AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What?”
“You don’t belong to anyone, Willow. You are, and always will be, your own woman. Remember that.”
Willow looks deep into my eyes before leaning forward to kiss me. “I’ll remember,” she says against my lips. “I promise.”
Chapter 10
Willow
Christmas morning in Vegas feels like every other morning in Vegas. Every casino, bar, buffet, shopping mall, and various other attractions remain open as usual. The sidewalks are crowded with tourists and the streets are filled with cars. The weather is mild, sunny with highs in the low sixties.
But even I cannot deny the magic in the air.
Maybe it’s because I’m weirdly excited about Heath and Darlene’s wedding.
I’ve never been invited to a wedding before. Not a real one, anyways. When I attended my cousin Claire’s wedding, it felt more like a funeral than a celebration of love. Hers had been arranged just as mine had, to a high-ranking member of the Becerra Cartel. She got to wear a pretty white dress and delicate see-through veil, but there was no cake and no afterparty. It felt more like a business transaction, and I was an unwilling witness, my presence a formality.
So imagine my surprise when I walk into the Graceland Wedding Chapel, every inch of the place covered in cream white walls and beautiful floral arrangements. It’s hard not to smile when the bride and groom give their vows in front of their Elvis impersonator. The whole thing is ridiculous and silly and wonderfully lighthearted; I can’t help but feel warm and fuzzy all over.
Heath and Darlene look like the happiest couple alive, so committed to one another that the cheesiness of the venue doesn’t even phase them.
They exchange rings and are pronounced husband and wife.
“You may kiss the bride,” their officiant says. “Thank you, thank you very much.”
Darlene practically throws herself into her new husband’s arms, bouncing with pure joy as they share their first kiss as a married couple.
“I got married!” Heath declares with a hearty laugh.
“Congrats, man,” Zane says, patting his brother on the back.
“Good luck to you,” Knox quips. His attempt at being serious is seriously undermined by sparkly sequin material of fake Elvis’ jacket.
Darlene gives me a hug. “Thank you so much for coming.”
“I’m so happy for you,” I say, and genuinely mean it. “What’s the plan now?”
“Heath and I are going to catch a flight to Hawaii for our honeymoon,” she explains. “But first, a pitcher of margaritas and an all-you-can-eat buffet! Want to join us?”
I laugh. “Do I want to get drunk at ten in the morning? Of course, I do.”
Heath shakes Zane by the shoulders. “Please say you’re coming, too. Let me tell you, Drunk Zane is my favorite version of Zane. He sings karaoke if you get him tipsy enough.”
I put my hands on my hips. “Color me intrigued.”
Zane rolls his eyes. “It wasonetime.”
“You’re coming too, right Knox?” Darlene asks.
The youngest Phillips brother shakes his head. “No, I’m going home.”
“What? Why?”
“Our security company, remember? We still have lots of work to do before we start the job with our first client.”
Heath frowns. “We’ve got plenty of time. C’mon, man. It’s my wedding day. Come celebrate with us.”
Knox steps away. “Don’t let me rain on your parade. Congrats on getting hitched. I’ll see you all back in LA.” He leaves without another word, bringing the mood down with him.
