Page 59 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 3

“Why is that?” I dared ask.

“Because Bianca just made bail.”

Episode 76

This Too Shall Pass

NAOMI

“You’ve arrived where? Atlanta? Mom, you can’t be serious.” I held the phone to my ear as Memphis puttered around his small kitchen making brunch. We’d slept in, made love and now were famished. The plan was to have a lazy day with Memphis showing me around his stomping grounds, not entertaining my parents, who God only knew why, decided to fly their private jet to Georgia.

“We have to meet the family you’re marrying, of course. I’ve already made reservations at Atlas. We’re staying at the St. Regis.”

“Mom, I’ve barely just met my soon to be in-laws…” I tried.

“Darling, we do not have time to waste. The wedding is in just over two weeks, unless you’ve decided to postpone?” she hedged, sounding hopeful, which grated on my last nerve.

“Mother, I made it clear that Memphis and I will be planning our own wedding. We’ll let you know the details as soon as they have been decided.”

“Whatever you say, dear. Regardless, I’ve already called Mrs. Taylor and invited them to dinner this evening. We’ll be at the chef’s table, which is a great honor, as you know.”

“You called his mother?” I gritted my teeth, trying to breathe through the anger.

Memphis chuckled and shook his head but didn’t interject, just kept on cooking as if my mother’s antics were all the same to him.

“Of course. It would be rude of me not to after hearing the news you’re engaged to the man. In societal norms, we’re already behind. We should have met him when you started dating but seeing as you’ve shot straight through all of that to impending nuptials, I’m playing catch-up.”

“Nothing about me being with Memphis, or our marriage, can be put into a high-society box, Mother. I’m marrying him because he’s the man for me. I’m doing so, outside of your gilded world because that’s what I want. That’s what Memphis desires. He doesn’t care if we marry in his mother’s backyard.” The idea hit me like a ton of bricks. It was absolutely perfect. “Actually, you know what… Hey, baby?” I called out.

Memphis flipped a piece of bacon as he munched on another one he’d already cooked. “What’s up?”

“Do you think your mother would let us get married in her garden?”

“Naomi Shaw, don’t you dare! A backyard wedding.” My mother practically gagged through her gasp. “It’s untoward. My reputation would be ruined with all the ladies at the club. And your father, he would not be pleased.”

I grinned. This idea just got better.

“Baby, she’d be through the roof. You know how proud she is of her garden.” He smiled gently, and my heart squeezed at the joy-filled expression on his face, cementing the plan more firmly in my mind.

“If a backyard wedding is what you want, darling, we can do so at the New York estate. I’ll have tents put up and an endless array of fresh flowers, a champagne fountain, maybe an ice sculpture…”

“No.”

“No to the backyard? Oh, thank God!” Mother stated with relief. “It would be a stretch to do it justice in such a short time frame. We can host at the country club, or maybe I’ll call my contact at the Museum of Modern Art. You and Memphis can say your vows in front of priceless works of art. Yes, that would be lovely and perfect for the society pages,” she carried on.

“No to all of it. If Mrs. Taylor agrees to host our wedding, we will do it at the home where Memphis was raised, and in the garden his mother painstakingly tends to. It’s absolutely beautiful and will make the perfect location for a small,privateaffair.” I got up from my chair and went to snuggle against my man’s side. He nuzzled my neck and looped one arm around my waist. “I think your mother’s garden would be exactly fitting for us, what do you think?”

“Love the idea and my mother would be honored.”

“Naomi, please don’t do this,” my mother pleaded.

“It’s already done. Get used to the idea. And while you’re here, perhaps we can go wedding dress shopping?” I offered the olive branch, knowing my mother couldn’t pass up an opportunity such as this.

She sighed deeply. “Your father is not going to be happy about your plans.”

I covered my mouth and tried not to laugh out loud. “We’ll tell him tonight so he can’t explode with guests in attendance.”

“Hmm, that could work, though Abraham has been known to have ugly outbursts in the past...” she warned.

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