Page 3 of My Ogre Husband
“Good.” Celeste’s smile is radiant and encouraging. “I think you’re brave to try again.”
I swat away her compliment. “Now I just have to figure out what to wear!”
ChapterTwo
I’m a bundle of nerves after informing the resident director that I’d like to meet Egorr, but I try to play it cool. I spend two whole days mulling over what to wear for our meeting, and even get my mother’s input, though she has atrocious taste—but it’s not like Celeste’s is much better. I’m on my own when it comes to picking something out.
Eventually I decide on a modest blue blouse with a matching polka-dot skirt, and my favorite blue flats. Hopefully Egorr doesn’t think I’m too overdone.
I can’t think like that. If I don’t want a repeat of Shisek, I have to be my real self. I have to ask for what I want and need, and let my potential partner decide if he’s interested or not. Egorr sounds like a nice guy, but if how I dress is going to be a deal-breaker, I’d rather know now.
Before our meeting, I find out what I can about ogres. They tend to be solitary, or so the internet says, and they build their homes in mountains and hills. Once married, they stay with their partner for life. They typically eat a lot to sustain their big bodies but only need a meal once or twice a day. I wonder how that would work when I need three squares daily.
After reading the whole article, I’m more worried about our differences than ever. Would I fit into his life? Would he need to buy extra furniture to accommodate my much smaller size? Would he want to travel, to do things and explore the world, if he’s cooped up in his den alone all the time?
Celeste comes over that morning to bring me breakfast and give me a pep talk, which is funny to me coming from someone who won’t even look at her own applications. She busies about, dropping encouraging words as I put on some light makeup. I want to disguise the bags under my eyes, but not hide who I am. I’m grateful to have her there, and before I head to the meeting, she gives me a big hug.
“Something will work out for you,” she says. “I know it in my heart.”
It’s cheesy, but I hope she’s right. I want to find my forever person.
* * *
I try to gather up all my confidence before I step into the meeting room. I’m pretty and smart, and I know what I want. I’m not willing to accept half measures any longer. No more Shiseks.
I don’t know if I believe all of it in my heart, but I’m going to pretend I do.
Steeling myself, I head inside.
When I open the door and peer through, I find Egorr’s already inside and talking with the resident director. He’s gigantic. Like, really,reallybig. His clothes are huge, too, and seem to be barely holding in his big chest and belly. His tusks are even longer in real life than they looked in his picture, but his head is just as empty of hair.
Samantha spots me and says brightly, “Hi, Maddie!”
Egorr turns around, and when he sees me, his mouth falls open.
“Oh,” is all that comes out. Samantha gestures for me to come in, so I do, letting the door fall closed behind me. Egorr hasn’t stopped staring, and I wonder if I have something on my face.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” the resident director says, giving me a broad smile. Then she lets herself out, and Egorr and I are by ourselves.
I decide to jump right into it. “Hi!” I say cheerily, holding out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Egorr.”
The ogre blinks a few times, like he’s just realized where we are and what we’re doing.
“Hello,” he says, and his voice is incredibly deep, like a didgeridoo. “Thank you for meeting me, Maddie.”
He shakes my hand, and his utterly dwarfs mine, his palm swallowing up my fingers. Then he releases me, and Egorr gestures politely to one of the couches. When I sit down, he finds his own seat on the couch opposite of me, so I feel like I’m going to a counseling session.
“I should be the one thanking you for meetingme,” I say with a nervous laugh. “Thanks for, um, applying. And then coming all the way out here.”
Though Egorr’s smile had looked a little forced in his application photo, this time when he smiles, the radiance of it takes me by surprise. His bulky lower lip pulls up on the sides, his tusks rising high on his face. He has such a big, wide mouth, and his eyes crinkle so adorably that it sets me at ease right away.
“I was really happy to get the call,” he says, that booming voice sending a little shock down my spine. “I’ve been hoping for a while I’d hear from you.”
“Really?” Now I feel terrible about how long I took to respond. I was just so weighed down with Shisek that I’d put it off, not even thinking about the monsters on the other side of the applications who might be waiting to hear from me.
“Of course.” Egorr’s smile softens. “When I heard nothing, I got worried I might never get picked.”
“Oh, sorry.” I drop my eyes to the floor. “I should have accepted or declined sooner. I just...” I shake off the flood of sadness that washes over me. “I’ve been busy, that’s all!”
