I carefully lean over Nina to work on her eyes, adding an extra layer of mascara to her short lashes. Pó Po looks through her jewelry case for Nina’s “something borrowed” while Grandma, who’s in town for the big day, takes photos of Nina getting ready. Mom finishes combing Nina’s hair and pulls it into a low bun.
“I can’t believe you brought Asshole as a plus one,” Nina says. “I’m so glad.”
“He seems like a nice young man,” Pó Po says, winking at me when we make eye contact in the mirror.
“Let’s just see how today goes,” I say, keeping my face neutral. “He’s meeting us at the courthouse.”
I fluff a section of white feathers around Nina’s strapless bodice. With her long brown hair swept up and pearl earrings glowing on her ears, she looks, in a word, breathtaking. I finish buckling the ankle strap on her baby blue, open-toed heels.
Nina steps back, adjusts a curled wisp of hair, and smiles. “Great job, ladies! I think this’ll do.”
Pó Po slips one of her rings onto Nina’s finger and then looks her up and down, nodding with approval.
Grandma snaps another photo with her film camera. “You remind me of myself on my wedding day,” she says to Nina in admiration. “Except I had a dress that resembled a tiered cake.”
“It’s been so long since we’ve seen those photos,” Nina says, snickering with Grandma.
“Your father must have them in an album somewhere around here,” Grandma says, looking around the bathroom as though they’d be in here. “I’ll ask him.”
I grab the emergency makeup kit and Nina’s change of clothes, double-checking that everything’s there before heading out to the courthouse.
Everyone piles into my parents’ and Auntie Lydia’s cars. As she climbs in, Pó Po reaches for the grab handle but misses and stumbles into the backseat. Mom and I sprint to her from across the front yard, our heels digging into the grass.
“Mom! Are you okay?” my mother asks Pó Po.
“Aiyah! I’m fine! I’m fine!” Pó Po says, waving her off.
“What are you doing trying to get in the car by yourself? We’ll help you,” Mom says with a low level of irritation.
“I birthed three children. I can get in a car.” Pó Po buckles her seat belt and faces forward.
Mom shuts the door and shoots me an apprehensive look.
With a free second to myself in the car, I check to see if any messages have come through. There’s one from Alisha.
Exciting news! One of your tweets has gone low-key viral. Looks like the hashtag is working. Yayyyy!! Have fun at the wedding! Congrats to Nina!
Our social media campaign has sparked new interest like I’d had a suspicion it would. This week alone, there have been more #LoveInTheMoonlight tags, and ever since we increased how many moon songs we pair with animal signs, I’ve answered over thirty direct messages about our services. It feels good to have an idea turn into reality. Maybe things will actually start turning around for real.
When we arrive, I find Bennett lingering in the lobby of the courthouse, looking sharp in a navy blue suit with a crisp white button-down. There’s a sweeping rush of emotions inside me seeing him here, dressed like this, looking at me like that.
“Hey, you. You look beautiful,” Bennett says. He twirls me around as he admires my robin’s-egg blue silk dress before pulling me in for a hug. I bury my face in his neck, wrapping my arms around his waist.
I steal another look at him. “You’re looking very handsome.”
“June, it’s lovely to see you again,” he says, looking excited. He opens his arms for a hug, and Pó Po seems thrilled to accept it by the way she pats him repeatedly on the shoulder as they embrace.
Bennett gently places his hand on the small of my back as we follow my family into the courthouse room at our designated ceremony time.
Inside, I pull Asher to the side before the ceremony begins. “Asher,” I say in my most serious tone.
“Olivia,” Asher says back with a hint of nervousness. We’ve never spoken directly about his animal sign incompatibility with Nina, but she must’ve told him about our conversations.
“You’re a lucky man, Asher. Treat my sister right. Don’t ever lie to her. If you do, well…” I drag my pointer finger across my throat. I adjust his tie and spin him around by the shoulders. “Don’t disappoint me.”
His eyes are wide as he nods speechlessly before hurrying back to Nina.
Both sides of family and friends gather around the bride and groom. Everyone falls silent as Nina and Asher take their places in front of the judge.
I watch behind glassy eyes as Nina and Asher read their vows aloud and exchange rings. I’m hyperaware of Bennett standing next to me, his presence overwhelming and extremely distracting. Every so often, our eyes catch, and we quietly laugh to ourselves. He reaches for my hand, our pinkies linking in private.
Near the end of the ceremony, Asher’s mother comes up to the front and gives a blessing. Both sets of parents carry sticks with a linen blanket attached by the corners and hold it over Nina and Asher. Together, Nina and Asher smash their heels against a bag, breaking the glass inside. The glass sounds like it shatters into a million pieces.
“Mazel tov!” the group cheers and claps.
Nina and Asher seal their love and promises with a kiss. Asher spins Nina into a dip, and she dramatically kicks her leg up. My little sister found her match. Another incompatible couple finding real love.
I ride with Bennett to Ming’s Garden in the San Gabriel Valley, where the family gathers for the wedding feast. This spot is Nina and Asher’s favorite weekend dim sum spot and the location of their first date. Where better to celebrate their love than the place it all started?
A waiter leads us to the private room in the back where several large round tables are set up. Seeing Bennett in an important family setting stirs in me a whole new level of nervousness.
Votives and flowers decorate the tabletops, the light from the candles emanating a warm glow throughout the room. A portable dance floor is set up in front of a microphone stand, drum set, flute, saxophone, and piano keyboard.
Pó Po grips my arm as I lead her to her seat. Walking with us is Dad along with Grandma and Grandpa, who hold hands as they shuffle toward the tables.
“What do you think all this is about?” Dad asks us. “I don’t remember paying for a band.”
Pó Po gives us a mischievous smile. “It’s my surprise for Nina and Asher,” she says.
“Has Nina seen this yet?” I gesture toward the dance floor and look around for her, but she must not be here yet. “Didn’t she specifically not want dancing?”
“A wedding isn’t a wedding without dancing!” Pó Po says in an all-knowing tone. “She’ll like it.”