipstick and a contagious smile greets us at the drive-through window, her voice filled with warmth as she officiates our union in a matter of minutes. It’s exhilarating and slightly surreal, but my favorite moment is when we lean in for a kiss at the end.
Soon we arrive back at the hotel, and Liz gives me a tight hug before we head to our suite. “I’ll see you in November. Remind Seth to take care of the details. We’ll meet in New York and then hop a party jet to Dubai. Welcome to the family.”
Then we’re in the elevator. I have my shoes off and am holding them in my hand. Seth just stares at me. His bow tie is undone, and there’s a small lipstick stain on his collar.
“I can’t believe this is real,” he says.
“Me neither.” I’ve been dreaming of this day far longer than I’d like to admit, and it’s finally here.
The elevator dings, and he swoops me into his arms.
He places another quick kiss on my lips. “Let’s go make this marriage official.”