A Betting Man

Epilogue

"In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as sorrow."

I take a deep breath and meet Justin's gaze, and he winks at me from across the aisle.

"I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

My eyes drift back to Fey, and I focus on how beautiful she looks in her beige silk dress with the red trimming, her hair hanging in wide, golden rings down her back. Her complexion is glowing, her eyes bright, and I don't think she's ever looked so lovely.

Also, Justin and I made a bet as to when Cayden would do something embarrassing. Because it wasn't really a matter of if, we decided. Justin guessed he would say something during his vows, but I wagered that it would be during or after the kiss. And it was easy thing to make, this bet. A simple little gesture that's no big deal between two people who care for each other, because he's everything to me now.

And bets aren't always so bad. They get me lots of back massages.

Cayden's eyes twinkle, and he gets through his vows without a hitch. Justin catches my eye and smirks; he knows he's lost, but only if my intuition doesn't let me down.

And then it happens. Fey finishes her vows and she's suddenly being dipped backwards for an exaggerated kiss, the shock sending her leg flying into the air. She nearly takes out Cayden's cousin with her bare foot before her dress flips up with a tricky gust of wind, and she flashes the entire party of groomsmen. They all step backwards in surprise, and several eyes zone in on her hoohah before they shift away again in shame.

I hope she wore good underwear. But it's her wedding day - I think you're damned or something if you don't. Or maybe you just should be. I can't remember.

I suppress a grin, rejoicing over the back massage that's to come, and I see Justin shake his head in disbelief.

Cayden scoops Fey up and carries her down the aisle, but then has to come back again to take pictures. It's all very funny; neither can stop smiling and I'm not so sure Fey is even aware she flashed the entire male wedding party. Or else she just doesn't care.

Everyone is standing and excited as they congregate near the happy couple so that they can hug and give well wishes and talk. I feel someone brush against my arm, and I turn.

"Oh my God. Can you believe how gorgeous she looks?"

Kathleen can't control her smile; it dominates her tiny face, persistent and never wavering. She met Fey once before the wedding, and they hit it off right away. We went to lunch and then shopping, and Kathleen spent hours upon hours scouring bridal magazines for ideas and dresses. The red rose pinned in Fey's gorgeous curls was all her doing, but her ideas were never imposed or unwanted. Fey was grateful for the help.

It's a shame Kathleen lives so far away in Texas.

"I know," I reply. "And Cayden doesn't look half bad himself."

"Tell me about it. Talk about a shocker. I never thought he'd clean up so well."

"Where's Max?" I ask, looking around. Kathleen just shrugs.

"Off talking to Justin somewhere, I think." She looks at me, her expression serious. "Have you and Justin gotten settled in yet?"

After months of discussion, Justin eventually gave up his home in Seattle in lieu of a large apartment in Tacoma. And though it terrified me to do so, I gave up my apartment and moved in with him.