Page 78 of Breaking Emily's Rules
“Okay. I promise.”
I kissed him again, tenderly, and then again not so tenderly, the only thought in my head being that I’d just made a promise only he could make me break.
CHAPTER19
Emily
Ihanded Grammya tissue. Weddings always made her cry. Even this wedding, and that said something. The bride and groom had written their own vows, but apparently neither one of them had thought of first consulting a book. Or even a dictionary.
“I hella love you, Ashley,” the groom said. “I swear I’ll like, love you forever and all. For real, dude.”
“Billy, when you, like, asked me to marry you, like, I couldn’t believe it. But you’re like my soul mate, so what could go wrong? I promise I’ll like love you for always.”
“Maybe the next wedding will be more romantic,” I said from the back. The bar hadn’t been set too high, after all.
Dad, for his part, had retreated to the big house and locked himself in his office, away from all the “lunatics” on his property.
The night was cool and clear, and as they moved outdoors under the stars for the reception, the band began to set up on the makeshift stage.
“This must be hard for you. You should have reconsidered having a wedding this soon after, well, you know,” Grammy said.
I put an arm around Grammy. “Don’t worry about me. I might never get married.”
I might adopt someday. Lots of kids needed homes. Should I ever get it into my head I had to somehow pass on the Parker genes (lovers of beef), I’d visit one of those sperm banks. Pretty sure someday they’d be on every corner, the way things were going.
The First National Sperm Bank on one corner, The Sperm Credit Union on the other. With men like Greg being the marrying kind and men like Stone being the runaway kind, I figured a visit to a sperm bank was unavoidable.
“You don’t believe that, sweetheart. You’ve been planning your wedding since you were eleven and used my white lace tablecloth for a veil.” Grammy dabbed at her thick clumps of mascara.
“I’d rather marry that lace tablecloth.” I was stronger now. Smarter. Not as easy to fool next time, should there be a next time. The jury was still out on that.
Molly appeared behind me. “Everything’s ready at the buffet line.”
Billy and Ashley walked out of the barn first, followed by their wedding party.
“Follow me.” Molly led them to where the photographer waited to take photos.
Grammy and I stayed behind to direct the guests to the tables and buffet, where a long line had begun to form.
No time like the present. Hoping it wasn’t completely tacky, I walked up to Ashley and congratulated her.
“So, where did you get your tattoos?” I dared to ask.
“Billy did my tattoos.”
“Billy, your husband?”
“That’s how we met, at the tattoo parlor. Why? Do you know someone who’d like a tattoo?”
I looked at the ground then met Ashley’s gaze. “Yeah. Me.”
To her credit, Ashley didn’t appear shocked to find that straightlaced Emily Parker wanted a tattoo. “Hey, come by anytime and we’ll do it free of charge.”
Ashley was pulled away by the photographer, and I found Molly at my elbow. “You? A tattoo? It doesn’t come off, you know.”
“I know. That’s the point.”
I was pretty certain I had a stupid smile on my face. It felt good. I’d get the tattoo I’d always wanted but was too worried to get. Of course, first I’d make sure the parlor followed all the health guidelines. Giving up a little control didn’t mean I wouldn’t be smart about it.
