“It sounds like you’ve already decided.” Gina takes out her phone. “We’ve got to call them now and see what they say.”
The three women take off into the other room, and I’m left with my daughter, Mav, and the dogs. I walk down the last two steps, intending to carry my sweaty clothes to the laundry room, when he stops me.
“So…” He stands straighter, lowering his brow and inhaling as if to broaden his chest. “You spent the night with my cousin? Where did you sleep?”
“I… uh…” I’m surprised by his question and this sudden change in demeanor. “I offered to sleep in the bathtub.”
I’m not ready to tell him Gina flat-out rejected that idea, so instead we spent the night replicating every pose in the Kama Sutra.
He holds his frown for a moment longer, then he breaks, punching me in the shoulder. “I’m just messing with you. You’re a good guy, Owen. I think it’s cool you’re into Gigi.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say…” I don’t know how to finish that sentence.
Iaminto Gina, but I don’t think starting a relationship in the face of my situation is the best idea.
“You’re not into Gina?” Mav’s brow lowers again, and his voice turns sinister. “What’s wrong with my cousin?”
“Nothing!” I answer fast, and again he laughs, punching my arm.
“Dude, you really gotta lighten up. Anyone would think I’m hitting a nerve.”
He has no idea.
“Did you hear Ladybird sing, Daddy?” Maddie skips over to where I’m standing, holding up her little arms for me to lift her.
“I did.” I lean down to kiss the top of her blonde head. “Let me put these clothes on to wash. Come with me.”
I head for the laundry room, which is right off the kitchen… which means I have to enter the space where the three women are intensely discussing wedding plans with what sounds like even more women on FaceTime.
“Of course, we can make it happen!” A voice on Gigi’s iPad cries. “How much time do we have?”
Haddy and Gigi exchange a look, then Gigi answers. “Less than a week.”
“I love a challenge.” A smiling face appears on the large screen, and I’m caught for a moment by the strawberry blonde hair, upturned nose.
I’m sure it’s Gina’s mother.
“Owen!” Heather calls from where she’s right in the middle of the planning. “Can we go to Newhope for the wedding? Please?”
“I want to go to a wedding! Please, Daddy?” Maddie stands beside me with her little hand in the pocket of my jeans, and I’m holding the load of dirty laundry, with all the women looking at me expectantly.
No pressure or anything.
“Are we even invited?” I ask.
The room erupts into female voices.
“Of course, you are,” Haddy cries. “We can put you in Miss Gina’s guest house. She’s the wonderful old lady Gigi’s named for… Bonus, she’s very spiritual.”
Haddy elbows my sister, who gives me big puppy-dog eyes.
I shrug, not really having a choice. “Sounds great. When do we leave?”
“Wednesday.” Gigi’s voice is neutral, and I notice she seems to be avoiding my eyes.
She turns to the counter, and I get the distinct sense she’s angry with me.
I’m so confused. Why would she be angry?
