Page 53 of Mr. Green (Mr. #2)

Lana

G rant and I walk out of the closet, hand in hand, to find where the rest of the wedding party went. Paige notices us first and can immediately tell what just went down. She shuffles over to me with the grin of Freddy Krueger.

“I can’t believe you did that,” she whispers.

“Did what?” I avoid eye contact.

“Don’t play Little Miss Innocent with me!” she whisper-shouts. “I’m jealous. If I had found someone here who wasn’t as boring as a toadstool, I’d have beaten you to it.”

I can’t tame the laugh bursting out of me. “I’m sure you’ll find someone at the reception.”

“We can only hope.”

“Lana!” Scarlett screams. “I needed you right here,” she points to a spot on the floor, “five minutes ago.”

“Oh, right. I’m coming!” I rush over.

~

The bride and groom have been announced, performed their first dance, and we’ve eaten a catered meal, complete with servers. Everyone is dancing and mingling.

My parents wave from across the room to come over. I tell Grant, who has yet to leave my side. The only time we’ve been separated tonight has been for pictures. Even then, Grant’s eyes were on me, his hand twitching until we got near again.

He leads me through the crowd by my hand while I keep my eye on the floor to ceiling windows with a view of the ocean. We pass chandeliers, candles lit on dramatic candelabras, and red roses everywhere. Once we reach my parents he pulls me by his side and keeps his hand on my low back.

“Mr. and Mrs. Love.” He nods in greeting. My mom attacks him with a hug—before me!

“Hi, Dad, hi, Mom!” I go in to hug my dad, then mom. “You remember Grant, Josh’s friend?”

My mom speaks first. “Hi, Grant. Nice to see you again. It’s been so long. Lana told me you guys have been talking.”

I eye her with a warning to not say anything further than talking. She ignores it.

“You must come over for dinner. I’m sure there are so many plans to discuss. Where you’ll be living. How many guests you’d want to attend the wedding. Paul and I can’t wait for Lana to have a family.”

I take Grant’s hand and try to lead him away.

This is too much, too soon. She’s going to scare the man to death before I can have a chance to talk with him.

The little bugger doesn’t budge. Instead, he squeezes the arm around my waist, holding me to him.

I’m stunned and look down in disbelief. If I were him, I’d be running from the crazy family in front of me.

Then he proceeds to answer all my mom’s questions. “I’d love to come over for dinner soon. My schedule doesn’t allow me out to Washington nearly as much as I’d like, but the next time I’m here, Lana will make plans with you.”

My mom gushes, excited, while clapping her hands together like a cheerleader.

Grant continues, smiling, as my mouth gapes open, “I’d love for Lana to move to Texas with me soon.

I know I’d be taking her away from you guys, but she told me she loves it there.

” He turns to me. “I haven’t thought too much about the wedding, yet.

” He turns back to my mom. “I think that’s a job for Lana and your radiant self. ”

My mom blushes so bright it matches her lipstick color. I was thinking maybe my dad would step in. Apologize for my mom being a little off her rocker. Instead, he shakes Grant’s hand.

“We were over the moon when we found out Lana and you are together. I know you’ll take good care of our little girl.” My dad gives a small slap to Grant’s shoulder.

What. The. Fuck.

I hold up my hands and try to get everyone back to reality. “Okay, hold on now guys. We just got together. No need to be planning anything yet. Let’s keep our cool.”

My mom flicks her hand like she’s shooing a bug. The bug being me. “Oh, Lana, you’re always so modest. Anyone could see how in love you two are from across the room.”

I try to interrupt this madness, but Grant talks before I can. “Yes, I’m sure you can. It was so nice to see you guys again. I think the groom is trying to get my attention. If you’ll excuse us?”

Grant pushes my waist to say bye to my parents. I hug them and whisper in their ear, “You guys are so embarrassing.”

My mom kisses me, which means I’ll have to run to the bathroom to get her lipstick off my cheek. “We are so excited for you, honey! We’ll see you soon. You better call me about dinner,” she says in my ear.

My dad says, “Love you, little one.” I let go of them and they go mingle with other parents. If she tells the whole world we’re getting married when he hasn’t proposed, I’ll be mortified.

Once we have some distance between us, I turn to Grant. “I’m so sorry about that.”

“I’m not. What are you sorry about?”

“My mom planning our future.”

“Sounds good to me. You’re mine, I’m yours.” He shrugs.

I stare at him with my mouth gaping open, again. “We haven’t even been dating for a month.”

“What’s with the timetables you have? We have a head start. I’ve known you for years.”

Before I can protest the logic of talking about marriage and moving in together after only being together officially for three days, Grant gets stiff.

“Shit.”

I look around the room, trying to see any threats. “What’s wrong.”

“My parents are here,” he whispers to me. “Don’t worry. I’ll make this quick.”

Two people with plastic smiles make their way over to us.

Grant’s dad is in a perfectly fitted black suit with a black tie, white shirt, and white handkerchief.

His mother is sporting a dirty blonde mid-length haircut and light blue dress.

She looks perfect, without a wrinkle in sight or hair out of place.

I’ve never met Grant’s parents. I’ve seen them in the paper, but in real life, they have a Stepford vibe going on.

“Hi, Grant. It’s been a while.” His dad puts his hand out for Grant to shake.

That alone is strange. No hugs from the happy family?

His mom embraces him in a full hug you can feel is genuine. Her perfume sweeps by me with a light vanilla scent. Grant pulls away first, eyeing her like he’s trying to read her mind.

“Hey, guys.” He looks between the two. “How are you?”

“Just fine,” his dad answers with that suspicious smile in place.

Grant motions to me. “This is my girlfriend, Lana Love.”

I smile and nod while holding on to Grant’s arm. I make sure I’m standing up straight. I’m not letting anyone bring me down anymore, especially people Grant isn’t fond of.

His mom reaches out her hand. “I’m Connie.” I take it. “Pleasure to meet you.” Her grin never falters through the handshake. Her hand feels so delicate; if I were to squeeze too hard, I’d think I’d break it.

“This is my husband, Stephen,” Connie introduces.

Stephen reaches out his hand next. It’s a firm shake, but he doesn’t acknowledge me. He turns to Grant. “ Love as in your friend, Joshua Love? Is she his sister?”

Grant nods. The strange grin he’d been holding in place falters. Once the handshake is complete, he stands there, staring at me with a quizzical brow. I guess he’s not impressed. Not that I care. Grant isn’t his biggest fan.

“Lovely wedding, isn’t it?” Connie says to make small talk.

“It is. I know Matt and Scarlett are so happy,” I say.

Stephen scoffs into his drink. Grant stares at him like he wants to melt him with his eyes.

“How’s the golf game been going, Grant?” his dad asks. Connie is still staring at me with a weird smile, like if she stops, the world will end.

“Fine,” Grant replies in a dry tone. He’s not trying to carry on the conversation at all.

“I love the colors Scarlett chose. Did she pick the reds because of her name?” Connie asks me.

“More of a nickname. She calls Matt Mr. Red.”

She responds with a forced laugh. “How interesting.”

I could kiss Grant for saving us from what feels like dying a slow death when he excuses us. “We were on our way to see the bride and groom. We’ll see you guys around later, huh?”

“Yes, yes! We’d love to see you if you’re in town, dear,” Connie tells Grant as she kisses both his cheeks.

His dad gives another handshake to both of us. Grant grabs my waist and leads us away to the bar for a drink. Can always count on Scarlett to have good drinks. Thank you, open bar!

“Are you okay?” I ask him as we wait in line.

He’s still a little stiff. I know he doesn’t have the greatest relationship with his parents. “Yeah, fine. Sorry about them. I know they’re strange.”

“Your mom seems nice.” If a statue was your parent.

“She is. I just wish she’d grow a backbone.” He clears his throat. “Anyway, what do you want to drink?”

Once we get a drink, Grant loosens up and takes us on the floor for some dancing. At least meeting the parents is over. Whatever happened with them was weird, but neither of us is letting the events get to us. I hope it’s proof of what our relationship can withstand.