She shooed him away. Dale and Max were stood waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. Sasha and Luke were sat on Dale’s lap as they waited. A couple of weeks ago Dale had married Molly in a civil ceremony. He, Max, and June had attended the small event. The couple was married, but he didn’t know if things were going well for them.
“Are you ready to no longer be single? I can make an excuse, and you can cut out the back,” Max said.
Trey laughed. “Very funny. I’m getting married today, and I’m excited.”
“No hot sex for you.”
“You’d be surprised,” Trey said. June was as horny as they came.
He went through to the main room, where the wedding was taking place at the Armstrong household. Lexie wanted to control every aspect of it, and the only way for her to do that was to do it here.
He stood where Lexie had marked a cross with his name on waiting for the music to start. The room was packed with family and friends. Trey didn’t care about them. He waited for the music to start, and when it did, he looked in the direction of the door.
Lexie came through first, walking down the aisle followed by June. Her father held her arm as he escorted her down. Trey only had eyes for his woman, the woman who meant the world to him.
Taking a deep breath he stared at her, and then he took her from Elliot, shook his hand and together they faced the priest.
Through the ceremony, he faced his future bride and smiled at her through the veil. Her black hair contrasted with the white. When it was time to say his vows Trey spoke from the heart.
June pushed the veil up so he could see her face as she spoke her vows to him.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Trey held her tight, pressing his lips to hers. The room went up in applause. For the rest of the night he held her close to his side, refusing to let her go. He had the first dance with her, and only when Elliot demanded a dance with his daughter, did he let her go. It was hard for him to watch her go, but he stayed close to her.
“The car is ready for you to leave when you want,” Lexie said, cutting into his thoughts.
“Thank you.”
“I don’t know what you’ve got planned, but I see the love in your eyes. You’re going to be good to my daughter.”
She tapped him on the back giving him her blessing. When it was time to leave, he waited for June to throw the bouquet of roses. He didn’t recognize who caught the flowers.
“Where are we going?” she asked, buckling up.
“I’ve got one last surprise. We’re going to do it in privacy.”
He drove to Get Inked and climbed out.
“Our wedding night and you’re taking me to your ink parlor?” she asked.
“Trust me. You’ll love it.”
Taking her hand he led her back to the chair. Grabbing his book, he gave her a piece of paper for her to unfold.
“What is this? I’m in a white fluffy wedding dress,” she said.
“Have a look. Tell me what you think.”
He stood, tapping his fingers together, waiting for her to speak. She opened the piece of paper and stared at his design. He loved drawing, and when he realized how close the wedding was he’d been struck by inspiration.
The drawing consisted of ink on both their arms. Separated, the ink would look normal, but together it opened up on a design. It was a picture of the fronts of their buildings, Get Inked and Just Another Slice. In the middle were their names, entwined and banded together. It didn’t look tacky at all.
“This is beautiful,” she said.
****
June watched as Trey removed his jacket and then his shirt. On his arm was one part of the tattoo with his shop. “I got Dale and Max to do it for me. They hated how much I made them practice. Would you like the other one on your arm?”
“Just when I think you’re not romantic at all you take me by surprise.” Smiling, she settled down, resting her arm on the chair. “I’m ready to have the sweet tattoo. Make it work, stud.”
Chuckling, he sorted through his equipment and started working on the ink. She winced a couple of times, but he kept going on, which June was thankful for.
Every now and then she found herself staring at the wedding band on her finger and on his. She was a married woman and was spending her first night getting inked by her husband.
“I can’t believe we’re married,” June said.
“I can. It’s going to be amazing between us.”
“You’re always so optimistic.” She watched him work on her arm in between staring up at him. “You’re not going to cover me head to toe in ink, are you?”
“No, I love your pale flesh. This is important to me. We’re going to make it work, June. I’m optimistic because of how I feel about you. I know in my own mind that I’ll do anything for you.”