Page 22 of Cherish

“Only she’s allowed to call me that,” she says.

“Warning received. You know, you can just let her have her way in this.” She pauses, surprise marring her face. “Hear me out.”

“Okay,” she says.

“She’s obviously thrilled about this wedding. She wants to show you and your handsome fiancé off to everyone. You go to the luncheon she’s planning, eat, show off your new husband and then go on your honeymoon. It will make both mothers happy because it’s obvious to me that Jake’s mother is in on it. And I think you’ll feel good about making them happy.” I walk over and stand next to her, our shoulders touching. “I don’t know my father. My mother’s gone. She was here one day, beautiful and healthy, and gone the next. If I ever get married, I don’t know how I’m going to get through that day without her, but you don’t have to worry about that.”

She looks straight ahead, and I wait for her to tell me to mind my own business, but she surprises me. She turns to face me, and without any warning, she pulls me into a hug. She’s fast and strong as she holds me tight against her body. I feel my eyes fill with tears, but I will them not to fall. She pulls away just as quickly.

“You’re right, Alex. Sometimes I need a reality check.” I open the door for her, and we walk back to her mom.

“Deedee,” her mom says. “Trouble wants the luncheon. I promised to make all his favorites.” Jake smiles guiltily at Sandy.

“He said he wants the luncheon? Is that true, Jacob? I remember you agreeing with me on the subject,” Sandy says.

“Yes, it’s true.” I can’t help but laugh when it’s her mom who answers that question.

“Okay, Mama. Whatever you want.” She bends down and kisses her mother, who jumps out of her seat, and takes two glasses of champagne from the tray.

“Good. I give you details later.” She scurries across the yard and hands the other glass to Jake’s mother. They both clink their glasses in victory.

“I kinda love your moms,” I say to them both. Sandy hands me a glass of champagne and takes the last one for herself. As if she’s been doing it all her life, she sits on Jacob’s lap and they take turns sipping from the same glass.

I take a sip from my own glass and realize this isn’t the cheap stuff I buy on New Year’s Eve. Before I can take a seat next to the couple, our host comes running to us.

“You opened up my champagne?” he asks with fake outrage. He takes the glass from me and takes a sip before handing it back to me. “You know Jake’s mom sent me that on the day of the closing? And you were going to drink it without me?” he accuses.

“Guilty,” Sandy says. “It was me.”

As if he didn’t hear her, he continues to stare at me. “You certainly make yourself at home, don’t you?”

I don’t answer him. Instead, I make a show of drinking the rest of the champagne. I feel his eyes on me as I drink. Just before I finish, he snatches the glass from my hand and finishes it.

“Hey,” I say with mock outrage, “I wanted that. I guess I’ll just have to go back inside and see what else you’re hiding.”

“I guess I’ll have to keep you outside then.” He grabs my hand and pulls me onto the loveseat. He casually throws one arm around me and lays a hand on my knee.

“You know what?” Sandy asks. “You should come to our wedding.”

“Nope. She’s just going to bring Dr. Dud as her date,” he says, jerking his head in the direction of Dr. Doyle.

“Well, see that that doesn’t happen, JD.” Sandy jumps off Jake’s lap and runs inside the house.

Sandy’s sister and husband come walking over. Her cheeks are flushed.

“Dr. JD, why’d you stop the music? Chris just challenged me to a dance off. Back in the day, no one could out dance me.” To prove her point, she starts doing the robot. Her husband does it too, but he’s doing the naughty robot where he slaps her on the ass.

“Natasha! Christopher!” her mom yells from across the yard. “No!”

And just like that, the dirty robotic dancing stops, and Jake throws his head back in laugher.

“All right, guys. Party time.” Jason pulls a remote out of his pocket and music starts to play.

Even though there is no dance floor, everyone floods to the middle of the yard and dances.

When Sandy gets back, she calls Ananda and Mellie over.

“I know JD is bringing Mellie as his plus one, but here’s an invitation for you two. I’ll reserve an extra room for you guys.”

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