heard a rumor, Izzy,” she coughed into her hand, “is designing them a tattoo.”
King’s phone made a sound. He looked at it, and said, “Okay, kids. That’s the signal. The wedding day protocol is now in effect. The west side of the house is off-limits to the groom.” Glancing quickly at his watch, he added, “Walt the photographer is embedded with the women so he brought an assistant to handle the flip side. He’ll be here in about an hour, so we’ll head out and let you shit, shave, and shower in peace. Your grandfather, Ned, and Stan will meet you in the foyer.”
“You guys are gonna be there too, right?”
“Hell, yeah,” King answered. “And my lovely wife will make sure I’m camera ready.”
After they cleared out Arnie gave himself a couple of self-congratulatory pats on the back.
Not only was Summer found and by his side where she belonged, he got a kid, a house, and a second chance with his brother in the bargain.
He wanted to remember this feeling. Summer made him feel boundless—as though all the wonder and joy in life was out there waiting for them. Almost losing everything turned out to be a blessing. It was only when you stand at the edge and peer into a vast nothingness that you realized how precious life was.
Today was going to rock, and when all was said and done, the next time he made love to Summer, she’d be his wife.
Yep, yep. He smiled as he made his way into the bathroom. In a few hours, they’d be Mr. And Mrs. Wanamaker. How fucking awesome was that?
“You look stunning,” Dawn murmured.
Summer studied her reflection in the full-length mirror.
When she met with a bridal consultant to choose a dress, she found out two things right away. First that money and prestige wiped out all last-minute concerns. Second that she was a serious romantic.
The first dress modeled for her sent Summer into a tailspin. It was lovely, but she didn’t feel a wedding was the time to go for such a sexy and provocative look. Turning up for her wedding overlooking the ocean dressed like a strumpet wasn’t at all how she envisioned her special day.
Dottie intervened. After Summer’s begging request, she played maternal stand-in and tagged along whenever wedding details needed to be handled.
After describing Summer as the perfect white dress bride, the consultant read between the lines, and the dynamic shifted. In short order, half a dozen demure, elegant, and tasteful dresses came and went.
In the end, the choice was easy. She picked a beautiful gown with a lace overdress reminiscent of the wedding dress worn by Kate Middleton. It was gorgeous and sexy because of the message it conveyed. Yeah, she was toting a four-month-old for her wedding, but that didn’t stop her or Arnie from letting everyone know she came to the relationship a virgin.
They called it a smug moment.
Felicity Toy and Aliyah Hawkins, the badass ladies of NIGHTWIND, stood behind her nodding with approval. Izzy and Ali turned out to be the best hair and makeup team she could have asked for. With her hair artfully styled by Ali into a chic wedding updo, Izzy added delicate crystal hairpins to complete the dreamy look.
She thought a veil was overkill until the stylist spoke up with a few suggestions. The fancy jeweled and very blingy comb with a long flow veil attached was anchored to the back of her head. It gave the dress a dramatic, traditional flair.
Sweet Nicole Maddison, Arnie’s first girlfriend, marched into the reflection from the right side. She surveyed Summer and gave an approving smile.
“You look like a princess.”
The soft sound of a 35 mm shutter was a reminder of how important today was.
Lorelai Weston sat to Summer’s left. The poor pregnant newlywed was doing a great job of valiantly battling her dreadful morning sickness. She asked about the bridal bouquet at the same moment there was knocking on the French doors to the parlor where they were gathered.
Dottie sprang into action and went to see who was on the other side. Summer heard laughter followed by more laughter.
A large, elegantly dressed drag queen sashayed in, carrying Summer’s bouquet.
She clapped her hands excitedly and gasped with delight. “It’s beautiful.”
The rest of her bridal party crowded around. Arnie’s drag queen friends turned out to be effing hilarious. Dressed in purples, blues, and reds—to coordinate with her bouquet of summer flowers—they looked like the finalists for one of RuPaul’s drag show contests.
“I love you