Tied

Damn it. Those weren’t supposed to arrive until Kate and I were on our honeymoon—far away, in the middle of the Mediterranean for three wonderful, na**d weeks.

Matthew looks over his shoulder at me. “Seriously?”

I throw my arms up in the air. “You’ll thank me one day. And so will Michael.”

Delores lifts the knife.

“If I didn’t love you two and your son, I wouldn’t bother.” I let that sink in a minute. “And you’re one to talk—what about that text you sent Billy from the bachelorette party? If I wasn’t so evolved, that could’ve really f**ked things up for me and Kate. And . . . it hurt my feelings.”

Did it really? No. But you play the cards you’re dealt.

My admission calms Dee a little. I have a feeling she and Matthew have already discussed it. “That was a joke, Drew. If I really hated you . . . I wouldn’t put any effort into torturing you. I’d just ignore you completely.”

Matthew interjects, “We’ll change his name back. It was a screwed-up attempt at a nice gesture, but we’ll change it back.”

I doubt they will. And if they do . . . I’ll just have to be stealthier in my next attempt.

Kate comes over, looking only half-concerned. But she still stands in front of me protectively.

“Dee-Dee? Remember we said no bloodshed on the wedding day—it’s bad luck.”

Dee sighs and tosses the knife on the table. “I need a drink.”

Matthew nods. “I’ll join you.”

After they’re gone, Kate turns around to me. “The papers arrived early, didn’t they?”

“They did.”

She shakes her head. “I told you it was a bad idea.”

I wrap my arms around her because she’s gorgeous when she’s right. “I should’ve listened to you.”

She smiles up at me. “Maybe we should have kept ‘obey’ in the vows.”

She does have a point.

We dance. Slow and sweet, dirty and sweaty. At one point, while I’m grinding against Kate’s ass, James barrels onto the dance floor with Sister Beatrice Dugan hot on his heels. I pick him up, and the first nun I ever lusted after smiles with appreciation.

“Are you enjoying your celebration, Katherine?”

“I am, Sister, very much.”

“I’ll be praying for you both—for a long and fruitful union.”

I bounce James and he squeals. “All our prayers have been answered, Sister B—save yours for someone who really needs them.”

She clicks her tongue. “All newlyweds need the Lord’s grace, Andrew.”

Disgruntled with not being the center of attention, James rectifies the situation. “Poosy!” he yells, laughing manically. “Poosy!”

I freeze, and Kate’s eyes slide closed.

Sister B smirks. “And this darling seems to have his father’s disposition.”

Kate opens her eyes. “Very much so, yes.”

Sister B pats Kate’s arm with sympathy. “Then I’ll be praying doubly hard.” She addresses our son. “Would you like a soda pop, young James?”

His eyes widen and he nods quickly. I put him down, and, holding Sister B’s hand, he toddles off.

The music changes to a slower song—“All of Me” by John Legend. Without a word, Kate raises her arms to my shoulders, I rest my hands on her lower back, and we sway in time to the beat.

That’s when I notice another couple dancing off to my right—not anywhere as close as Kate and I are—but still, for a second I’m shocked.

Because it’s Mackenzie and Johnny Fucking Fitzgerald.

Her one hand is on his shoulder, his at her waist, while their other arms are bent at the elbow, hands clasped in the classic ballroom posture.

I almost pity him. Because even though it’s not intentional? My girl was born to be a heartbreaker.

As I watch them silently, Johnny makes his move. Catching Mackenzie off guard, the little bastard presses his lips to hers and snatches a kiss. Her first, I’m guessing. It’s chaste and over as quickly as it started.

Johnny pulls back and looks hopeful. But Mackenzie . . . she seems confused . . . until she’s not. Then she rips her hand from his.

And punches him right in the gut.

“Ooof!” He folds at the waist, holding his stomach, and Mackenzie stomps off.

I help the kid off the dance floor. “You need to work on reading a chick’s signals or you’re gonna be getting hit a lot, Casanova.”

“Kenzie hits hard for a girl,” he rasps.

“She kicks harder. You got off lucky.” Once he’s in a chair, I pat his shoulder. “Better luck next time.”

Then I return to my wife’s waiting arms.

An hour later, it’s speech time. Completely at ease, Matthew taps his glass with a spoon and then addresses the silenced crowd.

“As the best man, I could stand up here and tell you stories about Drew and Kate. How they met, their accomplishments and battles at the office, what amazing parents they are, how devoted they are to family and friends. But that would take a long time . . . and dessert is coming.” The audience chuckles. “So I’ll sum it up like this: Drew is one of a kind in the greatest of ways. When God made him, he broke the mold. But he didn’t want him to be alone. So he made Kate, and then he broke her mold too.” Matthew raises his glass and the crowd raise theirs. “If ever there was a man and a woman who were perfect for each other, who deserve each other and bring out the best in each other—it’s you two. Congratulations on your marriage—may it be long and fun and frisky—and may you always look at one another the way you do today. To Drew and Kate.”