Page 73 of Not Bad for a Girl

I blinked. Something wasn’t computing. “What? Why are you here?”

“Is that your dad?” Bruce asked from across the table. “Hi, Indiana’s dad!”

“Hello, random person!” Dad yelled back. “We’re here because…wait for it…we’re getting married!”

“What?” I yelped. “Why didn’t you tell me? Are you near the hotel?”

“A wedding?” Mike asked, already looking like he was about to tear up. “Can I go?”

“Of course you can, whoever you are,” Dad bellowed. “You can all come!”

“But wait,” I said, still trying to process. “You just met!”

“And we’re old as dirt!” he shouted back. “Why wait? We’re in love!”

“He makes an excellent point,” Evan said. “Why wait when you’re old as dirt?”

I could see Margaret smacking Dad. “We just decided to do it,” she said. “We want to share a room at Aspen Skies but not in a sinful way.” She laughed, and I could tell she didn’t give a damn about that. “We just want to be together, and you’re already here, so we figured what the hell!”

“When are you doing it?” I asked.

“Now!” they said together.

“Now?” I asked. “Like right now?”

“Yes!” they screamed.

Mike slammed down his beer and stood. “Then what’re we doing here?” He came around behind me and put his full face up to the phone. “Indiana’s dad, what chapel are you at?”

Dad looked thrilled to see him. “We’re at the Graceland Wedding Chapel, of course!”

Mike nodded vigorously. “Of course! That’s where Bon Jovi got married.” He turned to us. “What’re we still doing here? We have a wedding to attend!”

“We’re hanging up now. I’m about to kiss my fiancée!” Dad yelled. The screen went black, and Evan, Bruce, and Allen slammed their beers down as well.

“It’s time to go!” Evan said.

I looked helplessly at Shane, who nodded at Evan. “He’s right. It’s time to go.”

“My dad’s getting married,” I said in wonder. “I’ve wanted him to find someone who makes him happy for as long as I can remember, and it’s finally happening.” I turned to the group. “You don’t all have to go.”

“Are you kidding?” Evan said.

“Oh, we’re going,” Allen said, crossing his arms. “Vegas is for weddings!”

An excited laugh bubbled up in my throat. “I have no idea where this chapel is, but we have to get there!”

Mike put a hand over his heart. His plaid shirt and dark jeans made him look more like a lumberjack than someone about to attend a wedding. “I’ve had the pleasure of attending more than one wedding at Graceland. I’ll get us there safely.”

“Okay, hang on just a sec.” I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Heidi and Patrick.My dad’s here in Vegas and he’s getting married!!!

Heidi wrote back quickly.Awesome! I want to go but I’m in a bit of a predicament. No worries! Tell me all about it tomorrow!

Tell him congrats for me!Patrick.I’m in the middle of a boring meeting. Take pictures!

We took off running through the lobby, away from the man cave and out onto the street. The sky was darkening, and the city itself was brightening. Neon lights were everywhere, and combined with the palm trees, they made everything feel a little more magical.

“We’re gonna have to take the Deuce!” Mike called. “Follow me!”

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