Page 166 of Along Came Amor
Damaris:I don’t know yet. Trusting the Universe. Manifesting my best life. You know how I roll. But in case that doesn’t work out, you know anyone who wants to hire a math teacher who can read astrological charts and lead group meditations?
Ava:Actually... I might.
Damaris:Who??
Ava:Me. I’m starting a nonprofit for my theater program. Want in?
Damaris:Um, YES!
Chapter 51
Wedding Day
Ava knew there was a lot of speculation about her and Roman as they walked down the aisle together and took their places on opposite sides of the floral arch. Titi Nereida had hissed, “Are you next?” as they’d passed her, and Sammy made a comment that started with, “If this were a movie...” but Ronnie smacked his arm before he could finish.
For once, Ava didn’t care what anyone thought. She had never felt more loved, or more confident in her ability to speak up for herself. Sure, it would take practice before it came easily, but she knew Roman and her primas would encourage her.
The bride was absolutely radiant in her boho style wedding dress and white sandals, with the enormous bouquet of tropical flowers Ava had helped design. Jasmine wore her hair loose, opting for diamond encrusted clips instead of a veil to keep the wind from blowing her hair into her face. Ashton waited for her with love shining from his every pore. He wore a beige linen suit with a white shirt and no tie, and he looked everyinch the telenovela heartthrob. Behind him, the sun setting over the water provided a gorgeous backdrop.
The groomsmen sported long-sleeved white guayabera shirts, and the bridesmaids were clad in magenta cocktail-length halter dresses. In deference to the sand, everyone wore flat sandals.
As Ava stood holding her smaller bouquet, she checked in with herself. But there were no lingering feelings of jealousy, of wishing she had what Jasmine had. Jasmine was on her path, and Ava was on her own.
As Ava looked to Roman, who sent her a grin, she thought that right now, the path ahead looked pretty damn good.
The ceremony was beautiful and blessedly short. By the time it was over and Jasmine had yelled, “Let’s party!” from the end of the aisle, the viejitos were drooping from the heat and Ava had sweated through her makeup.
Instead of taking Roman’s elbow to walk down the aisle, Ava held his hand and laced their fingers together. He raised their joined hands to his lips and kissed her left ring finger, right in front of all the assembled guests.
It felt like a promise.
Endless photos were taken, and at the reception, everyone made a beeline for the open bar to try the guava piña colada Ava and Roman had created together at Casa Donato.
Michelle appeared at Ava’s side and held up her glass. “You know all the tías are going to get drunk on these, right?”
“Oh yeah. Willow’s planning to record videos for blackmail purposes.”
Mich smirked. “Smart kid.”
The DJ played all the Latin party hits, and Jasmine and Ashton performed a duet of “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” fromDirty Dancingthat included the famous lift.
Ava and Roman gave their speeches, keeping the content firmly focused on Jasmine and Ashton. However, when Roman was nearing the end of his, someone called out, “Were you onRecuerdos Peligrosos?”
Roman paused. “Yes. Yes, I was.”
Another voice yelled, “I knew it!”
After a slight hesitation, Roman bowed, and the attendees clapped.
Many piña coladas later, Jasmine dragged Ava and Michelle onto the dais with her to sing “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls.
“But we haven’t practiced!” Ava protested.
Jasmine shoved a microphone into Ava’s hand. “We sang this a million times in Michelle’s bedroom.”
“When we were ten!”
But Ava went along with it, bopping around with her cousins, laughing through the lyrics as she sang Emma and Mel C’s lines. Ava couldn’t remember the last time she’d done something so silly, or so fun.
