Page 132 of Problematic Summer Romance

“Oh, I am. I’d buy you a new car, if I wasn’t sure that Daddy’s already on it.”

When Eli and Rue arrive, they sit on the stool in front of the grand piano. “So,” he starts, “short story short, we spent the past forty-eight hours trying to figure out how to get thirty-something people here. Catania is not the only airport in Sicily, and we explored the possibility of boats and buses. But the domino effect of thousands of people rescheduling travel was too much. It may even be difficult to get you guys out of here—”

“Hang on. So the wedding’s off?” Axel’s devastation is epic. And unexpected.

“That man is invested,” Nyota mutters. “Was he in charge of the wedding trousseau, or something?”

“I think he just likes love?” I shrug. “No thoughts, head empty, but in a romantic way.” He’s a sweet boy. Man. Whatever. He’ll find someone to take him in hand and will make for a great life partner.

“The wedding isnotoff,” Eli reassures. His arm tightens around Rue, who leans deeper into him. “Rue and I got married.”

Silence. I wonder if I should pretend to be surprised. Glance at Conor, who’s smiling like he can’t be bothered to fake it.

“Yup. We did it without you guys in attendance. I know we lured you here under the false pretense that you’d get to witness the beginning of the rest of our lives, and—”

“Despicable,” Minami mutters drily.

“—we are very sorry that we acted selfishly. Just kidding, we aren’t. This wedding was a total shitshow, and hearing my very rational fiancée unironically use the word ‘curse’ precipitated this decision. With all due respect, y’all may fuck yourselves.”

Tisha raises her hand. “Will you be taking questions at this time?”

“Ah…Sure.”

“Whendid you get married?”

“Early this morning—”

A chorus of groans. After a few moments, cash is exchanging hands. Most of it flows into Nyota’s direction.

“Thank you, yes, thank you—Nu-uh, Tamryn, you may pay in euros, but the exchange rate was much more advantageous to me at the time of the bet.”

“Ye olde bastards,” Tisha mutters, opening up her Venmo app. “You couldn’t do it half a day later, could you?”

After paying up, people flock to Eli and Rue for hugs and congratulations. Axel hiccups with joy while his brother rubs his back.

“Now I don’t know what to do,” Nyota mumbles, counting her cash.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s just, with no ceremony, no rehearsal dinner, no introductions to fuckable bachelors…I’m not sure that Rue worked hard enough for that Instagram follow.”

I snort.

“Now that you have enriched yourself off of our wedding anguish,” Eli says, “let me tell you about our plans. We’ll sail for Greece in two days and stick around till then. The villa is available to all of you through the next week, too, thanks to Tamryn. Stay as long as you like.”

“Through next year,” Tamryn adds with a cheeky smile. “Please, feel free to exercise your squatting rights to their full extent in my late husband’s not-yet-settled real estate portfolio.” Everyone laughs.

“Any other questions?” Eli asks.

I raise my hand.

“Yes, Maya.”

“What about the ball pit we were promised?”

He raises his middle finger at me as he leaves with Rue.

I catch Conor’s eyes as he hands Kaede over to Sul. I smile, and so does he. A new feeling floods me: That he and I are on the same side of an invisible line, and the rest of the world is elsewhere. Our very own Isola Bella. Sandbar accessibility subject to changes in sea levels.

---