Love and Candy Canes

“Want to go to a wedding tomorrow?” he asks kissing my forehead.

“Yeah. That’d be nice.” I am suddenly very tired. I never want to leave his arms. I feel safe and oddly loved.

After getting into my condo, I take a quick shower while he waits. I pull on a knee-length black cocktail dress and a pair of red strappy heels.

“You look beautiful,” he says as I walk back into my living room.

“Thank you,” I say. He looks gorgeous in his tuxedo. “I’m ready to go.” He holds out his hand to me and I take it. He uses it to pull me closer to him in order to kiss me breathless. I must say waking up in his arms this morning was amazing. Is it insane that I want to do that every day for the rest of my life? Even if it is, sign me up.

“Now I am ready to go,” he says after ending the kiss.

“Do we have a few minutes,” I ask giggling. He’s turned me on yet again.

“Unfortunately, not, but I will take care of you later,” he whispers that and several other filthy things in my ear that make me squirm. Damn him. We take another Uber from my place over to the hotel where his cousin is getting married. As soon as we get there, I meet the groom. To say that he’s a creep would be an understatement.

“Hey cuz, who’s the hottie?”

“Mind your business, Yuri.”

“Fine, fine,” he says raising his hands.”

“Don’t you need to get married,” I ask, holding on to Emmerich’s hand tighter.

“Right. Yeah, I guess so,” he says shrugging his shoulder.

He goes to stand at the altar and Emmerich leads me to our seats. We sit together and watch the show. The bride who I learn is Tarah, decides at the last minute to NOT marry the douche, when Emmerich’s other cousin, Dante, interrupts the service. It caused a lot of commotion since Yuri and Tarah’s fathers were pretty much forcing the marriage. Yuri and Tarah hate each other as we learned when this unfolded like a daytime soap opera. Since there was no reception, we are now going out to dinner with Emmerich’s brother, Friedrich and their parents, Martin and Eralandis.

“So, where did my brother meet you?” he asks after we have ordered. Our drinks arrived quickly.

“On the beach yesterday,” I say taking a sip of my margarita. The giant almost all tequila margarita.

“He went to the beach?” His facial expression can only be described as shocked.

“Yes,” I say, and I know that I am blushing.

“He always has such a stick up his ass,” he says, laughing.

“Brother, shut it.”

“I haven’t noticed any stick,” I say.

“Oh, really?”

“Really, not even the hint of one,” I reply as I run my hand discreetly up his thigh under cover of the table. I hear him groan under his breath. I feel a bit naughty. I mean, his parents are sitting right there.

“That is news that should be celebrated,” Fredrich says.

“Don’t worry, I plan to,” Emmerich says causing me to giggle. I leave the men to their conversation and turn to Mrs. Tresoro. She is a tall, willowy woman with a kind smile.

“So, Savannah, tell me more about you. You look familiar to me.”

“I am a chef on TV. Emmerich told me about your health. I am so glad you are doing better. I was on Dance Star last season.

“Oh, yes. I remember. You were lovely, dear.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Tresoro.”

“Please, you must call me, Era.”

We chat until the bill comes. Mr. Tresoro, or Marty as he insisted, I call him, paid the bill and they prepare to leave.

“We should have lunch soon, Savannah,” Era says, kissing my cheeks.

“I’d like that. It was lovely to meet you,” I say, returning her hug.

“Same dear. With the way my son is looking at you, I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of each other.”

“Is it crazy if I say that I hope so? We only met yesterday.”

“Not at all. I met and married Marty within two days. I was a showgirl in Vegas. It was the best decision I ever made. Trust your heart.”

“Thank you,” I say smiling. I decide to heed her advice. My own parents met in high school and knew right away they were meant to be together. Thirty years later, that still rings true. When they leave, Fredrich rubs his hands together excitedly.

“Should we hit a casino?” Fredrich asks.

“Ooh, that would be fun,” I say. “Besides, we are dressed to go out.” The guys nod and it looks like the night is set.

We walk from the restaurant to a casino and I head straight for the ATM. I take out a hundred dollars, which is all I will allow myself when I gamble.

“What’s your poison?” I ask Emmerich, taking a drink of the beer I ordered as soon as we got here. I have never been this drunk before.