Hunter - Big Girls & Bad Boys by D. H. Cameron Page B

Still, it was funny to see him so uncomfortable.
     
    “Fair enough,” I said. Nate took over from there.
     
    “So, Penny’s all but feeling herself up...,” he began.
     
    “Oh stop exaggerating,” Penny said and blushed. She was both brazen and modest at the same time, a quality that was somehow rather cute.
     
    “Anyway, she thinks she’s being all coy, hiding behind a rack of dresses and watching this woman undress from the kneecaps down. Another few minutes go by and the woman dresses again and comes out. Penny is already pretending she wasn’t drooling on the dresses, absent-mindedly looking through the rack. So, the woman meanders towards Penny and I’m thinking the shit is about to go down,” Nate explained.
     
    “So what happened?” I asked eagerly.
     
    “So, she gets closer and closer and I’m trying to act cool and probably doing a horrible job of it. Finally, she’s right next to me. I’m shaking, wondering what she’s going to do if anything. Slap me, call the cops? Maybe this is all just a coincidence. But it wasn’t. She leans in close, looks around to make sure we’re alone and says, “I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did,” Penny said.
     
    “Oh my!” I exclaimed.
     
    “We could only guess what she meant but honestly, not knowing is probably more exciting anyway, right?” Penny finishes.
     
    “Right!” I said and looked over at Hunter.
     
    “Your mom’s giving me ideas,” I told him. I swear, I think Hunter blushed and that was kind of my intent. Still, it was surprising. Penny and I laughed at Hunter’s discomfort.
     
    “What am I getting myself into?” he asked of nobody in particular. The rest of the ride wasn’t as exciting but it was enjoyable. I really liked Hunter’s mom and dad. They were real people and I respected that. My mom and dad would never talk about stuff like Nate and Penny did. Even though I was in my twenties, our relationship had never transformed from parents and child into one of adults. They didn’t treat me like a kid but they didn’t relate to me as an adult either. I assumed that was the way of things but I saw now it didn’t have to be.
     
    It was after nine when Hunter and I tied the knot. We had to stop by the Marriage License Bureau first. Thankfully, they were open until midnight but I guess that’s why we drove to Reno. Sagebrush Hearts was what I expected, a little too much velvet in different shades of maroon and violet. I kind of liked it. I never wanted a big, fancy traditional wedding anyway. Nate not only gave me away but stood up for Hunter. I asked Penny to be my maid of honor. Indigo and Sandy sat in the front row crying as Hunter and I were married.
     
    Ten minutes later, tops, we both said, “I do.” We had no rings but it didn’t matter. Some hugs, photos and credit card processing and we were married. It went by so fast but I didn’t mind. We’d do something more formal once Hunter came back home. Besides, what an amazing story to tell. My sudden marriage in a Reno wedding chapel. How a Marine won the heart of an anti-war protester. Not as naughty as Penny’s tales but I had time, right?
     
    The six of us went to dinner at the Grand Summit Hotel and Casino after we checked in. We were famished. Penny, Indigo and Sandy never even began making a meal back at home. Instead, they stood in the kitchen eavesdropping while Hunter and I reconciled so we were all starving. We all decided to try the Italian restaurant at the casino and it was damned good.
     
    Appetizers, entrees and several bottles of Chianti later, we were still drinking and finishing dessert when Nate stood up. He filled everyone’s glass with the last of the Chianti and then proceeded to give a toast.
     
    “This has been...a strange day. A good one but strange. I’m used to those I suppose. My wife is lovely and naughty as hell,” he said and we all laughed. “I still remember the day Indigo came out to us. I was both utterly shocked