“I love you,” she whimpered as her hands ran down the ridges of my abs. “So much.”
“Show me.” With those words, she came undone in my arms, collapsing against me in the aftermath of our affection.
“I’m suffocating,” I panted, tugging the silky white material of my sundress.
“You look like a new pair of tits on a one-legged hooker,” Deb assured me. “I’m jealous.”
“Is that a good thing?” I asked as I stared at my flushed face in the mirror.
“That dress would look like a hand towel on me,” she said—as if that clarified anything at all.
The heat was sweltering and it was only mid-June. We had arranged airline tickets for Josh’s parents, and Mrs. Cipriani had graciously offered her spare bedroom and arranged to rent a vacant apartment in her building for cheap to help us cut down on costs.
“Why are you smiling like a pervert?” Deb’s voice shook me from my thoughts as I fastened the back onto my pearl earring. “You thinking about Josh’s wang?”
“I’m just … happy.” I shrugged as I slid my other earring in my ear. Deb twisted her face in disgust over my shoulder.
“Well, stop it. You’re grossing me out.”
I closed my eyes, behind them a blurry, horizontal peek of the hospital, as if I were looking into one of the rooms through blinds. I blinked them open.
“Whoa,” I said, reaching out for the dresser next to me. “I need more sleep.”
“What?” Deb said, leaning over to look into my eyes. “You’re not going to pass out on me, are you?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I didn’t sleep great last night.”
“Typical. Your whole relationship is typical. I wanted an oops pregnancy and public fights and Josh to beat the shit out of Dr. Rosenberg for looking at you too long. Love is boring. No, thank you.”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know what love feels like, Hamata. I see you looking at Quinn like you want to eat him.”
“I’m a big girl, Jacobs. I’d eat just about anything you put in front of me.” She winked, nudging me in the ribs with her elbow. “All right, fine. I love him. He’s the yin to my yang. The lube to my anal.”
“You make that sound so … sweet.” I made a fake gagging sound as she took my necklace from my hands and clasped it around my neck. “Thanks.”
I felt the single pearl that dangled in the center of my chest. It was the necklace my grandmother had worn when she married my grandpa. Josh had my aunt ship it from Florida as a surprise. I tried not to be hurt that she couldn’t make it to the actual ceremony, but I knew we were asking a lot and it was last minute.
Stepping out of the small community center, I looked up to the rays of sun shining through the branches of the oak trees.
As the light flickered from the leaves swaying in the breeze, a beautiful combination of sun and shadows danced across my skin. I knew it was silly, but I thought of my parents, feeling them reaching out and pushing me forward into the next chapter of my life. Although I had no one to walk me down the aisle, that image gave me a semblance of comfort, envisioning someone on my side, in my corner.
I smiled, looking across the courtyard and feeling silly. Josh had been that person for me for over a year, and after the ceremony, our promises would be a pact.
“You look incredible,” a familiar voice called from behind me. I whipped around and my hand flew over my mouth. Aunt Ellen stood ten feet away, looking so much like my mother that I had to reach for something to stay upright. On either side of her were my cousins, Zane and Maggie.
“You look—” she took my hands, holding them out as she took in my dress “—just like your mother.”
“So do you,” I choked out.
Her smile beamed with pride. “She would be so happy.
“I wish they were here.”
“They are,” Aunt Ellen said, touching my cheek. “Maggie has been here once to finalize plans. Josh told me you found out, and that he had an awful time preserving the surprise. We’ve spent a lot of late nights chatting, trying to make this work.” She touched my cheek. “Your parents should be seeing you in this dress. I know they’re proud of how you’ve overcome everything that’s happened to be the woman you are now.” Her eyes glossed over.
My own tears began to form, clouding my vision. I looked to Deb. “It was my cousin at Corner Hole. It’s my family he’s been talking to this whole time.” I covered my mouth, relief washing over me.
“Nope,” Deb scolded. “None of that shit. I spent forty-five minutes on that face.” She dabbed a tissue beneath my eyes, careful of my makeup.
I breathed out a laugh, looking at my aunt in disbelief. “I can’t believe you’re here,” were the only words I could get past the lump in my throat. She was there, standing right in front of me, but it didn’t feel real. I closed my eyes, and strange images filled my mind. I shook my head, feeling confused.
“Honey?” Aunt Ellen said. “Aren’t you feeling well?”
“Sit,” Deb said, guiding me to an ottoman. “I’m getting you some water. Don’t forget to breathe.”
Aunt Ellen kneeled in front of me, pulling me against her chest into a comforting hug. “Don’t be nervous, sweetheart. Your future husband is a good man.” She smirked. “A determined young man.”
“Yes,” I said with a knowing smile. “He loves to fix things.”