The interior of the chapel isn’t as tacky as I’d imagined. With a little imagination, it looks almost like a proper, traditional church with red-suede pews, wood flooring, and a podium at the end of the aisle. It even has little glass stained windows. Instead of sunlight streaming through, it’s midnight LEDs.

Adam and I are dressed less traditionally. After deciding we were going to get married tonight, we found an open-all-hours superstore. We bought a clip-on bow tie for Adam, a fancy dress mini-tiara and veil for me, a disposable camera, a wilted bouquet of sorry-looking flowers, and two cheap rings from the costume jewelry section. Mine has a little pink gemstone heart. The plated silver is already chipping, revealing the dirty metal underneath. Adam tucks it in his pocket. I keep hold of his novel mood-ring from the kids’ section.

We go back to the chapel and complete the paperwork. They tell us we’re second in line. We wait in the lobby of the chapel as another couple elopes ahead of us.

I’m feeling giddy with whatever insanity has taken over me as I help Adam with his bowtie. “This is complete lunacy.”

Adam laughs lightly and takes my hands in his. “Let’s think about it as sealing our fling.”

“It’s a marriage.”

“It’s a Vegas wedding.”

“We’ll be husband and wife. I’ll be Mrs.—” I pause, my mouth opening and shutting wordlessly. “I don’t even know your last name.”

Adam rubs my shoulder reassuringly. “You’ll by Mrs. Porncock.”

I narrow my eyes. “You’d better be joking.”

“The Porncocks are a proud and noble bloodline.”

“As your new wife, the first order of business will be changing your name.”

“It’s Taylor. But I really think we should go with Porncock.”

Laughter rises up in my throat, and I convulse with giggles. There are tears in my eyes. I’m almost manic with the adrenaline, but I’m also having the time of my life.

Adam takes the clip-on plastic tiara out of the grocery bag and positions it onto my head, pressing down until it clips into place. He layers the tiny sparkly veil over the back of my head.

“Strike a pose, future Mrs. Porncock.”

He pulls out the disposable camera, and I hold my bouquet up with the biggest, cheesiest smile as he snaps.

“Now one together.”

Adam holds the camera up and away from us, and we both unleash big toothy grins at the lens.

He turns to me and smiles. “Are you having fun yet?”

“As far as I’m concerned, we’re doing everything a soon-to-be-married couple would do. We’ve dated, lived together, slept together—”

“Not necessarily in that order.”

“We’re practically engaged.”

“What’s the maiden name of my bride-to-be?”

“Penman.”

“Laura Penman. I’ll admit Laura Taylor has more of a ring to it.”

“Speaking of rings, what color do you think this is?” I pull out the mood ring that will be Adam’s wedding band and hold it up to the light.

“That’s the most blue-green ring I’ve ever seen.”

I pull out the little booklet that came with the ring and run my finger down the guide. “According to this, I’m upbeat, somewhat relaxed, playful, and flirtatious.”

Adam chuckles. “I thought these things were a scam for the weak-minded. Let me try it.”

He holds out his palm, and I drop the ring into it. After a moment, the glazed band starts to change color to a darker, indigo-blue.

“Indigo.” I read aloud. “It means you are deeply relaxed, love-struck, happy, and blissful.”

“Is there a color on there for borderline insane?”

I laugh. “Nope. If we’re crazy, I guess we’ll never know.”

“I have a feeling we’re about to find out.”

The doors of the chapel swing open and a visibly tipsy couple walk out. The bride is dressed in a full bridal gown and holding a brightly blossoming bouquet. The groom is equally dressed for the occasion, and he’s covered head to toe in tattoos. They’re young and look madly in love.

The bride tosses her bouquet my way. “You marry him, girl!” She cheers. “Screw what your dad has to say!”

“See?” Adam says. “That’s pretty romantic to me.”

“I’m guessing the facial tattoos did it for the dad.”

“She married him anyway. They’re the Romeo and Juliet of their time.”

“What does that make us?”

“Bonnie and Clyde?”

“Only if we go on a killing spree after this.”

“The night is still young.”

We stop talking as Adam holds out his hand to me. I glance up the aisle with a chuckle. “Aren’t you supposed to be waiting up there for me?”

“You’re right.”

Adam lets go of my hand and jogs up the aisle. I burst into laughter again watching him race along the red carpet and hop up three steps, assuming a casual position like he was there the whole time.

The officiant is a middle-aged woman in a bright blue two-piece suit with feet that bulge out of too-tight pumps. The witness is a little old Chinese man wearing an all-white suit with tassels on the lapel and cowboy boots. He’s also the DJ. When he sees me waiting at the end of the aisle, he presses play on an old-style boom box. A poorly-recorded version of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” begins to play.

I have no idea how to walk down the aisle. The only person watching me is Adam. I guess I don’t have to worry. As I walk down the red carpet at a normal pace, he looks enchanted. Seeing his gleeful, affectionate expression, I almost feel like I’m walking toward my real husband on my actual wedding day. All of a sudden this doesn’t feel like a last-minute final laugh. The butterflies in my stomach feel real enough. The way I adore and cherish Adam is real.

If only things had been different, maybe this wedding could have been real, too, and not just another Vegas living fantasy.

I reach the head of the aisle where Adam is waiting for me. I can see the twinkle of fun in his eyes. To him, this is all a joke.

To me, it had all been a joke, too, until Adam took his place in front of the podium. I look at him only to realize that I’ve fallen in love with the man taking my hand in marriage.

I push the thought away. It’s funny, right? Me, Laura Penman, walking down the aisle in a sequined mini-dress and fancy-dress tiara toward my vacation fling while a man dressed like Elvis and a woman dressed like a blueberry watch me. It gets even funnier when the officiant pauses to take a photo with our own disposable camera before she begins.

When presented with our checklist of options just an hour or so earlier, we selected a non-traditional, secular service with a Vegas spin. Now we get to find out what that means.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the officiant begins with a broad beam on her heavily made-up face, “today we gather to celebrate the union of Laura Penman and Adam Taylor.

She pauses for effect. “Love is a gamble. Married life is a day at the casino.”

Adam and I exchange amused glances. We both want to see where the officiant is going with her analogy.

“You have to play your cards right. If you do, love blossoms, as it has today. Laura, Adam — right now, you feel you’ve hit the jackpot, and you’ve decided it’s time to raise the stakes. Enjoy this time. The early days are often the most beautiful. Your love is young and fresh.

“Remember, as married life goes on, the cards won’t always fall in your favor. When trouble comes, you can only play the hand you’re dealt. It’s important to remain a team and face your hand together.

“When times are really tough in a marriage, that’s when you should double down. A commitment means the most in times of trouble. If you can face those cards together, you stand the most chance of cashing in your chips when the time comes.

“The most important thing of all is that you’ve both decided to take a spin of the wheel. They say everything in life is a gamble, but love most of all. Here at Vinny’s Chapel, we believe that love is the only safe bet. There’s nothing to lose, and everything to gain.”

It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to burst out in laughter.

She pauses again and smiles at each of us in turn. The sentimental expression on her face and tears rising behind her eyes suggests she’s touched by her pun-filled speech.

“It is now time for you to say your vows to each other. Adam, you first.”

Adam looks at me and fixes me with the most intense, theatrical stare. He’s playing the role of his lifetime in a Hollywood action movie. He even clutches a fist against his chest and pretends to choke up.

“Laura, you’re the queen of my heart. I promise I won’t be a joker. As a woman, you suit me. I’m going to lay all my cards on the table here. I love you, baby.”

The words have a surprising sting to them. I wish he were saying them for real.

“I’m not that great at puns, but what I will say, Adam, is that love is all about the luck of the draw, and I got lucky. When things get dicey, I promise to stick with you.”

The officiant holds a palm over her chest. “That was lovely.” She looks from Adam to me with her big, warm smile, and brings the ceremony to an end. “Adam Taylor, do you take this woman, Laura Penman, to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do.”

“And do you, Laura Penman, take this man, Adam Taylor, to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do.”

“I’m pleased to announce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

I can see the flash of the disposable camera through my closed eyelids as the officiant snaps photos of Adam and me kissing. When he draws back, his smile is radiant.

We stride back down the aisle together, and out the doors, where the next couple is waiting to elope. The chapel photographer takes us outside for our three complimentary professional photographs and hands us a bottle of cheap champagne.

Within forty-five minutes, we’re in and out the chapel, leaving as husband and wife.

Adam finds it hysterical.

“What a rush!” He laughs. “Would you care to join me in the honeymoon suite, Mrs. Taylor?”

“Why, it would be my pleasure, Mr. Taylor.”

I joke along with him, and I’m enjoying myself, but I can’t push away a little feeling inside me that I’ve turned something special into a cheap gag.

Mr. Taylor, I love you.

Whether I love Adam or not, it’s our last night together, and I’m determined to make the most of every second of it. I want to feel his body against mine one last time.

As soon as we arrive back at the penthouse, my fingers reach for the buttons of his shirt.

When we get to Adam’s penthouse, he swoops down and picks me up without warning. I yelp and laugh when he hoists me into his arms.

“This feels so good.”

“What does?”

“Having you in my arms.”

Was I expecting him to say he loves me? Did I want him to? Whether I love him or not, it’s our last night together, and I’m determined to make the most of every second of it. I want to feel his body against mine one last time.

He opens the door and walks through, not setting me down until he is at the couch. He lowers himself on top of me and kisses me, keeping his body a few inches from mine.

“You look damn good in white, but I want you in my bed, wife.”

I tingle at the sound of that and wait for him to take my hand and help me up. My fingers reach for the buttons of his shirt, but he shakes his head and steps back with a sly grin on his face. I walk backwards toward his bedroom as I seductively disrobe, dropping each article of clothing on the floor between us. He walks toward me and waits until I’m naked and by his bed before he runs into me, collapsing both of usonto the bed.

The buckle of his pants presses into my stomach and it arouses me to think that I’m completely vulnerable underneath him.

His hands slide up my sides and cup my breasts. He kisses me hard while his thumbs roll over my hardened nipples. How am I going to go back home after this? I pull my head up and close my eyes, exposing my neck to him. When his teeth graze against my tender skin, I shiver and pull him in tighter.

“Oh, God, the things you do to me,” I mumble through my ragged breathing.

He pushes his hands between us and unzips his pants to pull his cock free. Sliding between my legs, he pushes into me and doesn’t stop until he is fully inside. He stops and freezes, feeling the muscles of my pussy massage him. I writhe with small movements, hearing his breathing catch each time I hit the right spot for him and like I’m hitting a switch, he starts to fuck me. He pulls himself from me and pushes back in with long strokes, slowly building my orgasm. He grunts when he fucks me, and it gives me fuel knowing that I turn him on so easily.

I push him over and climb on top, raising my bottom to line him up. I slowly sit down, feeling him open me and fill my pussy. I move up and down watching his face, my hands caressing his stomach and his chest. His eyes are closed until I move faster. I hop up and down on him, my breasts bouncing slightly. I love the feeling of being watched, his eyes on me while I move. I throw my head back and thrust out my chest while I ride him like I’m in a Girls Gone Wild tape.

“You are going to make me explode,” he grunts.

“I can’t help it. You bring out the animal in me. I have never felt so free and alive.”

He grabs me and flips me over, grabbing my hips and entering me from behind. I look back and feel him move and I smile.

“What is it?” he asks. “Am I doing it wrong?”

“No. How would you like to do something a little more risky?”

“What did you have in mind?”

I pull away from him and walk to the balcony, motioning for him to follow me. I lead him outside and past the jacuzzi to the railing. Looking down, we are almost ten stories high. The people look tiny, but the grounds are covered with crowds of people partying in the streets.

“Fuck me right here.” I wrap my hands around the railing and I bend over, my chest hanging over the edge. I spread my legs and wiggle my behind toward him. When his hands latch on to my hips, I suck in a deep breath and feel him enter me. He fucks me with a vengeance, pushing me forward and holding me there. When he cums inside me, he yells loud and lets everything go. I look down, breathless. People are looking up at us and my entire body shakes with an orgasm that throws me into ecstasy. The people below applaud while a few of them start kissing and touching each other.

Adam pulls me up as I giggle, and he turns me toward him, his mouth covering mine with a deep and passionate kiss I wasn’t expecting.

“You are fucking amazing. I wish I could take you home with me.”