A small flutter stirs in my stomach and I mentally squash it like a bug. Nope. Not happening. The man is a walking collection of red flags. A complete fuckboy with a pretty face. That flutter needs to die immediately before it gets any stupid ideas.
I flip my hair back, hoping I look completely unimpressed. “Damn straight. I can drop a man twice my size, and don’t forget it.” I let out a little sigh. “Alright, let’s do this, Speed Racer. But remember, I’m watching you.”
He grins, that smile that’s probably gotten him out of speeding tickets and into countless beds. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.” He gestures toward the stage with a slight bow, like some ridiculous parody of chivalry. “After you, m’lady.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re lucky I need both hands for this dress on stairs or I’d flip you off.”
“I’d expect nothing less from you, Reyes,” he says, following close behind me up the steps.
We step onto the small stage together. The crowd is still chatting, kids running between tables, the Romance Raiders loudly toasting something that sounds suspiciously like “To Eleanor’s liver!”
I tap the mic twice with Jack standing beside me.
“Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention please,” I say into the mic, using my best bartender-wrangling-the-rowdy-Saturday-crowd voice. The one that can cut through even the most chaotic nights at the Lantern.
Conversations gradually quiet. Faces turn toward us. Maren and Calvin are near the dessert table, and I watch them both do identical double-takes. They exchange a quick glance and Maren covers her mouth, clearly trying not to laugh. Obviously husband and wife forgot to coordinate their MC replacement strategy.
“We know you’re all having an amazing time,” Jack says, leaning in to speak into the mic I’m holding. “But we need you to pause the party for just one minute.”
“Because it’s time for something even better,” I add, adjusting my grip on the mic and maintaining what I hope is professional distance. “The moment we’ve all been waiting for.”
“The cake?” someone yells from the back. Eddie from the marina.
“Soon, Eddie!” I call back, laughing. “I know you’ve been stalking that wedding cake like a predator since you arrived, but you have to wait your turn!”
The crowd laughs. I see Maren pointing at Eddie and shaking her head fondly. Eddie just grins and gives an unapologetic shrug.
Jack leans in again. “But first, it’s time for the first dance of our beautiful bride and groom.”
“Or as I like to call them,” I can’t help adding with a huge grin at Maren, “my favorite couple with my favorite couple name:Caren.”
Maren’s eyes go comically wide and she mouths “NO” at me while simultaneously trying not to laugh. We’ve had this ongoing joke since they moved in together, and she pretends to hate it but secretly loves it. Calvin’s shoulders are shaking with laughter beside her, and he pulls her closer, whispering something in her ear.
Jack gives me a look that clearly saysReally? And you warned ME not to embarrass them?
He smiles with anokay-it’s-onlook and leans into the mic. “Caren?” He draws the word out slowly. “Are we doing couple names now? Did I miss a memo? Was there a meeting?”
“Calvin and Maren. Caren with a C,” I explain to the crowd, who are all laughing now. “It’s perfect and Maren secretly loves it despite what she tells literally everyone.”
“I do NOT!” Maren shouts across the lawn, but she’s laughing so hard she’s clutching Calvin for support.
“Look at that face,” Jack says into the mic, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. “That’s a woman wholovesher couple name.”
Calvin raises his hand like he’s in a classroom. “For the record, I love it!” he shouts, earning himself a playful shove from Maren.
“See?” I say triumphantly. “Calvin’s on board. The groom has spoken. Democracy in action.”
“We should make this official,” Jack suggests, warming to his role. “All in favor of officially adopting ‘Caren’ as their couple name, raise your hands and say aye!”
The entire crowd erupts, hands shooting up everywhere. Even Calvin’s brothers are enthusiastically voting, clearly living for the chaos. Laila starts barking excitedly at all the noise and commotion.
“Traitors!” Maren yells, laughing and trying to shush Laila while giving everyone death glares. “Every single one of you is fired from being my friend!”
“Hey, no interfering with the democratic process, Mrs. Midnight!” I call back. “Now, all opposed?”
Maren raises both hands and one foot, jumping up and down, which just makes everyone laugh harder. She’s always been such a good sport. It’s one of the million reasons I love her.
“The ayes have it!” Jack declares with the authority of someone announcing race results. “Caren is officially recognized! Let the record show!”
