Chapter 52
52
Michelle sat across the plane aisle from Jackie and Oscar. They cuddled like two people in love should. Pete sat beside Michelle, working on his tablet while she read a book. With hers in her agent’s hands, she was free to escape through the words of another author. The flight had been smooth, so it amazed her when the pilot’s voice came over the speaker, “We are beginning our descent into Harry Reid International Airport. Please remain seated with your seatbelts fastened. Attendants, please prepare the cabin.”
It was warmer in Nevada than in North Carolina. Oscar had reserved an SUV for the four of them. While he and Jackie sat up front, she and Pete were in the back.
“Pete, how is everything going? Your mom tells me that you have a new girlfriend. I was hoping to meet her this weekend.”
Pete’s face lit up like the Fourth of July. “She’s great. Her name is Leslie. Since this was a last-minute trip, she couldn’t get off work.”
“Hopefully, I’ll get to meet her soon.”
“I’d like that. I’m sure she will too.”
Oscar dropped her off at the Wynn Hotel, where Keith had reserved a suite for them along with a room for Chip and Max. Keith being in Vegas usually caused a stir, so security needed to be present. Oscar and Jackie were going to get their marriage license before meeting them at a nearby restaurant for their makeshift rehearsal dinner when Oscar’s children arrived.
Michelle checked in first and took advantage of the alone time to shower and get ready for the evening in their suite. She was rinsing her hair when two hands pressed against her hips. Screaming like Janet Leigh from Psycho , Michelle couldn’t hear Keith’s voice.
He placed his hand over her mouth. “Michelle, it’s me. Shh. I’m sorry I scared you.”
She took long, deep breaths. “You should have called to me when you walked in.”
“I did. I guess you didn’t hear me with your head under the water.” He hugged her. “I am so, so sorry.”
Michelle composed herself. “Shit, my heart is still racing.”
He kissed her cheek and neck. “I’d be happy to keep it that way for a little longer.”
She tilted her head back and welcomed his kisses.
When they turned the water off, they heard pounding on the door. Keith furrowed his brows. “What the hell?” He wrapped a towel around his waist and closed the bathroom door on his way out. When he opened the door to the suite, Chip, Max, and the hotel manager, who had a keycard in hand, stood on the other side. “What can I do for you?” He gave Chip a curious look.
“We,” Chip said, pointing between him and Max, “heard screaming coming from your room. We were trying to make sure an unexpected guest wasn’t waiting for you again.”
Keith’s anger dissolved. “I scared Michelle. Everything is all right.”
The hotel manager blushed. “I’m glad all is well.”
Keith looked from Chip to the manager. “Please keep this incident between us.” He nodded toward Chip, who gave the man a hundred-dollar bill. “Thank you for checking on us,” Keith looked at his name tag, “Mr. Cornwell. We appreciate the attention you give to your special guests, don’t we guys?”
“Thank you, Mr. Cornwell,” Chip and Max both said.
“W-what about the lady?”
“What lady?” Keith cocked his brow.
“My mistake,” Mr. Cornwell said as he backed away from the door.
Chip watched as the manager turned the corner. “What the hell happened?”
“Michelle was in the shower, and I scared her.”
Wrapped in a robe, Michelle stuck her head out the door. “I’m good. I didn’t expect Keith so soon, much less...” Her cheeks flushed with color before she disappeared back into the room.
Keith raised his brows. “Happy?”
“Yeah,” Chip responded with a smirk.
Keith waited for the men to return to their room before he backed into his. He found Michelle sitting on the side of the bed.
“I didn’t mean to cause such a ruckus.”
“I should’ve made sure that you heard me. All is well, except...”
Michelle’s gaze locked with his. “Except?”
“I let your first name slip. It’s been taken care of, but I thought you should know.”
“Thanks. I only hope the paparazzi aren’t at the wedding chapel tomorrow. I don’t want anyone ruining this for Jackie, and I sure don’t want people getting the wrong idea about us being at the chapel.”
“Would it be so bad?”
“I wouldn’t want a Vegas wedding.”
Keith nodded. “Can we beg off dinner tonight? Maybe we should stay in.”
“That may be for the best. Let me call Jackie.”
Keith slipped on a pair of jeans and walked out of the bedroom. When the door closed, she called Jackie.
“Michelle, I’m so glad you called.”
“What’s up?”
“I don’t think the outfit I chose for tonight is good. This isn’t my first wedding. Can I still wear white? That’s all I brought.”
“White is fine. Everyone wears white.” Michelle swallowed. “But speaking of tonight. Can we just meet y’all at the wedding chapel tomorrow? There’s been an incident.”
“Incident? What kind of incident?”
Michelle explained what happened. “Apparently, the walls are thinner than I imagined, or I screamed louder than I thought. Anyway, we should probably stay here, in case the manager tells someone that Keith is here with a woman. We’d both like to avoid that scene. Then, when we leave in the morning, we won’t be coming back.”
“Wow, girl. The shower surprise sounds sexy and all, but I can see where that can cause issues for him. Our appointment is at ten in the morning. We’re supposed to be there fifteen minutes ahead of time. We’ll see you there.”
“Thanks for understanding. See you in the morning.”
Michelle walked to the sitting area, still wrapped in the bathrobe. Keith turned toward her when she caught his eye. “Are we set?”
“Room service it is. We need to be at the Little White Wedding Chapel before ten.”
“Is Jackie mad?”
“I don’t think mad is the right word, but I could hear the disappointment in her voice. As long as we’re there tomorrow, she’ll be fine. I am the maid of honor, you know.” Michelle batted her eyes.
“Still angry with me?”
“I was never angry. I was scared.”
“So, I’m forgiven?”
“You were forgiven minutes after it happened.” She winked at him.
He opened his arms. “C’mere then.”
Everyone arrived at the wedding chapel the following morning with time to spare. Oscar and Jackie appeared to have celebrated a bit much the night before. Jackie wore a cute eggshell white dress, matching heels, and large sunglasses with lenses so dark no one could see her eyes.
Oscar sported a navy suit, white shirt, and matching tie. Dark sunglasses hid his eyes from the bright sun.
“Are you sure you feel up to this?” Michelle asked.
“We just celebrated on the wrong night. We should have waited until tonight,” Jackie whispered.
A man dressed in an Elvis pantsuit opened the inner door with a clipboard in hand. “Williams-Collins party?” he yelled.
“Here,” Oscar said, holding his head.
Jackie raised her hand. “You don’t have to yell.”
“I need you to sign these papers and provide your marriage license, and then there’s the matter of our fee. Do you need rings?”
Oscar patted his pocket. “We have rings.”
Jackie handed him the license and filled out the documents while Oscar dug out his credit card. He paid extra to have the piano player.
“Groom, you and your best man need to come with me,” Elvis said. “Bride and maid of honor, stay here until you hear the music. Guests, you may find a seat inside.”
Either Elvis was obtuse, or Keith was smart to wear a cowboy hat and sunglasses. No one said a word to him.
Sitting in the fourth and final row of small benches, Keith removed his hat and glasses. He focused on the floor until the music started, then his gaze stayed on Michelle. Pete sat in front of him while Oscar’s younger son sat across from Pete.
At the front of the chapel was a small altar where the wedding party stood. Elvis started his spiel with, “Dearly beloved.” When he looked at Jackie, he said, “Do you take Oscar to be your hunka, hunka burning love?” He swiveled his hips.
Between giggles, Jackie said, “I do.”
When he looked at Oscar, he asked, “Do you take Jackie to be your love me tender?”
“I do,” Oscar said with a grin.
As Oscar and Jackie exchanged rings, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” played in the background.
“I now pronounce you hunka, hunka husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Elvis’s hips twisted.
Oscar kissed Jackie as everyone cheered.
When they got to the outer doors, Elvis tapped Oscar on the shoulder. “If tomorrow you find that you’re caught in a trap and can’t walk out, my brother can have today’s proceedings annulled by noon.” He pushed a business card toward Oscar.
Oscar looked at the card in the man’s hand. “Won’t need it,” he said as he squeezed Jackie.
They walked outside as a group. After all the congratulatory hugs and kisses, Keith laced his fingers with Michelle’s. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back inside? I’m sure we could get a deal.” He grinned.
Michelle closed her eyes and shook her head. “I’ll pass, but thanks.” She nudged his shoulder. “Besides, who would I marry? No one’s proposed to me.”
“Good point.” Keith’s lips tilted into a half smile.