“We’re here anyway. The Chapel of Everlasting Bliss.”
“Am I being cremated? It has a funeral parlor ring to it.”
“No. You’re being joined in holiest matrimony as a favor to a man you just met.”
“Well, see that you act suitably grateful,” she said in what she hoped was a light voice.
He grinned as she smiled.
Chapter 7
The driver opened her door, and she stepped out of the car. The immensely frilly-looking white and pink structure before her was daunting. There was an archway of fake flowering vines above the doorway, and she ducked instinctively because she didn’t want plastic ivy leaves in her hair. She wished she’d touched up her lipstick since whatever cheap Polaroid photo the chapel provided would soon be all over the Internet gossip sites.
Marj swore there were about fifty wedding chapels lining the north end of the strip. Brides wore anything from short, black dresses and heels to traditional, white Cinderella gowns. She peeked in the window and watched as a woman with black hair walked down the aisle in a t-shirt and veil clutching a bouquet of white flowers. Brandon chuckled at the garter over her blue jeans on her thigh.
“Looks like there is a long line,” Marj said.
“We’re next.”
“Like VIP?”
He smiled. “Something like that. So are you ready to be Mrs. Brandon Cates?”
Marj squealed. “Yes!”
“We could skip this and just have a traditional wedding.”
“No, getting married here is all the rage. Just ask Britney Spears.”
He wrapped his arms around her and lowered his lips on hers. Their tongues swirled in the most perfect, harmonious dance as heat flared deep down inside her.
“Are you positively sure?” he asked.
“After that kiss, yes, I’m positively sure. Please tell me there’s a lot more of that to come.”
“So much more...”
Holding her hand, he led her inside.
“We want to get married!” Marj declared as they both walked inside.
“Well then,” said the officiant, “you’re at the right place.”
Brandon laughed as he dipped and kissed her. “You are the most radiant bride I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“I hope my next groom looks as hot as you do in a designer suit.”
Everyone in the room looked at her in confusion.
“Um, inside joke,” she laughed.
“Funny,” the bride with the jeans said.
“Thank you,” Marj replied. “And congratulations on your marriage. We wish you all the best.”
“Thanks. Do you guys think you’ll last?”
Marj looked into Brandon’s eyes. “At least a year tops.”
They both burst into laughter at the hidden joke.
“Ted and I have known each other for five years. We both knew we ready to tie the knot. How about you?” she asked. “How long have you guys known each other?”
Brandon looked down at his watch. “An hour?”
Marj playfully swatted him. “C’mon dear. Longer than that. At least two hours.”
“I don’t know about you, but I enjoyed skipping that awkward dating period.”
“You and me both,” she replied with a chuckle. “Not to mention, there was no time for me to become a Bridezilla. Brandon, you dodged a bullet.”
“Close one.” Blowing out a breath, he pretended to wipe sweat off his forehead.
The both laughed.
The bride wearing jeans gave Marj a sympathetic look. “Listen, if you’re looking for spontaneity, then look...”
“No further than us! I know!” Marj said. “Because when I woke up this morning, I had absolutely no idea I’d be getting hitched.”
“Me either,” Brandon said. “I guess life is full of surprises!”
The bride smiled. “So what made you two decide to get married?”
“We’re in Vegas! You can throw dice instead of rice,” Marj said.
“Well, I wanted vows with a wow,” Brandon said.
“Maybe you two should give it some time. You haven’t known each other very long.”
“But we have to defeat the evil witch,” Marj said. “Her heart is as cold as ice.”
“No, no, no,” Brandon cut in. “You’re getting it all wrong. You called her the Wicked Queen.”
“That’s right. We have to dethrone the Wicked Queen. Off with her head.”
Laughing, Marj and Brandon gave each other high fives.
The couple made a comment about how wasted they were, and then hurried off.
Inside, the place was now empty except for a pianist, an officiant, and the woman. It was a small room with a few rows of white pews padded with velvet cushions, garlands of cloth flowers, and a pulpit.