Chapter 12.03

“Welcome, everyone,” I said, stepping onto the podium. Jenny stood at the edge.

“I think everyone here knows me, so I don’t need an introduction.” A quick round of applause.

“Tonight, I’m here because of a bet—one I need to collect on and another I need to repay.” Laughter.

“Several years ago, I made a bet with this beautiful lady beside me,” I gestured for my girlfriend to step up, and she did, “about today’s wedding date. The date she predicted expired a few months ago, so today, I’m collecting my winnings.” More laughter.

“As everyone knows, this lady is the face of the bride’s designed dresses. And as my sister once said, the dresses aren’t special on their own—they become special because of the people who wear them.” More laughter. Jenny just smiled. She expected this and was calm, but ready to respond.

“Now, we’ll see just how well my sister chose her model—how elegantly this lady can wear anything.” I winked at my girlfriend, and she knew exactly what was coming. I signaled Aaron, who stepped forward with a bag. I looked at Jenny.

“In this bag is a magnificent creation. As per our bet, please be so kind as to wear it for the next hour.”

“I hope I can at least step away to change,” Jenny remarked into the microphone with a smile. She was perfectly confident.

“Although everyone has seen you in a swimsuit, I’d specifically ask that you step away to change.” Laughter.

“I’ll repay my lost bet after the hour is up,” I said. “Dear lady, we’ll be waiting for your return. Thank you all for your attention.” More laughter. I stepped down from the podium, and Jenny left to change.

“Is it worse than the last one?” Paul asked as he approached.

“A little,” I laughed.

“Do you guys bet often?” Kevin asked, stepping up.

“Quite a bit, though I rarely win,” I chuckled.

“How are things?” I nodded toward Shannon, who was chatting with Susy.

“A pleasant surprise,” Kevin smiled. “We try to meet up monthly.”

“Glad to hear it,” I said. “You look better than you did with Eve.”

“I hope so,” he grinned. “She seems less superficial.” Jenny must have worked on her—I suppressed a smile.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I even had to work for the first night together. I thought we’d already be spending New Year’s Eve together,” he laughed.

“I’m glad you’re doing well,” I said, patting his shoulder before heading off to grab a drink.

Jenny changed quickly and signaled from the doorway that she was ready to come in. I cleared my throat into the microphone.

“Here’s the loser’s outfit for the next hour,” I announced, gesturing toward the door as my girlfriend walked in. Just like the last time, she wore the hideous outfit with dignity—though this time, she was a witch, not an alien. The crowd applauded, and I invited her to dance.

She wore a long black witch’s robe with fabric deliberately hanging from her limbs, making it look several sizes too big. The hood draped over her head, but as I stepped closer, I saw she had pinned it back with several clips so she could see.

“I hope this wasn’t too cruel,” I smiled at her.

“No, Messyhair. The sultry superhero kitty outfit would’ve been worse,” she laughed.

“That one, everyone would’ve just ripped off you,” I said. “If you weren’t my girlfriend, I would’ve chosen that one. You’re beautiful today, too.” I gave her a quick forehead kiss between steps.

During the hour, she danced with Brad, Dad, Dr. Cox, Daniel, and even Mickey. I danced with every girlfriend in the room—including Shannon.

Her dress was a sleeveless, dark green, high-necked, long formal gown—modest and elegant.

“I see the romance is still going,” I said, glancing at Kevin.

“Yeah, he travels a lot so we can meet up,” she smiled. “Amber invited me because of him.”

“I figured it wasn’t because of me,” I teased. She hesitated before smiling.

“I see my girlfriend is teaching you,” I joked again, but it didn’t land. “You’ve changed a lot,” I rephrased.

“Yeah, Jane gives me advice when I ask, and whenever she’s home, she always meets up with me,” she said. “Jay, is it true your girlfriend didn’t sleep with you right away?” She wasn’t shy about the topic.

“What did she say?” I asked, careful not to slip up—I’d learned that much from my girlfriend.

“She literally said it took longer for her to give in to you than any of your past relationships lasted,” she said, focusing on the exact wording. I burst into laughter.

“She wasn’t lying,” I admitted. “I really had to chase her. By then, I wasn’t even thinking about other girls.”

“We all saw that in you within days,” she said. “That’s why we hated her so much.”

“That’s true,” I laughed.

At the end of the dances, I sat with my family while Jenny danced with Paul to a semi-slow song. Paul couldn’t dance, but he hid it well by barely moving.

“She wears it with dignity,” Mom laughed.

“That’s why I love her,” I said, watching as—after the dance—she hugged Paul and tapped his nose before disappearing right on time to change back

I took the microphone again while she was away. The guests turned their attention to me. Jenny appeared at the edge of the podium.

“Thank you again for your attention,” I said.

“Now that the witch has returned as a princess,” I joked, earning loud laughter, “I’d like to settle my lost bet.”

“This bet was made only a few months ago, but since this fairy notices the essence hidden in details better than I do, I lost.” Our friends laughed loudly. Dad just grinned.

“No need to worry—I won’t be stripping. I just need to give the winner a gift.” More laughter.

“As everyone here knows, my heart belongs to this beautiful lady, so I tried to give her a personalized gift.”

Some family members and friends watched curiously, while our parents and Daniel smiled. I reached into my inner pocket and pulled out a small box. A few people held their breath. Jenny, prepared for anything, waited patiently—but I saw the surprise on her face.

“My love,” I said, looking at her, “the contents of this box are my gift to you. I hope you’ll share it with me.” I smiled and handed her the box.

Silence fell over the room.

Jenny opened the box, revealing two apartment keys. A wide smile spread across her face—relief and joy mixed in her expression.

“Thank you for the gift, Jay. I gladly accept it and would love to share it with you,” she said, smiling.

She visibly handed one key back to me, and the guests erupted in applause. I stepped closer and, ignoring the crowd, kissed her.

We stepped down from the podium, surrounded by our friends.

“That was great, Jay,” Paul said, hugging me. “She had no idea—you prepared well.”

“I’ll invite everyone over next weekend for a flat-warming party,” I told them.

“Knowing you? Make it two weeks,” Brian teased.

“Then all of you are invited the weekend after that,” I corrected with a grin. Everyone nodded.

“That’s how you turn a lost bet into an advantage,” Jenny laughed.

“I hope I’m slowly becoming the man you deserve,” I said.

“You can prove it in the apartment,” she smiled.

“I’ll hold you to that,” I murmured, already leaning in toward her lips. I didn’t care who saw—I loved kissing her.

Toward the end of the wedding, our friends said their goodbyes, and Jenny and her family headed home. As a family member, I stayed until the very end, but by then, I was just sitting around.

“My boy,” Grandpa said, settling beside me. “That was beautiful. Should we start preparing for another wedding?”

“I’ll let you know,” I smiled. “But for now, this is enough.”