Page 24 of You Chive Me Crazy
“I’m sure her potatoes are absolutely wonderful,” Betsy said, probably sensing the mood was taking a negative turn. “I can’t wait to try them.”
“Thank you,” I said, smiling in her direction.
“I talked highly of Harmony’s buns long before we became a couple,” Hank interrupted, reaching toward her backside.
“Behave,” Harmony said, laughing, swatting his hand away.
Laughter rang out around the table.
Unfortunately, Savannah wasn’t finished pressing for more info on me and Lucas, a skeptical look still plastered on her face.
“When did you two get married?” she asked.
“December,” I said, just as Lucas said, “March.”
We glanced at each other, both shocked, both wondering what to do, and then we both started laughing.
I shrugged, not able to keep the smile off my face. “Nobody said we were married. We were being silly and pretending. We’re just friends.” I glanced at Marty, ready to change the subject. “How did you and Betsy meet?”
Damian wasn’t interested—he was still glaring at Lucas.
“We met at UCLA,” Marty said. “I was studying civil engineering and Betsy was studying microbiology. She was actually dating my roommate.”
“Oh, I love this story,” Kay said. “Tell them about the cooking arrangement.”
“Honey? Why don’t you tell this part?” Marty said. “Your version is so much more romantic than mine.”
Betsy nodded. “Marty lived with nine guys in two adjoining apartments, while I lived in a nearby dorm with horrible food. One day, I offered to cook for all of them, just to eat their food instead of mine. The arrangement was that the guys would do the shopping and clean up afterwards. And since I loved to cook and eat, it was a win-win!”
“What did you usually prepare?” Hank asked.
“Chili. Beef stew. Baked chicken,” Betsy said. “Whatever was on sale at the time and could feed eight to nine people.” She glanced over at Marty with a look of pure love. “Yes, I had been going out with his roommate, but I thought Marty was the best looking, nicest, funniest, and most interesting guy I had ever met.”
“How did you go from dating his roommate to dating him?” Lucas asked.
“I was wondering the same thing,” I said.
“Ahhh, that . . .” Betsy smiled. “Well, I had set Marty up with my sister, of all people, but that didn’t work out. Then one thing led to another. Marty and I were on my sister’s balcony, and I kissed him!”
“No!” I said.
Betsy nodded. “Sure did. And when he kissed me back, I knew I was going to marry him. Then he asked me out on a date.” She laughed, leaned closer to Marty, and kissed him. “We’ve been married forty-four years.”
“That is just wonderful,” Harmony said.
Betsy walked around the table and handed a three-by-five card to each person. “Okay, we have ice cream for dessert. One scoop, two scoops, three scoops, you name it. I can also do banana splits, shakes, chocolate sundaes, and root beer floats. We’ve got forty flavors, including a few that are lactose free. I’ll take some of these plates away while everyone figures out what they want.” She quickly cleared away a few of the things and then disappeared into the kitchen.
“Wow . . . forty flavors?” Lucas eyed the card on both sides, nodding his head in amazement. “You’re going to put Baskin-Robbins out of business.”
Marty laughed. “I guess you could say she’s just a little obsessed with the ice cream. That, and the peanut M&M’s, which you’ll find in just about every room. My wife is one-of-a-kind, that’s for sure.”
His adoring eyes remained glued to the entrance of the kitchen as he waited with bated breath for her return.
Betsy entered the dining room and stopped at Marty’s side, hooking her arm around his. “Are you talking about me?”
He smiled proudly. “Any chance I can get.”
I loved how much they loved each other.
