Until You (At First Sight 3)

“Why thank you. The computer had a thesaurus. It helped.”

“Do you believe me when I say I love you?”

“I do.”

“And do you believe me that I’m gonna love you even when we’re old and gross?”

“Yeah. I do.”

“And do you believe me when I say I would kick anybody’s ass who tries to fuck with you?”

He choked out another laugh. “Oh yeah.”

“Good.” I held out my hand, not looking away from him. “Rings.” Nothing happened. “Oh my fucking God, give me the fucking rings.”

Sandy and Darren both leapt forward, dropping the rings in my hands as Wheels began to bark from where he sat in Nana’s arms. Everyone else around us was silent, most likely in horror. But that was okay. This wasn’t about them. This was about me and the guy I was sitting on.

He held up his hand and I slid the ring on his finger. It was a simple silver band, thick and shiny, with today’s date and our initials engraved inside. Mine was the same, and he took it from me and placed it on my own finger. It felt heavy, like a brand, and I loved every second of it.

“Jenny!”

“Uh. Yes? Paul?”

“Do you have to say anything else before I can kiss the holy hell out of Vince and make him my husband?”

“Um, maybe?”

“Then say it!” I demanded. “I need to mack on my man for real.”

“This is so goddamn lovely!” Sandy wailed. “It’s everything I hoped it would be!”

“Okay, then. By the power invested in me by the state of Arizona, I now pronounce you husband and husband. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Paul and Vince Auster. You may kiss your—”

But Vince had already captured my mouth with his own, and it was the best goddamn first-married-kiss in the history of the world. The wedding party behind us cheered. Our guests clapped slowly, like they were unsure of what just had happened.

I didn’t care. I wasn’t focused on that.

Instead, I kissed my husband for all I was worth.

Until you, Vince.

Until you.

Epilogue: Robert and Jeremy

THE REST was a whirlwind. We stood for photos, some with all of us, many with just me and Vince. I didn’t remember a lot of it, but that was okay. Later, I’d see the finished products, and there would be nothing but hearts in my eyes, an awed smile on my face as I looked at Vince. There would be one that would be my favorite above all. It wasn’t staged, just one of the hundreds of moments that day held. Charlie took it, and it showed Vince and I standing off away from everyone else, ties undone, jackets off. Vince had his hands on my hips, and mine were around the back of his neck. His forehead was pressed against mine, his eyes closed, a contented smile on his face. That would be the photograph that would be hung in our home, the one I’d look at over and over and over again to know that I was loved with his whole heart.

But that would be later.

There was food and dancing and speeches given. Sandy bawled halfway through his best man speech, demanding that he could get a do-over once he was more composed. We all agreed and he nailed it the second time around, telling stories of love and life and apparently every single embarrassing thing I’d ever done. People were starting to stare at me strangely by the time he was finished, but he looked pleased with himself, so I just let it go.

Darren did the same for Vince, his a bit gruffer than Sandy’s, more serious. He told everyone listening that he always worried that Vince would end up with someone who couldn’t appreciate him for every facet of who he was, but he didn’t worry about that anymore. He toasted us, wineglass raised in our direction, and I mouthed thank you. The Homo Jock King nodded and took his seat next to Sandy, who leaned over and whispered something in his ear. I saw the mask slip again, a quiet smile on his face. I began to realize I was seeing that more and more, and knew my best friend had a lot to do with it.

We danced. All of us did. Vince and I were first, and we swayed back and forth while everyone looked on. I still stepped on his feet, stupid Groupon dance lesson be damned. But he didn’t mind. I told myself that I should probably keep him around because of that.

And then Mom cut in, and I held her close. I choked on a laugh as I looked over her shoulder to see my father taking Vince for a spin around the dance floor. They moved gracefully, much better than Vince or I ever had.

“That’s nice, isn’t it?” Mom said.