A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(50)
“He’s rehearsing, prepping for the tour.” I volunteered as I drained the remaining wine from my glass. Taylah was right about one thing; the whole process was a lot easier with wine. Although according to Taylah, there wasn’t much in life that couldn’t be improved with a nice bottle of chilled fermented grapes.
Dave nodded in approval, “Awesome, I’ll catch a local show. They are phenomenal live.”
“I’ll get you tickets, just tell me what show and how many you want. I’ve got a hook up,” I winked at Dave before turning to Taylah who had busied herself refilling my wine glass, unprompted. “Tay, you trying to get me drunk?”
“Oh please, I’ve seen you swallow shots like a co-ed on spring break. It’s would take more than a few glasses of wine to get you liquored up.” Taylah admonished. “Besides, don’t you have your entourage to drive you home?”
“I don’t have an entourage and yes DarNell is going to drive me home.” I gave her a friendly shove, the wine sloshing slightly out of her glass and into her lap.
“Hey don’t take it out on the grapes that you don’t have a car!” Taylah licked the side of her glass, saving the vagrant drops before they could travel any further.
“A little light reading?” Dave pointed to the glossy mags that littered the floor.
“Oh we’re just causally throwing together Lexi’s wedding for Saturday. Just an average night of mayhem.” Taylah mused sarcastically, enjoying the retelling of my idea to reiterate how crazy I was.
“You’re having a wedding? Aren’t you already married?” Dave stroked his neatly trimmed goatee, confused about why his recently married ex-neighbour was sitting on his floor, drinking wine surround by every wedding publication known to man.
“What she had was a formalization of vows. You need a freaking party for it to be a wedding, Dave. My attendance is also mandatory to seal the deal.” Taylah didn’t give me the opportunity to clarify before she jumped in and put her own spin on the version of events. Despite her comical categorization, my first “wedding” would always be near and dear to my heart, the sentiment behind it pure and untainted by expectation.
“Sad but true Dave. I feel so dirty knowing Tay hasn’t sanctioned our union.” I agreed. The only person who had eclipsed Taylah’s disappointment had been Hannah, and while neither blamed me for their absences I was glad I was able to offer a remedy.
“So you doin’ the whole church thing?” Dave squatted down, joining us on the floor as he sought further information with genuine interest.
“Don’t be silly Dave, the thing would probably spontaneously combust if she walked through the doors.” Taylah laughed, thoroughly enjoying the suggestion.
“Hey! I have been in a church before and I didn’t set anything alight.” I argued, remembering that I had been in a church, recently even, and I had not suffered any acts of biblical proportions.
“God was just being kind on that day Sweetie, but trust me, if you show up in a white dress pretending to be a virgin He would smite you without a second thought.” Taylah gave this as her explanation as to how I was able to sit in church unscathed on the day Alex had buried his father.
“Actually Dave,” I ignored Taylah and her intricate interruptions on religion. “I’m having an outdoor wedding. We are organizing a tent and it will be low-key, close friends, family, no church.”
“Still you’re going to need someone to preside over the ceremony. You thought about who you might want?” Done with the light hearted frivolity, Taylah was now focused on the next actionable objective.
“Not really, just no one who is going to blab to the press. I’d rather not have circling helicopters.” Another variable I hadn’t considered. One step closer and two steps back.
“Why don’t you just get a friend to do it? I mean you are already legally married, it’s not like you need the certificate signed.” Dave helpfully pointed out. After all we weren’t bound by the same rules an unmarried couple were, as we had already been there and done that.
“Dave, that is freaking brilliant! I love that idea. Yes, that would be perfect.” I was immediately excited that we wouldn’t have to involve a stranger in what I was hoping was a slightly larger reenactment of our intimate declaration.
“Not just a pretty face, my Dave.” Taylah smiled adoringly, probably wondering why she hadn’t thought of the idea herself. “Though I think we should get whoever you choose to do one of those online minister things, you know church of Star Wars or whatever it is.”
“I’m sure there is no church of Star Wars Tay but I guess it can’t hurt. It will piss off their * of a lawyer a little more.” I shrugged, knowing that there were definitely a few websites that offered online courses which authorised lay people to perform wedding ceremonies. And while the legalities weren’t up for contention, I couldn’t help rubbing a little salt in the wound of Sol who was still livid that Alex dare marry me without a Pre-nup. “So Dave, will you do it?” I couldn’t think of anyone more suited to the role. He was cool and calm under pressure and he was a friend to both Alex and I, each in our own rights. I would love to have him standing up there, a friendly face, as we renewed our commitment to each other. I would have asked Taylah but I didn’t think she’d make it through the ceremony without taking to task anyone who wasn’t dressed appropriately.