“Oh, I see.” The woman smiles. “Yes, we do get a lot of walk-ins, but some people actually choose Vegas as a venue. I mean it’s the ideal venue in some ways. A ready- made place for your stag and bachelorette party, and a great place for a fun filled honeymoon without having to travel.”
“I guess you’re right,” Sierra says. “Actually, we kind of already got married.” She holds her hand up to show the woman the ring.
“Congratulations,” she gushes.
I’m starting to think I preferred the cold cynicism of the other woman over this enthusiasm. It’s ridiculous, but I somehow feel like I am letting this woman down by admitting that we screwed up badly.
“Yeah, thanks, but not really,” Sierra says. “We were not exactly sober when it happened, and we’re trying to work out where we got married, so we can get the marriage annulled.”
“Ahh I see,” the woman replies. “I’m sorry. You didn’t get married here.”
“How can you be sure? You don’t even know our names,” I interject.
“True. But I’m assuming the wedding was a spur of the moment thing and you didn’t have your own rings?”
I nod my head.
“That’s how I know,” she says, nodding to Sierra’s hand. “Our rings are all platinum and yours are gold.”
“Oh,” I say defeated.
The woman holds her hand out. “If I can see your ring, I might be able to help you,” she offers.
Sierra slips her ring off and hands it to the woman.
I wonder for a moment why the hell we’re both still wearing them. Until now, it never even occurred to me to take it off.
The woman looks at the ring and smiles. “It’s from the Chapel of Endless Love,” she says. “Turn left as you leave and just keep walking and you’ll see it. It’s not far from here, five minutes or so, if you’re walking it.”
Sierra takes the ring back and slips it back onto her finger.
Okay, so I can’t exactly take mine off now, without risking offending her. I’ll have to remember to take it off before I go back to the hotel though, offensive or not.
“How do you know?” Sierra asks.
“There are two interlinked hearts on the inside of the band. People generally think they’re a romantic gesture. They’re actually just the chapel’s logo,” she explains.
“Oh, I see,” Sierra replies. “I did think it was a nice touch. But it’s really just advertising. Wow. That’s kind of sad isn’t it? For the people who are in love I mean.”
“I guess, but the symbol can mean whatever you want it to mean,” the woman says.
“Thank you for your help.” I smile at her. “We’ve taken up enough of your time.”
“Yes, we have. And thank you,” Sierra adds.
We turn to leave. Sierra stumbles slightly and I reach out my arm and catch her.
She laughs and shakes her head. “I guess the alcohol is still having an effect,” she says.
“Or, you’re just clumsy,” I tease her.
“Yeah. It’s more likely to be that,” she says with a soft laugh.
I make sure Sierra is steady on her feet again, and then I release her arm, trying to ignore the tingles in my hand where my skin touched hers.
Sierra looks at her arm for a moment and then she drags her eyes away from the spot and takes a step forward.
I can’t help but wonder if she felt the tingling too. I chastise myself, telling myself of course, she didn’t. There was no tingling. It’s just Vegas getting into my head.
“Wait,” the woman says from behind us.
We stop and turn back to her. She’s out of her seat and walking towards us. “I’m about to say something that’s really out of line, and I hope you’re not offended. I just wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t speak up.”
Sierra and I exchange a glance and wait for the woman to go on.
She smiles. “I see hundreds of couples come through here every week and I’ve been doing this for a long time. We have many success stories, couples that are still deeply in love years after their wedding. And unfortunately, we have some sad stories too. Couples that grew apart, couples that fell out of love. And yes, some couples like you who realize they got caught up in the moment and made a mistake.” She pauses looking uncomfortable suddenly.
Sierra and I exchange another glance.
The woman shrugs slightly with one shoulder. She has no idea where this is going either. “I’m sorry. I’m babbling. What I’m trying to say is I know love when I see it. And what you two have… well, it’s not something I see in couples looking for an annulment. You have a connection.”
I don’t quite know what to say to this.
Sierra blushes next to me, going so red that the flush spreads down her neck and over her chest. “Well, the thing is, we’re not strangers. We work together,” Sierra explains. “So maybe that explains it.”
“Maybe…” The woman smiles. “But let me tell you something else. I have a few male colleagues here. And not once have I ever looked at them like he looks at you.”
“I…” I stop as suddenly as I started. What am I supposed to say to that? I don’t look at Sierra like anything. Do I?
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything,” the woman says when she sees how uncomfortable both Sierra and I are.
I finally find my voice, “It’s okay. You haven’t offended us. I just think your spidey senses are a little off on this one,” I say.
“We’ll see.” She smiles. “Enjoy the rest of your time in Vegas.”
She heads back to her desk.
Sierra and I hurry to get back outside. We step out into the sun and look at each other. We both burst into laughter at the same moment.
“Well, that was… intense,” Sierra says.
“That’s one word for it.” I grin. “I think I preferred the cynic.”
“Me too,” Sierra agrees. “But
