Page 20 of Love in Tandem
“And I’m sure it won’t. Isn’t there anybody else you can ask?”
“Not at such short notice. Lorelai’s grandmother isn’t doing well, so she’s out of town, and Staci can only make it for the reception. And I’d rather not ask any of the other Minelli cousins because they’re all—”
“Too fat. Yes, I know.”
“Pregnant, Momma,” Shannon said with a patient reprimand in her tone. “Not fat.”
“Goodness, this is a dilemma. A real dilemma. You need at least one person to stand up front with you. What are we doing to do? I tried warning you a short engagement would lead to trouble. We haven’t had time to plan anything.”
The way Shannon’s mom carried on made Charlotte feel a new wave of gratitude for her own parents. And maybe a slice of pity for Shannon.
“This wedding is going to be a disaster if we don’t figure something out. I’m making some calls right now. Maybe there’s a place we can rent a maid of honor by the hour. These days, anything’s possible.” Shannon’s mother spun, nearly colliding into Charlotte. “Oh, sorry. We’re blocking the bathroom, aren’t we?”
Shannon pulled her mom close to the wall, a kind but tired smile aimed at Charlotte. “Don’t mind us. We love carrying out personal conversations whenever we can trap unwilling participants into listening.”
Charlotte smiled. “Hardly heard anything.” A muffled dry heave slipped through the crack of the door. “Except maybe that.”
“Do we know you?” The mother’s eyes assessed Charlotte up and down. “You look familiar.”
“You do,” Shannon agreed before her eyes widened and she sucked in a giant breath. “Oh my goodness. You’re Charlotte.”
“Who’s Charlotte?” Shannon’s mother asked, gaze narrowing like a hungry hawk.
“Nobody.” Charlotte swallowed, feeling all too much like a scared bunny. What was taking Zach so long?
“Charlotte is Ben’s . . .” Shannon swallowed, appearing to fumble for the right words as her cheeks flushed red. “Uh, you remember, Momma. She’s Ben’s . . .” Shannon began chewing her lower lip, eyes full of apology.
“Ben’s what?”
“Nothing,” Charlotte said. “I’m Ben’s nothing. I’m actually here with Zach. Well, I mean, I’m waiting for Zach. We’re not—”
“Oh, Charlotte!” Zach’s mother interrupted, rushing down the hallway. “There you are, my dear. And I see you three are talking. That’s good. Why make it awkward when we can just celebrate that it’s good news, right?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Shannon’s mother raked Charlotte up and down with that predatory gaze once again. Charlotte’s spine stiffened as if she were trying to hide behind a thin tree.
“Oh, so she didn’t tell you?” Zach’s mom clapped her hands together in anticipation. “Joanne, allow me to introduce you to—”
Charlotte only now realized what was happening. She rushed forward from the invisible tree to stop Zach’s mother from continuing. But Charlotte had forgotten how Zach’s mother could talk faster than an auctioneer on a caffeine high when she got excited.
“—Zach’s date, Charlotte. They’re a couple. Isn’t that a wonderful surprise? An answer to prayer if you ask me.”
Shannon gasped and clasped her hands together. “You and Zach are together? Really? Oh, I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. I mean it. Truly. I feel like a huge weight has finally been lifted.”
“I’m sorry. I still feel like I’m missing something,” Joanne said. “Who are you?”
Shannon slid a friendly arm around Charlotte’s waist. “Charlotte, Momma. The Charlotte. Ben’s Charlotte. Except now she’s Zach’s Charlotte. Isn’t that great? Everything’s working out like it was supposed to.”
Charlotte’s mind had gotten stuck like mud on the Charlotte. She could hardly pull it out of the slop to Ben’s Charlotte. Let alone Zach’s Charlotte.
“You know what this means, don’t you?” Shannon said, jumping up and down. Her mother started jumping up and down too. Most concerning was when Zach’s mother joined the trampoline of excitement.
“Uh, hey guys,” Zach’s voice broke into the chaos. “What’s going on here?”
“We’re celebrating the good news,” Shannon said.
“What good news?” Zach’s left eyebrow quirked up as he slanted Charlotte a look. “I sure hope this isn’t how they’re taking the news about Melba.”
The women were shouting and squealing too much to hear Zach. “She’s going to be the maid of honor!” Shannon and her mother yelled, while Zach’s mom screamed something about future grandbabies.
