Page 99 of Dating After the End of the World
Greg starts fist-bumping Terrance as he goads him into playing some tunes before the ceremony starts. Terrance obliges and begins performing “Bad to the Bone” on his harmonica.
Elaine lets out a heavy sigh. “At least there will be an open bar at the reception.” She chuckles as JJ escorts her to her seat.
“Pssst,” I hear someone say.
I spin around to find Molly waving me over. I quickly sprint across the grass, hoping she’s not getting cold feet.
“Hey, everything okay? Are you ready?” I ask, finding her with her back leaned up against the tree.
“Mm-hmm.” She nods, her lips pulled in, tears beginning to form across her eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just ... when I pictured this day, I thought my mom would be sitting in the front row, my brother and sister both standing up with me. And my dad would walk me down the aisle and give me away.” A tear escapes her eye and I swiftly dab it dry, saving her makeup from streaking.
“I know, Molly,” I say, resting my hand on her arm. “I know it more than anyone, but it doesn’t make it any better and it doesn’t make it suck any less. Just because this day isn’t what you pictured doesn’t mean it can’t be wonderful. It’s different, yes, but different doesn’t mean bad. There are so many people here that love you dearly, and none more than that big goof up there waiting for you.”
Molly pokes her head around the tree to get a glimpse of Greg and starts giggling upon seeing him dancing and singing the lyrics to the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” She looks back at me with a smile on her face.
“Sometimes the family you’re born with can’t always be there. But the family you pick up along the way can be. So let’s celebrate that and the two of you becoming a family of your own.” I tilt my head, returning the smile.
Molly lunges forward, drawing me into her before I have a chance to react. It’s reminiscent of the first hug we ever shared.
“Thanks, Case,” she whispers into my ear. “I’m ready.”
Signaling Terrance to start the actual wedding music, I join Tessa, JJ, and Blake at the end of the aisle.
“She didn’t get cold feet, did she?” Tessa asks.
“No, her feet are scalding hot,” I joke.
As the music begins, Tessa and JJ link arms and start off down the aisle. Blake nods to me as we stand side by side, waiting for our turn.
Sloane slips out from her chair in the last row and brushes past me, saying, “I’m going to check on the food and make sure the reception is all set back at the house.” She’s a couple of years older than I am, with a striking appearance, thanks to her long dark, wavy hair and light-green eyes. Sloane joined us about seven weeks ago, after her car hit a patch of ice and skidded off the road two miles down. She fit in almost immediately, thanks to her willingness to help with anything and everything. Her military background made her a valuable asset right from the beginning. She took night shifts, learned how to patrol, went on scavenge runs, and helped to train others on combat and weaponry. She was lucky to have stumbled upon this place, and we’ve been lucky to have her.
“No, no, sit,” I say, waving a hand and gesturing to her chair. “We’ll worry about that after the ceremony.”
She gives me a strained look. “But shouldn’t the reception be ready for Molly and Greg after the ceremony?”
“Yes, and it will be. Just relax.”
Sloane tightly smiles and retakes her seat, even though I know she doesn’t want to. She’s a lot like me in that way, unable to sit still, because there’s always something that can be done. I got that from my dad, and I wonder whether her dad was the same way. I smile back and thread my arm through Blake’s, ready to walk down the aisle with him.
“Hello, my dear,” he whispers.
“What did you have in mind?” I raise a brow.
“Huh?” His face is confused.
“Sniper tower, cab of the truck, tree house. What would you like me on top of?”
Blake smirks. “Definitely a tower, but not the sniper variety.”
“Tower? Let’s not go overboard.”
“Seems to do the trick for you.” He winks, making me laugh.
My eyes veer back to Tessa and JJ, realizing they’re more than halfway to Greg, so we missed our mark. “Whoops. We’re up,” I say, tugging him forward.
