Loud claps and whistles went up all around the church, which was expected in a room full of half-tipsy Irishmen and bikers. There were a few shouts of, “Get a room!” or “Save it for the honeymoon!” and finally, Maisie pulled back, a bright pink blush staining her cheeks, though she couldn’t take her eyes off her groom.
“Damn, babe. Save some of that for later.” She cupped his face, still smiling, and dove in for another kiss, despite her words.
“Okay, let’s get out of here so we can celebrate being married. Properly.”
Heat flared in the big Irishman’s eyes, and he clasped their hands together, practically dragging her up the aisle, leaving the rest of the wedding party to follow.
“That was sweet,” Madison said as she grabbed my arm and rolled her eyes. “But also kind of embarrassing. I hope I’m never that stupid in love.”
I laughed as we stepped through the church doors and out into the blinding Nevada sun. “You and me both, kid.”
“Kid? You’re like five minutes older than me, if that. Kid.” She glared at me but her lips twitched with another smile. “Now put on your best smile pretty boy, we have a big ass photo shoot ahead of us.”
“Big?” My eyes went round as we descended the church steps. Thankfully, no confetti or birdseed got tossed because Maisie refused to get it in her complicated hairstyle. “How big are we talking?”
“Big,” Madison said, her gaze deadly serious. “There’s a whole schedule for it and everything, but the guys aren’t supposed to know about it because you’re all a bunch of big babies and would complain about it endlessly.”
I laughed at her words. “That sounds like a quote.”
“Direct from Kat,” she confirmed gleefully.
After a short limo drive to a nearby park, Madison’s grave tone took on a whole new meaning. The park was filled with vibrant green grass. Security guards lined all four sides, almost hidden by a rainbow of flowers. It looked like the perfect place for a photographer to hold us hostage. There was no way out. “I never even knew this place existed.”
Madison laughed. “Not surprising,” she said through a smile as we all stood together for the first of what felt like nine million photos. “I don’t imagine you have much need for this in your life.”
She was right. Decorative benches and stylized outbuildings didn’t hold much priority in my life. “Too bad we can’t say the same for my cousin and the photographer.” Thankfully, the wedding party was only needed for the first twenty minutes of photos and we spent the next thirty minutes drinking and razzing the happy couple.
“You call that a smile, Virgil? You look like you’re about to drop a deuce!” Terry barked out a laugh when Virgil flipped him off, earning a glare from Maisie and more laughter from the rest of us.
“Go easy on him, babe.” Kat put one hand to Terry’s chest and used the other to slide the leather flask from his hand. “Virgil isn’t used to smiling so much.”
“I can hear you, Kitty Kat.”
Kat turned with a look of absolute innocence on her face and grinned. “Was I whispering?” She threw her head back and laughed. “Just kidding. You look really happy, Virg, and we’re all happy for you. But if you could smile a little brighter, we could all get to the reception before we melt.”
Ten minutes later, and we were all pressed together for a few candid photos. “Hang on. I have one more thing and then we can get the hell out of here,” Virgil growled and motioned for Jasper and Terry to join him. They returned quickly, each man carrying two wooden crates with a stamp on the side that read, VELVET FIRE.
“What’s this?” Maisie motioned to the crates; her blue eyes narrowed in confusion.
“This, my smokin’ hot wife, is one of your wedding presents. I had this whiskey made just for you and imported from Ireland. It’s called Velvet Fire.”
Her eyes widened in surprise before they filled with tears. “Velvet Fire? That’s what you call me.” He nodded and Maisie jumped in his arms, kissing him like they were the only two people in the park.
“Seriously melting here, guys.” Kat, the brave one, interrupted with a thought we were all having. Desert heat and formal wear did not mix.
“Right. Of course.” Maisie pulled back, breathless and smiling. “What now?”
“Now we take a few photos of all of us, with my wife sitting on the crates while we all sample her very own whiskey.”
A bright red smile, which could be seen from across the park, bloomed on her face. She turned to the photographer and shrugged. “You heard the man.”
These photos were more laid back, with everyone laughing and drinking and hugging one another. And finally, the photographer said the words we were all waiting to hear. “That’s a wrap!”