Page 106 of Chasing Lynda

“Regardless of that, we have a wedding to plan!” She almost squeals. Three months fly by so fast that we’ll barely be able to make it! Especially since we need to think about an engagement party too! I’ll clear my calendar and see if we can hire that wedding planner that the Andersons used for their daughter’s wedding last year. Of course the venue is the biggest problem, now that the hotel is gone. There’s always the Country Club but they’re usually booked a year in advance. Nothing that Grant won’t be able to solve with his negotiation skills. Right, darling?”

Dodge’s father has been observing us quietly this entire time. “I’m a founding member, Patty. I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out. Unless obviously the bride’s family has somewhere they’d rather have the reception. Do we know your parents? I don’t think we’ve met before, Lynda,” he says turning his gaze on me. Grant Butten’s tone is calm but I detect an edge to it. “I know everyone who’s anyone in Bridgeport and unless you aren’t a local ...”

He doesn’t finish his sentence, but the meaning is abundantly clear; if he doesn’t know my parents, we’re either from somewhere else, or we’re beneath their social circles.

I open my mouth to speak, but Mrs. Butten interrupts me. “Oh my gosh, Grant, you’re right! I hadn’t thought about Lynda’s parents! Sweetie,” she says to me, “I’m so sorry! Maybe you can call your mother and invite her to brunch on Sunday, so we can discuss ...”

Fuck, no.

I bite my bottom lip before I have the chance to utter those words out loud, glaring at Dodge for putting me in this uncomfortable situation.

What the fuck was he thinking? Does he really think we can go through with this farce?

Plus, if he knew anything about my family, he’d probably run far away from me; which is exactly why I haven’t talked about my parents or “my ex” with the guys, beyond telling them that we’re estranged.

I inhale to try and steady my voice and this time I’m the one who squeezes Dodge’s hand. So hard that he winces in pain. “Hmm, no ma’am.” I look at Dodge’s father. “My parents died two years ago and you’re right, sir. You couldn’t have known them because they were originally from Texas and I grew up a few hours away from here.”

I know that aside from the Texas part of my story, these are lies, but what’s the alternative? I’m sure that hearing about the cult my father helped create and the arrest and all the creepy, horrible shit my mother and I had to endure wouldn’t earn their approval.

“Oh, sweetie!” Dodge’s mom covers her mouth with her hands in horror. “That’s so sad! I’m so sorry!”

The lie rolls off my tongue very easily. “It’s ok, ma’am. It was a while ago. I’ve been on my own for a while.”

The woman rises from the couch opposite us and comes to wrap her delicate arms around me. “But now you aren’t alone anymore! And please, call me Patricia or Mom.”

I listen to Dodge’s parents and Mr. Fletcher beginning to make plans for an engagement party on the Fourth of July and a wedding on Labor Day.

I’m conflicted between the enormity of what I was just thrown into and the pull of feelings at the thought of having a family again.

The guys are uncharacteristically quiet until Bennett’s dad says his goodbyes and Dodge’s parents leave to attend a possible fundraiser dinner at the local Country Club.

24.

Rules Of Engagement

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