Page 134 of The Love Losers

A woman in an extravagant hat points to the red-faced, large man next to her, and Seamus doesn’t hesitate—he leaves the front of the room and stalks back toward him. The guy gets up and pulls a runner before Seamus reaches him.

“Well, then, let’s get back to the question at hand. Do you, Anthony, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do,” he says.

She turns to me. “And do you, Rosie, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then, by the power vested in me by the certificate it was much too easy to acquire, I declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Anthony grins at me, rightfully proud of himself, as the band breaks into “Time After Time.” Then he dips me in front of everyone and kisses me.

This isn’t a polite,we’re in front of everyone so let’s keep it briefkiss. It’s a kiss in which he tells me, in no uncertain terms, that I’m his wife—and I’m giving the message back.You’re my husband.

He breaks the kiss, then lifts me, but I stay on my tiptoes, wanting to keep close to his lips.

“First bucket list, complete,” he says.

“Don’t worry, there’ll be more. There’ll always be more.”

Because if I know anything, it’s that our life together is going to be one hell of an adventure.