Page 160 of Girls Will Be Girls
“You’re the host, Mom.” He says.
“Lou.” She scolds.
He places his hands up in surrender, pulling my arm up high with him as it’s still wrapped up in his grasp, making me giggle at the movement. “Fine.” He says.
“Finally.” His mom sighs dramatically.
We follow Lou’s mom as she takes us to the little stage area that’s been set up, for I assume this very reason. I try to get away, but Lou smirks at me and pulls me with him, trapping me under his arm.
“The happy couple, everyone.” His mom introduces us to the crowd.
As Lou steps up to the mic, I stand next to him, trying not to laugh or hurl as he starts talking.
“Thanks everyone. Thanks for coming. Mom, Dad, for organizing.” He says so coolly, like he does speeches to rooms full of people regularly.
His parents look to the crowd with smug faces, nodding like:“Yes, yes, we know this party is amazing.”.
“Just want to say,” Lou continues, “I couldn’t be happier to have this woman in my life.” He squeezes me closer to him as I fight a blush. “She makes me so happy, she makes me never want to stop smiling.” He grins. “Even after such a short amount of time, I already know that she’s my everything.”
He turns to me, a smirk spread across his mouth. “Baby girl, I adore you.” I roll my eyes as he grins, both of us knowing exactly what words he’s actually saying.
He turns back to the crowd, still smiling. “It’s also very exciting for us to be starting our life together with a fresh start.” He inhales, and I squeeze into him tighter, sensing what he’s doing. “With me leavingThe Journal.”
I swear I hear a gasp. I can picture Lou’s mom grasping her pearls, but I wouldn’t know as I just smile up at Lou, unable to take my eyes off of him and how happy he looks.
“I can’t wait for this next chapter.” He says down to me. “Thanks, everyone. Drink up.” He winks at me, and I dissolve into giggles again.
He pulls me off the makeshift stage, and before his lips can do more than ghost over mine, his family finds us. His parents barge over like they’re on a mission, pulling Otto out of a different conversation on the way to join in on this fun family conversation.
“What on earth are you talking about?” His mom starts.
“You think this is funny?” His dad adds.
“You’re not leavingThe Journal.” His mom shakes her head. “It’s not happening.
“I am,” Lou says. “I don’t like it. I’m going to find something I like.”
His dad scoffs. “You don’t do it because youlike it.”
Lou shrugs. “It’s not for me.”
“What is going on?” His mom screeches. “Is this because of her?” She points at me. “Did she put you up to this?”
Lou actually laughs. “No.”
“This isn’t funny.” His mom says, her voice notching even louder. “You want to work for amagazine? Be ablogger? Alifestyle writer?” She says with disgust and air quotes dotted around, and I’ve never suppressed an eye roll harder.
“I don’t know,” Lou says. “But I do know that if I were even half as good as Louisa is at what she does, I’d be proud.” He smiles down at me, and I think I’m looking at him with anime eyes.
“Son, be serious.” His dad bites through his teeth.
“I am.”
“This?” His dad gestures at him.“Her?”Then at me.
My stomach drops along with my smile. I don’t like Lou’s parents, and if I’ve learned anything today, I don’t need them to like me either. But this still stings.
Lou leans down to meet his parents’ eyes directly in an almost predatory move. “Say whatever you want about me, but you will never talk about the woman I worship like that again. Until you can learn to give her the respect she deserves, the respect you should automatically give to the woman I will be spending my life with, let alone a person as incredible as Louisa, then we have nothing further to discuss.” Lou says calmly. “Now.” He wraps an arm around me and pulls me into him. “If you don’t mind, we’re going to go celebrate.”
