Page 84 of Why Not Both?

With Pride and the fireworks happening on the same day, Vic wanted to let multiple people get married at our venue. We dropped the price for the one day, made a lower maximum guest limit, and had all three weddings happen together as one big party.

It was an interesting struggle getting three different couples together and sorting out wedding details, but it had been a fun and exciting exercise.

The three couples share their first dance as the fireworks start.

There’s another wedding the next day since Monday is a holiday. And then finally, finally, we get to rest.

As we’re about to leave, I ask Lis what her plans are for her days off and if she wants to go hiking. I’d intended to ask her out on a date, but now, I just feel like I need to get us back to our friend status.

Her smile is strained when she refuses.

“Oh. I can’t. I have a hair appointment and then I’m going to get some wedding stuff done with Daze and Sophie.”

They’d agreed to take the date I’d offered them in September, so the wedding is swiftly approaching.

“How’s everything going with that?”

“They both have their dresses. We went to this really cool consignment dress shop on West Hastings. Daze got this really cute, ethereal gown and Sophie got this simple, elegant one. They’re going to look stunning together.”

“That’s great.”

“Yeah. And they only needed minor alterations, so that was awesome too. This week we’re going to find my dress and the other maid of honour’s dress.”

“That’s awesome. I can’t wait to see it all come together. Are you walking home? You want me to walk you?”

I hold my breath as I wait for her response.

“No. My feet are killing me. I’m going to take transit.”

I want to go with her, but she said she needed time and I’m determined to give it to her.

A couple days later, I go through my morning routine of wake up, coffee, stare like a pathetic creep out my front window. When I move, I won’t be able to do this. Maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe I need to take a step back. Maybe Derek was right and I’m just going to have my heart broken.

I sit down at the dining table with my mug as Vic comes out of her bedroom, dressed and ready for the day, though I have no idea what she has planned.

I run my hands over the tabletop.

“I don’t have any furniture,” I say.

“No, you don’t. Except in your bedroom.”

“How did I get to be a thirty-year-old man with no furniture?”

She laughs. “A girlfriend asked you to move in with her and you freaked out and moved in with me instead.”

“Well, if I’m going to move into a new place, I should probably get some things.”

“Probably, yes,” she says with a sage nod.

“And some dishes. I don’t have any dishes.”

“You have that mug,” she points to it.

It came with a coffee gift set from some past girlfriend who thought we needed to exchange presents at Christmas. I can’t even remember what I’d gotten her. We’d barely been dating a couple of months and broke up shortly after Christmas. At the time, I had the feeling she’d just not wanted to be alone during the holidays.

The end result being that I have one mug. I don’t particularly like it, but since it’s mine, it’s the one I habitually reach for.

“Let’s go shopping,” I say.

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