Page 20 of Be My Wife

Big fat no to my marriage proposal.

Elizabeth?

Thinking she might have gotten into a car crash or something, I answer urgently. “Hello?”

“Hello?” A voice that sounds much heavier and louder than Elizabeth’s cheerful tone hollers back at me. “Is this Brogan?”

“Yes, it is.”

A flurry of gasps and excited squeals follow her statement.

I tear the phone away from my ear.

Stare at it.

Put it back.

“Hello?”

The woman on the line clears her throat and in a softer, more regal voice says, “Hello, this is Elizabeth’s mother.”

“Mama…”

“What?” Her mom snaps.

“Mama, you heard him. He’s real. Now give me back my phone.”

There’s a grunt. A rustle. Sounds of a fight.

And then the woman’s voice returns to the line.

Elizabeth lost that scrimmage.

“Brogan. What kind of name is that?”

“Well, it’s Irish—”

“Sorry. Was I too crass? Parents have all kinds of names for kids these days.”

“Uh…”

“Forget about your name. How long have you been dating my daughter?”

I wait her out.

As expected, she doesn’t even pause before continuing.

“I know how you young folks do it nowadays. Everyone is jumping into bed with no signs of commitment. That’s why, when they hear how close we are as a family, they get intimidated. No one is going to mess with our girls.”

Murmurs of agreement sound behind her.

“I hear you’re coming to the wedding.”

“Mama, the phone. Please.”

“You’re also going to the cake tasting with Novah. How is it that you intend to meet the cousin first before you meet the parents? Isn’t something wrong with that picture?”

My mind churns with new information.

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