“I’m a huge fan of your brother’s band, Twin Peeks. I interviewed them for Rolling Stone a few years ago when they were coming up. Marla Lopez.” She doesn’t offer her hand to shake but instead, sits at the table and gets comfortable. It takes a second for me to realize not only has she slept with my brother, but she’s sharing our table tonight.
“Oh wow,” I say with a pleasant smile back.
The gleam in her eyes is scary. Skin-suit scary. This woman, who is easily ten or more years older than my brother, has a cougar vibe even I’m afraid of. “How’s he doing?” She toys with her glass.
“Good, busy. They’re in LA now full time. Record deals and all that.” I omit that he’s hired bodyguards and it would likely be hard for her to hunt him down.
“Yes, I did hear that. They’ve come a long way.” She beams at Sukii and me.
“So are you friends with Matt or Sami?” Sukii asks, changing the uncomfortable subject.
“Matt’s mother and I are dear friends. I’ve known Matt since he was a baby.”
Dear God, she’s older than I thought.
Jesus, Josh . . .
We muddle through appetizers and more people joining our weird table of odds and ends. Stan would have fit in perfectly with these people, but Sukii and I are sore thumbs.
Finally, the bridal party shows up. We cheer and smile as they take their places at the head table.
Matt stands, offering his glass. “On behalf of Sami and I, and of course our son, Eli, and our families, we want to thank you all for canceling whatever plans you had for the weekend and instead, joining us so suddenly.” He smirks at Sami who laughs loudly. “On this magical weekend. You have made it the exact event Sami and I wanted it to be. We will always remember and celebrate the memories we’ve made and joy you brought to this week. So thank you and cheers!”
It’s far more eloquent than I expected and when Sami stands to raise her glass to us, she is illuminated. “Cheers!”
They drink and we drink and the night can begin.
A stout beer and a feast are immediately brought out. Mugs of beer and plates are rushed to every table but laid before us so smoothly I doubt the precision effort is a fluke. Sami has hired the best of the best for everything.
The plate is unexpected but welcomed: two sizeable stuffed Yorkshire puddings with juicy roasted meat and hot au jus next to caramelized carrots and crispy beets.
“Oh thank God. I thought for sure it would be some bullshit froufrou meal,” Sukii whispers and I laugh, joined by Marla and a man I’ve already forgotten the name of.
We cut into the food and quietly moan into the first bite. Combined with the beer, it’s perfection. We eat and drink as more speeches take place.
Carson, Sami’s father, Nat, and Brady all make funny and touching speeches. Sami smiles brightly and Matt nods as if offering approval.
Finally, Lori gets up. He’s taken off his jacket and his tie is noticeably missing. He doesn’t have the refined appearance he had during the ceremony, but this is more real.
He stands at the discreetly adorned podium. “Good evening, everyone. This will conclude the speeches, since Sami hates them and we had to force her to allow these few.” He winks at her, making her blush and wrinkle her nose. “But as the final speaker of the evening, I want you all to raise your mugs one last time before we get this party started. To my friends, the family that chose me, Matt and Sami”—he turns to them, speaking directly—“your love inspires great hope that happily ever after exists. Your faith in each other is the currency all hearts wish to spend. Your strength in overcoming the tests that have burdened your relationship is the foundation needed to make a love that will outlast your mortality. And being here to witness it was a privilege I’m sure none of us knows how we earned the right to. Congratulations on your wedding and thank you for inspiring us all.”
Sami blinks and tears stream her cheeks for the first time since she said her vows.
Matt presses his lips into a thin line.
It’s as if Lori has seen them in a way no one else managed.
Not even Brady and Nat.
He’s good at that, and I don’t know if it means he’s far deeper a person than I’ve given him credit for or he’s a better actor than I imagined.
They nod and lift their glasses.
“To Matt and Sami!” Lori calls and we shout with him, clinking our beers.
“That was insanely good,” Sukii whispers. “Who knew young Lawrence was more than a pretty face?”
“He seems to have his moments,” I comment and swallow the lump his speech brought to my throat.
Matt stands up, silencing the room with his massive presence. He offers Sami his hand. She beams, taking it and letting him lead her to the dance floor outside on the veranda.
A different band takes the stage and begins to play a song I recognize.
“Oh my God, is that the Lumineers?” Sukii gasps.
“What?” I stare at the musicians for a moment before smiling. “Oh my God. It is.”
“Oh, this is ‘Stubborn Love.’ I love this song.” Sukii leans into me, making me sway with her as we watch them dance.
Sami is staring at Matt, making that face that screams “blissfully in love.” His stare back at her is intense, so hot it has to burn his eyes.
“Damn,” Sukii says.
I nod, feeling like a voyeur who shouldn’t be witnessing this.
“Never thought I would see that look on his face,” Bev whispers as she slides in next to me to watch.
“You and me both.” Her grandma from Kentucky snorts, shaking her head like she might live in an eternal state of disappointment in Matt. Something I like her for.
She and the family from his father’s side are unexpected in all the best ways.
