Page 20 of A Holiday Lift
“Okay.” I turn to my mother. “Well, then I need a venue.”
I call the restaurant I reserved for tomorrow that overlooks the lake. It’s magical when the navy pier is lit up and everything is covered in snow, so it would’ve been . . . perfect. However, they explain that they can’t accommodate a spur-of-the moment wedding, even if it’s only six people. Me, Holly, my mother and hers makes four.
Shit. I need to text Holly’s best friend, Chelle, and my best man, Brian.
Me: I know this is last minute, but can you come now?
Chelle: Now? For what?
Me: I have to leave for Tokyo, so we’re going to do this now.
Chelle: Oh! Okay! I’ll head over.
She only livesa few blocks away, so that won’t be an issue.
Next to tell Brian, who was going to head to the bar with the girl he was banging last year. They have some weird pact, and . . . well, he’s a damn mess.
Me: Please tell me you’re sober and not hooking up with your ex or whatever the hell you call this girl.
Brian: What’s wrong?
Me: I’m getting married today, and I need you to get here.
Brian: I thought it was tomorrow.
Me: Change of plans.
Brian: I’ll be there in an hour.
There’ssomething I’m forgetting.
“The cake.”
My mother smiles. “Don’t you worry about that. Give Meredith and I two hours and we’ll have a cake done.”
Holly’s mother smiles. “Kayti and I will handle it. You get yourself ready.”
“Where do we do this?” I ask. “I can’t get the restaurant today, which means no food. Shit.”
“Dean, we have a feast here.”
“She’s going to hate this.”
Her mother shakes her head. “You’re planning a wedding for a Christmas gift. She will not hate a single thing.”
I really freaking hope not. When I came up with this, it all sounded good. It was a no fuss, easy wedding without any of the stress. She has been so busy and it wasn’t about a wedding for me, it’s about the marriage. I want to start our lives together—easy and low maintenance.
I wanted stress free, but now it’s a fucking mess.
I try to think of other venue options and then it hits me.
The place I took her on our first real date: the museum.
And I happen to have a connection. I text Chelle.
Me: Can have the wedding at the museum?
Chelle: We’re closed now, but I can call my boss and ask.
