Gorilla Beach Read Online Free PDF Page B

Pugliani, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband—again?”
    Maria, in a white satin minidress, short in front with a massive bustle and train that went on for miles in the back, said, “I freakin’ do, too.”
    The priest said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the groom.”
    Everyone laughed, and Maria went for it big-time. She planted a slobbering, open-mouth spit-swapper on Stanley. Gia, standing at the altar at Maria’s side, hooted and clapped, hopping up and down on the one good heel.
    Maria and Stanley came up for air with a loud gasp. The audience applauded as the happy couple walked down the aisle. As they were instructed to do, Bella and Gia followed the newlyweds out of the “chapel” room, then into the bridal chamber, where Maria had had her hair and makeup done before the ceremony.
    â€œYou coming?” Maria asked Stanley as she opened the door. The plan was for Maria to put on the second of her three dressesfor the event and make a grand entrance into the Trident Lounge for the predinner cocktail hour.
    â€œI gotta check on some things,” said Stanley, already punching keys on his phone. “The plumber was supposed to be at the Sheridan Avenue house an hour ago, but he never showed up. I might have to go over there to unclog a toilet.”
    â€œUnclog a toilet on your wedding day,” said Maria, her voice frosty. “Why don’t you and the plumber go on a honeymoon together?”
    â€œMaybe I would if I knew where the fat fuck was,” snarled Stanley.
    Ah, wedded bliss, thought Gia. “Stanley, we wanna talk to you about our apartment. You know that place sucks. We need a major upgrade.”
    â€œI’d take a minor upgrade,” said Bella.
    He waved them off. “You’re giving me shit at my wedding?”
    â€œUh, yeah,” Gia replied.
    â€œHow about you stop breaking my balls just for one freakin’ day? Respect the tux, girls.”
    â€œCome on,” said Maria, pushing the bridesmaids into her dressing room. “Stanley, you better not leave the building or I’ll kill you.”
    â€œWhatever you say, Wife.” He wandered off, texting frantically.
    Inside the ornate bridal chamber, a bottle of Bacardi 151 sat in an ice bucket on a table. Maria checked the card. “‘Buona fortuna,’” she read. “‘Love, Donna.’”
    â€œShe’s your new bestie?” asked Gia, a bit jealous.
    â€œHelp me get out of this thing,” said Maria. They unzipped her gown and tugged it off. The bones in the corset had left indent marks on Maria’s back, and the inside of the white dress was streaked orange. Bronzer skid marks.
    â€œYou better than anyone should know to let bronzer dry for ten minutes before you get dressed,” said Gia.
    â€œI did wait ten minutes! That’s what happens when you go to a new place. Friggin’ Soleil. I should’ve sprayed myself at home.”
    Gia frowned. “Why go to Soleil? You have Mystic booths at Tantastic.”
    â€œI didn’t tell you? We sold the equipment and gutted the salon. Stanley and I did the math and realized if we renovated the building, we could rent it for four times as much as I brought in at Tantastic.”
    â€œBut you loved the salon,” said Gia, shocked. If Maria had said, “I’m Jewish,” Gia wouldn’t have been more surprised. “Tanning was your life.”
    â€œI got a new life.” Maria found her cigarettes and lit one. “I’m married now. I’ve got new friends. Since Stanley went into business with Luigi Lupo at Fongul Industries, he’s making more money than ever. Not that you could tell by the way he dresses. But look at me! I’m part of Seaside society. I went blond.”
    â€œWe noticed,” said Gia.
    â€œAnd you had work done?” said Bella, touching her nose.
    Maria patted her cheeks. “I