Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I hold back a sob as I hear Daniel’s voice. “I saved that voicemail because it was the last one he ever left me. He died four days later from pancreatic cancer.”
“It’s beautiful,” Angel whispers with a tremor in her voice. “I get why you wanted the tattoo, Daniel. What a wonderful way to honor him.”
“I’ve never played that for anyone before,” he confesses.
“Really?” Angel doesn’t try to mask the surprise in her tone. “Not even Gina? I don’t understand. You don’t want her to know that your dad gave his blessing for the two of you?”
A deep chuckle fills the air. “Gina can’t ever know about any of this.”
I take two steps forward until I’m standing in the middle of the doorway of Angel’s studio. Her eyes meet mine before Daniel glances in my direction.
“I heard every word,” I say. “I heard all of your dad’s wishes.”
Since Daniel isn’t saying anything, I walk toward him, never taking my eyes off his face even though he’s shirtless.
“What does your tattoo say?” I whisper as I catch sight of the block letters on his arm.
“Memento Mori,” he says.
“Remember you must die,” I translate the Latin term, even though Daniel knows exactly what it means since Marlin often said it to anyone who would listen. He never let me leave his bar without telling me to make the most of every day since life doesn’t last forever.
“Gina.” He pauses to take a breath. “My dad was on his last days when he left me that voicemail. He did it in the middle of the night when I was fast asleep. I think it was a gift of sorts, so I’d always have his voice to remember him by.”
I nod. “And his wishes to fulfill.”
Angel’s gaze volleys between us. “You two are married, right?”
“No,” we say in unison.
“Do you want to get married?”
Neither of us says a word.
“My wife, Destiny, owns a chapel not that far from here.” She moves to stand, yanking off the gloves that are covering her hands. “If you’re game to make another of Marlin’s wishes come true tonight, I’m available to witness the nuptials.”
“Angel and…” I begin.
“Destiny,” Daniel finishes my thought as he glances at the tattoo on his bicep.
“Is it a sign?” I ask in barely more than a whisper.
“It sure as hell feels like it is.” His voice shakes. “What are we thinking?”
I drop my gaze to the floor. “I don’t know.”
Daniel slides to his feet. “Should we get married? Do you think we should do this, Gina?”
“I do,” I whisper, not sure if the shots I had earlier are pushing the words out of me or if hearing Marlin’s voicemail is contributing to my sudden irrationality. “Let’s get married.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Daniel
I stare at the marriage license in my hand.
I’m not a lawyer, but this document I’m holding is legitimate.
We’re actually fucking doing this.
I look up at the small white chapel in front of us. It’s nestled between a hotel and a restaurant. We’re off the main strip, but this part of Las Vegas is still teeming with people.
A few feet away, I spot a woman in a short white dress standing next to a guy who is looking sharp in a formal kilt outfit. Both of their left hands are extended as they stare at what appears to be matching gold bands wrapped around their ring fingers.
“Shit,” I mutter. “Rings.”
Angel and my bride-to-be glance over their shoulders at me.
“Destiny keeps a selection of wedding bands in the office.” Angel smiles before she flashes me her left hand. “Unless you want to head back to my shop after the ceremony. I can tattoo your names on each other’s fingers.”
“No!” Gina’s gaze is trained on the ink on Angel’s ring finger. “Not that.”
We haven’t been alone since we decided to take the plunge and exchange vows. Angel took the liberty of arranging a chauffeur driven limousine to pick us up at her tattoo studio. She told us that it was part of the deluxe package offered by Destiny’s chapel.
I agreed to it because Gina didn’t disagree.
On the way to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau, Angel poured us a couple of tequila shots. As the driver crawled through the traffic along the strip, the three of us toasted to happy endings and long lives together. As soon as we left that building with our marriage license, we each took another shot.
I’m feeling more buzzed than I was before I got the tattoo, but I know what I’m doing.
At least, I think I do.
I’m making one of my dad’s final wishes a reality.
Angel’s phone chimes, dropping her gaze to it. “Destiny is officiating another ceremony at the moment, so you have time to pick out a bouquet and those rings.”
Gina nods. “All right.”
“All right,” I repeat.
I follow both women into the chapel, and I’m met with the sound of organ music and the scent of lavender.