"Really," he confirmed.
"So are we going to be married by one of those Elvis impersonators?" The idea was both tacky and extremely cool in her mind. They used to joke when they were young that one day they were going to elope and get married by Elvis, not because they were fans, but because it was so perfectly tacky and fun that it suited them. Or at least it had back then. Looking over at the new Damon - or Damon 2.0 as she'd nicknamed him - in his black button down shirt and jeans that easily cost a month's salary at her old job, it seemed a little out of character.
"Would I do something so tacky for our wedding Katrina," he asked, his face unreadable as he unlocked the Escalade and opened the passenger side door for her and motioned for her to slip in.
She frowned, not entirely sure as he closed the door behind her and made his way around to the driver's side of the vehicle.
"You know, I'm really shocked you're not blacklisted from renting a vehicle considering the condition you returned the Ferrari in," Katrina commented as he slid behind the wheel.
Chuckling, Damon started the vehicle and pulled out of the parking slot. "It was only a few scratches."
"A few dozen gouges. And don't forget the dent."
"I still say that dent was there when I picked it up."
"Uh-huh. So where are we heading now?"
Damon didn't respond until they were leaving the airport and headed for the hub of Las Vegas. While he'd been close-lipped on most of the plans, he did inform her that they were staying in a suite at Caesars Palace. That was exciting all in itself as far as she was concerned.
"We're going shopping. Getting you a wedding dress and then tonight is the wedding. We should have some time to do a little gambling if you want before the ceremony."
"Ceremony done by Elvis?"
Damon ignored the last question.
She didn't have a chance to ask any more questions as she became distracted by the casinos and bustle of the people around them. People ranging from homeless to those wearing ten thousand dollar suits walked the sidewalks as they drove down the strip.
"We should go see a David Copperfield show," she commented as her eyes spotted a billboard featuring his face and advertising his show.
"Whatever makes you happy babe." He slowed the vehicle and parked in front of an elegant bridal boutique. The dress in the front window caught her eye straight away; an off the shoulder Victorian styled dress with layers of ruffles, beads and lace.
Damon's eyes followed her gaze and he smiled. "Found it already?"
"Don't know yet." Not waiting for him to get out and open the door for her, Katrina opened her door and hopped out of the Escalade and made her way into the bridal boutique. There were hundreds of stunning dresses on racks and on display, but the dress in the window called to her. Walking to the front window, she fingered the white satin and lace.
"It's Vera Wang. Beautiful isn't it?"
Katrina heard the soft voice of the sales lady behind her and nodded, not bothering to look.
"It would look stunning on you. Would you care to try it on?"
Vera Wang, aren't those rather expensive? She was about to say no and continue to look, but Damon stepped in.
"Yes. Please. She'd like to see how it fits."
"Damon..." She was about to protest, but she loved the dress. Trying it on wouldn't hurt. Right?
"We have a duplicate out back that I think will fit you, follow me please."
Katrina had the urge to protest a second time, but the dress was so beautiful. She had to at least try it on. Damon was smiling down at her when she lifted her eyes to meet his. She was about to protest to him that it would be expensive, but thought twice, knowing what his response would be to her protest on a money basis.
"This way, Ma'am."
Katrina followed the middle-aged, yet strikingly beautiful sales clerk into the dressing room.
"If you need any assistance, please let me know," the sales clerk said, hanging the dress up on the wall exiting, closing the door behind her.
After stripping down to her panties, Katrina grabbed the dress. Not being able to resist, she looked at the sales tag pinned to the back of the dress. Twelve thousand dollars! Unless this makes me look like a Goddess I'm not getting it, she silently vowed stepping into it and pulling it up.
She began to pull the zipper up on the dress, but got halfway and was in dire need of assistance. Shit. She flung open the door to see Damon leaning against the wall, one ankle crossed casually over the second. A wide smile broke out on his face as his eyes swept over her.
Her eyes went wide as her mouth dropped. "Damon, you shouldn't be outside the door. It's bad luck to see me in my wedding dress before the wedding."
"Oh, come on. I'm only here to help, now turn around and let me help with the zipper."
The damage was done she supposed. Spinning around she lifted her hair and waited for him to zip her up. Damon stepped up to her back and she resisted the urge to lean back into him as he gently tugged the zipper up and the bodice tightened around her torso and breasts. The bodice fit well, but if she gained even a single pound it would be too tight around the stomach, but all-in-all it was a nice fit. As good as it was going to get without being altered. She stepped up to the three-way mirror as she released her hair, letting it cascade down her back.
"You look stunning. Like a fairytale princess." Damon said walking up to her and placing his hands on her shoulders and catching her eyes in the mirror.
"I think you're overstating a bit."
"I don't."
Her mind flashed back to their prom. She'd worn a pink princess gown and insisted that he wear a matching pink cummerbund and bow tie.
"What are you grinning about?"
"Our prom."
"The pink cummerbund and tie?"
She nodded. He'd fought with her for days over having to wear pink, but she'd won out in the end.
"You wanna know a secret?"
Her grin widened. "Of course. Love secrets."
Reaching into his pants pocket Damon pulled out his wallet, flipped it open, reached inside and pulled out a well-worn photo, crumbled at the corners.
"That's not..." Excitement bubbled within her. She still had some pictures of the prom, but they were packed away in her mother's attic. He passed it to her and sure enough, it was. Two grinning, younger versions of themselves looked back at her.
"I can't believe you still have this and you carry it with you?"
His face reddened as he nodded. "Yeah, I do." He shrugged. "Memories."