Page 48 of First in Line

“Tuscany sounds like a great destination wedding.”

“Anything you want, princess.”

There’s no more talking past that point. We don’t need to.

Just like we don’t need rings to know we belong to one another. This girl is mine just as much as I’m hers. I’m never letting her go.

“Ican’t believe this place is still open,” Evie lets out as we step into the diner she used to work at.

“What do you mean? It’s a landmark.”

“It’s a crappy diner with poor service. Honestly, it’s a miracle they haven’t closed yet.”

“I’m not sure about the poor service. Some waitresses were nice.” I offer her a side look, which she answers with a small grin.

I can’t tell if it’s muscle memory or old habits, but we both walk to “our” booth, all the way in the back corner. It’s been years since I last came here, and given the way she’s looking at everything with bright eyes, I’d say she hasn’t returned either.

“How is your sophisticated palate going to handle diner cuisine?” she teases.

“I can lower my standards on special occasions. And this is a very special occasion, isn’t it?”

“I can’t believe you’re fixing her. Along with you, she’s my oldest friend. Fifteen years, almost. Feels like twice that, yet I can still remember it as if it were yesterday.”

“Me too. I remember everything. Every moment with you, Evie. Down to the weird smell in that little chapel in Vegas. I don’t know what it was, but it was vile.”

“I think it was old, dried puke. We were probably the only sober couple they’d had all week.”

I scrunch my nose at that. “Do you still have your ring?”

“It’s in my jewelry box at home.”

“Yeah, same,” I say.

Evie seems to be within herself for a moment, probably thinking back on our impulsive decision over ten years ago. “You were right,” she starts. “It wasn’t a mistake. Not at that time. Not for us.”

“It still isn’t a mistake for me now.”

A waitress, who’s around the same age we were when we got married, arrives at our table. “Hey, guys. Welcome to Colette’s. Can I get you anything while you look at our menus?”

“Actually, we’ll have one serving of every dessert, please,” I say. “And two milkshakes, half chocolate, half peanut butter.”

“Uh—yeah, okay. I’ll be right back.”

The girl leaves, and Evie stares at the table between us while she hesitantly asks, “Have you ever… met someone you could see yourself marrying? Another woman who may beitfor you?”

“No. There’s only ever been one person who made me feel that way—like I could have her, and only her, for the rest of my life, and be perfectly content with it. And I’m beginning to fear there won’t ever be anyone else like that for me.”

She frowns, still looking down. “It’ll happen one day, Jax. You meet so many people, it’s bound to happen.”

“What if I don’t want that?”

“You can’t live your whole life alone. I know you’ll meet the right woman one day.”

“I already have.”

Whatever is happening outside seems to captivate her attention for a few moments. When she turns to me again, she has a new topic in mind.

“Are you anxious about Miami next week?”