Love at Last Call

by M. Ullrich

  “I’m so happy you all could be here this evening. Rehearsal dinners are nothing new to the Matthews family,” Jeffrey said, looking directly at JJ, who’d just married his third wife the previous winter. JJ shrugged and wrapped his arm around his wife. Everyone had teased him, but all they truly cared about was his happiness. “But when Berit announced she was engaged to someone as lovely as Lauren, I couldn’t wait to celebrate the love my oldest daughter had found.”

  Lauren linked her arm with Berit’s and rested her head on her shoulder. She felt warm in spite of her sleeveless black dress.

  Jeffrey cleared his throat. “I don’t have an easy history with my daughter, and we spent a long time butting heads, but all I ever wanted was for her to find the kind of love I was fortunate enough to find early in life.” Jeffrey nodded to Florence, who was blushing profusely. He raised his glass. “Berit and Lauren, I wish you more happiness than I’ve ever known, more love than you ever thought possible, and more success in every venture you face together.”

  The room erupted in cheers and clinking glasses. Lauren kissed Berit’s shoulder. “I see where you get your sweetness from.” She giggled when Berit shushed her.

  The catering company Berit and Lauren had hired for this rehearsal dinner began serving, but before either woman could dive into their full plates, Lou spoke up from across the table. “What are you both looking forward to the most about being married?”

  “Getting to wear the ring,” Berit said. Everyone within earshot laughed. “Seriously, I already have the greatest perks. I get to wake up to her gorgeous face every morning, even when the hour is ungodly and I’m only awake to watch her get ready for work. We share our highs and lows, and she’s been my best friend for years. Now I get a nice piece of jewelry as proof.” Berit popped a piece of roasted potato into her mouth.

  “Okay then,” Lou said with a shake of her head before looking to Lauren. “What about you?”

  “I already have a nice ring.” Lauren held up her hand and showed off her solitaire. Berit chuckled next to her. “I do agree with Berit. We act like a married couple. We have the house we just bought together and the dog who’s constantly fighting with the cat I insisted we adopt, but signing our names to the marriage certificate makes all of those good things more permanent to me. I’m looking forward to that security.”

  Berit leaned into Lauren’s ear and whispered, “I love you.”

  “I’m a little disappointed neither of you said anything about experiencing sex after marriage.” Lauren gawked at Amber, who looked entirely too self-satisfied. “What? It’s really good.” Amber’s wife, Annalise, smacked her forearm gently.

  Everyone remained awkwardly quiet, save for a few squeaks of barely contained laughter from Lou. Finally, Simon commented on the food and everyone continued enjoying their meal. Conversation throughout dinner was light and friendly. Berit and Lauren kept going over small details of the ceremony and reception. The evening wrapped up around ten o’clock and everyone went their separate ways, including the soon-to-be brides.

  “We don’t have to spend the night apart,” Berit said. “Hugo is going to miss you, and Ramsey is going to wonder why his one and only protector isn’t there to save him.”

  Lauren ran her hands up Berit’s chest and warded off a chill, both from desire and the early spring breeze. “Ramsey is a big furball that can handle himself. Seriously, I think that cat is a better protector than Hugo and me combined.”

  Berit opened her mouth and closed it twice before letting out a long sigh. “You’re right. There’s no way I can convince you to come home?”

  “Nope,” Lauren said, letting her lips pop loudly. “I like this old-fashioned tradition.”

  “Fine. I guess I’ll survive.” Berit sulked for a moment before she kneaded Lauren’s backside. Lauren shuddered. “But we don’t have to say goodbye just yet.” Berit’s grin was wicked.

  Lauren’s heart started to beat harder and she couldn’t imagine being happier than she was in that moment. Lauren owed it all to the Dollhouse and its delicious drinks and even more delectable bartender. Life and love happened when she had least expected it to.

  She opened the back door to Berit’s car and said, “Better make it quick.”

  Berit wore the same lopsided grin she had when she’d first approached Lauren, the same smile that turned from warning bells to welcome home. “No promises,” she said. Lauren knew what Berit meant, but she also felt the unspoken sentiment.

  Berit was promising forever—a perfectly balanced, shaken, flavorful, dirty, and strong forever together.

  Kiss Me Daly

  8 fresh mint leaves

  6 fresh raspberries

  1 lime, juiced

  2 ounces white rum

  2 ounces simple syrup

  1 cup ice

  1/2 cup soda water

  In a tall, sturdy glass:

  Muddle mint, raspberries, lime juice, rum, and simple syrup.

  Add ice and top with soda water.

  Garnish with mint or raspberries.

  Kiss a loved one and enjoy!

  About the Author

  M. Ullrich has always called New Jersey home and currently resides by the beach with her wife and boisterous feline children. After many years of regarding her writing as just a hobby, the gentle yet persistent words of encouragement from her wife pushed M. Ullrich to take a leap into the world of publishing. Much to her delight and amazement, that world embraced her back.

  Although M. Ullrich may work full-time in the optical field, her favorite hours are the ones she spends writing and eating ridiculously large portions of breakfast foods for every meal. When her pen isn’t furiously trying to capture her imagination (a rare occasion), she enjoys being a complete entertainer. Whether she’s telling an elaborate story or a joke, or getting up in front of a crowd to sing and dance her way through her latest karaoke selection, M. Ullrich will do just about anything to make others smile. She also happens to be fluent in three languages: English, sarcasm, and TV / movie quotes.

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