Page 30 of Why Not Forever?

The deck is massive and designed to resemble a boardwalk. Lights are strung above our heads. White folding chairs have been set out in rows in front of a pergola decorated with white roses. When we stand beneath it, the ocean will be in the background of any picture.

“We’d decided on white flowers,” I say. “I didn’t realize we’d gone specifically with roses.”

“Spencer insisted,” Derek says. “He said Vic would want roses, that there was some kind of significance. He was a little cagey about what it was.”

I think about this for a moment before I remember the paper rose I’d made for Vic the morning after we slept together. How would Spencer have known about that, unless she’d shown him? Had she kept it? I’ve been to her place a few times in the last few weeks and haven’t seen it, but then, I haven’t exactly been looking for it. We’d hired a moving company and my things were all set up at her apartment as of yesterday morning. I’d spent the night at Wyatt’s last night, but tonight, Vic and I would be spending our first night as husband and wife at her place.

“Oh,” I say.

“Let me show you where we’re getting ready.”

Wyatt and I follow Derek to a room on the second floor of the building.

“There are two rooms up here, one for each side of the wedding party. There’s also a couple offices.” He opens the door, and we go in together.

It’s a comfortable space with a couch and coffee table to one side, a makeup table with a director’s chair on the other, and a privacy screen in the far corner.

“Both rooms are exactly the same,” Derek says. “You can get changed back there. Or in the middle of the room, I guess.” He shrugs. “Anyway, this one is for us. Vic will be set up in the room next door.”

Vic had wanted her friends in the bridal party, but she has three and I only wanted Wyatt. So we’d decided to ask Derek to be my second groomsman to even things out. Spencer and Adalie will stand up with Vic.

“Thanks for doing this, Derek. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem. While we’re not that close, wearefriends.”

“I just really didn’t want to have to ask Keith. Mom would have insisted if I didn’t have a good excuse why he couldn’t be a groomsman.”

Wyatt hangs up our suits and we start getting ready, chatting about Blue Vista and Derek’s upcoming honeymoon.

“Where are you guys going?” Wyatt asks.

“Hawaii. Ava wants to take pictures of the…” He waves a hand. “Everything.”

“Are you and Vic going on a honeymoon?” Wyatt asks. “I know it’s a business thing, but if you want to add more legitimacy, it wouldn’t hurt.”

“I hadn’t thought about it,” I say as I tie my tie. “Getting ready for the wedding has taken up most of our time these last few weeks. There’s a lot we need to figure out still. I’m also not much of a traveller, so I don’t even really know where we’d go.” I straighten my tie then look at Wyatt, who is struggling with his. “Let me. You never can get them straight.”

He grins. “What do I need to get a tie straight for? I work from home.”

Derek laughs. “I’m not sure I could do that. I’d probably completely neglect my house chores and never stop working.”

“Yeah, but you wear whatever you want to work, anyway,” I say as I finish with Wyatt’s tie, tightening it too much so he has to loosen it.

“Only on days when I don’t have to deal with clients.” He considers for a moment. “Which, admittedly, is most days. I have to say, owning my own business does come with some perks.”

“I’d like to start my own,” Wyatt says. “It just takes more capital than I have at the moment.”

“You’re in tech, aren’t you?” Derek says, pulling on his suit jacket and ensuring it’s straight. “You should talk to Spencer. He’s looking to invest in something, but he wants to be a silent partner. Plus, his dad is in tech, so I could see him being interested.”

“Doesn’t he hate his dad?” I ask.

“No. They’re just… estranged.”

Someone knocks on the door and a young woman peeks her head in when we tell her she can. I recognize her as the woman who I’d assumed was the receptionist at the Vancouver Blue Vista location. “They’re ready for you,” she says, speaking more to Derek than to me.

“Thanks, Denise. But I’m not your boss today. Tell the groom. Always remember, on the day of the wedding, your boss is the bride and groom.”

She straightens and nods, turning to me. “They’re ready for you, Mr. Marcus.”

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